Skagway / Tongass National Forest

Denver Caboose Cabin

Closed — Closed for the season. The cabin is only accessible May 1 through September 30 via the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. Access outside this period is not permitted as the railroad tracks and surrounding land are controlled by the railroad company. Reservations require at least 24 hours advance notice for train transportation.

About

Denver Caboose Cabin is a one-of-a-kind accommodation: a retired 1960s railroad caboose from the White Pass and Yukon Railroad, now serving as a remote public use cabin. Located approximately 5.5 miles north of Skagway along the East Fork of the Skagway River, the cabin sits beside the railroad tracks at the trailhead for the 4.5-mile Denver Glacier Trail. The cabin sleeps six people with a double bunk and four single bunks, including a nicknamed "observatory penthouse" bunk with windows on all sides accessed by ladder. Amenities include a table with benches, an oil heater (requires #1 stove oil, approximately 1 gallon per day on low setting), food preparation space, a campfire ring, and an outhouse. There is no water or electricity; visitors must bring their own water or treat stream water from a nearby source uphill from the cabin. Guests must also bring sleeping bags, pads, cooking equipment, lanterns, and all food and supplies. The cabin offers excellent views of the East Fork Skagway River and the Sawtooth Mountains, surrounded by spruce and hemlock rainforest. Black bears and moose are common in the area, and mountain goats can frequently be spotted with binoculars. The 4.5-mile trail to Denver Glacier begins at the cabin and follows the river with many scenic overlooks through rugged, brushy terrain.

Directions

Located approximately 5.5 miles north of Skagway along the East Fork of the Skagway River, beside the railroad tracks at the Denver Glacier Trailhead. Access is only via the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad from May 1 through September 30. Make train reservations at least 24 hours in advance by calling the railroad at +1 (800) 343-7373.

Nearby Campgrounds