Gavan Hill Hut

Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations available. Winter access may be difficult due to snow and trail conditions.

About

Gavan Hill Hut serves as an emergency shelter along the popular Harbor Mountain-Gavan Hill Trail in the Tongass National Forest near Sitka. Located at approximately 2,000 feet elevation and about 3 miles from the Gavan Hill trailhead, this basic four-sided shelter marks roughly the midpoint of the trail system. The hut provides minimal protection from the elements with no stove, no insulation, and no maintained amenities. The surrounding alpine landscape offers spectacular panoramic views of Sitka Sound, Mount Edgecumbe, and the rugged peaks of Baranof Island. Hikers typically reach the shelter after climbing through dense hemlock-spruce forest and ascending a series of steep switchbacks before emerging into subalpine meadows. The trail continues past the hut across rolling alpine terrain lined with wildflowers in summer and vibrant fall colors in late summer and early September. This is an emergency shelter intended for day hikers seeking a rest stop or unexpected weather protection, not a destination camping facility. The shelter operates on a first-come, first-served basis year-round, though winter access can be challenging due to snow and ice. No reservations are available, and visitors should come prepared with adequate food, water, and emergency supplies as no services are provided at the site.

Directions

Located on the Harbor Mountain-Gavan Hill Trail approximately 3 miles northeast of Sitka. The Gavan Hill trailhead is at the end of Baranof Street in Sitka. The shelter sits at roughly the midpoint of the trail after ascending through forest and switchbacks to the alpine zone at approximately 2,000 feet elevation.

Nearby Campgrounds