Wrangell / Tongass National Forest

Harding River Cabin

Open — Open year-round for reservations at $35 per night. Access by float plane or boat only from Wrangell.

About

Harding River Cabin sits on relatively flat land overlooking the Harding River and Bradfield Canal, 40 miles southeast of Wrangell on the mainland. This 14x16-foot hunter-style cabin accommodates up to six people with two single bunks and two double bunks, a table with benches, broom, and oil stove for heat (No. 1 oil only). The cabin does not include bedding, cooking utensils, or firewood, so guests must bring their own supplies. The surrounding rainforest is primarily Sitka spruce and western hemlock with scattered cedar, and muskeg is common in the area. The location offers exceptional fishing opportunities with cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden from May through September, steelhead in April and May, and silver and chum salmon in August and September. Bradfield Canal provides excellent crabbing, though tide charts should be consulted before any boating or crabbing excursions. Wildlife viewing is a major draw, with brown and black bears, harbor seals, and bald eagles frequently spotted around the cabin. Gray whales occasionally swim in the nearby waters, and the upper end of Bradfield Canal serves as a spring and fall stop for migratory waterfowl. The beach near the cabin slopes gradually and does not provide easy boat anchorage, so anchoring in deeper water and using a skiff or punt to reach shore is recommended. Access is by float plane or boat only, and guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety.

Directions

Located 40 miles southeast of Wrangell by boat (31 miles by air) on the north side of Bradfield Canal at the mouth of the Harding River. Accessible only by float plane or boat. The beach slopes gradually; anchoring in deeper water and using a skiff or punt to reach shore is recommended.

Nearby Campgrounds