Ketchikan Gateway / Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness / Tongass National Forest

Hugh Smith Lake Cabin

Open — Open year-round for reservations via Recreation.gov. During fall, winter and early spring, the cabin may be inaccessible when the lake surface freezes and floatplanes cannot land. Contact the Ketchikan-Misty Fjords Ranger District at +1 (907) 225-2148 before making winter reservations.

About

Hugh Smith Lake Cabin sits on a peninsula extending into Hugh Smith Lake on the mainland within the Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness. This 12x14-ft pan-abode style cabin, built in 1965, sleeps six people with two single bunks and two double bunks. The cabin is surrounded by old-growth forest of Sitka spruce, western hemlock and cedar, offering views of the lake and forested slopes. The cabin comes equipped with a wood stove, table and benches, splitting maul, broom, and an outhouse. A 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars is available for exploring the lake. There is a working fish weir near the outlet where anglers can fish for cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden, and sockeye salmon. An abandoned cannery site at the east end of the lake invites exploration, and a trail leads to saltwater. This is a true wilderness cabin requiring self-sufficiency. Guests must bring their own water or treat lake water, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking equipment, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, fire extinguisher, fire starter, and life jackets. No electricity or potable water is available. The area supports a large population of brown bears, as well as Sitka black-tailed deer, wolves, martens, moose, and various waterfowl.

Directions

Located approximately 55 air miles southeast of Ketchikan on the mainland south of Marten Arm. Accessible only by floatplane; no moorage available. Helicopter access is illegal in this designated Wilderness area. Refer to USGS map Ketchikan A-3.

Nearby Campgrounds