Kakul Narrows Shelter

Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations required or available.

About

Kakul Narrows Shelter offers a primitive wilderness experience on the remote shores of Baranof Island in the Tongass National Forest. This three-sided Adirondack-style structure is equipped with a wood stove, plywood bunks, and a small table, designed primarily as a survival shelter for emergency situations or overnight use by kayakers and boaters traveling through the area. Located on the east side of Kakul Narrows between Salisbury Sound and Fish Bay, the shelter is accessible only by boat, roughly 25 miles north of Sitka. The site experiences light usage and provides basic protection from Southeast Alaska's weather. No amenities such as water, restrooms, or trash service are available, so visitors must be completely self-sufficient and practice Leave No Trace principles. The shelter sits in the heart of the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States, offering opportunities to experience the rugged beauty of the Alaska rainforest. Wildlife including brown bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, bald eagles, and marine mammals are common in the area. The surrounding waters provide access to world-class fishing and kayaking through pristine fjords and island passages.

Directions

Located on Baranof Island on the east side of Kakul Narrows between Salisbury Sound and Fish Bay, approximately 25 miles north of Sitka. Accessible by boat only.

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