Karta River Cabin
Open — Open year-round for reservations through Recreation.gov. Rates are $35 per night from October 1 through April 30 and $55 per night from May 1 through September 30. Same-day reservations available. Winter access can be difficult due to snow and ice conditions.
Winter Weather Advisory issued March 1 at 2:45PM AKST until March 2 at 6:00AM AKST by NWS Juneau AK
...MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF SNOWFALL EXPECTED THROUGH EARLY WEEK... The active weather pattern continues with split flow developing as an incoming front stalls across the central panhandle, with cold strong northerly outflow winds across the northern inner channels and warmer southerly winds across the southern panhandle. Portions of the central and southern panhandle will see moderate to heavy snowfall through Sunday evening as another surge of moisture pushes into the area. A transition to a rain snow mix is expected through Monday morning for the southern panhandle up to Sumner Strait. Main forecast challenge is potential for temperatures to warm up quicker than expected through Sunday night and into Monday morning with the front moving further north, limiting snowfall accumulations. Another system will bring more accumulating snow to the panhandle Monday night into Tuesday night. The track of this follow up feature could lead to significant swings in snow accumulations from Frederick Sound northward to the Icy Strait corridor. * WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to 5 inches. * WHERE...Prince of Wales Island and City and Borough of Wrangell. * WHEN...Until 6 AM AKST Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Highest snowfall totals will remain on the northern side of Prince of Wales Island and upper elevations near Wrangell. Heaviest snowfall rates are expected Sunday afternoon through Sunday night. Snow ratios will decrease through Sunday night as warm air pushes northward with a transition to a mixed precipitation through late Monday morning.
About
Karta River Cabin offers a remote wilderness experience on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. This primitive 12x14 foot pan-abode cedar log cabin sits on a bluff overlooking the mouth of Karta River, surrounded by second growth spruce and hemlock forest in the Karta River Wilderness area. The cabin is furnished with wooden bunkbeds that sleep up to five people, a table, benches, a wood stove for heat, cooking counter, shelves, and an outside pit toilet. The location is renowned for its exceptional fishing opportunities. Anglers can catch rainbow and cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden, and four species of salmon including sockeye, coho, and steelhead. During sockeye salmon season, the area becomes a gathering spot for subsistence fishing. The 5-mile Karta River Trail begins near the cabin and follows the river upstream to Salmon Lake, providing excellent access to fishing spots and connections to other cabins in the area. Wildlife viewing is abundant, with opportunities to see wolves, black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, beavers, otters, minks, martens, weasels, trumpeter swans, and various waterfowl. Access is exclusively by float plane from Ketchikan (40 air miles) or Thorne Bay (15 miles), or by boat from Hollis (10 miles by water). Arriving at high tide is strongly recommended. Visitors must be self-sufficient, bringing sleeping bags, cooking equipment, fuel, food, water treatment supplies, and all other necessities. Weather conditions can be unpredictable, and visitors should prepare for extended stays with 2-5 days of extra supplies.
Directions
Accessible only by float plane or boat. By float plane: 40 air miles from Ketchikan or 15 miles from Thorne Bay. By boat: approximately 10 miles from Hollis. Best to arrive at high tide. A mooring buoy is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Helicopter access is prohibited in this designated Wilderness area. Refer to USGS map Craig C-2.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $35 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (907) 828-3304 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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