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.
Special Weather Statement issued February 8 at 1:57PM AKST by NWS Juneau AK
After a series of shortwaves that brought rain and gusty winds over the past few days, a stronger front will approach southeast Alaska from the west on Tuesday. South to southeast winds will increase through the day Tuesday. Confidence is increasing for windy conditions with strong gusts Tuesday night into Wednesday morning as the front pushes west to east across southeast Alaska. Gales with storm force gusts will be possible ahead and along the frontal passage, especially along north-south oriented channels and along the coastal waters. A period of moderate to heavy rainfall will be possible with the frontal passage, but with the progressive nature of the front, flooding is not expected at this time. Another gale to potentially storm force low will quickly lift northeast into the Gulf and looks to push across southeast Alaska sometime later Wednesday into Thursday, bringing another round of strong gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall. Further details on the high wind and flooding potential for this system will be honed in on in the coming days. Looking further ahead, a cooling trend is favored to commence in the wake of these passing systems by late work week into the weekend. Snow levels will begin to lower and a colder outflow wind pattern could set up by late weekend. This could result in a return of snow for some coastal communities, especially across northern southeast Alaska. Further details on the pattern change and snow potential will be honed as the weekend approaches.
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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