Unorganized Borough / Hoonah-Angoon / Tongass National Forest / Kootznoowoo Wilderness / Admiralty Island National Monument

Lake Alexander Cabin

Open — Open year-round and available for reservation up to 180 days in advance via Recreation.gov. In fall, winter, and early spring, the lake may be frozen, making the cabin inaccessible.

About

Lake Alexander Cabin offers a unique wilderness lodging experience in the Tongass National Forest, situated on the northwest end of Lake Alexander at 350 feet elevation. This primitive pan-abode style log cabin sleeps up to 6 people on wooden bunkbeds without mattresses and is equipped with a table, benches, a wood stove for heat, and an outside pit toilet. The cabin sits 30 feet above the lake under a canopy of old-growth forest, with a beach area that gets some sun exposure. The cabin is located within the 956,255-acre Kootznoowoo Wilderness on Admiralty Island, an area characterized by dense spruce and hemlock forests, lakes, muskeg, and distant rocky peaks reaching over 3,000 feet. Wildlife abounds in the area, including Sitka black-tailed deer, bald eagles, and brown bears. A skiff with oars is provided at the cabin for fishing and lake exploration; visitors may bring a small outboard motor (maximum 10 horsepower due to wilderness regulations) but must bring their own personal flotation devices. The cabin is part of the historic Admiralty Island Canoe Route, originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The route features portages of varying difficulty linking seven mountain lakes in the heart of Admiralty Island's Kootznoowoo Wilderness. From the cabin, a 2.4-mile trail from the east end of the lake leads to Mole Harbor, while paddling to the west end of Beaver Lake provides access to a 0.25-mile trail to Hasselborg Lake. Anglers will find Lake Alexander excellent for catching cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden. Access to the cabin is by floatplane (approximately 45 minutes from Juneau) or canoe/kayak with portage (6.5 miles from Mole Harbor). Note that helicopter access is illegal due to the wilderness designation.

Directions

Access to the cabin is by floatplane or canoe/kayak with portage. Floatplane access is approximately 45 minutes from Juneau. By canoe and portage, the cabin is 6.5 miles from Mole Harbor. Helicopter access is illegal due to wilderness designation. Refer to USGS topographic map Sitka C-1, C-2.

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