Mckinley Trail Cabin

About

Located at Mile 21 of the Copper River Highway near Cordova, McKinley Trail Cabin provides an accessible base camp for exploring the Copper River Delta. The cabin sits approximately 80 yards from the road on the McKinley Lake Trail, making it one of the most easily accessible Forest Service cabins in Alaska. The 12-by-14 log structure features wooden bunkbeds sleeping up to six, a wood stove for heating, a table, and an outdoor pit toilet. The cabin serves as an excellent staging point for day trips along the McKinley Lake Trail. About 1.25 miles from the trailhead is the junction for the Pipeline Lakes Trail, which winds through muskeg meadows and spruce-hemlock forests. The main trail continues to McKinley Lake and McKinley Lake Cabin at 2.25 miles, with remnants of the historic Lucky Strike Mine just beyond. Fishing for coho salmon is available across the highway in Alaganik Slough, particularly productive in late August and September. Visitors must be self-sufficient, bringing drinking water, firewood, food, sleeping bags, cook stove, and lanterns. All trash and food must be packed out. The Copper River Delta area is home to brown and black bears, moose, Sitka black-tailed deer, and abundant waterfowl.

Directions

From Cordova, drive 21 miles east on the Copper River Highway. The trailhead is located at Mile 21. The cabin is approximately 80 yards from the road on the McKinley Lake Trail.