Unorganized Borough / Prince of Wales-Hyder / Tongass National Forest

Red Bay Lake Cabin

Open — The cabin is currently open and available for reservations year-round. Note that during fall, winter, and early spring, float plane access may be limited or impossible when the lake surface is frozen. Inclement weather may extend trips at any time of year, so bring 2-5 days of extra supplies.

About

Red Bay Lake Cabin offers visitors a unique Alaskan lodging experience in the remote northern section of Prince of Wales Island within Tongass National Forest. This 15' x 17' two-story Pan-Abode log cabin sits on the forested shore of Red Bay Lake, surrounded by old-growth spruce, hemlock, and cedar trees with a dense understory of brush and rocky outcroppings. From the cabin, guests enjoy spectacular views of Red Bay Mountain's vertical limestone cliffs rising 3,000 feet, along with neighboring limestone peaks. The cabin sleeps 8 people with 2 bunks and a large sleeping loft. It includes a wood stove, outhouse, and an aluminum skiff with oars for exploring the lake. Access requires either a float plane or a vehicle/hiking/boating combination. By vehicle, it's approximately 3.5 hours from Hollis or 2 hours from Thorne Bay on Forest Road #20 to the trailhead. From there, a scenic 0.75-mile boardwalk trail winds through large cedar trees to a rowboat at the north end of Red Bay Lake, requiring about 1 hour to row the 1.5 miles to the cabin. By float plane, the cabin is 40 air miles from Wrangell, 55 miles from Craig, and 84 miles from Ketchikan. Fishing opportunities abound for coho, pink, chum, and sockeye salmon, steelhead, cutthroat, and Dolly Varden, with excellent sport fishing in the Red Bay Creek drainage. Wildlife viewing includes loons, eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, and black bears. Limestone caves are located in the vicinity. Guests must bring sleeping bags, pads, cooking equipment, lanterns, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, fire starter, personal flotation devices, and their own water. The cabin charges $55/night peak season (May 1-September 30) and $35/night non-peak season (October 1-April 30).

Directions

By float plane: 40 air miles from Wrangell, 55 miles from Craig, 84 miles from Ketchikan. By vehicle/hiking/boating: approximately 3.5 hours from Hollis or 2 hours from Thorne Bay on Forest Road #20 to the trailhead. From the trailhead, hike 0.75 miles on a boardwalk trail to a Forest Service rowboat, then row 1.5 miles across Red Bay Lake to the cabin (approximately 1 hour). USGS maps: Petersburg A-4 and Petersburg B-4.

Nearby Campgrounds