Turner Lake West Cabin
Turner Lake West Cabin, photo by pilot and USFS employee.
Cabin interior

Turner Lake West Cabin

Open — Open year-round for reservations. Winter and early spring access may be limited when Turner Lake is frozen, as floatplanes cannot land on ice. The lake typically becomes ice-free in June. High avalanche danger exists in winter and early spring.

Regional Order No. 10-01 - Marijuana - Simple Possession

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited on the Tongass and Chugach National Forests: Possessing, storing or transporting parts of a cannabis plant, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; including and not limited to…

Regional Order No. 10-00-00-04-01 - Occupancy and Use - Alcohol

TONGASS and CHUGACH NATIONAL FORESTS Regional Office Juneau, Alaska Order No. 10-00-00-04-01REGIONAL ORDEROccupancy and Use Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (a) & (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails located within and/or administered by the…

Regional Order No. R-10-96-01 - Forest Development Roads and Trails

R-10 SUPPLEMENT 7700-96-1 7730EFFECTIVE 5/17/96 Page 10 of 117731.14 - EXHIBIT 01ORDER NO. R-10-96-01FOREST DEVELOPMENT ROADS AND TRAILSALASKA REGIONPursuant to Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart B, Section261. so (a) (b), the following is prohibited on National Forest Developmentroads…

Area and Road Closure Order - Prince of Wales Ranger District

The Ross Adams Mine area will be closed for public safety due to contamination removal and remediation work that includes the continuous use of large heavy earthmoving equipment (on the road system that accesses the mine site and locations where work will be occurring).The closure will be in place…

Forest Road 8530 Temporary Closure, Hoonah Ranger District

National Forest Service Road 8530 will be closed to all vehicles (MP 2.0 - MP 5.0) through May 11, 2026 for the replacement of culverts to improve fish passage.

Eulachon Fishery Closure Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District

EULACHON FISHERY CLOSED IN FEDERAL WATERS OF DISTRICT ONE EXCEPT BY FEDERALLY QUALIFIED USERS IN THE UNUK RIVER DRAINAGEThis emergency Special Action closes Eulachon harvest in Federal public waters draining into District 1, except by federally qualified users in the Unuk River drainage.

Beaver Falls Prohibitions Thorne Bay Ranger District

The following acts are prohibited in the Tongass National Forest within the Thorne Bay Ranger District:  Being on, going into, or using any part of the boardwalk trail leading to the Beaver Falls karst viewing areas, Forest Service Trails 54776, 54776A, and 54776B.

Anan Wildlife Observatory Forest Order Wrangell Ranger District

To provide for public safety and resource protection, the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System lands described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Use Restriction Area”).PROHIBITIONSA. Going into, being upon, entering, or…

Special Weather Statement issued April 10 at 3:26PM AKDT by NWS Juneau AK

April 10th, 3:26 PM — 3:30 AM

A system moving across the Gulf will send bands of precipitation sweeping into the panhandle beginning late Sunday afternoon for most of SE AK, and early Sunday morning for Yakutat. Yakutat is expected to see some snow mixing in early Sunday morning, before transitioning to rain during the daytime. Sunday night into early Monday morning, temperatures will cool enough that some snow may be able to mix in across the northern panhandle. Any snow accumulations for most areas near sea level are likely to remain less than an inch. Although it is a more unlikely scenario due to the warmer temperatures, the possibility of marginally higher accumulations (1 to 3 inches) cannot be ruled out at this time. What snow that does fall is likely to be wet in nature.

About

Turner Lake West Cabin is considered one of the most beautiful cabins on the Tongass National Forest and is extremely popular year-round. This historic log chalet was built in the early 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and features impressive stonework and a working fireplace. The cabin sits on rock that slopes directly to the water, surrounded by spectacular scenery with cliffs and numerous waterfalls cascading into Turner Lake. The cabin accommodates up to 6 people with 2 single wooden bunks and 2 double bunks. Amenities include a table and benches, oil stove for heat, fireplace, cooking counter, food cupboards and shelves, cooler, and an outhouse. Two skiffs with oars are provided for fishing and exploring the lake. The terrain around the cabin is rocky and very brushy, and caution should be taken near the water's edge, especially with children. Turner Lake offers excellent fishing for cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden, and kokanee salmon. Pink salmon and Dolly Varden can be caught in Turner River and Taku Inlet. The area is home to grizzly and black bears, moose, mountain goats, and various waterfowl. Hunting for bear, mountain goat, and waterfowl is permitted in designated seasons. Access is 18 miles east of Juneau via 35-minute floatplane flight or by boating up Taku Inlet and hiking 0.8 miles to the cabin. Turner Creek and mudflats can be difficult to navigate at lower tides, so shallow draft boats or kayaks are recommended. Tide charts should be consulted for boat access.

Directions

Located 18 miles east of Juneau at the west end of Turner Lake. Access via floatplane (35-minute flight from Juneau) or by boating up Taku Inlet and hiking 0.8 miles to the cabin. Taku Inlet has shallow areas; consult nautical charts and tide tables. Shallow draft boats or high tides recommended for motor boats.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $45

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (907) 789-6264

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

 Turner Lake West Cabin
Turner Lake West Cabin, photo by pilot and USFS employee.
Cabin interior
View of Lake
Fire pit overlooking waterfalls
View of cabin and lake
View from back side of cabin
Plane dropping of cabin crew at dock
 Turner Lake Cabin
view of trail head marker at ocean (about 3/4 mile from cabin)
Turner Lake

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