Wrangell / Tongass National Forest

Virginia Lake Cabin

Open — Open year-round for reservations. Virginia Lake is typically ice-free May through October; during fall, winter, and early spring, the lake may freeze and floatplane access becomes impossible. Contact the Wrangell Ranger District at (907) 874-2323 for current conditions before reserving during winter months.

About

Virginia Lake Cabin offers a remote wilderness experience just a short floatplane ride from Wrangell, Alaska. The 16' x 16' A-frame cabin with a 10' x 18' addition sits on relatively flat land with large meadows near Porterfield Creek, about a quarter-mile from the cabin. The cabin features a wrap-around deck, floating dock, walkways to site facilities, and is fully accessible when the seasonal floatplane dock is installed. The cabin provides two single bunks, table, benches, and a wood stove with wood shed and splitting maul. A 14-foot skiff with oars is available for exploring the lake, though visitors must bring their own personal flotation devices. Guests should bring all bedding, cooking utensils, and provide their own firewood. Water is available from tributary creeks but must be treated before drinking. Virginia Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden from May to October, and sockeye salmon in August and September. The 0.9-mile Mill Creek Trail can be accessed by paddling across the lake to the outlet, where visitors can see evidence of past mining and an old sawmill. Hunting is possible with proper permits. The surrounding Tongass rainforest consists primarily of Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and some cedar, with steep mountains surrounding portions of the lake. A sandy beach fronts the cabin. Brown bears, black bears, and moose inhabit the area.

Directions

Located on the east end of Virginia Lake, 10 miles east of Wrangell on the mainland above Eastern Passage at elevation 105 feet. Primary access is by floatplane from Wrangell. Alternative access is by portaging watercraft over the 0.9-mile Mill Creek Trail from Eastern Passage and paddling across Virginia Lake; no developed trail connects the Mill Creek Trail outlet to the cabin.

Nearby Campgrounds