Josephine Lake Cabin
Josephine Lake Cabin offers visitors recreation, relaxation and a unique lodging experience on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. The remote site is located at an elevation of 1,800 feet and offers a scenic setting for fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing, within the vicinity of the cabin. The site is accessible by float plane only. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | People / vehicles |
|---|---|
| C03 | 6 / – |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Fees | Only one change per reservation for all Alaska cabins is allowed. Change is defined as a modification to the start or end date of the reservation; after one change has been made, if additional changes are desired, the customer must cancel the current reservation and re-book the new dates. |
The cabin is a 12 x 12 - foot primitive, pre-cut cedar log cabin ( pan-abode style ) furnished with wooden bunkbeds (without mattresses) that sleep up to six people. The cabin is equipped with a table, benches, an oil stove for heat and an outside toilet. Other amenities include a cooking counter, shelves, cupboard space, and a broom. The cabin does not have running water or electricity. Visitors must bring their own food, water, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cook stove, stove fuel, #1 diesel stove oil, fire starter, cooking gear/utensils, light source (lantern), toilet paper, first aid kit and garbage bags. Water is available from the lake, but must be filtered, boiled or chemically treated before drinking.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Access to Josephine Lake Cabin is by float plane only. The trip is 28 air miles from Craig and 38 air miles from Ketchikan. Guests must walk 75 yards uphill from the lake, which sits at an elevation of 1,800 feet. Refer to USGS maps Craig A-2 and B-2 for more information.
| Nearest town | Craig, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 55.2481° N, 132.5536° W · Directions ↗ |
Explore
Trails nearby
- 4.2 mi2100364 Road2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Hydaburg Totem ParkHistoric district · Hydaburg · 11.1 mi
Natural features
The cabin is situated on the shores of Josephine Lake, a cold, clear alpine lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks reaching elevations of 4,000 feet. The terrain is rugged with a mixture of stunted trees and alpine vegetation. Wildflowers dot the area in mid-summer. Wildlife in the area is abundant, including Sitka black-tailed deer and black bears. Learn more about bear safety in the Tongass National Forest. The area is famous for its quartz and epidote crystals. Several mining claims are nearby, including some that are active, and others that have been idle for some time. Visitors are asked to please respect the property rights of private landowners and note that prospecting, digging, or collecting mineral specimens on the private land near Josephine Lake is prohibited.
Recreation
There are no fish in Josephine Lake, but hiking, hunting and wildlife viewing are popular pastimes for visitors to the cabin. The alpine terrain is quite stunning, showcasing a display of wildflowers in mid-summer. Boating or kayaking on the lake offers a peaceful setting for viewing wildlife in the area. An aluminum skiff with oars available for use. Guests are responsible for bringing and using their own personal floatation devices.
Guidebooks for Alaska
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Josephine Lake Cabin?
Sites at Josephine Lake Cabin are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Josephine Lake Cabin?
Only one change per reservation for all Alaska cabins is allowed. Change is defined as a modification to the start or end date of the reservation; after one change has been made, if additional changes are desired, the customer must cancel the current reservation and re-book the new dates.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Josephine Lake Cabin?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Josephine Lake Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Josephine Lake Cabin?
There are no fish in Josephine Lake, but hiking, hunting and wildlife viewing are popular pastimes for visitors to the cabin. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Josephine Lake Cabin?
Craig, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if Josephine Lake Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Harris River Campground (19.2 mi), Lake No. 3 Campground (28 mi, first-come), and Eagles Nest Campground (32.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby