Laughton Glacier Cabin
Laughton Glacier Cabin is located 2 miles west of the Canadian border on the north side of the Sawtooth Mountains. The site can be accessed by train, followed by a 1.5-mile hike. The White Pass and Yukon Railroad operates from May 1 to September 30. The cabin is closed to reservations in the off-season, since the surrounding area is owned by the railroad. Guests 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 | Fires |
|---|---|---|
| J01 | 6 / – | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| 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. |
This 12 ft. by 14ft. cabin is pan-abode style and sleeps six people with two single and two double bunks. The cabin also has a table and benches, a broom, oil heater and an outhouse. A wooden cooler box for food storage is attached to the outside of the cabin and a fire ring is located out front. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from the Skagway River, but visitors should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking with it ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that visitors bring their own water supply. Visitors must provide their own #1 stove oil (one gallon lasts a day on the lowest heat setting), in addition to sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Access is via a 14-mile ride on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad between May 1st and September 30th to the Glacier whistle stop, followed by a 1.5-mile hike on a Forest Service trail. Make reservations at least 24 hours in advance for train transportation. Rate information and reservations are available by calling the railroad at (800) 343-7373.
| Nearest town | Juneau, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 59.5447° N, 135.0883° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Heating oil is not supplied by the Forest Service.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 10.2 miMascot Saloon Museum ↗Visitor center
- 10.2 miAdministrative Office ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miLaughton Glacier Trail1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miLaughton Glacier a Spur ↗under 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.3 miLaughton Glacier Trailhead ↗Tongass National Forest
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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The area around the cabin is mountainous and covered with spruce and subalpine fir forest. Wildflowers bloom around the cabin in summer. The cabin overlooks the Skagway River and the Laughton Glacier is located nearby. Moose, brown bears and black bears are common in this area ( bear safety information ). Mountain goats can sometimes be spotted on the surrounding mountains.
Recreation
The access trail to the cabin follows the Skagway River and leads hikers through lush rainforest. The trail continues beyond the cabin along the rocky banks of Laughton Creek to Laughton Glacier. The total distance for this trail is three miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of 200-600 feet. Mountain goat and bear hunting is possible in designated seasons with the proper permits.
Guidebooks for Alaska
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Laughton Glacier Cabin?
Sites at Laughton Glacier 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 Laughton Glacier 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 Laughton Glacier Cabin?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Laughton Glacier Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Laughton Glacier Cabin?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Laughton Glacier Cabin?
The access trail to the cabin follows the Skagway River and leads hikers through lush rainforest. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Laughton Glacier Cabin?
Juneau, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if Laughton Glacier Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Dyea Campground (9.5 mi, first-come) and Chilkoot Trail Camping Permits (10.1 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby