Cabin rental · U.S. Forest Service · Tongass National Forest · Juneau, AK

Peterson Lake Cabin

Peterson Lake Cabin was built in the 1980s and named after John Peterson, who started a placer gold mine in this area in 1900. The Peterson Lake Trail that accesses the cabin follows a former tram route for the first 2 miles, and remnants of the tram can still be seen. The cabin is open year-round and is one of Juneau Ranger District's most popular backcountry rentals. This secluded retreat offers the chance to enjoy beautiful scenery and a variety of recreational activities. The site can be accessed by float plane or by hiking, snowshoeing or skiing 4.5 miles from the Peterson Lake Trailhead on Glacier Highway. The trail has an elevation gain of 800 feet.

Cabin rentalReservable · Recreation.gov1 siteFires ok
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Peterson Lake CabinPeterson Lake CabinDock and boatPeterson Lake Cabin
Photos courtesy of USFS, Matt Maratea, USFS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Cabins1
This cabin is booked as a single unit on Recreation.gov. The booking page shows which dates are open and how far ahead they release. How the booking window works

Site guide

1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteShadePeople / vehiclesFires
J03Full6 / –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

CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesOnly 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 14 ft. 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, a propane furnace, wood stove and splitting maul. Propane is provided for the furnace. The facility offers an accessible ramp to the cabin, a wider hardened trail connecting the cabin to the new vault toilet and float dock. A picnic table is provided on the front deck, and a cooler box for food storage is attached to the side of the cabin. A fire ring is located outside. A dock is available for float planes and boats. Water, firewood and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a nearby stream, 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 sleeping bags, sleeping pads, 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

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Peterson Lake Cabin20°30°40°50°60°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 28.8°F averageFebruary: 31.0°F averageMarch: 33.2°F averageApril: 40.4°F averageMay: 48.8°F averageJune: 54.6°F averageJuly: 57.3°F averageAugust: 57.1°F averageSeptember: 50.6°F averageOctober: 42.7°F averageNovember: 34.2°F averageDecember: 31.6°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Juneau Mile 17, 2 miles from the campground at 245 feet, station USC00504109 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Getting there

Peterson Lake Cabin is located 15 miles northwest of Juneau, Alaska. Year-round access is by 4.5-mile trail from Mile Marker 23.5 on Glacier Highway. Cabin can be accessed by float plane depending on conditions. A marked skiing trail connects John Muir Cabin to Peterson Lake Cabin in the winter. A GPS or map and compass are recommended.

Nearest townJuneau, Alaska
Coordinates58.4369° N, 134.7344° W · Directions ↗

Explore

Worth a stop

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →
  • 0.1 mi
    Peterson Lake Trail
    4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 2.3 mi
    Spaulding Meadows Trail
    3.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 2.3 mi
    Spaulding Trail
    3 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
  • 2.3 mi
    Auk Nu Trail
    2.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 2.6 mi
    Spaulding Connection Trail
    1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
  • 2.6 mi
    Spaulding Connection Sno-Trail
    1.5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The cabin sits on relatively flat land covered in tall grass. The front deck of the cabin offers views of the lily pad-covered lake and the surrounding forest-covered slopes. Peterson Lake is narrow and almost a mile long. The surrounding landscape is marsh and a forest of hemlock and spruce. Distant ice-capped mountain peaks can be seen from the lake. Deer and black bear are common to the area ( bear safety information ). A variety of waterfowl can be seen on the lake.

Recreation

The Peterson Lake Trail is partially planked. Hikers can use this trail in warmer weather, but snowshoes and skis are ideal in winter. The trail winds through muskeg and old-growth forest, taking hikers past waterfalls. Cross-country skiing is good in winter, with an undeveloped trail to John Muir cabin (map and compass are recommended). Anglers can fish for steelhead, trout, coho and pink salmon in Peterson Creek below the falls. Visitors can use the cabin's skiff with oars, but they must bring their own flotation devices.

Guidebooks for Alaska

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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Peterson Lake Cabin?

Sites at Peterson 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 Peterson 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 Peterson Lake Cabin?

Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Peterson Lake Cabin have?

1 site, including 1 cabin.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Peterson Lake Cabin?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Peterson Lake Cabin?

The Peterson Lake Trail is partially planked. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Peterson Lake Cabin?

Juneau, Alaska.

Source: Getting there

What if Peterson Lake Cabin is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Auk Village Campground (4.3 mi), Mendenhall Campground (6.5 mi), and Bartlett Cove Campground (42 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby