John Muir Cabin
John Muir Cabin was built in 1980 and named after John Muir to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his visit to the Gastineau Channel area. This rustic cabin is open year-round and offers spectacular views and plenty of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The cabin is accessed by hiking, snowshoeing or skiing 3.5 miles from the Spaulding Meadows/Auk Nu trailhead off of Glacier Highway. The trail is partially planked and winds through muskeg with a 1,500-foot elevation gain. 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 | Fires |
|---|---|---|
| J04 | 8 / – | 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 15'x12' chalet-style log cabin has two double bunks on the first floor and two bunks that can sleep six on the second floor. Other amenities include a table with benches, wood stove, broom and dustpan, snow shovel, propane furnace and a ramp and hardened trail to the vault toilet. Propane is provided. Water, firewood and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a nearby stream, but guests should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking with it ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply. Cooking facilities are not available. Visitors should pack 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
The cabin is 13 miles northwest of Juneau. Access by hiking, skiing and snowshoeing. The first 0.8 miles is on Spaulding Meadows Trail, and the rest is on the Auk Nu Trail. The trailhead is located at mile marker 12.3 off Glacier Highway. The cabin is also accessible by helicopter.
| Nearest town | Juneau, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 58.4094° N, 134.6967° W · Directions ↗ |
Explore
Worth a stop
- 2.2 miLena Beach Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miAuk Nu Trail2.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miSpaulding Meadows Trail3.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miSpaulding Trail3 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 1.4 miLake Creek Sno-Trail2.2 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.4 miLake Creek Trail2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.3 miPeterson Lake Trail4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.2 miAuke Nu / Spaulding Trailhead ↗Tongass National Forest
- 2.8 miMontana Creek 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
On the National Register nearby
- Rudy-Kodzoff HouseBuilding · Juneau · 4.8 mi
- Ernest Gruening CabinBuilding · Juneau · 6.7 mi
- Point Retreat Light StationHistoric district · Juneau · 9.3 mi
Natural features
The cabin sits in a subalpine meadow 1,550 feet above the Mendenhall Valley. This vantage point offers great views of Juneau, Gastineau Channel, Auke Bay, the Chilkat Mountains, Admiralty Island and numerous ice field peaks. Brown and black bears, deer and porcupines are common to the area ( bear safety information ). A variety of bird species make their home here, including the bald eagle.
Recreation
The Auk Nu Trail continues past the cabin toward Auke Mountain. Cross-country skiing is excellent in winter, with close access to Spaulding Meadows and an undeveloped trail to Peterson Lake Cabin (map and compass are recommended). Skis or snowshoes are recommended in winter.
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 John Muir Cabin?
Sites at John Muir 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 John Muir 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 John Muir Cabin?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does John Muir Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at John Muir Cabin?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at John Muir Cabin?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at John Muir Cabin?
The Auk Nu Trail continues past the cabin toward Auke Mountain. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to John Muir Cabin?
Juneau, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if John Muir Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Auk Village Campground (2.4 mi), Mendenhall Campground (4.9 mi), and Bartlett Cove Campground (43.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby