Mcdonald Lake Cabin
McDonald Lake Cabin sits on Wolverine Island near the outlet of McDonald Lake 50 miles from Ketchikan, Alaska. The cabin is available year-round and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska with its many recreational options and abundant wildlife. The cabin is remote and accessible only by boat or float plane, depending on conditions. Visitors arriving by boat must anchor at Yes Bay and walk the 1.5-mile McDonald Lake Trail to get to the cabin. This primitive cabin has no electricity, indoor plumbing or cell phone coverage. 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 |
|---|---|
| K08 | 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 12:00 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 12x14-ft. (pan-abode style) cabin accommodates 6 people with 2 double bunks and 2 single bunks. Other amenities include a table and benches, a cooking counter, a broom with dust pan, outhouse, splitting maul, and woodstove. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed. It is recommended that visitors bring their own water supply, but water is available from a small stream near the cabin and should be treated before drinking or cooking with it (water safety tips). Visitors should bring sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove and cooking gear, lanterns or flashlights, toilet paper, garbage bags, fire extinguisher and a fire starter. Rain gear and boots are recommended. Visitors are expected to pack out all their trash, gear and food and clean the cabin before leaving (more cabin details).
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Approximately 50 miles from Ketchikan. Located on Cleveland Peninsula, north of Yes Bay. Cabin site is on Wolverine Island near outlet of lake. Access is by float plane or boat. There is a 1.5-mile hike by trail from Yes Bay Lodge at saltwater.
| Nearest town | Ketchikan/Misty, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 55.9357° N, 131.8089° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The skiff can use a short-shaft motor, which is not provided.
- Drinking water is not available at the cabin.
Explore
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miMcDonald Lake1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miMcDonald Lake Shelter Spurunder 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.2 miMcdonald Lake 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.
Public land it sits in
South Etolin Wilderness begins about 13.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 13.3 miSouth Etolin Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 82,593 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
The cabin is backed by old-growth cedar, Sitka spruce and Western hemlock rainforest. From the front deck, visitors can gaze out over the lake and its forested shoreline, as well as admire the surrounding mountain peaks. Wildlife in the area includes Sitka black-tailed deer, black and brown bear, wolf, beaver, marten, mink and otter (bear safety and precautions). A variety of birds may be spotted in and around the lake.
Recreation
Boating, hiking, fishing and hunting are popular activities at this cabin. The McDonald Lake Trail features a 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) 3-sided shelter. A skiff with oars is provided for rowing around the lake, but visitors must provide their own life jackets. Steelhead and salmon runs occur up to Wolverine Creek. The lake offers resident trout and Dolly Varden.
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 Mcdonald Lake Cabin?
Sites at Mcdonald 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 Mcdonald 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 Mcdonald Lake Cabin?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Mcdonald Lake Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Mcdonald Lake Cabin?
Boating, hiking, fishing and hunting are popular activities at this cabin. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Mcdonald Lake Cabin?
Ketchikan/Misty, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if Mcdonald Lake Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Anchor Pass Buoy (16.1 mi, first-come), Thoms Creek Crossing Campsite (22.1 mi, first-come), and Upper Salamander Creek Campsite (27.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby