Patching Lake Cabin
Patching Lake Cabin sits on the north end of Patching Lake near the inlet of the Naha River 20 miles from Ketchikan, Alaska. The cabin is open year-round and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska with its recreation options and abundant wildlife. The cabin is remote and accessible only by float plane, depending on conditions. 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 |
|---|---|
| K11 | 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 ) log cabin accommodates 6 people with 2 single and 2 double bunks. Other amenities include a table and benches, a cooking counter, food storage, broom, splitting maul, and an outhouse. A wood stove is provided for heat. Visitors must bring their own water supply, but water is also available from a nearby creek, but should be treated before drinking or cooking with it ( water safety ). Visitors should also bring sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking gear, lanterns or flashlights, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Rain gear and boots are recommended. Visitors are expected to pack out their trash, gear and food and clean the cabin before leaving (additional cabin details).
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Approximately 20 miles north of Ketchikan, Alaska, on the north end of Patching Lake near the inlet of the Naha River. Access is by float plane only. In fall, winter, and early spring, the cabin may be inaccessible due to frozen lake surface (float planes cannot land).
| Nearest town | Ketchikan, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 55.6179° N, 131.4843° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The skiff can use a short shaft motor, which is not provided.
- Firewood may be available, but visitors are encouraged to contact the Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District to check the status of the woodshed.
- Drinking water is not available at the cabin.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 3.2 miNaha River National Recreation ↗5.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 4.3 miNaha Shelter Loop0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.4 mi8337000 Road ↗4.6 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.
Public land it sits in
Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness begins about 9.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 9.1 miMisty Fjords National Monument Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 2,144,010 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 sits at the lake's edge, backed by a rainforest of old-growth cedar, Sitka spruce and western hemlock. This is a beautiful location where the Naha River flows from Chamberlain Lake into Patching Lake. Visitors can stand on the front deck and gaze out over the lake and the surrounding forest and mountains or explore the area from the gravel bar in front of the cabin. Wildlife includes Sitka black-tail deer, black bear, beaver and wolf (bear safety and precautions). Geese and trumpeter swans are often seen on the lake.
Recreation
Boating, fishing and hunting are popular activities at this cabin. Resident cutthroat trout are available in Patching and Chamberlain Lakes, but there is no access trail to Chamberlain Lake from the cabin. A 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars is provided for rowing around the lake, but visitors must provide their own life jackets.
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 Patching Lake Cabin?
Sites at Patching 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 Patching 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 Patching Lake Cabin?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Patching Lake Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Patching Lake Cabin?
Boating, 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 Patching Lake Cabin?
Ketchikan, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if Patching Lake Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Last Chance Campground (15.1 mi), Three C's Group Use Campground (16.5 mi), and Signal Creek Campground (16.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby