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

Reflection Lake Cabin

Reflection Lake Cabin is situated on the Cleveland Peninsula at the shore of Reflection Lake approximately 50 air miles from Ketchikan. The cabin is available year-round and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska with its recreation options, beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife. The cabin is remote and accessible only by float plane or boat, depending on conditions. Boats can be moored in Short Bay, and visitors can hike 2.3 miles to the cabin along the Reflection Lake Trail. This primitive cabin has no electricity, indoor plumbing or cell phone coverage.

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Reflection Lake Cabin SignReflection Lake CabinReflection Lake CabinBunk Area
Photos courtesy of 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.

SitePeople / vehicles
K156 / –

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

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.

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. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed. Visitors must bring their own water supply, but water is also available from a nearby creek and 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

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Reflection Lake Cabin30°40°50°60°January: 11.67 inches of precipitationFebruary: 7.80 inches of precipitationMarch: 7.49 inches of precipitationApril: 7.33 inches of precipitationMay: 5.50 inches of precipitationJune: 4.73 inches of precipitationJuly: 5.19 inches of precipitationAugust: 8.01 inches of precipitationSeptember: 10.20 inches of precipitationOctober: 12.93 inches of precipitationNovember: 13.12 inches of precipitationDecember: 10.77 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 34.6°F averageFebruary: 36.2°F averageMarch: 38.1°F averageApril: 43.2°F averageMay: 49.9°F averageJune: 55.2°F averageJuly: 58.6°F averageAugust: 58.9°F averageSeptember: 53.3°F averageOctober: 45.9°F averageNovember: 38.8°F averageDecember: 34.8°F average0 in5 in10 in15 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Ketchikan 10N, 40 miles from the campground at 295 feet, station USC00504594 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 105 inches a year.

Getting there

Approximately 50 air miles from Ketchikan on Cleveland Peninsula, northwest of Short Bay. Cabin is on the northeast shore of Reflection Lake. Access is by float plane or boat. Two mile hike from Short Bay, where there is a mooring buoy.

Nearest townKetchikan, Alaska
Coordinates56.0108° N, 131.5671° 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

  • 0.1 mi
    Reflection Lake
    2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 3.3 mi
    Shelokum Lake
    2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike

Trailheads within three miles

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

Natural features

The cabin sits in heavily wooded area backed by hills. The area features numerous rolling muskegs, and the cabin offers stunning views of steep mountains with peaks as high as 5,000 feet and clinging ice fields. Wildlife includes Sitka black-tailed deer, black and brown bear, mountain goat, wolf, beaver, marten, mink and otter ( bear safety and precautions ). A variety of birds may be spotted in or near the lake.

Recreation

Fishing, boating, hiking and hunting are popular options at this cabin. Steelhead and salmon runs occur in Short Creek. Resident trout and Dolly Varden are available in the lake. A 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars is provided for rowing around the lake, but visitors must provide their own life jackets. The 2.3-mile Reflection Lake Trail spans from Short Bay in northern Behm Canal to Reflection Lake Cabin. This is only possible during low water.

Guidebooks for Alaska

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

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

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Reflection Lake Cabin?

Sites at Reflection 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 Reflection 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 Reflection Lake Cabin?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Reflection Lake Cabin have?

1 site, including 1 cabin.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Reflection Lake Cabin?

Fishing, boating, hiking and hunting are popular options at this cabin. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Reflection Lake Cabin?

Ketchikan, Alaska.

Source: Getting there

What if Reflection Lake Cabin is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Anchor Pass Buoy (7.1 mi, first-come), Thoms Creek Crossing Campsite (26 mi, first-come), and Upper Salamander Creek Campsite (27.7 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby