Alava Bay Cabin
Alava Bay Cabin was built in 1974 and sits on Revillagigedo Island on the southwest side of Alava Bay. This secluded retreat is open year-round and offers opportunities for relaxation, sightseeing and a variety of recreational activities within the Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness. The site can be accessed by floatplane, boat or kayak, depending on conditions. 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 | Fits, ft | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| M01 | 50 | 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. |
This 12x14-ft. pan-abode style cabin sleeps six and comes equipped with two single bunks, two double bunks, a table and benches, broom, wood heater and an outhouse. The cabin has a front deck and receives plenty of sunshine on clear mornings. Water and electricity are not provided. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed. Water is available from a nearby creek, but must be treated before being used. It is recommended that visitors bring their own water supply. Other items to pack include sleeping bags, sleeping pads, food, cookware, plates, utensils, lanterns or flashlights, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher, axe, and fire starter. Visitors are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
The cabin is approximately 20 air miles southeast of Ketchikan on Revillagigedo Island. Accessible by floatplane, kayak or boat with mooring buoy. Navigation is challenging due to tides, merging currents and open ocean waters. Please check tide tables in advance. Refer to USGS Ketchikan A-4.
| Nearest town | Ketchikan/Misty, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 55.2241° N, 131.1560° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- A mooring float is available, but it is not for the exclusive use of cabin visitors.
Explore
Public land it sits in
Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness begins about 5.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.6 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 is backed by old-growth rainforest with a rocky beach nearby. The surrounding landscape features gentle slopes and dense forest. Visitors can look out over Alava Bay from the front deck of the cabin. A small island is nearby, situated between the bay and Behm Canal. This is often a stop for those exploring Misty Fjords, an area known for its unusual rock formations, steep fjord walls and quiet inlets. Black and brown bears, wolves, moose, bald eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer are common to this area. Misty Fjords is home to a variety of marine mammals, including orcas, humpback whales, harbor seals and sea lions.
Recreation
The bay and surrounding area can be explored by kayak, but visitors must bring their own equipment. Navigating the waters here poses a challenge due to tides, merging currents and exposure to open ocean waters ( local tide charts ). Opportunities exist for saltwater fishing, hiking and beachcombing. Hunting for Sitka black-tailed deer and black bear is a popular pastime.
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 Alava Bay Cabin?
Sites at Alava Bay 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 Alava Bay 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 Alava Bay Cabin?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Alava Bay Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Alava Bay Cabin?
The bay and surrounding area can be explored by kayak, but visitors must bring their own equipment. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Alava Bay Cabin?
Ketchikan/Misty, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if Alava Bay Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area (13.4 mi, first-come), Three C's Group Use Campground (24.8 mi), and Signal Creek Campground (24.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby