Hugh Smith Lake Cabin
Hugh Smith Lake Cabin is located on the mainland within the Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness. This rustic, secluded retreat is open year-round for relaxation and recreation in Alaska's beautiful Inside Passage. The site can be accessed by float plane, depending on conditions. Guests 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 |
|---|---|
| M07 | 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, wood stove, splitting maul, broom and an outhouse. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from the lake, but guests should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking with it. It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply. Other items to pack include sleeping bags, sleeping pads, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Guests 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 located approximately 55 air miles southeast of Ketchikan on the mainland south of Marten Arm. Accessible by floatplane. No moorage available. This cabin is in a designated Wilderness area, and access by helicopter is illegal.
| Nearest town | Ketchikan/Misty, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 55.0948° N, 130.6458° W · Directions ↗ |
Explore
Trails nearby
- 2.4 miHugh Smith Lake0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.5 miHugh Smith Cabin Spurunder 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 4.3 miHumpback Trail3.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.5 miHugh Smith 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
Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness begins about 2.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 2.3 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 on a peninsula that extends into Hugh Smith Lake. It is surrounded by an old-growth forest of Sitka spruce, western hemlock and cedar. Guests have views of the lake and the gentle, forested slopes on the opposite shore. This area is home to a large population of brown bears. Other species that make their home in the wilderness include Sitka black-tailed deer, wolves, martens and moose. A variety of waterfowl may be seen around the lake.
Recreation
There is a working fish weir near the outlet of the lake. Anglers can fish for cutthroat, Dolly Varden and sockeye salmon. Guests can use the cabin's 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars, but they must provide their own life jackets. An abandoned cannery site sits at the east end of the lake, inviting exploration. Hikers will find a trail leading to saltwater.
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 Hugh Smith Lake Cabin?
Sites at Hugh Smith 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 Hugh Smith 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 Hugh Smith Lake Cabin?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Hugh Smith Lake Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Hugh Smith Lake Cabin?
There is a working fish weir near the outlet of the lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Hugh Smith Lake Cabin?
Ketchikan/Misty, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if Hugh Smith Lake Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area (35.4 mi, first-come), Three C's Group Use Campground (46.7 mi), and Signal Creek Campground (46.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby