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

Wilson Narrows Cabin

Wilson Narrows Cabin is situated on the south end of Wilson Lake approximately 44 air miles northeast of 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 does not have electricity, indoor plumbing or cell phone service. It is accessible only by float plane, 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 ↗
SignWILSON NARROWS CABINWILSON NARROWS CABIN ViewWILSON NARROWS CABIN Bunks
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
M116 / –

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.

This 12x14-ft. ( pan-abode style ) cabin accommodates 6 people with 2 single and 2 double bunks. Other amenities include a table and benches, cooking counter, food storage and a broom with dustpan. A wood stove is provided for heat, along with a splitting maul. An outhouse is located nearby. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed. It is recommended that visitors bring their own water supply. Water is also available from the lake, 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 ( more cabin details ).

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Wilson Narrows Cabin20°30°40°50°60°January: 11.03 inches of precipitationFebruary: 5.76 inches of precipitationMarch: 5.95 inches of precipitationApril: 4.11 inches of precipitationMay: 4.80 inches of precipitationJune: 3.48 inches of precipitationJuly: 4.74 inches of precipitationAugust: 8.77 inches of precipitationSeptember: 11.19 inches of precipitationOctober: 12.06 inches of precipitationNovember: 12.00 inches of precipitationDecember: 8.64 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 26.8°F averageFebruary: 29.7°F averageMarch: 34.9°F averageApril: 42.0°F averageMay: 50.8°F averageJune: 57.1°F averageJuly: 59.7°F averageAugust: 58.2°F averageSeptember: 52.1°F averageOctober: 42.3°F averageNovember: 33.7°F averageDecember: 28.1°F average0 in5 in10 in15 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Hyder, 37 miles from the campground at 80 feet, station USC00503821 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 93 inches a year.

Getting there

The cabin is accessible by float plane only. It is located approximately 44 air miles northeast of Ketchikan on the mainland, north of Wilson Arm. The cabin sits on the south end of Wilson Lake. This cabin is in a designated Wilderness area, and access by helicopter is illegal.

Nearest townKetchikan/Misty, Alaska
Coordinates55.4779° N, 130.5845° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Drinking water is not available at the cabin.

Explore

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness.

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.

Natural features

The cabin is situated within Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness on the shore of long and narrow Wilson Lake, which was carved out by glaciers. Cabin visitors can enjoy looking out over the placid lake, which is surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and evergreen forest. Mountain goat, Sitka black-tailed deer, black bear and brown bear are common to the area ( bear safety ). A variety of birds may be seen in and around Wilson Lake.

Recreation

Wilson Lake is an angler's paradise, offering excellent cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden and kokanee salmon fishing at the lake outlet. 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 Wilson Narrows Cabin?

Sites at Wilson Narrows 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 Wilson Narrows 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 Wilson Narrows Cabin?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Wilson Narrows Cabin have?

1 site, including 1 cabin.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Wilson Narrows Cabin?

Wilson Lake is an angler's paradise, offering excellent cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden and kokanee salmon fishing at the lake outlet. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Wilson Narrows Cabin?

Ketchikan/Misty, Alaska.

Source: Getting there

What if Wilson Narrows Cabin is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area (36.9 mi, first-come), Last Chance Campground (43.3 mi), and Three C's Group Use Campground (43.7 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby