Winstanley Island Cabin
Winstanley Island Cabin is located on Winstanley Island approximately 30 air miles east of Ketchikan. The cabin offers saltwater recreation and wildlife viewing opportunities and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska. The cabin is remote and accessible only by float plane, boat or kayak, 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 |
|---|---|
| M13 | 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 ) cabin accommodates up to 6 people with 2 single bunks and 2 double bunks. Other amenities include a table with benches, cooking counter, food storage, broom and 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. A mooring buoy is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The cabin reservation does not give exclusive use of the buoy. More than one vessel is allowed to use the buoy if the first party there agrees. Visitors should 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 (more cabin details).
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
The cabin is located on saltwater approximately 30 air miles east of Ketchikan on Winstanley Island on the east side of the Behm Canal between Rudyard and Smeaton Bays. The cabin is accessible by float plane or boat. A mooring buoy is provided at the site.
| Nearest town | Ketchikan/Misty, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 55.4543° N, 130.9048° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Drinking water is not available at the cabin.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1.9 miChecats Lake1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3 miWinstanley Lake2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 4.7 miElla Lake2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
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
This campground sits inside Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness.
- inMisty 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 located on Shoalwater Pass, which is on the east side of Behm Canal between Rudyerd and Smeaton Bays within the Misty Fiords Monument Wilderness. It is surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and spruce, hemlock and cedar forest. The Misty Fiords Monument Wilderness supports a diverse variety of wildlife. Mountain goats, bears, moose and bald eagles make their home here ( bear safety ). The waters host a variety of aquatic mammals, including Dall's porpoise, orcas, humpback whales, sea otters and harbor seals. Many seabirds can also be seen.
Recreation
A number of scenic attractions can be reached by boat or kayak from Winstanley Island Cabin, including Walker Cove, Chickamin River, Smeaton Bay, New Eddystone Rock and the Behm Canal. Rudyerd Bay is a good day trip for adventurous sea kayakers. Local tide tables should be consulted before any boating excursion. Hiking trails to freshwater streams and lakes and various hunting areas are accessible by boat, including Winstanley Lake (#743), Checats (#704), Ella (#70), Manzanita (#721) and Nooya Lake (#724). Saltwater fishing is possible around the cabin.
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 Winstanley Island Cabin?
Sites at Winstanley Island 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 Winstanley Island 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 Winstanley Island Cabin?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Winstanley Island Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Winstanley Island Cabin?
A number of scenic attractions can be reached by boat or kayak from Winstanley Island Cabin, including Walker Cove, Chickamin River, Smeaton Bay, New Eddystone Rock and the Behm Canal. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Winstanley Island Cabin?
Ketchikan/Misty, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if Winstanley Island Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area (24.7 mi, first-come), Last Chance Campground (30.7 mi), and Three C's Group Use Campground (31.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby