Winstanley Lake Cabin
Winstanley Lake Cabin is located on the mainland on the shore of its namesake lake approximately 33 air miles northeast of Ketchikan. The cabin offers recreational 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 or boat, depending on conditions. Access by boat involves a 2.5 mile hike from saltwater plus a 2.25 mile row to the cabin. 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 |
|---|---|
| M14 | 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 ) 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, and wood stove. An outhouse is located nearby. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed. Drinking water and electricity are not available. Visitors must bring their own water supply, but water is also available from the lake 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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
The cabin is located on Winstanley Lake approximately 33 air miles northeast of Ketchikan on the mainland, east of Winstanley Island. The cabin is accessible by float plane or by trail from saltwater (skiff provided at end of trail; please return it to the trail after use).
| Nearest town | Ketchikan/Misty, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 55.4274° N, 130.8205° W · Directions ↗ |
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1.1 miWinstanley Lake2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.6 miChecats Lake1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trailheads within three miles
- 1 miWinstanley Lake Trailhead ↗Tongass National Forest
- 2.9 miWinstanley Creek Buoy 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
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 within the Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness. It is backed by a forest of large old-growth spruce, hemlock and cedar and offers views of the placid lake with its forested shoreline and surrounding mountains. The Misty Fiords Monument Wilderness supports a diverse variety of wildlife. Mountain goats, bears, deer, moose and bald eagles make their home here ( bear safety ). Many species of birds may be seen in or around the lake.
Recreation
A 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars is provided for rowing around the lake, but visitors must provide their own life jackets. Visitors can row to the historic Winstanley Lake Shelter at the end of the lake, which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s. Anglers can fish for cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon in the lake. Hunting is possible for Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goat, black bear and brown bear with the proper permits.
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 Lake Cabin?
Sites at Winstanley 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 Winstanley 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 Winstanley Lake Cabin?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Winstanley Lake Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Winstanley Lake Cabin?
A 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars is provided for rowing around the lake, but visitors must provide their own life jackets. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Winstanley Lake Cabin?
Ketchikan/Misty, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if Winstanley Lake Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Icehouse Cove Buoy Camping Area (27 mi, first-come), Last Chance Campground (33.9 mi), and Three C's Group Use Campground (34.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby