Barnes Lake Cabin
Barnes Lake Cabin allows for a true outdoor adventure on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. Situated on the western shore of Barnes Lake, the cabin offers year-round relaxation and recreation. Boating, kayaking, crabbing, fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing are just steps away. The site can be accessed by float plane, boat or kayak, depending on conditions. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own supplies.
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 |
|---|---|
| T01 | 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 12-by-12 cabin is a primitive, pre-cut cedar log structure ( pan-abode style ) equipped with wooden bunks that sleep four to six people. It has a table, benches, a wood stove for heat and an outside vault toilet. Other amenities include a cooking bench, shelves, cupboard space, a broom, and an axe, maul and splitting wedges for cutting firewood. The cabin does not have mattresses or cooking utensils and users must bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes. There is no freshwater source near the cabin. Guests must bring their own sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cook stoves, matches, cooking gear, food, lanterns and flashlights, toilet paper and garbage bags. Wood may be available, but the supply cannot be guaranteed. Guests are asked to be conservative wood and use their cook stoves for cooking.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Barnes Lake Cabin is only accessible by motorboat, plane or kayak. The cabin is located on the west shore of Barnes Lake, 70 air miles from Ketchikan and 38 air miles from the city of Craig, on Prince of Wales Island. Refer to U.S. Geological Survey topographic map Petersburg A3.
| Nearest town | Thorne Bay, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 56.0108° N, 132.9744° W · Directions ↗ |
Explore
Trails nearby
- 4.1 miSweetwater Lake Trail0.09 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.6 miFish City1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 5 mi2360400 Road1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 5 mi3030630 Road1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
The cabin sits on the shore of Barnes Lake, a tidal saltwater lagoon. At low tide, a 50- to 100-foot tidal flat emerges in front of the cabin. The shoreline is surrounded by a thick temperate rainforest of old-growth spruce and hemlock trees, shrubs, ferns and grasses. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including migratory waterfowl, Sitka black-tailed deer and black bears ( learn more about bear safety ).
Recreation
The location is prime for anglers, as summer runs for coho (silver) and pink (humpy) salmon occur in the coastal waters. The nearby ocean also offers a chance for crabbing throughout the warmer months. Hunters can take advantage of a long hunting season in the surrounding national forest. Bear season occurs during spring and fall, while deer season begins in late summer and lasts through late fall. Visitors might also enjoy a day of scenic boating through Gold and Galligan Lagoon to Sweetwater Lake. Navigation of the lagoon should only occur during high, slack tide. Boaters are welcome to use the 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars, available at the cabin. Flotation devices and long shaft motor are not provided.
Guidebooks for Alaska
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Barnes Lake Cabin?
Sites at Barnes 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 Barnes 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 Barnes Lake Cabin?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Barnes Lake Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Barnes Lake Cabin?
The location is prime for anglers, as summer runs for coho (silver) and pink (humpy) salmon occur in the coastal waters. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Barnes Lake Cabin?
Thorne Bay, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if Barnes Lake Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Horseshoe Hole Campground (14.8 mi, first-come), Staney Bridge Campground (15.2 mi, first-come), and El Capitan Campground (17 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby