Shakes Slough 1 Cabin
Shakes Slough 1 Cabin makes an excellent basecamp for exploring the Stikine River. It is located at the confluence of the Stikine River and Shakes Slough and within a few hundred feet of neighboring Shakes Slough 2 Cabin. These cabins offer spectacular views of the surrounding Stikine-LeConte Wilderness. The site can be accessed by float plane or shallow draft boat, depending on conditions. A tide of at least 14 feet is required to navigate the Stikine River tide flats. 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 | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| W01 | Full | 4 / – |
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 | Reservations can be made the day of arrival or up to 180 days in advance of cabin arrival. Cabin reservations are restricted to a maximum stay of 7 consecutive nights per party for any one reservation between May 1 and September 30, and 10 consecutive days from Oct. 1 through April 30. |
The 12-by-14 cabin (pan-abode style) was built in 1962 and has two single and two double bunks, to sleep up to four people. The cabin also has a table and benches, broom, oil heater and an outhouse. A wooden cooler box for food storage is located on the partially covered front porch. Water and electricity are not provided, and there are no natural drinking water sources near the cabin. Guests must bring their own drinking water. In addition to bringing a supply of No.1 stove oil, guests should pack sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and matches, among other necessities.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
The Shakes Slough Cabins are located in the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness on the north shore of the Stikine River at the Shakes Slough entrance. From Wrangell, the cabin is 20 miles by float plane or 25 miles by shallow draft boat. Low river levels and tides affect access to the cabins ( Stikine River level at Shakes Gage ).
| Nearest town | Wrangell, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 56.7147° N, 132.1050° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Heating oil is not supplied by the Forest Service.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 3.2 miShakes Hot Springs Trail0.3 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 Stikine-LeConte Wilderness.
- inStikine-LeConte Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 436,084 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 tucked into a stand of spruce trees back from the bank of the Stikine River. It overlooks Shakes Slough and offers spectacular views of Popof Glacier, Mount Basargin and other nearby peaks. The vegetation in front of the cabin is primarily ferns and salmonberry, with willow and alder along the slough. The surrounding rainforest consists of Sitka spruce and western hemlock, with cottonwood on the valley bottom. Brown and black bears roam the area, and moose are sometimes seen among the willow thickets ( bear safety information ). Mountain goats can occasionally be spotted in the surrounding mountains. The Stikine River tide flats are a major stopover point in the spring and fall for migratory shorebirds and waterfowl.
Recreation
This area of the Stikine River offers plenty of places to explore by boat. Shakes Lake and Glacier are located three miles north of the cabin and offer excellent opportunities to view wildlife and scenery. The Chief Shakes Hot Springs are approximately four miles upstream, and can be accessed by boat from Hot Springs Slough, which is off the Ketili Slough. A 0.3-mile trail leads from Hot Springs Slough to the Chief Shakes Hot Springs. River levels and tide charts should be checked before any boating activity in the area. Cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden are in the river from June to October, but a boat is needed to reach the trout streams. Hunting is also available in the area during designated seasons.
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 Shakes Slough 1 Cabin?
Sites at Shakes Slough 1 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 Shakes Slough 1 Cabin?
Reservations can be made the day of arrival or up to 180 days in advance of cabin arrival. Cabin reservations are restricted to a maximum stay of 7 consecutive nights per party for any one reservation between May 1 and September 30, and 10 consecutive days from Oct. 1 through April 30.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Shakes Slough 1 Cabin?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Shakes Slough 1 Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Shakes Slough 1 Cabin?
This area of the Stikine River offers plenty of places to explore by boat. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Shakes Slough 1 Cabin?
Wrangell, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if Shakes Slough 1 Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lower Salamander Creek Campground (25.5 mi, first-come), Ohmer Creek Campground (25.9 mi, first-come), and Upper Salamander Creek Campsite (27.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby