Cabin rental · U.S. Forest Service · Tongass National Forest · Wrangell Ak, AK

Steamer Bay Cabin

Steamer Bay Cabin is on the northwest corner of Etolin Island on the east side of Steamer Bay. Its location on saltwater provides access to fishing and paddling opportunities. The site can be accessed by float plane or boat, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
View from Steamer Bay Cabin of ocean and islandsInterior of outhouse at Steamer Bay Cabin with hand railBoat out in Steamer BayView of beach and ocean with mountains in background.
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.

SiteShadePeople / vehiclesFires
W14Full7 / –Yes

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

FeesReservations 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 20-by-20 cabin ( modified A-frame style ) has two single bunks (one with a trundle bed) and a partial loft, to sleep up to seven people. It is also equipped with a table with benches, wood stove for heat, fire grill, broom and outhouse. A partially covered deck wraps around three sides of the cabin, and a wooden cooler box is provided for food storage. The cabin is fully accessible and includes a wheelchair ramp from the beach to the cabin. There is a mooring buoy located in the water in front of the cabin. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a small stream, but guests should be sure to treat water taken from any outside source prior to consumption ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply. Cooking facilities are not available. Guests should provide their own firewood, cook stove, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, 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

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Steamer Bay Cabin30°40°50°60°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 32.5°F averageFebruary: 34.3°F averageMarch: 37.3°F averageApril: 43.4°F averageMay: 50.8°F averageJune: 55.3°F averageJuly: 58.0°F averageAugust: 57.5°F averageSeptember: 52.7°F averageOctober: 45.2°F averageNovember: 37.8°F averageDecember: 33.9°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Wrangell AP, 24 miles from the campground at 56 feet, station USC00509919 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Getting there

Steamer Bay Cabin is located on the northwest corner of Etolin Island on the east side of Steamer Bay. The cabin is accessible by boat or float plane only, and is 27 miles by boat or 25 miles by air from Wrangell. Use caution when anchoring the boat due to the rocky shoreline.

Nearest townWrangell Ak, Alaska
Coordinates56.1650° N, 132.6892° W · Directions ↗

Explore

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

South Etolin Wilderness begins about 12 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The cabin sits near a gravel beach and overlooks Steamer Bay and Clarence Strait, as well as large rock outcroppings, a grassy estuary and tidal flats. The surrounding terrain is mountainous and densely forested with Sitka spruce and western hemlock rainforest. Muskeg is also common in the area. Brown and black bears, porcupine, deer, waterfowl, porpoises, whales and other marine life are commonly seen in the area (learn about bear safety ). Roosevelt elk were introduced here and thrive on Etolin Island.

Recreation

Saltwater fishing for King salmon is possible from May through July, silver salmon in August and September, and halibut from June through September. Dolly Varden and pink salmon (July through August) are available in nearby Porcupine Creek. Steamer Bay offers opportunities for crabbing, as well as digging for clams and abalone. The gravel beach, nearby islands and rocky shorelines invite beachcombing. The surrounding area can be explored on foot or by water, but tide tables should be consulted before any boating, kayaking or canoeing excursion.

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 Steamer Bay Cabin?

Sites at Steamer Bay 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 Steamer Bay 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 Steamer Bay Cabin?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Steamer Bay Cabin have?

1 site, including 1 cabin.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Steamer Bay Cabin?

Saltwater fishing for King salmon is possible from May through July, silver salmon in August and September, and halibut from June through September. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Steamer Bay Cabin?

Wrangell Ak, Alaska.

Source: Getting there

What if Steamer Bay Cabin is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Turn Island Beach Campsite (14.9 mi, first-come), Three Sisters Overlook Campsite (16 mi, first-come), and Nemo Campsites Entry & Info Site (16.3 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby