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 ↗



Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|
| W14 | Full | 7 / – | 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
| 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 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
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 town | Wrangell Ak, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 56.1650° N, 132.6892° W · Directions ↗ |
Explore
Public land it sits in
South Etolin Wilderness begins about 12 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 12 miSouth Etolin Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 82,593 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
On the National Register nearby
- Etolin CanoeSite · Wrangell · 9.2 mi
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

