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

Marten Lake Cabin

A stay at Marten Lake Cabin provides for a unique experience at a remote, backcountry lake only accessible by floatplane. It is situated on the north side of Marten Lake, above Blake Channel and Bradfield Canal, 25 miles southeast of Wrangell, Alaska. The site can be accessed by float plane, depending on conditions. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Marten Lake Cabin with trees surrounding it and water in front with a small boat and tall grassMarten Lake Cabin with small woodshedMarten Lake Cabin with overturned small skiff in front with grasses and trees surrounding itWood shed amongst greenery
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 / vehicles
W17Full4 / –

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 12-by-14 cabin ( pan-abode style ) has single and double bunks to sleep up to four people. The cabin also has a table and benches, a broom and a wood-burning stove for heat. An outhouse is located just outside the cabin. A wooden cooler box for food storage is located on the partially covered front porch. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a stream behind the cabin, but guests should be sure to treat water taken from any outside source before drinking or cooking with it ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply. In addition to bringing a cook stove, guests should provide their own firewood, 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 Marten Lake 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, 25 miles from the campground at 56 feet, station USC00509919 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Getting there

The cabin is located at the north end of Marten Lake, southeast of Wrangell. The lake is on the mainland (at an elevation of 178 feet) above Blake Channel and the Bradfield Canal. This cabin is accessible by float plane only and is 25 miles by air from Wrangell. Marten Lake is usually ice-free from May to October.

Nearest townWrangell, Alaska
Coordinates56.2792° N, 131.8486° W · Directions ↗

Explore

Natural features

The cabin sits in a relatively flat valley, with scenic views of Marten Lake and the steep mountains rising from the shoreline. The surrounding rainforest is primarily Sitka spruce and western hemlock with some cedar. There is a sand beach in front of the cabin at low and moderate lake levels. This area is home to brown and black bears, as well as moose ( bear safety information ). Mountain goats can sometimes been seen on the surrounding peaks.

Recreation

Anglers can fish for cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden in Marten Lake and nearby Clay Lake. Steelhead is available in lower Marten Creek. A skiff with oars is available at the cabin for rowing around the lake, but guests must provide their own flotation devices and ensure that the skiff is secured before leaving the cabin. Bear and mountain goat hunting is possible in designated seasons with the proper permits.

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Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Marten Lake Cabin?

Sites at Marten 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 Marten Lake 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 Marten Lake Cabin?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Marten Lake Cabin have?

1 site, including 1 cabin.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Marten Lake Cabin?

Anglers can fish for cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden in Marten Lake and nearby Clay Lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Marten Lake Cabin?

Wrangell, Alaska.

Source: Getting there

What if Marten Lake Cabin is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Upper Salamander Creek Campsite (7.6 mi, first-come), Thoms Creek Crossing Campsite (13.6 mi, first-come), and Lower Salamander Creek Campground (13.9 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby