Middle Ridge Cabin
Middle Ridge Cabin is wheelchair accessible and located on the Wrangell Island road system. The cabin is open year-round and offers opportunities for both summer and winter recreation. It is unique to Tongass National Forest because it is accessible by vehicle in the summer months from the town of Wrangell, and by snowmobile, off-road vehicle or cross-country skis in the winter. When making reservations, please be aware that the timing of spring/summer road access depends on winter snow levels (some years the road to the cabin will have snow until June). Please contact the Wrangell Ranger District for current road condition report.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Ridge Cabin | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | Yes | Basic |
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
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| 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. |
| Accessibility | Site Middle Ridge Cabin is listed accessible |
Middle Ridge is a young-growth log cabin constructed of 35- to 40-year-old spruce logs. The logs were hand-scribed and joined together by students in a cabin building class offered at the University of Alaska Southeast-Sitka during May 2009. The logs were then shipped to Wrangell and reassembled at the Middle Ridge Cabin site in September 2009. The 16-by-20 log cabin has one double bunk, one single bunk and a loft to accommodate up to eight people. It is also equipped with a table with benches, a wood stove for heat and counter space for cooking gear. The cabin is fully accessible, with the exception of the sleeping loft. The loft offers floor space for up to four adults. Natural light flows into the loft via two gable-end windows and two skylights. Two picnic tables, an accessible tent platform, a campfire ring and a woodshed with firewood are located outside. An outhouse with accessible toilets is about 40 feet from the front door of the cabin. Wheelchair-friendly pathways connect all outdoor facilities to the cabin. Electricity and water are not provide at the cabin.Guests are expected to pack out all their trash and food, as well as clean the cabin before leaving.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Middle Ridge Cabin is located on Wrangell Island, approximately 20 miles from Wrangell, Alaska. There are no roads to Wrangell. Access is by the Alaska Marine Highway or via Alaska Airlines. From Wrangell, head south on Zimovia Highway approximately 11 miles to Pat's Creek Road (Road 6259) and take a left.
| Nearest town | Wrangell, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 56.3247° N, 132.2781° W · Directions ↗ |
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miBig Hollow0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.7 miGarnet1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.2 miSalamander Ridge Trail1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 5 miThoms Lake Trail1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
On the National Register nearby
- Judith Ann (Riverboat)Structure · Wrangell · 2.7 mi
- Chief Shakes Historic SiteBuilding · Wrangell · 10.5 mi
- Saint Philip's Episcopal ChurchBuilding · Wrangell · 10.9 mi
Natural features
The cabin sits at approximately 1,500 feet in elevation, on a landscape comprised primarily of muskeg. The surrounding forest is a mix of spruce, hemlock, cedar and shore pine. The cabin overlooks a small lake and is surrounded by gently sloping, evergreen-forested mountains. Wrangell Island wildlife includes brown and black bears, moose, porcupines and Sitka black-tailed deer ( bear safety information ). Eagles and a variety of other birds also make their home here.
Recreation
Summer opportunities include berry picking, exploring the expansive muskeg, mountain biking on the road system, and sightseeing by vehicle or off-road vehicle. The lake offers opportunities for swimming, small craft boating and fishing. A skiff with oars is provided at the lake, but guests must bring their own personal flotation devices. Hunting for deer or upland birds is possible in the fall, with the proper permits. The landscape is ideal for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling during the winter months.
Guidebooks for Alaska
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Middle Ridge Cabin?
Sites at Middle Ridge 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 Middle Ridge 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 Middle Ridge Cabin?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Middle Ridge Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Middle Ridge Cabin?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Middle Ridge Cabin?
Site Middle Ridge Cabin is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Middle Ridge Cabin?
Summer opportunities include berry picking, exploring the expansive muskeg, mountain biking on the road system, and sightseeing by vehicle or off-road vehicle. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Middle Ridge Cabin?
Wrangell, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if Middle Ridge Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Yunshookuh Loop Campground (2.5 mi, first-come), Nemo Campsites Entry & Info Site (3 mi, first-come), and Three Sisters Overlook Campsite (3.2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby