USDA Forest Service · Alaska

John Muir Cabin

USDA Forest Service · Alaska, United States

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Sites
1
Hookups
1 no hookups
Season
Year-round
Drinking water
No
Restrooms
Yes
Elevation
1,516 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 3
Cell coverage
AT&T weak · Verizon weak · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Lake
Tongass National Forest
Nearest town
JUNEAU
Address
Juneau Ranger District, 8510 Mendenhall Loop Road, JUNEAU, AK, 99801
Activities
Backpacking, Birding, Camping, Cross Country Skiing, Hiking, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Wildlife Viewing

1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

John Muir Cabin was built in 1980 and named after John Muir to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his visit to the Gastineau Channel area. This rustic cabin is open
year-round and offers spectacular views and plenty of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

The cabin is accessed by hiking, snowshoeing or skiing 3.5 miles from the Spaulding Meadows/Auk Nu trailhead off of Glacier Highway. The trail is partially planked and
winds through muskeg with a 1,500-foot elevation gain. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring several of their own
amenities.

Recreation

The Auk Nu Trail continues past the cabin toward Auke Mountain. Cross-country skiing is excellent in winter, with close access to Spaulding Meadows and an undeveloped
trail to Peterson Lake Cabin (map and compass are recommended). Skis or snowshoes are recommended in winter.

Facilities

This 15'x12' chalet-style log cabin has two double bunks on the first floor and two bunks that can sleep six on the second floor. Other amenities include a table with benches, wood stove, broom and dustpan, snow shovel, propane furnace and a ramp and hardened trail to the vault toilet. Propane is provided.
Water, firewood and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a nearby stream, but guests should be sure to treat water before drinking or
cooking with it ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that guests bring their own
water supply.

Cooking facilities are not available. Visitors should pack sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food,
toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Visitors are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving
( click
here for more cabin details).

Natural Features

The cabin sits in a subalpine meadow 1,550 feet above the Mendenhall Valley. This vantage point offers great views of Juneau, Gastineau Channel, Auke Bay, the Chilkat
Mountains, Admiralty Island and numerous ice field peaks.

Brown and black bears, deer and porcupines are common to the area (bear safety
information). A variety of bird species make their home here, including the bald eagle.

Fees

Only one change per reservation for all Alaska cabins is allowed. Change is defined as a modification to the start or end date of the reservation; after one change has been made, if additional changes are desired, the customer must cancel the current reservation and re-book the new dates.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January29°25°-10°41°11 of 11
February28°22°-2°39°11 of 11
March30°24°2°42°11 of 11
April34°27°12°42°11 of 11
May44°32°25°58°7 of 11
June49°39°31°61°1 of 11
July53°46°39°65°0 of 11
August53°46°39°70°0 of 11
September49°40°33°62°0 of 11
October38°33°12°54°8 of 10
November31°24°7°41°10 of 10
December28°23°-9°39°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Alaska · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-21. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.