USDA Forest Service · Alaska
Turner Lake West Cabin
USDA Forest Service · Alaska, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 102 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon 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
- Phone
- 907 789-6264
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Turner Lake West Cabin is extremely popular and considered to be one of the most beautiful cabins on the Tongass National Forest. It is open for year-round enjoyment,
offering scenic views and access to a variety of recreational activities.
The site can be accessed by float plane, motor boat or kayak, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety
and must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
Anglers can fish for cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden and kokanee salmon in Turner Lake. Pink salmon and Dolly Varden is available in the Turner River and Taku Inlet.
A 0.8 mile trail goes from the ocean to the cabin. A skiff with oars is available at the cabin, but guests must provide their own flotation devices. Guests can bring a small outboard to attach to the skiff. The Turner Creek and mudflats may be difficult to navigate in lower tides, so a shallow
draft boat or kayak is recommended. During high tides, larger inboard/outboard boats can navigate the inlet. Tide charts should be consulted; click here for more info.
Bear, mountain goat and waterfowl hunting is allowed in designated seasons with the proper permits.
Facilities
This is a chalet-style log cabin that has a fireplace with beautiful stonework. It sleeps six people with two single and two double bunks. The cabin also has a table and benches,
broom, an oil heater, a cooler box for food storage, an outhouse and food preparation space.
Water, firewood and electricity are not provided. Water is available from the lake or a nearby stream, but visitors should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking
with it ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that visitors bring their own water supply.
Heating oil is not provided. Visitors must bring a supply of #1 diesel oil or kerosene (one gallon per day on lowest setting), in addition to 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, empty the cabinets and clean the cabin before leaving ( click here for more cabin details).
Natural Features
The cabin sits on rock that slopes directly to the water. The area has spectacular scenery with cliffs and numerous waterfalls cascading into the lake.
This area is home to grizzly and black bears, moose and mountain goats ( bear safety information ).
A variety of waterfowl can be seen on Turner Lake.
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
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34° | 27° | -16° | 45° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 34° | 28° | -3° | 46° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 35° | 28° | 2° | 52° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 41° | 33° | 15° | 52° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 51° | 40° | 31° | 70° | 4 of 11 |
| June | 58° | 49° | 38° | 75° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 60° | 54° | 45° | 78° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 61° | 54° | 44° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 58° | 48° | 36° | 72° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 43° | 38° | 16° | 63° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 35° | 30° | 6° | 48° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 27° | -13° | 45° | 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
- Taku Glacier Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 1 sites
- Turner Lake East Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 1 sites
- Dan Moller Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 19 mi · 1 sites
- Young Lake (South) Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 23 mi · 1 sites
- Young Lake (North) Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 23 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in Alaska · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.