USDA Forest Service · Alaska
Plenty Cutthroat Cabin
USDA Forest Service · Alaska, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 269 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
- KETCHIKAN
- Address
- KETCHIKAN, AK
- Phone
- 907-225-2148
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Plenty Cutthroat Cabin is situated at the west end of Orchard Lake on Revillagigedo Island 35 air miles from Ketchikan. The cabin is available year-round and makes an
excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska with its recreation options, beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife.
The cabin is remote and accessible only by float plane or boat, depending on conditions. Visitors arriving by boat should expect to anchor in Klu Bay and hike 1 mile
to the cabin from the Shrimp Bay trailhead.
This primitive cabin has no electricity, indoor plumbing or cell phone
coverage. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
Fishing, hiking and boating are popular options at this cabin. Fishing includes cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon in Orchard Lake. For information about fishing
permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.
A 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars is provided for rowing around the lake, but visitors must provide their own life jackets. The skiff can use a short-shaft motor,
which is not provided.
Facilities
The 12x12-ft. (pan-abode style) log cabin accommodates 6 people with 2 single and 2 double
bunks. Other amenities include a table and benches, a cooking counter, food storage, broom and dustpan. A tiny wood stove is provided for heat. An outhouse is
located near the cabin.
Drinking water is not available at the cabin. Visitors must bring their own water supply, but water is also available from the lake and nearby creeks
(water safety).
Firewood cannot be guaranteed, bring your own firewood or biobricks and firewood gathering tools.
Other items to bring include sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking gear, lanterns or flashlights, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter.
Rain gear and boots are recommended. Visitors are expected to pack out their trash, gear and food and clean the cabin before leaving (additional cabin details).
Natural Features
The cabin is tucked into a temperate rainforest of old-growth cedar, Sitka spruce and western hemlock with views of the lake and the forested mountain peaks on the other side. Visitors hiking the trail between Shrimp Bay and the cabin can access an overlook to view one of the twin waterfalls spilling out of Orchard Lake.
The area supports populations of Sitka black-tailed deer, black bear, wolf, beaver, marten, mink and otter (bear safety and precautions). A variety of birds may be spotted in and around the 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 | 36° | 28° | -17° | 42° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 36° | 27° | 2° | 42° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 38° | 27° | 14° | 57° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 43° | 31° | 19° | 61° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 53° | 40° | 33° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 57° | 46° | 38° | 76° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 61° | 52° | 45° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 64° | 54° | 45° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 59° | 48° | 39° | 74° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 46° | 39° | 29° | 69° | 5 of 10 |
| November | 38° | 31° | 17° | 47° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 34° | 27° | -3° | 43° | 9 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
- Blind Pass Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 1 sites
- Anchor Pass Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi · 1 sites
- Reflection Lake Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi · 1 sites
- Patching Lake Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi · 1 sites
- Mcdonald Lake Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 16 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.