USDA Forest Service · Alaska
Checats Lake Cabin
USDA Forest Service · Alaska, United States · in Misty Fjords National Monument
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 728 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
- KETCHICAN/MISTY
- Address
- KETCHICAN/MISTY, AK
- Phone
- 907-225-2148
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Checats Lake Cabin is located on the mainland just south of Rudyerd Bay, within the Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness. The rustic and secluded retreat offers
year-round relaxation, sightseeing and recreation opportunities in Alaska's beautiful Inside Passage.
The site can be accessed by float plane, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their
own amenities.
Recreation
Fishing is rated as very good for rainbow trout up to 24 inches (60 cm). Hunting for mountain goat, Sitka black-tailed deer, black bear and brown bear is possible with proper permits.
A 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars is provided for exploring the lake, but guests must bring their own life jackets.
Facilities
This 12-by-12 cabin ( pan-abode style ) has two single bunks and two double bunks, to accommodate up to six people. It is also equipped with a table and benches, wood stove, splitting maul, broom and an outhouse. The cabin features a skylight. NOTE: Firewood may be available, but visitors are encouraged to contact the Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District to check the status of the woodshed.
Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a nearby creek, 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.
Other items to pack include sleeping bags, sleeping pads, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher
and matches, among other necessities. Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving ( click here for more cabin details).
Natural Features
The cabin sits on a little knoll, at the outlet of Upper Checats Lake near Checats Creek. The area surrounding the lake is heavily forested. Guests can see the steep,
rocky cliff faces that surround the lake on three sides.
Black and brown bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and mountain goats are all common in the surrounding area (click here to learn about bear safety).
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° | -11° | 39° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 34° | 26° | 1° | 40° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 37° | 27° | 10° | 49° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 41° | 30° | 17° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 51° | 39° | 32° | 78° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 55° | 44° | 37° | 74° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 60° | 50° | 43° | 78° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 62° | 53° | 43° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 58° | 47° | 40° | 72° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 44° | 37° | 27° | 67° | 5 of 10 |
| November | 36° | 30° | 17° | 46° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 25° | -8° | 41° | 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
- Winstanley Island Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 1 sites
- Winstanley Lake Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 1 sites
- Wilson Narrows Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi · 1 sites
- Ella Narrows Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 11 mi · 1 sites
- Wilson View Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 12 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.