USDA Forest Service · Alaska
Humpback 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
- 384 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/MISTY
- Address
- KETCHIKAN/MISTY, 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
Humpback Lake Cabin is located on the mainland within the Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness. It has the feel of a secluded getaway, even though a commercial lodge is nearby. The cabin is open year-round, offering relaxation, sightseeing and recreation in Alaska's beautiful Inside Passage.
The site can be accessed by floatplane, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
A 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars is available at the cabin, but guests must provide their own life jackets. Guests can row to the Humpback Creek Trailhead and enjoy a scenic 3-mile hike to Mink Bay. The trailhead is located at the north edge of a large log jam near the west end of the lake.
The lake offers excellent fishing for Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout.
Facilities
This 12x14-ft. pan-abode style cabin sleeps six and comes equipped with two single bunks, two double bunks, a table and benches, tiny woodstove, broom and an outhouse.
Firewood cannot be guaranteed, bring your own firewood or biobricks. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from the lake, but guests must treat water before drinking or cooking with it. 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 fire starter. Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving. Click here for more cabin details.
Natural Features
The cabin offers spectacular views of the glacier-carved lake and the surrounding high alpine peaks with sheer granite walls. The landscape is covered in lush
old-growth forest of Sitka spruce, cedar and western hemlock.
This area is home to a large population of brown bears. Other species that make their home in the Wilderness include Sitka black-tailed deer, wolves, martens and moose. A variety of waterfowl may be seen 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 | 38° | 33° | -2° | 44° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 37° | 29° | 8° | 43° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 40° | 30° | 19° | 56° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 45° | 33° | 23° | 62° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 54° | 42° | 34° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 57° | 47° | 41° | 73° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 62° | 53° | 47° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 64° | 55° | 48° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 60° | 50° | 44° | 75° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 48° | 41° | 32° | 70° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 42° | 34° | 22° | 51° | 8 of 10 |
| December | 38° | 30° | 5° | 44° | 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
- Hugh Smith Lake Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 1 sites
- Bakewell Lake Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 17 mi · 1 sites
- Alava Bay Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 28 mi · 1 sites
- Winstanley Lake Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 30 mi · 1 sites
- Wilson Narrows Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 31 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.