USDA Forest Service · Alaska

Shelter Bay 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
56 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
Chugach National Forest
Nearest town
CORDOVA
Address
PO BOX 280, CORDOVA, AK, 99574
Phone
1 (907) 424-7661
Activities
Boating, Camping, Fishing, Historic Sites, Hunting, Wildlife Viewing

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

About

Overview

Shelter Bay Cabin is situated on the southwest shore of Shelter Bay on Hinchinbrook Island in the Chugach National Forest. Visitors will find many opportunities for recreation and relaxation in the vicinity, including fishing, hunting, beachcombing and wildlife viewing.

Access to the cabin is by floatplane at high tide, wheel plane at low tide or boat. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

The outlet channel of Shelter Bay is a popular coho salmon fishing site in August and September. Pink and chum salmon start to appear in the outlet in early July. The inlet creek at the far end of the bay is also a good spot to catch pink and chum salmon and Dolly Varden from July to August. Visitors who prefer to stay around the outlet creek can try fly fishing for sea-run cutthroat trout.

Hunters can take advantage of a long hunting season on the island and in the surrounding national forest. Bear season occurs during spring and fall, while deer season begins in late summer and lasts through late fall.

Facilities

The 20x20-ft rustic cabin can sleep six people on wooden bunkbeds without mattresses. The cabin is equipped with a table, benches, a wood and oil stove for heat and an outhouse.

The cabin has no running water, electricity or cut firewood. Visitors must bring #1 oil, kerosene or wood for the stove, as well as water, food, sleeping bags, pads, cook stoves and cooking gear.

Natural Features

Hinchinbrook Island is in the Gulf of Alaska at the entrance to Prince William Sound. The cabin is located on a tidal bay, surrounded by low, forested hills of spruce, hemlock and muskeg openings.

Wildlife in the area abounds, including waterfowl, Sitka black-tail deer and brown bear. The beaches on the Prince William Sound offer views of the Sound and the surrounding mountains. Occasionally, humpback and orca whales can be seen spouting offshore.

Nearby Attractions

Cape Hinchinbrook Lighthouse is located on the southwest end of Hinchinbrook Island. It is a fantastic historical site that has proved invaluable directing vessels to and from Prince William Sound. Though no longer used as a primary navigational aid, the beacon still serves as a reassuring presence along the rugged Alaskan coast.

Charges & Cancellations

A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees. For full details see NRRS Reservation Policy.

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
January28°25°11°33°11 of 11
February26°24°15°31°11 of 11
March25°22°10°30°11 of 11
April28°25°6°33°11 of 11
May34°32°27°44°8 of 11
June40°38°34°51°0 of 11
July43°42°39°50°0 of 11
August45°43°40°54°0 of 11
September43°41°37°50°0 of 11
October35°32°24°41°8 of 10
November30°27°11°37°10 of 10
December27°24°9°34°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 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.