USDA Forest Service · Alaska
Shrode Lake Cabin
USDA Forest Service · Alaska, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 with water, 1 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 59 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
- GIRDWOOD
- Address
- 145 Forest Station Road, P.O. Box 129, GIRDWOOD, AK, 99587
- Phone
- 907-783-3242
- Activities
- Berry Picking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Paddling, Skiing, Winter Sports
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Shrode Lake Cabin is open year-round, offering the opportunity to enjoy both summer and winter recreation in beautiful Prince William Sound. The cabin is in a secluded location that provides a true backcountry experience.
The site can be accessed by float plane or boat, depending on conditions. Those arriving by boat have two choices.
The Long Bay trailhead is only accessible at very high tides and small shore-going boats (Kayak, packraft or Dinghy).
It's about a 1 mile hike from salt water to the Cabin from the Long Bay trailhead. If accessing the Shrode Lake Cabin from the Three Fingers trailhead, larger boats can motor into the middle (of the three) finger and will see a trailhead sign at the head of the Bay. It's ~2 mile hike from Trailhead to the Cabin and requires a river crossing just before arriving to the Cabin. A third option (from the Three Fingers Trailhead) is to utilize the .5 mile Portage trail (between Salt Water and Shrode Lake) to carry a canoe, kayak or packraft. Then you'll have a ~2 mile paddle along the North shore of Shrode Lake to the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements, safety, and must bring several of their own amenities including sleeping pad, sleeping bag, cook stove, kerosene fuel for the heat stove, cooking pots, toilet paper, utensils and some form of water treatment.
Recreation
Hike on the one-mile trail to Long Bay or hike to Jack Lake (no designated trail), which is a half-mile from the cabin. Three Fingers Cove to the west of Shrode Lake can be accessed via a two mile primitive trail that may require some route-finding skills. Note: This trail requires a substantial river crossing (Shrode River) before arriving at the Cabin. Depending on the water level Shrode River can be fordable in knee high rubber boots or completley unpassable (without a packraft or similar).
Anglers can fish for sockeye salmon in mid-July, a relatively small run that passes through quickly. Abundant pink salmon are available from mid-July to mid-August, and silver salmon in late August. Fishing takes place in Long Bay (saltwater), the lagoon between saltwater and Shrode Lake, and the stream that drains Shrode Lake. Dolly Varden trout are available in Shrode Lake.
Guests can use the small rowboat and oars provided by the Forest Service at Shrode Lake, but should bring their own personal floatation device. It is important to consult tide tables before boating in order to properly navigate the lagoon and avoid the numerous rock hazards in the area (local tide tables).
In season deer and bear hunting is possible in designated areas with a permit. The terrain and amount of snowfall makes for excellent cross-country and backcountry skiing in the spring months.
Facilities
The cabin is a 16 x 16 foot A-frame with a main floor and a sleeping loft. It accommodates up to six people and comes equipped with wooden bunks, an oil drip (kerosene) heater, a table, benches, broom, fire extinguisher and an outhouse with a pit toilet.
Water, electricity and fuel for the heater are not provided. Freshwater is available around the cabin, but it should be treated before drinking.
Visitors are responsible for bringing their own drinking water, kerosene for heater (typically a gallon/ day is sufficent), a cook stove, flashlights or lanterns, bedding, mattresses, toilet paper, garbage bags, cookware, dishes and utensils.
Visitors are responsible for packing out all trash and cleaning the cabin after use.
Natural Features
Shrode Cabin is situated on the northeastern shore of Shrode Lake, a freshwater lake near Long Bay, which is just off Culross Passage in Prince William Sound. Shrode Lake is separated from the saltwater Long Bay by a lagoon.
The cabin is located in an open grassy and muskeg area with evergreen forest nearby. The front of the cabin overlooks the lake and surrounding mountains.
Black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, waterfowl and bald eagles make their home here (learn about bear safety).
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (907) 783-3242.
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° | 28° | 7° | 42° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 33° | 27° | 11° | 42° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 32° | 26° | 6° | 40° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 37° | 30° | 10° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 44° | 37° | 30° | 56° | 3 of 11 |
| June | 54° | 44° | 37° | 71° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 57° | 50° | 43° | 73° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 57° | 51° | 46° | 76° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 53° | 47° | 40° | 69° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 42° | 35° | 23° | 51° | 6 of 10 |
| November | 33° | 26° | 4° | 45° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 32° | 25° | 5° | 41° | 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
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- Goose Bay Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 2 sites
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- Decision Point State Marine Park · Alaska State Parks · 11 mi · 10 sites
- South Esther Island State Marine Park · Alaska State Parks · 12 mi · 5 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.