USDA Forest Service · Alaska
Upper Russian Lake Cabin
USDA Forest Service · Alaska, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- No
- Elevation
- 712 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
- SEWARD
- Address
- Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur, SEWARD, AK, 99664
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling, Wildlife Viewing
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Upper Russian Lake Cabin is a rustic trapper style log cabin located on Upper Russian lake. It was recently refurbished to keep the old fashioned charm of the 1950s, when it was originally built. Its location provides good fishing and boating opportunities. Visitors enjoy exploring surrounding trails and viewing wildlife.
The cabin can be accessed by hiking, biking, skiing, horseback, snowmobile, and floatplane. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
Visitors enjoy boating and fishing for Dolly Varden and rainbow trout on Upper Russian Lake. A rowboat with oars is provided at the cabin. Fishing equipment is not provided and permits are required to fish or hunt in the state, click here to learn more about Alaska Department of Fish & Game regulations.
In season, visitors hunt for moose, black and brown bears and wolves in the surrounding forest. Hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling (during open seasons only) are also popular in the area. Learn more about hiking the Russian Lakes Trail
Facilities
The log cabin has bunk space for six and max. occupancy of eight people. It is equipped with counter space, table, benches and a wood stove for heat. An outhouse is also provided. Firewood can also be cut in the area, using the splitting maul and hand saw supplied at the cabin.
Visitors will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes. Water taken from streams and lakes must be treated or boiled prior to consumption. Visitors will also need to bring their own bedding and sleeping pads, flashlights, cooking gear, food, clothing and cooking utensils, among other necessities. All garbage and food must be packed out.
Natural Features
The cabin is located south of Sterling Highway, set back from the north shore of Upper Russian Lake. It is surrounded by an open grove of giant cottonwood trees with views of the lake and mountains beyond.
For more information on access and regulations pertaining to this cabin, trail conditions, safety precautions and outdoor safety and ethics, please contact the Seward Ranger District.
Fees
Reservations can be made the day of arrival or up to 180 days in advance, for three consecutive days maximum per person from May 15 to Aug. 31. 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.
If you cancel a cabin reservation within 14 days of your scheduled arrival date, you will be charged the $10 service fee and forfeit the first night's recreation use fee. No-shows, early departures, or cancellations after the scheduled arrival date are not entitled to a refund. Cancellations for single night use for Alaska cabins will not be assessed a service fee.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30° | 23° | -7° | 39° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 30° | 22° | -2° | 38° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 30° | 20° | -2° | 39° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 38° | 30° | -1° | 46° | 10 of 11 |
| May | 44° | 36° | 29° | 63° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 57° | 46° | 37° | 75° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 61° | 50° | 42° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 59° | 50° | 42° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 53° | 45° | 35° | 66° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 39° | 32° | 16° | 48° | 10 of 10 |
| November | 27° | 20° | -8° | 41° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 26° | 17° | -11° | 40° | 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
- Aspen Flats Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK) · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 1 sites
- Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK) · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 1 sites
- Cooper Creek South · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 30 sites
- Russian River · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 83 sites
- Porcupine Island Camp · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi
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.