USDA Forest Service · Alaska

Situk Lake 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
167 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
YAKUTAT
Address
YAKUTAT RANGER DISTRICT OFFICE, YAKUTAT, AK, 99689
Phone
(907) 784-3359
Activities
Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Wildlife Viewing

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

About

Overview

Situk Lake Cabin is located 14 miles northeast of Yakutat. It is situated on the eastern shore of Situk Lake, within the Russell Fjord Wilderness. The cabin is open for year-round enjoyment, offering opportunities for recreation and wildlife watching.

The site can be accessed by floatplane or by hiking forest service maintained trails. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

The lake offers outstanding fishing for king, sockeye, coho and pink salmon, as well as steelhead, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. Visitors can use the cabin's skiff with oars, but must provide their own flotation devices.

The Mountain Lake Trail starts from the cabin for a round-trip hike of 4 miles. The trail features numerous mountain streams and lakes, old-growth Sitka spruce forest and access to the Brabazon Mountains and Mountain Lake.

Hunting is allowed in this area in designated seasons with a permit.

Facilities

This 16x12-ft. pan-abode style cabin sleeps four people with four single bunks. The cabin also has a table and benches, broom, axe, picnic table and outhouse. A multi-fuel stove is provided for heat that burns either oil or wood.

Water, heating oil and electricity are not provided. Water can be taken from Situk Lake, but it should be treated before using. Visitors must supply #1 diesel oil or kerosene for the heater, and an empty 5-gallon fuel tank is provided.

Other items to bring include sleeping bags, sleeping pads, food, a cooking stove, cookware, plates, utensils, lanterns, flashlights, toilet paper, garbage bags, first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Visitors are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving. Click here for more cabin details.

Natural Features

The cabin sits on relatively flat terrain surrounded by a forest of old-growth Sitka spruce. On a clear day, Mount St. Elias can be seen from the lake. A shallow beach sits in front of the cabin, and a small stream is to the right.

The Situk Lake Trail winds 3 miles through old-growth forest and muskeg and offers views of the Brabazon Mountains as hikers make their way to the cabin.

Local wildlife includes brown and black bears, moose, bald eagles and trumpeter swans. Situk Lake attracts a variety of nesting waterfowl.

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
January34°27°6°46°11 of 11
February32°25°6°42°11 of 11
March33°25°5°45°10 of 11
April39°31°15°47°10 of 11
May46°38°30°62°1 of 11
June53°45°40°72°0 of 11
July57°51°46°71°0 of 11
August58°51°45°70°0 of 11
September55°48°40°65°0 of 11
October43°37°20°53°6 of 10
November36°31°14°46°9 of 10
December33°29°5°43°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.