John Muir Cabin

View from John Muir Cabin
Front of Cabin
John Muir Cabin from above
Cabin interior
Muskeg behind the cabin

Featured amenities

Parking Parking

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

1 total site

Cabins

1 site

About John Muir Cabin

John Muir Cabin was built in 1980 and named after John Muir to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his visit to the Gastineau Channel area. This rustic cabin is open year-round and offers spectacular views and plenty of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The cabin is accessed by hiking, snowshoeing or skiing 3.5 miles from the Spaulding Meadows/Auk Nu trailhead off of Glacier Highway. The trail is partially planked and winds through muskeg with a 1,500-foot elevation gain. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring several of their own amenities.

Number of accommodations: 1

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking

Cabin Interior

  • Heating

Views and Setting

  • View
Missing information?

J04, Loop: AREA JOHN MUIR CABIN

Price not available
🏠 Cabin Unavailable

Site Details

Up to 8 guests
Campfire
View Site Details

Reviews (53)

What Guests Are Saying

The John Muir Cabin offers a wonderful winter experience, set in a beautiful snowy landscape. Reviewers appreciate the cabin's great condition and quick heating, although some noted a slow initial warm-up. Overall, it is well-maintained, providing a cozy retreat for outdoor enthusiasts.

Review Summary

4.8
53 reviews
5
81.1%
43
4
18.9%
10
3
0.0%
0
2
0.0%
0
1
0.0%
0

Sydney H

Verified

January 15, 2021 Stayed at: J04, Loop: AREA JOHN MUIR CABIN

5

The propane was awesome, the view was incredible! The hike wasn't too hard, and the way down with less food and water flew by! The trivia game was awesome and fun to see the notebooks filled with recent trips. Definitly bring crampons if you are going in the winter months- life savers. Perfect weekend get away!

Sydney H

Verified

January 15, 2021 Stayed at: J04, Loop: AREA JOHN MUIR CABIN

5

The propane was awesome, the view was incredible! The hike wasn't too hard, and the way down with less food and water flew by! The trivia game was awesome and fun to see the notebooks filled with recent trips. Definitly bring crampons if you are going in the winter months- life savers. Perfect weekend get away!

Susan W

Verified

November 17, 2020 Stayed at: J04, Loop: AREA JOHN MUIR CABIN

5

Snowshoes would have been useful but otherwise it was fantastic, as it always is!

Susan W

Verified

November 17, 2020 Stayed at: J04, Loop: AREA JOHN MUIR CABIN

5

Snowshoes would have been useful but otherwise it was fantastic, as it always is!

Teresa B

Verified

November 4, 2020 Stayed at: J04, Loop: AREA JOHN MUIR CABIN

5

Amazing views and quiet location. Can get icy hiking in the fall when it's still raining, but still temperatures are hovering around freezing. Can't wait to go back!

Teresa B

Verified

November 4, 2020 Stayed at: J04, Loop: AREA JOHN MUIR CABIN

5

Amazing views and quiet location. Can get icy hiking in the fall when it's still raining, but still temperatures are hovering around freezing. Can't wait to go back!

Karin M

Verified

August 27, 2020 Stayed at: J04, Loop: AREA JOHN MUIR CABIN

5

This is a fantastic cabin, that easily accommodates two families of 4 comfortably. There is a spiral staircase to the upstairs, which is sealed off from the downstairs by a storm door. Closing the upstairs door keeps the upstairs quarters cooler if the stove is cranking downstairs. There are 2-3 windows downstairs with screens, and one upstairs with a screen, which is nice for ventilation without bugs. Maybe Bring tape for small gaps in the screens. The propane stove was easy to use (and nice for warming tortillas in foil!), and the additional woodstove is a great backup/addition. There is a muskeg meadow with some flowing water in front of the cabin that can be boiled/filtered, but it is pretty tanic and buggy. Fill up your bottles at a nicer stream along the trail up if you can. The no-see-ums in the meadow got a little vicious. The hike has elevation gain but it never very steep, and heavily planked, so was very do-able for 9 and 11 year olds with light backpacking packs. We wore waterproof hiking shoes instead of rubber boots and were happy with the choice, but if heavy rains you might be better off with boots.

Karin M

Verified

August 27, 2020 Stayed at: J04, Loop: AREA JOHN MUIR CABIN

5

This is a fantastic cabin, that easily accommodates two families of 4 comfortably. There is a spiral staircase to the upstairs, which is sealed off from the downstairs by a storm door. Closing the upstairs door keeps the upstairs quarters cooler if the stove is cranking downstairs. There are 2-3 windows downstairs with screens, and one upstairs with a screen, which is nice for ventilation without bugs. Maybe Bring tape for small gaps in the screens. The propane stove was easy to use (and nice for warming tortillas in foil!), and the additional woodstove is a great backup/addition. There is a muskeg meadow with some flowing water in front of the cabin that can be boiled/filtered, but it is pretty tanic and buggy. Fill up your bottles at a nicer stream along the trail up if you can. The no-see-ums in the meadow got a little vicious. The hike has elevation gain but it never very steep, and heavily planked, so was very do-able for 9 and 11 year olds with light backpacking packs. We wore waterproof hiking shoes instead of rubber boots and were happy with the choice, but if heavy rains you might be better off with boots.

Jontue Gillen

Jontue Gillen

March 11, 2020

5

The bunkhouse were much better than I thought they would be for a place so isolated.

Google Maps

Tayma M

Verified

January 11, 2020 Stayed at: J04, Loop: AREA JOHN MUIR CABIN

4

Sturdy, warm cabin to stay in after your hike up the mountain!

Location John Muir Cabin

Address:
Juneau Ranger District, 8510 Mendenhall Loop Road
Juneau, AK, 99801
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 58.4094 / -134.697

Elevation: 463 feet

Distance to downtown

13 mi drive to downtown Juneau (about 21 min)

Policies & Rules

General

  • This facility is located in an extremely remote and wild area; before making a reservation, become aware of bear, water, and weather safety (including cold)
  • Recreating in Alaska can present both obvious and hidden dangers; please be aware of your surroundings and be prepared for extended stays due to occasionally poor weather
  • Water is not available at the cabin; guests must bring their own water supply or treat water from natural sources
  • Please pack out all trash and food
  • Use of this cabin by a commercial operator, such as an outfitter or guide, is not allowed
  • This cabin is open to public as a warming shelter.
  • Click here for more information about Tongass National Forest
  • Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by purchasing firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: August 23, 2026

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