Caribou Creek Cabin is a remote, rustic cabin on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula of south-central Alaska. It is near a recreational gold panning area and provides access to great opportunities for big game hunting.
The cabin can be accessed by hiking, horseback riding, biking skiing, and snowmobile. The trail is open to snowmobiles every other year. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
Year-round
Horseback Riding
Year-round
Hunting
Year-round
Skiing
Winter
Snowmobile
Winter
Year-round
Hiking
Nearby
Horseback Riding
Nearby
Hunting
Nearby
Winter
Skiing
Nearby
Snowmobile
Nearby
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Operating hours and availability for the current season.
Upcoming seasons
Planned operating dates for future seasons to help you plan ahead.
Past seasons
Historical operating dates from previous years for reference.
Closed periods
View dates when this campground is temporarily closed during the season.
Caribou Creek Cabin is praised for its cleanliness, ample firewood supply, and beautiful river access, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and fishing. Guests appreciated the warm atmosphere and well-maintained facilities, often expressing a desire to return. Some concerns were raised about trail conditions and maintenance due to budget cuts, but overall, visitors enjoyed their experiences.
We have stayed here in the winter twice now and it is a fantastic little cabin! Just an FYI, the stove is pretty skinny and only fits a couple logs at a time. There are also lots of windows, so if the fire goes out, it gets cold quickly. The river is also nearly impossible to access in the winter due to snow load, so bring plenty of drinking water. Every other year snow machines are allowed on the trail and this year they were allowed which made the trail really nice for skiing/snowshoeing out. Highly recommend this cabin!
Always a slog on the way in but it’s worth the way food tastes when you get there. Cabin heats up nice and the people before us left a nice amount of wood to compliment what we hauled. Left a good pile for the next person as should be done on a non motorized year. Will return to the cabin when ever I get a chance.
Always a slog on the way in but it’s worth the way food tastes when you get there. Cabin heats up nice and the people before us left a nice amount of wood to compliment what we hauled. Left a good pile for the next person as should be done on a non motorized year. Will return to the cabin when ever I get a chance.
Always a slog on the way in but it’s worth the way food tastes when you get there. Cabin heats up nice and the people before us left a nice amount of wood to compliment what we hauled. Left a good pile for the next person as should be done on a non motorized year. Will return to the cabin when ever I get a chance.
Very icy. Bad news was that skiing wasn’t possible for almost all of the trail, but the good news was that ice cleats sufficed and snowshoes stayed stashed in the sleds. Smart to have gear options though with variable snow/ice conditions. Cabin was lovely. Thank you for the firewood, we did our best to leave it as we found it. We had fun doing the puzzle. :)
Very icy. Bad news was that skiing wasn’t possible for almost all of the trail, but the good news was that ice cleats sufficed and snowshoes stayed stashed in the sleds. Smart to have gear options though with variable snow/ice conditions. Cabin was lovely. Thank you for the firewood, we did our best to leave it as we found it. We had fun doing the puzzle. :)
Very icy. Bad news was that skiing wasn’t possible for almost all of the trail, but the good news was that ice cleats sufficed and snowshoes stayed stashed in the sleds. Smart to have gear options though with variable snow/ice conditions. Cabin was lovely. Thank you for the firewood, we did our best to leave it as we found it. We had fun doing the puzzle. :)
Helpful
Location & Directions for Caribou Creek Cabin
Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur, Seward, AK 99664 United States
Follow the Hope Highway from Seward Highway after arriving on the Kenai Peninsula. From the Resurrection Pass North Trailhead, at milepost 4 of Resurrection Creek Road, hike 7 mi to the cabin. In winter, add one extra mile of travel as Resurrectio...
Follow the Hope Highway from Seward Highway after arriving on the Kenai Peninsula. From the Resurrection Pass North Trailhead, at milepost 4 of Resurrection Creek Road, hike 7 mi to the cabin. In winter, add one extra mile of travel as Resurrection Creek Road is not plowed to the trailhead. From the Resurrection Pass South Trailhead, at milepost 53.2 on Sterling Highway, hike 31.8 mi to the cabin.
Refer to USGS topographic map Seward D8. Maps are available online or by calling the Seward Ranger District at 907-288-3178.
Winter travelers need to be able to evaluate avalanche and over-ice travel conditions. For more current travel conditions, call the district office. The trail is closed to horse/pack stock from April 1 to June 30, and is open to over-snow motorized vehicles from Dec. 1 to April 30 every other winter season, beginning with the winter of 2007-2008. It is closed to motorized vehicles every other winter season beginning with the 2008-2009 winter season.
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Safety & rules
Be aware of safety risks related to bears, water, and weather in this remote area before your visit.
Be aware of dangers in Alaska and prepare for potentially extended stays due to poor weather.
Guests must pack out all garbage and food after their stay.
Camping in the cabin is limited to seven consecutive days, or three days from May 15 to August 31.
Utilities
Guests need to bring their own fresh water or treat water from natural sources before use.
Site types & loops
Commercial use of the cabin by operators or guides is prohibited.
Camping within 300 feet of a public recreation cabin is not allowed without a reservation.
Hitching or tethering animals is not allowed within 200 feet of trails, water sources, or developed sites.
Local regulations
A valid reservation is required to use the public recreation cabin.
Site capacity
No more than eight individuals may occupy the cabin at any given time.
General
Learn more about Chugach National Forest
Fires & fuel
Buy firewood near your destination to prevent pest spread.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
General
Fee changes in effect. This facility will now charge the same fee year-round.
