Warning
GeneralFee changes in effect. This facility will now charge the same fee year-round.
About Crescent Saddle Cabin
Number of accommodations: 1
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Lake Access
- Boat Ramp
Views and Setting
- View
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S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
Site Details
Reviews (34)
What Guests Are Saying
The Crescent Saddle Cabin offers a beautiful and peaceful retreat with stunning views and well-stocked amenities, making for a memorable experience. However, accessing the cabin can be challenging due to overgrown trails and icy conditions, and some guests noted issues with wood supply and missing rowboats. Overall, the cabin's excellent condition and picturesque surroundings are highlighted as its main positives.
What Guests Are Saying
The Crescent Saddle Cabin offers a beautiful and peaceful retreat with stunning views and well-stocked amenities, making for a memorable experience. However, accessing the cabin can be challenging due to overgrown trails and icy conditions, and some guests noted issues with wood supply and missing rowboats. Overall, the cabin's excellent condition and picturesque surroundings are highlighted as its main positives.
Review Summary
David P
VerifiedJune 28, 2022 • Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
Our sole purpose of this hike was to fish for grayling on June 22 and the morning of June 23 before the noon check-out time. To our dismay, there was no row boat as advertised. We didn’t stay the night and returned to the trailhead. Very disappointed.
David P
VerifiedJune 28, 2022 • Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
Our sole purpose of this hike was to fish for grayling on June 22 and the morning of June 23 before the noon check-out time. To our dismay, there was no row boat as advertised. We didn’t stay the night and returned to the trailhead. Very disappointed.
Devin W
VerifiedJune 17, 2022 • Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
We took the Crescent Saddle Trail side. The primitive trail was not easy and hard to follow in certain marshy areas. It was a challenge but a lot of fun. The cabin itself is on a beautiful spot. It’s one of the older cabins around but has all of the amenities. The tools at the cabin could use some love as they are dull or rusted but all in all we had a wonderful experience. Thank you!
Devin W
VerifiedJune 17, 2022 • Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
We took the Crescent Saddle Trail side. The primitive trail was not easy and hard to follow in certain marshy areas. It was a challenge but a lot of fun. The cabin itself is on a beautiful spot. It’s one of the older cabins around but has all of the amenities. The tools at the cabin could use some love as they are dull or rusted but all in all we had a wonderful experience. Thank you!
Jonathan M
VerifiedJune 6, 2022 • Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
A word to the wise on this one: time the season perfectly if wanting to avoid snow. We came last few days of May, and the snow was the perfect combination of depth and slushiness to make travel (even if we had snow shoes) impossible over through Carter Lake to the cabin. We had to change plans and take a plane to a break in the ice on the lake. From what many in the cabin log wrote, July and later have such tall grass and devils club that the trail takes twice as long with lots of losing the trail.
That said, the location of this cabin is absolutely gorgeous. We didnt see any animals, but plenty of evidence of moose, brown bear, and sheep or goats from the snow prints. Lots of wood around and someone who had clearly brought a chainsaw left a bunch of wood rounds to chop. Cabin is tiny but that means its easy to heat on the small stove.
Gear: there are two hacksaws, one handsaw, a maul, a broom, oars, but don't look for the boat. From the cabin log, the boat went missing a couple years ago (maybe at the bottom of the lake).
Jonathan M
VerifiedJune 6, 2022 • Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
A word to the wise on this one: time the season perfectly if wanting to avoid snow. We came last few days of May, and the snow was the perfect combination of depth and slushiness to make travel (even if we had snow shoes) impossible over through Carter Lake to the cabin. We had to change plans and take a plane to a break in the ice on the lake. From what many in the cabin log wrote, July and later have such tall grass and devils club that the trail takes twice as long with lots of losing the trail.
That said, the location of this cabin is absolutely gorgeous. We didnt see any animals, but plenty of evidence of moose, brown bear, and sheep or goats from the snow prints. Lots of wood around and someone who had clearly brought a chainsaw left a bunch of wood rounds to chop. Cabin is tiny but that means its easy to heat on the small stove.
Gear: there are two hacksaws, one handsaw, a maul, a broom, oars, but don't look for the boat. From the cabin log, the boat went missing a couple years ago (maybe at the bottom of the lake).
Ashley S
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2021 • Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
Went in mid-September and had a great time at Crescent Saddle cabin. We took the Carter Lake trail to the Crescent Lake trail, which ended up being close to 7.5 miles total. The first 1.5 miles had a pretty steep elevation gain of about 1000 ft. Once you branch off from the Carter Lake trail, the going gets a little rough. Because of the time of year, the bushes and tall grass got us soaked since the trail was very overgrown and it had rained earlier. There were also two spots were you cross streams that were a little too deep for normal hiking boots and our feet got wet. An arduous trail but the views were worth it. The cabin itself was cute, previous occupants had left some wood under the woodshed to dry, which was fantastic. Wish we had waterproofed a bit better before going but other than that, a great trip.
Ashley S
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2021 • Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
Went in mid-September and had a great time at Crescent Saddle cabin. We took the Carter Lake trail to the Crescent Lake trail, which ended up being close to 7.5 miles total. The first 1.5 miles had a pretty steep elevation gain of about 1000 ft. Once you branch off from the Carter Lake trail, the going gets a little rough. Because of the time of year, the bushes and tall grass got us soaked since the trail was very overgrown and it had rained earlier. There were also two spots were you cross streams that were a little too deep for normal hiking boots and our feet got wet. An arduous trail but the views were worth it. The cabin itself was cute, previous occupants had left some wood under the woodshed to dry, which was fantastic. Wish we had waterproofed a bit better before going but other than that, a great trip.
Michelle M
VerifiedAugust 11, 2021 • Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
The hike in is beautiful, slightly challenging and absolutely worth it. The cabin was very new and clean and the boat was in excellent shape. I've been to several FS cabins and this one was one of my favorites for the scenery. We didn't see any bears, but saw a dall sheep across the lake and some loons.
Michelle M
VerifiedAugust 11, 2021 • Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
The hike in is beautiful, slightly challenging and absolutely worth it. The cabin was very new and clean and the boat was in excellent shape. I've been to several FS cabins and this one was one of my favorites for the scenery. We didn't see any bears, but saw a dall sheep across the lake and some loons.
Location Crescent Saddle Cabin
Address:
Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur
Seward, AK, 99664
United States
Access is by trail, 7 miles from the Carter Lake Trailhead at milepost 34 of the Seward Highway or (10.7 miles from the Crescent Creek Trailhead, from milepost 45 on Sterling Highway, take Quartz Creek road 3.2 miles to the Crescent Creek Trailhead. Cabin is also accessible by floatplane.
Winter travelers need to be able to evaluate avalanche and over-ice travel conditions. Refer to USGS maps Seward B7, C7 and C8. Maps are available online or by calling the Seward Ranger District at 907-288-3178.
Learn more about Carter Lake and Crescent Creek.
Access is via the Seward Highway (milepost 34) and the Sterling Highway (milepost 45), both within approximately 10.7 miles of the cabin.
Latitude & Longitude: 60.4453 / -149.506
Elevation: 451 feet
Policies & Rules
Safety & rules
- Be aware of bear, water, and weather safety before reserving due to the remote location.
- Stay aware of surroundings and prepare for poor weather conditions during your stay.
- Guests are required to pack out all garbage and food.
- Occupancy is limited to seven consecutive days or three days between May 15 and August 31.
General
- This is the Crescent Saddle Cabin located on the south-central shore of Crescent Lake, not the Crescent Lake Cabin on the west side of the lake.
- Learn more about Chugach National Forest
Accessibility
- Summer access may be challenging due to an unbridged creek crossing, especially during high water.
Site types & loops
- Crescent Lake Trail has seasonal closures for horses and motorized vehicles, and is not recommended for small children.
- Camping within 300 feet of any public recreation cabin is prohibited without a reservation.
- Hitching or tethering animals is prohibited within 200 feet of trails or water sources.
Utilities
- Guests need to bring their own fresh water or treat water from nearby sources.
Local regulations
- Commercial operators are not permitted to use this cabin.
- A valid reservation is required to use the public recreation cabin.
Site capacity
- Occupancy is limited to eight individuals per cabin per day.
Fires & fuel
- Purchase firewood locally to prevent pest spread.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralFee changes in effect. This facility will now charge the same fee year-round.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 9, 2026