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VerifiedOctober 28, 2023 Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
The cabin is beautiful, but very difficult to find via the trail from Crescent Creek. The wood stove is amazing!
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Fee changes in effect. This facility will now charge the same fee year-round.
38 reviews
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.
Based on guest feedback
3.8
Based on 38 reviews
Showing 38 reviews
October 28, 2023 Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
The cabin is beautiful, but very difficult to find via the trail from Crescent Creek. The wood stove is amazing!
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October 28, 2023 Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
The cabin is beautiful, but very difficult to find via the trail from Crescent Creek. The wood stove is amazing!
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December 31, 2023 Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
Beautiful spot! Almost no firewood as of Dec. 28, 2023, and it is nearly impossible to find any downed wood due to the snow.
We always cut a lot of extra wood when at huts outside of winter for this reason! If snowmachining in would recommend taking some wood.
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December 31, 2023 Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
Beautiful spot! Almost no firewood as of Dec. 28, 2023, and it is nearly impossible to find any downed wood due to the snow.
We always cut a lot of extra wood when at huts outside of winter for this reason! If snowmachining in would recommend taking some wood.
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July 15, 2024 Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
Cabin did not have much wood available upon arrival, we cut and left wood for the next occupants before we left. The advertised row boat was not anywhere to be found, possibly a victim of poor tying up and the wind, or unauthorized users leaving it somewhere unknown. Overall the cabin is in a fantastic location. The approach was quite wet due to the overgrown primitive trail, so be prepared to have to dry shoes and clothes out in the cabin.
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July 15, 2024 Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
Cabin did not have much wood available upon arrival, we cut and left wood for the next occupants before we left. The advertised row boat was not anywhere to be found, possibly a victim of poor tying up and the wind, or unauthorized users leaving it somewhere unknown. Overall the cabin is in a fantastic location. The approach was quite wet due to the overgrown primitive trail, so be prepared to have to dry shoes and clothes out in the cabin.
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July 23, 2024 Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
We rented the Crescent Saddle Cabin for 7/22/24, knowing that the "primitive" trail from the west end of the lake to the cabin would likely be quite overgrown. So we weren't sure we'd make it there. We took one look at the "trail" and decided to forget it. It irks me that the Forest Service is still renting this cabin for backpacking purposes knowing full-well that the trail barely exists anymore. I've hiked a lot of overgrown trails in southcentral AK, but this was hardly even visible. We did stay in our rented Crescent Lake Cabin the previous night and it had three boats; I kept reading that the Saddle cabin boat was missing--I wonder if someone hiked the trail to the Saddle cabin and decided to just row/paddle the boat back to the Crescent Lake Cabin and leave it there rather than fight the "primitive" trail to get back. Anyway, be forewarned: boat or fly in to the Saddle Cabin. Don't bother trying to hike to it.
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July 23, 2024 Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
We rented the Crescent Saddle Cabin for 7/22/24, knowing that the "primitive" trail from the west end of the lake to the cabin would likely be quite overgrown. So we weren't sure we'd make it there. We took one look at the "trail" and decided to forget it. It irks me that the Forest Service is still renting this cabin for backpacking purposes knowing full-well that the trail barely exists anymore. I've hiked a lot of overgrown trails in southcentral AK, but this was hardly even visible. We did stay in our rented Crescent Lake Cabin the previous night and it had three boats; I kept reading that the Saddle cabin boat was missing--I wonder if someone hiked the trail to the Saddle cabin and decided to just row/paddle the boat back to the Crescent Lake Cabin and leave it there rather than fight the "primitive" trail to get back. Anyway, be forewarned: boat or fly in to the Saddle Cabin. Don't bother trying to hike to it.
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July 24, 2024 Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
Experience of a lifetime! The crescent creek trail was gorgeous, primitive trail was difficult to navigate on the way in much easier finding/staying on the trail on the way back. Was glad we booked 3 nights. There are two row boats at the cabin one of which seemed to be taking on water. Caught one 12in grayling. The trip was so peaceful. Cabin was well stocked with extras (cards/skillet/lures etc.) outhouse was getting pretty full.
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July 24, 2024 Stayed at: S17, Loop: AREA CRESCENT SADDLE CABIN
Experience of a lifetime! The crescent creek trail was gorgeous, primitive trail was difficult to navigate on the way in much easier finding/staying on the trail on the way back. Was glad we booked 3 nights. There are two row boats at the cabin one of which seemed to be taking on water. Caught one 12in grayling. The trip was so peaceful. Cabin was well stocked with extras (cards/skillet/lures etc.) outhouse was getting pretty full.
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Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur, Seward, AK 99664 United States
Elevation: 451 ft
Access is by trail, 7 mi from the Carter Lake Trailhead at milepost 34 of the Seward Highway or (10.7 mi from the Crescent Creek Trailhead, from milepost 45 on Sterling Highway, take Quartz Creek road 3.2 mi to the Crescent Creek Trailhead. Cabin ...
Access is by trail, 7 mi from the Carter Lake Trailhead at milepost 34 of the Seward Highway or (10.7 mi from the Crescent Creek Trailhead, from milepost 45 on Sterling Highway, take Quartz Creek road 3.2 mi 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.
Fee changes in effect. This facility will now charge the same fee year-round.
Last updated: October 24, 2026