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About Salmon Lake Cabin Sitka
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Year-round
Fishing
Hiking
Spring
Boating
Summer
Boating
Fall
Boating
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Lake Access
- Boat Ramp / Launch
Reviews (14)
What Guests Are Saying
The Salmon Lake Cabin is a cozy and well-maintained retreat, perfect for a short getaway. Guests enjoy exploring the excellent trails and the fun little boat available. It's a magical spot that visitors love to return to annually, though it's recommended to bring extra supplies for comfort.
What Guests Are Saying
The Salmon Lake Cabin is a cozy and well-maintained retreat, perfect for a short getaway. Guests enjoy exploring the excellent trails and the fun little boat available. It's a magical spot that visitors love to return to annually, though it's recommended to bring extra supplies for comfort.
Review Summary
Cameron L
VerifiedJanuary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: S18, Loop: AREA SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA
Super spot, good seaplane dock, firewood supply excellent, nearby hiking super ...a canoe would be fantastic..
David S
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2020 • Stayed at: S18, Loop: AREA SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA
Great cabin and location to explore. Our trip was 8/29/20 through 9/4/20. The trail from the cabin to the estuary takes about 1 hour (give or take 15 minutes) at a normal/average pace. There are a few wet/mucky spots along the way. There is another trail along a large part of Salmon Creek which is also in good condition. If you take a boat motor, as this site says: take a long shaft outboard. We rented a short/medium shaft and it made boating a little bit of a challenge. However, the lake is beautiful and rowable at less than a mile long (a little over 4,000 ft). We fished both of the prominent inlet streams and caught fish in both, mainly the primary creek (Salmon Creek). Unfortunately we did not have an opportunity to explore the stream further above the lake or hike over to Redoubt Lake. Most of the salmon were caught at the outlet; however, it rained a lot which may have affected fishing at the inlet more so. We caught Silver Salmon, Pinks, Dollies (several 2 to 4 lbs) and a few good sized Cutthroat (only 5) in the lake. From the lake to the ocean, the river was covered (Swamped) with Pink, Chum and Coho salmon. I hiked to the ocean and was able to use my cell phone there only. The wood stove is a beast (not so great) and the supplied fresh/ moist wood does not burn well. However, this is a great location that I would like to explore earlier or later in the year next time and go for trout and Steelhead. We took a Cessna 206 (10 minute flight) in to the lake however a water taxi would be fine and much more cost effective for those who pack lite.
Maia S
VerifiedFebruary 21, 2021 • Stayed at: S18, Loop: AREA SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA
Wonderful cabin experience. Stove worked well (except we weren't 100% sure on which settings kept air flow steady!). Amazing hike out. Can't wait to get back out there!
Aurora T
VerifiedFebruary 25, 2021 • Stayed at: S18, Loop: AREA SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA
Beautiful destination and an easy hike, 1.5 miles one way to the cabin from the trailhead / mooring buoy. I stayed in mid February and the lake was completely frozen over, we tried to ice fish with no luck. Lots of wood for splitting in the shed despite not being maintained in the winter. A couple decks of cards and pans left there for use. Warm and comfy stay! Would highly recommend staying here. The boat ride through Silvery Bay can be windier than you expect, but we made it there in ~45 minutes with a 25hp outboard.
Reid W
VerifiedJanuary 24, 2022 • Stayed at: S18, Loop: AREA SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA
Hard to beat it. Snow was much heavier in the narrow valley than in town. Highly recommend skipping the first part of the trail by paddling up into the estuary at high tide.
Brenda B
VerifiedAugust 19, 2022 • Stayed at: S18, Loop: AREA SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA
Such a beautiful spot! Cabin was left very clean for us which we appreciated. Seems like firewood may run out/down so plan accordingly. New flat bottom boat great for fishing. Lots of bear scat so be prepared. Loved it!
Matthew R
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2022 • Stayed at: S18, Loop: AREA SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA
Awesome, dry, and clean cabin! The wood stove worked well, although with high relative humidity it was difficult to dry our gear out even with the stove running all night. If rain is in the forecast it's definitely worthwhile to bring extra base layers. A few of the bug screens could use replacement, but that wasn't a big issue for us.
Lot of bear sign on the trail up to the cabin, but thankfully we did not encounter any bears. Boat looked to be in nice shape although we did not use it. Hike to the muskeg is flat and straightforward following the trail, hike to the alpine southeast of the cabin is a steep bushwhack with only game trails to follow, we found it easiest to start north of the cabin and work our way southeast.
Anderson E
VerifiedNovember 23, 2022 • Stayed at: S18, Loop: AREA SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA
Awesome cabin with a sweet raft trip out.
Peter G
VerifiedAugust 16, 2023 • Stayed at: S18, Loop: AREA SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA
Great location and facility. Lake could be to0 short for a heavily loaded aircraft. I cleaned the windows, emptied the stove ashes, took out a considerable amount of trash, and swept accumulated dirt from under the bunks. Unfortunately your "guests" aren't good at helping take care of the facility.
Rio B
VerifiedApril 28, 2024 • Stayed at: S18, Loop: AREA SALMON LAKE CABIN SITKA
It was great, the cabin was stocked with dry firewood and some propane for the camp stove.
Location Salmon Lake Cabin Sitka
Address:
Sitka Ranger District
Sitka, AK, 99835
United States
Accessible nearly year round, depending on mode of access. Located 11 miles southeast of Sitka on Baranof Island, approximately 10 minutes by floatplane.
Access by boat from Sitka to Silver Bay is 10 miles, and a 2-mile trail leads to the cabin. Trail begins near mooring buoy at the end of Silver Bay. Plan arrival and departure during high tide, unload gear at east shore at estuary head, then tie up boat at mooring buoy. Please consult local tide tables before departing for the cabin.
For geographic features surrounding the cabin, refer to USGS topographic map Port Alexander D-4 and Sitka A-4.
Elevation: 8 feet
14 mi drive to downtown Sitka (about 44 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
- Plan arrival and departure during high tide, unload gear at east shore at estuary head, then tie up boat at mooring buoy
- Cabin may be inaccessible by plane from November through early April due to frozen lake surface (floatplanes cannot land); please contact the local Forest Service Ranger District office for current information prior to making reservations during this period
- Cabin may also be inaccessible by boat as the head of Silver Bay may freeze mid-November through mid-February
- Cabin not maintained in the winter
- For boat or air charters, contact the Sitka Convention and VisitorsBureau at 907-747-5940 or www.Sitka.org
- Boil or treat lake water before drinking
- Pack out all garbage and food
- Rain gear is recommended
- Firewood may be scarce
- Click here to learn more about Tongass National Forest
- Check out the forest's campground description for specific information to Fish Your 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.
- The invasive European Green Crab (EGC) has been found in southern Southeast Alaska and is suspected to be in more locations on the Tongass National Forest. Please actively look for and report EGC to help map the distribution and contribute to management.
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Last updated: September 17, 2026