Marsh S
VerifiedJanuary 11, 2021 Stayed at: S08, Loop: AREA SHELIKOF CABIN
5 Stars!!
Helpful
About Shelikof Cabin
Shelikof Cabin overlooks a sandy beach of Shelikof Bay on the west coast of Kruzof Island, 20 mi from Sitka, Alaska. The cabin is generally available year-round, weather permitting, and was built in 1991 by volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Sitka.
This is a remote site. The cabin can be accessed by helicopter or wheeled plane on the beach during low tide. Alternatively the cabin can be reached by boat, a 45-minute ride from Sitka to Mud Bay, followed by a 7-mile hike, across the Kruzof Island Trail to Iris Meadows and access to Shelikof Trail, subject to tide conditions. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring their own amenities.
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
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Closed periods
Jan
Feb
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Jul
Aug
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Currently open - Oct 1 to Dec 31
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Waterfront
Water Access
- Beach Access
Cabin Interior
- Heating
Views and Setting
- Waterfront
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S08, Loop: AREA SHELIKOF CABIN
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Site Details
Up to 8 guests
Reviews
14 reviews
Summary
Shelikof Cabin offers a remote hiking experience, distinct from the more accessible North Beach cabin, and is well-maintained by its visitors. The cabin is cozy, with a wood stove providing warmth even in winter months. However, accessing the cabin by water can be challenging due to dangerous boat landings, and snowshoeing is necessary during snowy conditions.
Based on guest feedback
4.9
Overall rating
Based on 14 reviews
5 stars
85.7% (12)
4 stars
14.3% (2)
3 stars
0.0% (0)
2 stars
0.0% (0)
1 star
0.0% (0)
Showing 13 reviews
Verified Only
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Marsh S
VerifiedJanuary 11, 2021 Stayed at: S08, Loop: AREA SHELIKOF CABIN
5 Stars!!
Helpful
Maia S
VerifiedJuly 31, 2022 Stayed at: S08, Loop: AREA SHELIKOF CABIN
Fantastic cabin, location, maintenance. The only thing is the stove door handle is a little broken, but still functions perfectly.
Helpful
Maia S
VerifiedJuly 31, 2022 Stayed at: S08, Loop: AREA SHELIKOF CABIN
Fantastic cabin, location, maintenance. The only thing is the stove door handle is a little broken, but still functions perfectly.
Helpful
Brooke R
VerifiedJune 12, 2023 Stayed at: S08, Loop: AREA SHELIKOF CABIN
It was beautiful and clean. I called the forest service about the broken but functional stove. Glad that people are packing out their garbage!
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Brooke R
VerifiedJune 12, 2023 Stayed at: S08, Loop: AREA SHELIKOF CABIN
It was beautiful and clean. I called the forest service about the broken but functional stove. Glad that people are packing out their garbage!
Helpful
Michael M
VerifiedJanuary 8, 2025 Stayed at: S08, Loop: AREA SHELIKOF CABIN
Shelikof cabin is a nice hike from the road whereas much more popular North Beach cabin is accessible directly by ATV/UTV. Shelikof cabin offers different more remote experience. It is not used so hard. People who use this cabin like to keep nice. Shelikof beach is huge but inaccessible from North Beach which protects it from 99% of Kruzoff users and all ATV traffic.
Same long, gradual beach and break which makes this location great for surfing and shell collecting also makes boat landings directly to the cabin dangerous and generally impossible. If accessing the cabin by water arrive very early in the day especially in winter when days are short and have a backup plan for going someplace else to camp. I’ve tried a Shelikof beach boat landing a couple times on nice days and the breaking waves still made it way too dangerous.
About the best chance to beach a dinghy is to go around to the north shore of Port Mary 57.15705, -135.7474 where rock outcropping to west and south shore of Port Mary will break some waves. It’s about 850 yard walk along beach from north Port Mary to cabin. Even on a super nice day with under 5’ ocean swell and no wind waves it’s a dicey landing in Port Mary so plan on getting wet. I would not try a beach landing directly to Shelikof beach ever and will only do Port Mary landings in an inflatable I can walk out into to surf. It’s nothing like the Mud Bay landing on other side of Kruzoff. Almost totally exposed to the long, powerful open gulf waves.
Anchoring in Port Mary is good behind the rock outcropping.
There is a nice freshwater pipe here 57.15992, -135.74565 which is in from the beach a little and about 450 yards from cabin halfway to Port Mary.
The cabin is here: 57.16341, -135.74596
Wood stove kept us warm in January.
There are definitely bears here (like everywhere else) so plan accordingly.
Helpful
Michael M
VerifiedJanuary 8, 2025 Stayed at: S08, Loop: AREA SHELIKOF CABIN
Shelikof cabin is a nice hike from the road whereas much more popular North Beach cabin is accessible directly by ATV/UTV. Shelikof cabin offers different more remote experience. It is not used so hard. People who use this cabin like to keep nice. Shelikof beach is huge but inaccessible from North Beach which protects it from 99% of Kruzoff users and all ATV traffic.
Same long, gradual beach and break which makes this location great for surfing and shell collecting also makes boat landings directly to the cabin dangerous and generally impossible. If accessing the cabin by water arrive very early in the day especially in winter when days are short and have a backup plan for going someplace else to camp. I’ve tried a Shelikof beach boat landing a couple times on nice days and the breaking waves still made it way too dangerous.
About the best chance to beach a dinghy is to go around to the north shore of Port Mary 57.15705, -135.7474 where rock outcropping to west and south shore of Port Mary will break some waves. It’s about 850 yard walk along beach from north Port Mary to cabin. Even on a super nice day with under 5’ ocean swell and no wind waves it’s a dicey landing in Port Mary so plan on getting wet. I would not try a beach landing directly to Shelikof beach ever and will only do Port Mary landings in an inflatable I can walk out into to surf. It’s nothing like the Mud Bay landing on other side of Kruzoff. Almost totally exposed to the long, powerful open gulf waves.
Anchoring in Port Mary is good behind the rock outcropping.
There is a nice freshwater pipe here 57.15992, -135.74565 which is in from the beach a little and about 450 yards from cabin halfway to Port Mary.
The cabin is here: 57.16341, -135.74596
Wood stove kept us warm in January.
There are definitely bears here (like everywhere else) so plan accordingly.
Helpful
Don K
VerifiedDecember 4, 2025 Stayed at: S08, Loop: AREA SHELIKOF CABIN
Make sure the previous group closed the upstairs window otherwise the cabin won't heat appropriately in cold weather.
Helpful
Don K
VerifiedDecember 4, 2025 Stayed at: S08, Loop: AREA SHELIKOF CABIN
Make sure the previous group closed the upstairs window otherwise the cabin won't heat appropriately in cold weather.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Shelikof Cabin
Sitka Ranger District, Sitka, AK 99835 United States
Elevation: 7 ft
Getting There
Open year round, weather permitting. Located 20 mi northwest of Sitka on the western shore of Kruzof Island in the Gulf of Alaska. First-time users of this cabin should contact the Sitka Ranger District office at 907-747-6671 for specific directio...
Open year round, weather permitting. Located 20 mi northwest of Sitka on the western shore of Kruzof Island in the Gulf of Alaska. First-time users of this cabin should contact the Sitka Ranger District office at 907-747-6671 for specific directions to the cabin.
Helicopter or wheel plane can land on the beach at low tide. Access by boat is 45 minutes from Sitka to Mud Bay, then hike 7 mi on the Kruzof Island Road (old logging road) and Shelikof Trail. ATV access is allowed as far as Iris Meadows, approximately 1.4 mi from the cabin.
From Mud Bay, take Kruzof Island Trail about 6 mi to T in road at Iris Meadows. Turn left toward Shelikof Trail, cross footbridge and parallel Shelikof River to right through meadows on south side to large diamond trail marker at the meadow/forest edge. Do not turn left once you cross footbridge. Easier to cross meadows during lower tides of 6 ft or less. Shelikof Trail continues at diamond marker just inside the timber and parallels the forest edge, crossing occasional sloughs before reaching cabin. Be alert, as you can easily lose sight of trail markers at slough crossings.
For geographic features around the cabin, refer to USGS topographic maps Sitka A-5, A-6.
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Access to the cabin is better when tides are lower than 6 feet; check local tide tables for details.
- Contact the Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau for boat or air charter information.
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 regarding bears, water, and cold weather before visiting.
- Stay vigilant of your surroundings and be prepared for extended stays due to poor weather conditions.
- All food and trash must be packed out after your stay.
Amenities
- The cabin is not maintained during winter months.
Fires & fuel
- Firewood availability may be limited.
- To prevent pests, do not move firewood; buy it near your destination.
Utilities
- All water must be treated before consumption.
Site types & loops
- Commercial use of the cabin is prohibited.
General
- Learn more about the Tongass National Forest
Wildlife & food storage
- Be vigilant for the European Green Crab and report any sightings to help with management efforts.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: November 5, 2026
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service