Featured amenities
River Access
About Karta River Cabin
Number of accommodations: 1
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
River Access
Water Access
- River Access
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T06, Loop: AREA KARTA RIVER CABIN
Site Details
Reviews (14)
What Guests Are Saying
The Karta River Cabin is located in a fantastic wilderness area, offering excellent access to the Karta River and scenic trails. The cabin is well-maintained, and the wood stove provides effective heating. Visitors should prepare for bugs and bring dry firewood, as the stocked wood can be damp.
What Guests Are Saying
The Karta River Cabin is located in a fantastic wilderness area, offering excellent access to the Karta River and scenic trails. The cabin is well-maintained, and the wood stove provides effective heating. Visitors should prepare for bugs and bring dry firewood, as the stocked wood can be damp.
Review Summary
Christopher C
VerifiedMay 6, 2021 • Stayed at: T06, Loop: AREA KARTA RIVER CABIN
Cabin was very good
One window could not be opened due to prior damage.
Wood stove great, about 1.5 bundles of wood needed daily in April but could get by in less. Maul for splitting was provided.
Trail was the major drawback with some blowdown but some effort had been made to remedy.
Fishing was decent but down from
Most years.
Christopher C
VerifiedMay 6, 2021 • Stayed at: T06, Loop: AREA KARTA RIVER CABIN
Cabin was very good
One window could not be opened due to prior damage.
Wood stove great, about 1.5 bundles of wood needed daily in April but could get by in less. Maul for splitting was provided.
Trail was the major drawback with some blowdown but some effort had been made to remedy.
Fishing was decent but down from
Most years.
Chester M
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2020 • Stayed at: T06, Loop: AREA KARTA RIVER CABIN
I love staying at the Karta wilderness area in any of the cabins. But the karter River cabin could use some major improvements and maintenance.
1. Some maintenance work around the door and the window.
2. The door needs to open to the outside not the inside. That would keep out unwanted wildlife and make it easier to escape in a fire.
3. A roof over the deck would be fantastic. It would allow you to enjoy the outside even on those rainy Southeast Alaska days.
4. More cut firewood would be nice. I am a do-it-yourself kind of guy but when you're paying $45 a night for a one room cabin the extra firewood would feel like money well spent.
I go every year to one of three cabins that you have there and I enjoy my time tremendously. You can't beat the solitude the wild life and atmosphere that the Karta brings. If you could ever bottle up happiness I would label it "Karta in a bottle".
If the u.s. forest service ever got rid of those cabins I would be tremendously heartbroken. Overall the forest service does an excellent job with the cabins but just like America things can be improved. my love and appreciation goes out to all the u.s. forest service workers who keep the Karta, going may it always be that way.
Chester M
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2020 • Stayed at: T06, Loop: AREA KARTA RIVER CABIN
I love staying at the Karta wilderness area in any of the cabins. But the karter River cabin could use some major improvements and maintenance.
1. Some maintenance work around the door and the window.
2. The door needs to open to the outside not the inside. That would keep out unwanted wildlife and make it easier to escape in a fire.
3. A roof over the deck would be fantastic. It would allow you to enjoy the outside even on those rainy Southeast Alaska days.
4. More cut firewood would be nice. I am a do-it-yourself kind of guy but when you're paying $45 a night for a one room cabin the extra firewood would feel like money well spent.
I go every year to one of three cabins that you have there and I enjoy my time tremendously. You can't beat the solitude the wild life and atmosphere that the Karta brings. If you could ever bottle up happiness I would label it "Karta in a bottle".
If the u.s. forest service ever got rid of those cabins I would be tremendously heartbroken. Overall the forest service does an excellent job with the cabins but just like America things can be improved. my love and appreciation goes out to all the u.s. forest service workers who keep the Karta, going may it always be that way.
Location Karta River Cabin
Address:
Po Box 19001
Thorne Bay, AK, 99919
United States
Karta River Cabin is accessible by float plane or boat from open ocean at high tide. Click here to check the tide report prior to arrival.
By boat the cabin is approximately ten miles from Hollis. A mooring buoy in the bay is available on first-come, first-served basis. Mooring of more than one vessel allowed if first party there agrees. Refer to USGS map Craig C-2.
By Plane the cabin is approximately 40 air miles from Ketchikan and 15 miles from Thorne Bay. This cabin is in a designated Wilderness area, and access by helicopter is illegal. Click here for information about reaching Forest Service Cabins.
Inclement weather conditions may cause an extension of your trip during any time of the year and winter access can be difficult due to snow and ice conditions. Visitors should bring extra supplies to last 2-5 days Please contact the Thorne Bay Ranger District at 907-828-3304 prior to arrival for more detailed information about safety precautions.
Latitude & Longitude: 55.5606 / -132.576
Elevation: 6 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Same day reservations are allowed.
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 bear, water, and weather safety due to the remote location.
- Be prepared for dangers and extended stays due to poor weather.
- Bring your own cooking stove and fuel.
- Pack out all garbage and food.
Utilities
- Bring your own water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning; treat natural water sources before drinking.
Fires & fuel
- Bring your own local firewood; chainsaws are not allowed in Wilderness Areas.
- Buy firewood near your location and burn it on-site to prevent pest spread.
General
- Click here for a map of cabins on Prince of Wales Island
- Learn more about Tongass National Forest
Site capacity
- Reservation holder must be 18 and part of the cabin party.
Site types & loops
- Commercial use of the cabin is prohibited.
Fees & deposits
- No discounts available for Golden Age and Golden Passports holders.
Wildlife & food storage
- Report sightings of the invasive European Green Crab (EGC) in the area.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
