Middle Ridge Cabin

Middle Ridge Cabin

About this campsite

Overview

Middle Ridge Cabin is wheelchair accessible and located on the Wrangell Island road system. The cabin is open year-round and offers opportunities for both summer and winter recreation. It is unique to Tongass National Forest because it is accessible by vehicle in the summer months from the town of Wrangell, and by snowmobile, off-road vehicle or cross-country skis in the winter. When making reservations, please be aware that the timing of spring/summer road access depends on winter snow levels (some years the road to the cabin will have snow until June). Please contact the Wrangell Ranger District for current road condition report. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Summer opportunities include berry picking, exploring the expansive muskeg, mountain biking on the road system, and sightseeing by vehicle or off-road vehicle. The lake offers opportunities for swimming, small craft boating and fishing. A skiff with oars is provided at the lake, but guests must bring their own personal flotation devices. Hunting for deer or upland birds is possible in the fall, with the proper permits. The landscape is ideal for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling during the winter months.

Facilities

Middle Ridge is a young-growth log cabin constructed of 35- to 40-year-old spruce logs. The logs were hand-scribed and joined together by students in a cabin building class offered at the University of Alaska Southeast-Sitka during May 2009. The logs were then shipped to Wrangell and reassembled at the Middle Ridge Cabin site in September 2009. The 16-by-20 log cabin has one double bunk, one single bunk and a loft to accommodate up to eight people. It is also equipped with a table with benches, a wood stove for heat and counter space for cooking gear. The cabin is fully accessible, with the exception of the sleeping loft. The loft offers floor space for up to four adults. Natural light flows into the loft via two gable-end windows and two skylights. Two picnic tables, an accessible tent platform, a campfire ring and a woodshed with firewood are located outside. An outhouse with accessible toilets is about 40 feet from the front door of the cabin. Wheelchair-friendly pathways connect all outdoor facilities to the cabin. Electricity and water are not provide at the cabin. In addition to water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, guests will need to bring their own cooking gear, sleeping bags and pads, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, cooking gear, matches and flashlights or lanterns ( click here for more cabin details). Guests are expected to pack out all their trash and food, as well as clean the cabin before leaving.

Natural Features

The cabin sits at approximately 1,500 feet in elevation, on a landscape comprised primarily of muskeg. The surrounding forest is a mix of spruce, hemlock, cedar and shore pine. The cabin overlooks a small lake and is surrounded by gently sloping, evergreen-forested mountains. Wrangell Island wildlife includes brown and black bears, moose, porcupines and Sitka black-tailed deer ( bear safety information ). Eagles and a variety of other birds also make their home here.

Location

MIDDLE RIDGE CABIN•AK

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Weather Forecast

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TODAY🌦️

11° / 7°

💧 100%

TUE🌦️

9° / 5°

💧 100%

WED🌦️

10° / 4°

💧 93%

THU🌦️

9° / 4°

💧 61%

FRI☁️

10° / 1°

💧 35%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

17.4 km away

BERG BAY CABIN

Overview Berg Bay Cabin's location on saltwater and close to the freshwater and tideflats of Aarons Creek provides for a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, crabbing, hunting, paddling and hiking. Its secluded location within Alaska's Inside Passage makes it an ideal retreat for those in search of a back country experience, while being only 22 miles by boat from the town of Wrangell. The site can be accessed by float plane or boat, depending on conditions. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Hikers have access to two trails. The 0.4-mile boardwalked Aaron Creek Trail extends from Berg Bay to Berg Creek and provides access to the grassflats. Berg Creek Trail is an unmaintained 4-mile trail that leads from the mouth of Berg Creek to Berg Basin. Aaron and Oerns Creeks offer opportunities to fish for pink salmon from mid-July to mid-August, silver and chum salmon from August to September, and steelhead in April and May. Crabbing is possible in Berg Bay and in saltwater in front of Aaron Creek tidal flats. Hunting is also available in the area during designated seasons. The tideflats are a popular waterfowl hunting area. Guests can bring canoes or kayaks to explore around Berg Bay. The entrance to Berg Bay is shallow and may dry out at low tide, so local tide charts should be consulted before taking any boating excursion in the area. Facilities This 16-by-16 cabin (A-frame style) was built in 1965 and has two single bunks (one with a trundle bed) and a second-floor loft, to accommodate up to seven people. The cabin also has a table with benches, oil stove (No.1 oil required), a fire grill, broom, mooring float and outhouse toilet. The partially covered front porch has a wooden cooler box for food storage. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a small stream next to the cabin, but guests should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking with it ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply. Heating oil is not supplied by the Forest Service. In addition to bringing a supply of #1 stove oil, guests should pack sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and matches, among other necessities. Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving ( click here for more cabin details ). Natural Features The cabin sits on a gentle slope overlooking Berg Bay, Blake Channel and the mountains beyond. The surrounding rainforest is primarily Sitka spruce and western hemlock with scattered cedar and muskeg. The nearby Aaron Creek tide flats have extensive grass sedges and wildflowers. This area is habitat for brown and black bears, moose, sea otters, grouse, ptarmigan and waterfowl (bear safety information). Mountain goats can sometimes be spotted on the surrounding ridges.

19.4 km away

VIRGINIA LAKE CABIN

Overview Virginia Lake Cabin is a short floatplane ride from Wrangell, Alaska, making it a popular destination for a remote getaway on a scenic lake. It is located 10 miles east of Wrangell on the mainland above Eastern Passage. The area around Virginia Lake provides opportunities for fishing, hunting, paddling and hiking. The site can be accessed by float plane, depending on conditions, or by portaging and paddling watercraft. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Anglers can fish for cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden from May to October and sockeye salmon in August and September. A 14' skiff with oars is provided at the cabin, but visitors must supply their own flotation devices and ensure that the skiff is secured before leaving. Hunting is possible in the area with the proper permits. The .9-mile Mill Creek Trail can be accessed by cabin users by paddling across the lake to the outlet. Trail users can see evidence of past mining and an old sawmill, and can access fishing opportunities in Mill Creek. Alternate access to the cabin from the saltwater at Eastern Passage is by portaging watercraft over this trail. There is no developed trail from the end of Mill Creek Trail at the Virginia Lake outlet to the cabin. Facilities The original (pan-abode style) cabin was built in 1965 and is 12-by-14, but it was modified in the mid 1990's to make it wheelchair accessible and add a 10-by-8 addition. It features a wheelchair-friendly deck that wraps around two sides of the cabin and a walkway between the cabin and the outhouse. The cabin sleeps eight people with three single bunks and two double bunks with trundles. It also has a table and benches, broom, both a wood stove and oil stove (No. 1 oil required) for heat, and a campfire ring. Note: the cabin is only wheelchair accessible when the seasonal floatplane dock is in the lake; contact the Wrangell Ranger District at 907-874-2323 to check on the status of the dock. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a stream behind the cabin, but guests should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking with it ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that visitors bring their own water supply. Cooking facilities are not available. Visitors should provide their own firewood or #1 stove oil, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Visitors are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving ( click here for more cabin details). Natural Features The cabin sits on relatively flat land with some large meadows near Porterfield Creek, which is about a quarter-mile away. The surrounding rainforest is primarily Sitka spruce and western hemlock with some cedar. Steep mountains surround portions of the lake. A sandy beach is located in front of the cabin. This area is home to brown and black bears ( bear safety information ). Moose also make their home here.

24.1 km away

DEEP BAY CABIN

Overview The Deep Bay Cabin is a fully ADA accessible, large group recreation cabin located on Zarembo Island. It is popular for hunting and exploring Zarembo Island's remote road sytem. The cabin can be accessed by float plane or boat from Roosevelt Harbor, where there is a float dock, ramp and parking area, or by beach access from Deep Bay. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring their own amenities. Recreation The cabin is located on Zarembo Island's extensive road system which provides access and opportunities for recreation and subsistence gathering. There are excellent hunting and berry gathering opportunities. Open roads allow for use of both vehicles and ATVs. There are ATV trails on the island including the Whale Trail, where humpback whales can be observed from the shore. Zarembo's road system is remote-all vehicles and ATVs are brought to the island by boat. Facilities The Deep Bay Cabin is fully accessible and includes a wheelchair ramp from the parking lot to the cabin. It is a large group cabin and can accommodate up to 12 people. It consists of two buildings connected by a partially covered large deck with a picnic table. Each building has sleeping rooms and a common room. There is an oil stove for heat in each building. There is a small storage shed, an outside fire grill, picnic table, and outhouse. The wooden furnishings in the cabins were built by Wrangell High School's industrial arts class in 2017. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a small nearby stream, but guests should be sure to treat water taken from any outside source prior to consumption ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply. Fuel oil is not provided. Guests should bring their own #1 fuel oil for the stove. Cooking facilities are also not available. Guests should bring all of their own camping amenities. Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving. Natural Features The cabin sits on small bench above Deep Bay in an opening in the forest. The surrounding terrain is mountainous and densely forested, with occasional muskegs. The area has abundant wildlife and marine life. Roosevelt elk are occasionally seen on the island.

27.0 km away

MARTEN LAKE CABIN

Overview A stay at Marten Lake Cabin provides for a unique experience at a remote, backcountry lake only accessible by floatplane. It is situated on the north side of Marten Lake, above Blake Channel and Bradfield Canal, 25 miles southeast of Wrangell, Alaska. The site can be accessed by float plane, depending on conditions. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Anglers can fish for cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden in Marten Lake and nearby Clay Lake. Steelhead is available in lower Marten Creek. A skiff with oars is available at the cabin for rowing around the lake, but guests must provide their own flotation devices and ensure that the skiff is secured before leaving the cabin. Bear and mountain goat hunting is possible in designated seasons with the proper permits. Facilities The 12-by-14 cabin ( pan-abode style ) has single and double bunks to sleep up to four people. The cabin also has a table and benches, a broom and a wood-burning stove for heat. An outhouse is located just outside the cabin. A wooden cooler box for food storage is located on the partially covered front porch. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a stream behind the cabin, but guests should be sure to treat water taken from any outside source before drinking or cooking with it ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply. In addition to bringing a cook stove, guests should provide their own firewood, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and matches, among other necessities. Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving ( click here for more cabin details). Natural Features The cabin sits in a relatively flat valley, with scenic views of Marten Lake and the steep mountains rising from the shoreline. The surrounding rainforest is primarily Sitka spruce and western hemlock with some cedar. There is a sand beach in front of the cabin at low and moderate lake levels. This area is home to brown and black bears, as well as moose ( bear safety information ). Mountain goats can sometimes been seen on the surrounding peaks.

28.7 km away

ANAN BAY CABIN

Overview Anan Bay Cabin is popular for wildlife viewing due to its location near Anan Wildlife Observatory, where bears and bald eagles come to fish for salmon in the adjacent creek. The setting in Anan Bay also provides access to saltwater fishing, viewing marine mammals and paddling. The cabin is located about 27 miles southeast of the town of Wrangell, Alaska, and can be accessed by float plane or boat, depending on conditions. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation The 1-mile Anan Creek Trail leads from the cabin to the Anan Wildlife Observatory. During peak viewing season, the months of July and August, Forest Service interpreters are on-site to provide current information on bear safety, trail conditions and bear activity. During peak season no one is allowed past the trailhead before 8am or after 6pm. There is a high possibility of encountering bears on this trail during this time. Fishing is only permitted from the shore at the trailhead between June 15th and September 15th, due to bear activity. No one is allowed off the trail from June 15th to September 15th by order of the Forest Supervisor. Steelhead is available in April and May, and cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden and pink salmon in July and August. There are opportunities to fish for salmon and halibut in the surrounding saltwater. There are no outdoor fires allowed at this cabin due to bear activity. Facilities Anan Bay Cabin was originally built in 1964, but a new cabin was constructed in the spring of 2012 using Alaska yellow cedar from the Tongass National Forest. That cabin was destroyed by a fallen tree in 2023. A new cabin was built in 2024. This 16' x 20' cabin with loft was constructed from Western Red Cedar, 2 single bunks, table, benches, oil heater (#1 stove oil only), and outhouse toilet. Bedding, cooking utensils, stove oil not provided. A 40' mooring float is located in front of the cabin in the bay, but is open to use by the general public as well as cabin users. Vessel limit on the float is a maximum of 30 feet long, with a 30" draft. Water and electricity are not provided. Visitors should bring their own supply of water. From June 15th to September 15th visitors are not allowed off trail by order of the Forest Supervisor. Additionally, no dogs are allowed. No food is allowed outside of the cabin and the trailhead from June 15th to September 15th. During permit season of July 5th to August 25th no one is allowed past the trailhead before 8am or after 6pm. Four permits for the observatory are reserved each day for purchase at the trailhead specifically for cabin users. These permits must be purchased on-site at the trailhead using a credit card. If more than 4 permits a day are needed, or if permits are required for the day of departure, they should be purchased in advance through Recreation.gov. Heating oil is not supplied by the Forest Service. In addition to bringing a supply of #1 stove oil, guests should pack sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving. There are no outdoor fires allowed at this cabin. Click here for additional cabin information Natural Features The cabin sits on a gentle slope leading down to the beach, overlooking Anan Bay. The surrounding rainforest is primarily Sitka spruce and western hemlock with some scattered cedar. The slopes around the cabin are gentle to moderate. The nearby lagoon is an intertidal area that often goes dry during low tide. The area provides excellent opportunities to view black and brown bears, harbor seals, bald eagles and various gulls (<a