Virginia Lake Cabin

Virginia Lake Cabin

About this campsite

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.

Location

VIRGINIA LAKE CABIN•AK

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

TUE🌦️

9° / 6°

💧 100%

WED🌦️

12° / 6°

💧 100%

THU🌦️

12° / 7°

💧 99%

FRI🌦️

13° / 5°

💧 37%

SAT🌦️

17° / 5°

💧 73%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

15.6 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.

17.3 km away

GARNET LEDGE CABIN

Overview Garnet Ledge Cabin provides a basecamp for boaters and paddlers exploring the Stikine River and Delta. It is also known for its location near Garnet Ledge, a garnet bedrock outcropping on private land. The site can be accessed by a shallow draft boat or a float plane, depending on conditions. Boats need a tide of at least 15 feet and float planes require at least 18 feet in order to access the cabin. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Garnet Ledge is the source of the garnets sold by children in the town of Wrangell. The ledge is on private property left to the children of Wrangell, held in trust for them by the First Presbyterian Church of Wrangell. An unmaintained trail along the beach leads from the cabin to Garnet Ledge (the old boardwalk trail was destroyed by extensive blowdown in 2005). Contact the Presbyterian Church for information regarding the collecting of garnets. This cabin is also a popular stop for paddlers on their way to Wrangell from floating the Stikine River. Paddlers can explore the area around the cabin, but should check local tide charts first. Anglers can fish for hooligan in the Stikine River in April. Facilities The 16-by-16 cabin (A-frame style) was built in 1964 and can sleep up to seven people. It has two single bunks (one with a trundle bed) and a second-floor loft. The cabin also has a table with benches, a wood stove, a woodshed (firewood not guaranteed), broom and an outhouse. The partially covered front porch has a bear-proof food storage locker available for use. 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 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 on flat land overlooking the Stikine River delta and tidal flats with a backdrop of moderately steep mountains. The surrounding rainforest is primarily Sitka spruce and western hemlock. Brown and black bears, bald eagles, sea lions, harbor seals, gulls and moose inhabit the area ( bear safety information ). Alaska's second largest concentration of bald eagles occurs during the April hooligan (eulachon) run at the mouth of the Stikine River.

19.4 km away

MIDDLE RIDGE CABIN

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.

21.1 km away

MOUNT RYNDA CABIN

Overview Mount Rynda Cabin is located on Andrews Creek near its confluence with the Stikine River. It is located within the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness and is popular for fishing and paddling. The site can be accessed by float plane or shallow draft boat, depending on conditions. A tide of 14 feet or higher is required to cross the Stikine River tide flats. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Two miles of slow-moving, clear water near the cabin provide ideal opportunities for canoeing or kayaking up Andrews Creek at river stages over 14 feet. The cabin is often used by paddlers on multi-day float trips of the Stikine River from Telegraph Creek, BC, or the US/Cananda border to the town of Wrangell. Tide charts should be consulted before undertaking any Stikine River expedition. There are excellent fishing opportunities in Andrews Creek for cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden, and king, pink and silver salmon. The area is also popular for bear and moose hunting. Facilities The 16-by-16 cabin (A-frame style) was built in 1963 and has two single bunks (one with a trundle bed) and a sleeping loft, to accommodate up to seven people. It is also equipped with a table with benches, an oil space heater (No.1 oil only), broom and an outhouse. The partially covered front porch has a built-in bench and a bear-proof locker for food storage. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a creek just west of 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 No.1 stove oil, guests should pack a cook stove, 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 on moderately steep land on the riverbank at the base of Mount Rynda. It overlooks the confluence of Andrew Creek and Andrew Slough and is tucked into a forest of primarily Sitka spruce and western hemlock. Gentle to moderate mountain slopes surround the area. Brown and black bears, moose, harbor seals, gulls and bald eagles are frequently seen around the cabin ( bear safety information ). The Stikine River serves as a travel corridor for birds between the interior forests and the coast and attracts a variety of migratory songbirds.

21.2 km away

SERGIEF ISLAND CABIN

Overview Sergief Island Cabin is located on the northwest side of Sergief Island on the Stikine River delta, and makes an ideal base camp for exploring the surrounding Stikine-LeConte Wilderness. The delta tideflats provide for a different experience from the usual rainforest setting of Southeast Alaska and offer opportunities for paddling, wildlife watching and hunting. The site can only be accessed by a shallow draft boat or float plane, depending on conditions. The tide must be a minimum of 18 feet in order to access the cabin. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation The waters around the cabin are ideal for exploring by kayak or canoe during high tide. The Forest Service does not provide boats, and guests must also bring their own flotation devices. Tide tables should be consulted before any boating excursion. This cabin is also in a prime location for waterfowl hunting in the fall. Facilities The 12-by-14 cabin (pan-abode style) was built in 1962 and has two single and two double bunks, to sleep up to four people. The cabin is also equipped with a table and benches, broom, oil heater and an outhouse. A wooden cooler box for food storage is located on the covered deck. Water and electricity are not provided. Water may be available from a rain catchment bucket, 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 No.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 is situated between tidal grass flats and a forest of spruce and hemlock. A small stream flows about 75 feet away, and behind the cabin are low-forested hills. The surrounding area is relatively flat with grass, shrubs, willow and alder. Wildflowers are prominent in May and June. This area is home to brown and black bears, bald eagles, hawks and moose ( bear safety information ). The Stikine River tidal flats are a major stopover spot for waterfowl and shorebirds during the spring and fall migrations.