Helm Bay Cabin

Helm Bay Cabin

About this campsite

Overview

Helm Bay Cabin is located on the west shore of Helm Bay behind Forss Island. This rustic retreat is open year-round for relaxation and recreational use in Alaska's beautiful Inside Passage.

The site can be accessed by float plane, boat or kayak, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Helm Bay is especially known for excellent crabbing, as well as saltwater fishing for salmon, halibut and red snapper. Tide tables should be consulted before taking a boat out on the bay to fish. Sea kayaking is also possible.

Facilities

This 16-by-20 ft. three-room (pan-abode style) cabin has four single bunks and two double bunks, to sleep up to eight people. A covered deck extends from the front of the cabin. It is also equipped with a table and benches, wood stove, splitting maul, broom and an outhouse. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed.

A floating dock is located nearby, which is maintained by the state and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from an adjacent creek, 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.

Other items to pack include 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 herefor more cabin details).

Natural Features

The cabin sits at sea level, near a large saltwater tide flat, surrounded by an old-growth rainforest of Sitka spruce and western hemlock. A beach is revealed in front of the cabin at low tide. Guests have views of Helm Bay and the gentle, forested slopes that surround the area.

The area is home to black and brown bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and mountain goats (bear safety information). Seals, whales and other marine mammals may be seen in Helm Bay.

Location

HELM BAY CABIN•AK

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

TODAY🌦️

13° / 10°

💧 100%

TUE🌦️

12° / 9°

💧 100%

WED🌦️

13° / 8°

💧 83%

THU🌦️

12° / 8°

💧 61%

FRI🌤️

14° / 6°

💧 34%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

2.6 km away

HELM CREEK CABIN

Overview Helm Creek Cabin is located on the east shore of Helm Bay near the mouth of Helm Creek. This rustic retreat is open year-round, offering opportunities for relaxation, sightseeing and recreation. The site can be accessed by float plane, boat or kayak, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Helm Bay is especially known for excellent crabbing, as well as saltwater fishing for salmon, halibut and red snapper. Trout and Dolly Varden fishing is possible in nearby Helm Lake, but there is no trail to the lake. Local tide tables should be consulted before taking a boat out on the bay. Sea kayaking is also possible. Facilities This 12-by-14 ft. (pan-abode style) cabin has two single and two double bunks, to sleep up to six people. It is also equipped with a table and benches, wood stove, splitting maul, broom and an outhouse. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed. A mooring float is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a nearby creek, 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. Other items to pack include 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 faces northwest, with a good view toward the head of Helm Bay and the surrounding mountains. It is adjacent to a large saltwater tidal flat at the outlet of Helm Creek. A moderately steep sloping beach is located in front of cabin. This area is home to black and brown bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and mountain goats ( bear safety information ). Seals, whales and other marine mammals may be seen in Helm Bay.

26.3 km away

JORDAN LAKE CABIN

Overview Jordan Lake Cabin is located on Revillagigedo Island within the Naha Recreation Area. This peaceful retreat is open year-round, offering opportunities for sightseeing, relaxation and recreation in Alaska's beautiful Inside Passage. The site can be accessed by landing a floatplane at Heckman Lake and hiking 2 miles, or by boating into Naha Bay and hiking 4 miles. The access trail is the Naha River National Recreation Trail, which starts at Naha Bay and ends at Heckman Lake. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation The Naha River provides opportunities to fish for trout and Dolly Varden. There are also steelhead and salmon runs. Guests have use of the cabin's 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars, but they must provide their own life jackets. A short shaft motor can be used with the skiff, but one is not provided. The Naha River National Recreation Trail is a scenic 6-mile trail that winds downstream along the river through old-growth Sitka spruce and western hemlock rainforest. Facilities This 12x12-ft. pan-abode style cabin sleeps six and comes equipped with two single bunks and two double bunks. A covered front deck extends from the cabin, and there is a stone campfire ring. It is also equipped with a table and benches, wood stove, splitting maul, broom and an outhouse. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from the lake, but guests should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking with it. It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply. Other items to pack include sleeping bags, sleeping pads, 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. Click here for more cabin details. Natural Features The cabin sits on the southwest shore of Jordan Lake, surrounded by a lush rainforest of Sitka spruce and western hemlock. The front deck offers views of the lake and the surrounding mountain peaks. Sitka black-tailed deer, black bear, beaver, marten, otter, mink and wolf are common to this area. Trumpeter swans are frequently seen on the lakes within Naha Recreation Area.

27.8 km away

HECKMAN LAKE CABIN

Overview Heckman Lake Cabin is located in the Naha Recreation Area at the end of the Naha River National Recreation Trail. The cabin is open year-round, offering opportunities for sightseeing, relaxation and recreation. The site can be accessed by float plane or by boating into Naha Bay and hiking six miles on the Naha River National Recreation Trail. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation The Naha River provides opportunities to fish for trout and Dolly Varden. There are also steelhead and salmon runs. Guests have use of the cabin's provided 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars, but they must provide their own life jackets. A short shaft motor can be used with the skiff, but one is not provided. The Naha River National Recreation Trail winds downstream along the river through old-growth Sitka spruce and western hemlock rain forest. Sights between Naha Bay and Heckman Lake include Roosevelt Lagoon, Jordan Lake and a waterfall. Facilities This 12-by-14 cabin ( pan-abode style ) has two single and two double bunks, to accommodate up to six people. It is also equipped with a table and benches, wood stove, splitting maul, broom and an outhouse. NOTE: Firewood may be available, but visitors are encouraged to contact the Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District to check the status of the woodshed. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a nearby creek or the lake, 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. Other items to pack include 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 a low knoll and is backed by old-growth Sitka Spruce and western hemlock. The front deck of the cabin overlooks the lake and the gentle, densely forested mountain slopes on the opposite shore. Sitka black-tailed deer, black bears, beavers, marten, otters, mink and wolves are common to the area ( bear safety information ). Trumpeter swans are frequently seen on the lakes within the Naha Recreation Area.

28.5 km away

LAST CHANCE CAMPGROUND

Overview Last Chance Campground is located in the Ward Lake Recreation Area, 9 miles north of downtown Ketchikan and about 4 miles north of the State ferry terminal. This campground straddles Last Chance Creek and lies next to Ward Creek with easy access to fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing. Recreation Hiking is a popular option, as the Ward Lake Recreation Area boasts seven trails. The Ward Lake Nature Trail meanders 1.3 miles around the lake. A large day-use complex with picnic sites and shelters is also available. Freshwater fishing, wildlife viewing and scenery are favorite draws at Ward Lake. Facilities Last Chance Campground is designated to be fully accessible. Each campsite contains a picnic table, a campfire ring with grill and a gravel parking spur. Two hand pumps for drinking water and three vault toilets are provided. Firewood may be provided but is not guaranteed. Firewood and other assistance may be obtained from the campground host located 2 miles away at Signal Creek Campground. Natural Features Last Chance is surrounded by an old-growth temperate rainforest comprised primarily of western hemlock and Sitka spruce. Last Chance Creek flows through the campground, and Ward Creek runs alongside. At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest covers most of Southeast Alaska and is the largest forest in the national forest system. The Tongass surrounds the Inside Passage, the network of waterways that buffers the jagged Alaskan Coast and a cluster of coastline islands. The Tongass offers visitors a chance to view wildlife, including eagles, bears and spawning salmon. Expansive vistas, including fjords, glaciers and mountain peaks abound.

28.9 km away

SOUTHEAST HECKMAN CABIN

Overview Southeast Heckman Cabin is situated on the southeast shore of Heckman Lake within the Naha Recreation Area approximately 15 miles from Ketchikan. The cabin is open year-round and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska with its recreation options, beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife. The cabin is remote and accessible only by float plane, depending on conditions. This primitive cabin has no electricity, indoor plumbing or cell phone coverage. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Fishing and boating are popular activities at this cabin. The Naha River is noted for steelhead and salmon runs and offers resident trout and Dolly Varden. For information about fishing permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website. Guests have use of the cabin's 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars, but they must provide their own life jackets. A short-shaft motor can be used with the skiff, but one is not provided. Facilities The 16x22-ft. ( pan-abode style ) log cabin accommodates 8 people with 3 single and 2 double bunks. Other amenities include a table and benches, a cooking counter, broom, splitting maul, and outhouse. A wood stove is provided for heat. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed. This cabin is designed to be barrier-free, with accessible boardwalks connecting the dock, cabin and outhouse. The boardwalk has an incline between 5 and 15 percent. Drinking water is not available at the cabin. Visitors must bring their own water supply, but water is also available from the lake and should be treated before drinking or cooking with it ( water safety ). Visitors should also bring sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking gear, lanterns or flashlights, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Rain gear and boots are recommended. Visitors are expected to pack out their trash, gear and food and clean the cabin before leaving (additional cabin details). Natural Features The cabin sits in a clearing overlooking the lake, backed by old-growth Sitka spruce and western hemlock. The terrain is sloped above and below the cabin. Visitors can gaze out over the lake to the densely forested slopes on the other side. Sitka black-tailed deer, black bear, marten, mink, beaver and wolf are common to the area (bear safety and precautions). A variety of birds may be seen in and around the lake.