Sitkoh Lake (West) Cabin

SITKOH LAKE (WEST) CABIN in AK — photo 4

Sitkoh Lake (West) Cabin

About this campsite

Overview

Sitkoh Lake West Cabin is nestled at the northwest shore of Sitkoh Lake on southeastern Chichagof Island, 35 miles northeast of Sitka, Alaska. Sitkoh Lake offers two public recreation cabins. The other cabin, Sitkoh Lake East Cabin, is near the east end of the lake.

This is a remote site. The cabin can be accessed when the lake is ice-free, generally April through October, via a 30-minute flight from Sitka. The cabin can also be reached by boat to False Island in Peril Strait, followed by an 10 mile hike, bike or OHV ride on the False Island road system. From False Island, follow Roads 7540, 7544 and 75442 as shown on the Sitka Motor Vehicle Use Map.

Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring their own amenities.

***AS OF 6/10/24, REPORTS THAT ONE OF THE SKIFFS BETWEEN EAST/WEST SITKOH LAKE IS DAMAGED/POSSIBLY OUT OF SERVICE. FOREST SERVICE WILL UPDATE ASAP***

Recreation

Sitkoh Lake West Cabin offers fishing, hiking, hunting, off-highway vehicle riding, and berry picking opportunities. The lake supports cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden. The outlet stream at the east end of the lake, Sitkoh Creek, has runs of steelhead in the spring, pink and sockeye salmon from July to August and coho salmon from August to September.

Although it is in poor condition, hikers can explore a 4.3-mile trail along Sitkoh Creek to Sitkoh Bay. The trail begins at the Sitkoh Lake East Cabin. Past logging has left a system of isolated roads, one of which passes within 1/4-mile of the cabin.

Deer hunting is a popular activity in the surrounding area. Waterfowl hunting is allowed on Sitkoh Bay. Past logging has left a system of isolated roads, one of which passes within 1/4-mile of the cabin and is available for hiking and off-highway vehicle riding.

Facilities

The 12 by 14-ft wood Pan abode-style cabin can accommodate up to six people with two double bunks and two single bunks. Amenities include a wood stove for heat, a table with benches, cooking counter, cupboard, broom, axe or splitting maul and an outdoor screened cooler box. An outhouse toilet is located close to the cabin.

The cabin does not include mattresses or cooking utensils. Visitors should bring sleeping bags and pads, a cooking stove, pots, pans, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, a lantern, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher, fire starter, rain gear, boots and personal flotation devices (PDFs).

Water is available from a nearby creek but must be treated before using. It's recommended that visitors bring their own water.

A small but heavy square-bowed skiff (rowboat) is provided. A long-shaft 2-10 horsepower outboard motor enhances use of the skiff but is not provided. Each person in the skiff should wear a Coast Guard approved PFD. Be sure plug is in before launching boat. Tie skiff well up on shore and pull plug before leaving so boat does not fill with rain water.

Click here for more cabin information and maps.

Natural Features

The cabin lies near the edge of the lake and is surrounded by towering old-growth spruce and hemlock, with muskeg and open meadows to the east. Seasonal salmonberries and blueberries are abundant. The lake's inlet creek is nearby.

Sitkoh Lake is surrounded by forested mountains rising to near 2,500 feet. The lake sits at an elevation of 194 feet and is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. Brown bear frequent the area.

Nearby Attractions

An abandoned logging camp lies about 6 miles east of the cabin at False Island, with a road system available for exploring surrounding area.

Location

SITKOH LAKE (WEST) CABIN•AK

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Weather Forecast

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THU🌦️

10° / 6°

💧 100%

FRI🌦️

11° / 4°

💧 80%

SAT🌦️

10° / 7°

💧 99%

SUN🌦️

13° / 9°

💧 100%

TODAY🌦️

13° / 8°

💧 96%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

2.6 km away

SITKOH LAKE (EAST) CABIN

Overview Sitkoh Lake East Cabin is nestled at the eastern end of Sitkoh Lake on southeastern Chichagof Island, 35 miles northeast of Sitka, Alaska. Sitkoh Lake offers two public recreation cabins. This cabin is near the east end of the lake; Sitkoh Lake West Cabin is 2 miles away near the western end of the lake. This is a remote site. The cabin is accessible when the lake is ice-free, generally April through October, and can be accessed from Sitka via a 30-minute flight, weather permitting. The cabin can also be reached by boat and trail. From False Island in Peril Strait, either hike or OHV-ride for 8 miles following Roads 7540 and 7544 as shown on the Sitka Motor Vehicle Use Map then follow a 1/2-mile foot trail (#675) to the cabin, leaving any OHVs parked at the road near the beginning of the foot trail. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring their own amenities. ***AS OF 6/10/24, REPORTS THAT ONE OF THE SKIFFS BETWEEN EAST/WEST SITKOH LAKE IS DAMAGED/POSSIBLY OUT OF SERVICE. FOREST SERVICE WILL UPDATE ASAP*** Recreation Sitkoh Lake offers fishing, hiking, hunting and off-highway vehicle riding. The lake supports cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden. Sitkoh Creek has runs of steelhead in the spring, pink and sockeye salmon from July to August and coho salmon from August through September. Past logging has left a system of isolated roads. Hiking and OHV riding are possible. Although it is in poor condition, hikers can explore a 4.3-mile trail along Sitkoh Creek to Sitkoh Bay. Deer hunting is a popular activity in the surrounding area. Waterfowl hunting is possible at Sitkoh Bay. For information about hunting and fishing permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website. Facilities The 12 by 14-ft wood Pan abode-style cabin can accommodate up to six people with two double bunks and two single bunks. Amenities include a wood stove for heat, a table with benches, cooking counter, cupboard, broom, axe or splitting maul and an outdoor screened cooler box. An outhouse toilet is located close to the cabin. The cabin does not include mattresses or cooking utensils. Visitors should bring sleeping bags and pads, a cooking stove, pots, pans, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, a lantern, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher, fire starter, rain gear, boots and personal flotation devices (PDFs). Water is available from the creek but must be treated before using. It's recommended that visitors bring their own water. A small but heavy square-bowed skiff (rowboat) with oars is provided. A long-shaft 2-10 horsepower outboard motor enhances use of the skiff but is not provided. Each person in the skiff should wear a Coast Guard approved PFD. Tie the skiff well up on the shore and pull the plug before leaving so the boat does not fill with rain water. Click here for more cabin information and maps. Natural Features The cabin lies at the edge of an old-growth forest of spruce and hemlock, with muskeg and open meadows to the east. Seasonal salmonberries and blueberries are in the area. The lake's outlet channel, Sitkoh Creek, is nearby. Sitkoh Lake is surrounded by forested mountains rising to near 2,500 feet. The lake sits at an elevation of 194 feet and is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. Brown bear frequent the area. Nearby Attractions An abandoned logging camp site lies about 6 miles west of the cabin at False Island, with an isolated road system available for exploring surrounding area.

11.4 km away

APPLETON COVE CABIN

Overview Appleton Cove Cabin was built in 1992 by Forest Service administrative crews for field housing during a period of logging. When logging was complete, the cabin became available for recreation. The cabin is open year-round and makes an excellent base for visitors looking to enjoy saltwater fishing, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing and hunting in this beautiful corner of Alaska. The cabin is located 30 miles north of Sitka, Alaska on Baranof Island, and can be accessed by float plane or boat, weather permitting. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Many recreational activities are available at Appleton Cove, including saltwater fishing, seasonal deer hunting, hiking, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle riding and viewing marine wildlife. Anglers cast for Dolly Varden and pink, chum and coho salmon. A system of isolated logging roads are near but not connected to the cabin, allowing hiking and off-highway vehicle opportunities. Use caution on these rugged roads. For information about fishing and hunting permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website. Facilities The one-room cabin sleeps five people and contains one double plywood bunk bed and three single plywood bunk beds (no mattresses). The cabin is equipped with a table and benches, a cooking counter, a cupboard and a broom. The cabin offers an oil stove for heat, but visitors must bring their own supply of #1 diesel fuel (10 gallons for a 3-day stay, more or less depending on the time of year). Visitors must bring their own sleeping bags and pads, a cooking stove, pots, pans, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, a lantern, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Rubber boots and rain gear are recommended. Water is available from the stream behind the cabin. Treat all water before using. It's recommended that guests bring their own water supply. Learn about water safety . A mooring buoy for boat anchorage is available on a first-come, first-served basis to cabin visitors and general forest users. Cabin reservation does not include exclusive use of the buoy. Mooring buoys are configured using a 4200-lb concrete block with 90 feet of 7/8th-inch stud link chain. Mariners are responsible for determining how suitable an anchoring system is for the size of their craft. Click here for additional cabin information and maps. Natural Features The cabin faces south and sits on the flat shoreline of Appleton Cove amid a tall, dense, hemlock-spruce forest, with views of the surrounding hills and mountains. Appleton Cove lies off Rodman Bay south of Peril Strait. Learn about bear safety and precautions .

11.4 km away

LAKE EVA CABIN

Overview Lake Eva Cabin is an accessible facility located 27 miles northeast of Sitka, Alaska, near the northeast coast of Baranof Island. Lake Eva is 1.7 miles long and sits at an elevation of 194 feet. It's available year round via a 25-minute floatplane ride from Sitka, weather permitting, and makes an excellent base for experiencing and exploring this corner of Alaska on foot or by boat. For boat or air charters, contact the Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau at 907-747-5940 or www.Sitka.org . Recreation Lake Eva offers great fishing opportunities. Cutthroat and Dolly Varden are found in lake year-round, with the best fishing April to late June. The outlet stream has a spring run of steelhead in April to June, sockeye in mid July to August and coho salmon in September and October. Hikers enjoy the Lake Eva-Hanus Bay Trail. It stretches about a mile to saltwater, and can be reached by boat from the cabin. This trail is open, but hikers may experience some obstacles along the way. Cabin guests may encounter tour groups using the trail. Facilities This primitive Pan-abode style cabin is accessible and equipped with wooden bunks, a table, benches, cooking counter, cupboard and an oil stove for heat. In addition, the cabin's accessible enhancements include a boardwalk, picnic table, dock and an accessible outhouse. Water is available from the lake or nearby inlet stream. This cabin has no mattresses or cooking utensils. Guests should bring sleeping bags, pads, a cook stove, cooking gear, lantern, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, raingear and boots. The cabin is equipped with an oil stove for heat. It uses #1 diesel fuel oil. Guests should bring 10 gallons for a 3-day stay, more or less depending on the time of year. Transport oil in an FAA-approved container or jerry can in a non-tip box. A skiff with oars is provided for cabin guests only; bring personal flotation devices. A 2-10 HP longshaft outboard motor enhances use of the skiff, but is not provided. Be sure the plug is in before launching the boat. Tie the skiff well up on the shore and pull the plug before leaving so the boat does not fill with rain water. Click here for more cabin details and maps. Natural Features The setting for the cabin is within a spruce and hemlock forest overlooking Lake Eva, with snow-capped peaks visible to the southwest. Deer and brown bear inhabit the area. Learn about bear safety and precautions .

18.4 km away

KOOK LAKE CABIN

Overview Kook Lake Cabin sits on the west end of Kook Lake, approximately 45 miles northeast of Sitka, Alaska. The cabin is available May through November, weather permitting, and makes an excellent base for experiencing and exploring this corner of Alaska. The cabin is remote and accessible by floatplane, weather permitting, 30 minutes from either Sitka or Juneau. The cabin can also be reached by a boat and hiking trip. The cabin is about an 8-mile hike from Corner Bay. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring their own amenities. Recreation Visitors enjoy hiking on a network of old logging roads of the the Corner Bay road system near the cabin. The 0.7-mile Kook Lake Trail begins behind the cabin and ends at Forest Road 7540, part of the Corner Bay road system. The trail is not maintained and crosses through many muskegs. It can be very wet, muddy and hard to follow. On Road 7540, it is a 7-mile hike to Tenakee Inlet and Corner Bay, the site of a former logging camp, now uninhabited. Tenakee Springs is located across Tenakee Inlet. Cutthroat and Dolly Varden fishing is available year-round in the lake. Good runs of sockeye occur during July and August, and coho salmon during late August and early September. Seasonal deer and bear hunting is also available. For information about fishing and hunting permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website. Facilities The wood A-frame cabin measures 16 by 16 feet and has one double plywood bunk on the main level, and an upstairs sleeping loft with no bunks reached by climbing a vertical ladder. A wood stove for heat, a table with benches, a cooking counter, a broom, an axe or splitting maul and an outdoor screened cooler box are provided. An outhouse toilet is close to the cabin. The cabin does not include mattresses or cooking gear. Visitors should bring sleeping bags and pads, a cooking stove, pots, pans, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, a lantern, garbage bags, fire extinguisher, fire starter and personal flotation devices (PFDs). Rain gear and rubber boots are a necessity. Water is available from the lake or a nearby stream, but must be treated before using. It's recommended that visitors bring their own water. A small but heavy square-bowed skiff (rowboat) is provided. A long-shaft 2-10 horsepower outboard motor enhances the use of the skiff, but is not provided. Each person using the skiff should wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD). Be sure plug is in before launching boat. Tie skiff well up on shore and pull plug before leaving so boat does not fill with rain water. Click here for more cabin information and maps. Natural Features The cabin sits in a beautiful stand of spruce and hemlock, surrounded by flat terrain with a sandy beach in front. North of the lake, the land gradually rises to 1,500 feet (455 meters), then ascends sharply to alpine. On the south, slopes are fairly steep, rising from the lake to 2,500 feet (762 meters). Brown bear frequent the area.

32.8 km away

PIPER ISLAND CABIN

Overview Piper Island Cabin is located on a small island within Fish Bay, 30 miles north of Sitka, Alaska on Baranof Island. The modified A-frame cabin is available year-round, weather permitting, and was built in 1994 by volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station and a group of local Sitka volunteers. This is a remote site. The cabin can be accessed only by boat or floatplane. From Sitka, it's a 1.5 hour boat ride or a 20-minute plane ride. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring their own amenities. Recreation Recreational opportunities include beachcombing along the sandy beach, wildlife viewing, saltwater fishing, crabbing and seasonal deer hunting. For information about fishing and hunting permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website. Facilities The 16 by 16-ft wood, modified A-frame cabin can accommodate up to seven people. An open sleeping loft, reached by vertical ladder, offers no bunks but overlooks the dining area below. The main level of the cabin contains one double plywood bunk and one single plywood bunk. An oil stove for heat, a table with benches, a cooking counter, broom and an outhouse toilet are provided. A large skylight offers natural light over the dining area. The cabin does not include heating oil, mattresses or cooking utensils. Visitors should bring #1 diesel fuel (generally 10 gallons for a three-day stay, more or less depending on the time of year), sleeping bags and pads, a cooking stove, pots, pans, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, a lantern, garbage bags, fire extinguisher and fire starter. Rain gear and boots are recommended. No reliable water source is available on Piper Island. The closest water source is from a stream on Baranof Island, about a half-mile from the cabin by boat. Treat all water before using. Visitors should bring their own supply of water. A mooring buoy is available for boat anchorage on first-come, first-served basis. The cabin reservation does not include exclusive use of the buoy. Mooring buoys are configured using a 4200-lb concrete block with 90 feet of 7/8th-inch stud link chain. Mariners are responsible for determining how suitable an anchoring system is for the size of their craft. Click here for more cabin information and maps. Natural Features The cabin sits just inside the forest fringe of Piper Island, overlooking a sandy beach within Schulze Cove, located on the north side of Fish Bay. Brown bear frequent the area.