Overview
Barnes Lake Cabin allows for a true outdoor adventure on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. Situated on the western shore of Barnes Lake, the cabin offers year-round relaxation and recreation. Boating, kayaking, crabbing, fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing are just steps away.
The site can be accessed by float plane, boat or kayak, depending on conditions. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own supplies.
Recreation
The location is prime for anglers, as summer runs for coho (silver) and pink (humpy) salmon occur in the coastal waters. The nearby ocean also offers a chance for crabbing throughout the warmer months.
Hunters can take advantage of a long hunting season in the surrounding national forest. Bear season occurs during spring and fall, while deer season begins in late summer and lasts through late fall.
Visitors might also enjoy a day of scenic boating through Gold and Galligan Lagoon to Sweetwater Lake. Navigation of the lagoon should only occur during high, slack tide. Boaters are welcome to use the 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars, available at the cabin. Flotation devices and long shaft motor are not provided.
Facilities
The 12-by-12 cabin is a primitive, pre-cut cedar log structure ( pan-abode style ) equipped with wooden bunks that sleep four to six people. It has a table, benches, a wood stove for heat and an outside vault toilet. Other amenities include a cooking bench, shelves, cupboard space, a broom, and an axe, maul and splitting wedges for cutting firewood.
The cabin does not have mattresses or cooking utensils and users must bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes. There is no freshwater source near the cabin.
Guests must bring their own sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cook stoves, matches, cooking gear, food, lanterns and flashlights, toilet paper and garbage bags. Wood may be available, but the supply cannot be guaranteed. Guests are asked to be conservative wood and use their cook stoves for cooking.
Click here for more cabin details and maps.
Natural Features
The cabin sits on the shore of Barnes Lake, a tidal saltwater lagoon. At low tide, a 50- to 100-foot tidal flat emerges in front of the cabin. The shoreline is surrounded by a thick temperate rainforest of old-growth spruce and hemlock trees, shrubs, ferns and grasses. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including migratory waterfowl, Sitka black-tailed deer and black bears ( learn more about bear safety ).
The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
US Forest Service (USFS)
National Park Service (NPS)
US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
Department Of Defense (DOD)
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Other Federal
State
Local
Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
Alaska Native Allotment
Road
Primitive Road
Road
Primitive Road
Trail
Roads open to all Vehicles, Yearlong
Roads open to all Vehicles, Seasonal
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Yearlong
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal
Special Designation, Yearlong
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails open to all vehicles, Yearlong
Trails open to all vehicles, Seasonal
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Yearlong
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Seasonal
Trails open to motorcycles, Yearlong
Trails open to motorcycles, Seasonal
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" in Width, Yearlong
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" or Less in Width, Seasonal
Wilderness Area
Wilderness Study Area