Overview
Control Lake Cabin, built in 1969, offers guests recreation, relaxation and a unique lodging experience in the central portion of Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. The remote site offers a scenic setting for fishing, boating, hiking and wildlife viewing, all within the vicinity of the cabin.
The site can either be accessed by vehicle and then paddling in by boat or by float plane. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
Anglers will find Control Lake to be a scenic setting for fishing. The lake supports healthy populations of cutthroat trout, dolly varden and sockeye salmon.
Hunters can take advantage of the 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 the late fall.
Guests are welcome to use the aluminum skiff with oars available at the cabin, but are responsible for bringing and using their own personal floatation devices.
Facilities
The cabin is large multi-room structure that once served as the Ranger District office. It is furnished with wooden bunkbeds (without mattresses) and some rustic log furniture. It can accommodate up to six guests.
The cabin is equipped with a table, benches, a wood stove for heat and an outside toilet. Other amenities include cooking counters, an axe, splitting maul and a broom. Firewood may be available, but the supply cannot be guaranteed.
The cabin does not have running water or electricity. Guests must bring their own food, water, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cook stove, stove fuel, matches, cooking gear/utensils, light source (lantern), toilet paper, first aid kit and garbage bags.
Water is available from the lake, but must be filtered, boiled or chemically treated before drinking. Click here for more cabin details.
Natural Features
The cabin sits in a grassy area just off the shore of Control Lake. The shoreline is surrounded by a scattering of sparse lodgepole pines with muskeg openings extended for several miles west of the lake.
Wildlife in the area abounds, including a variety of waterfowl and insects in neighboring ponds, eagles, marten, mink, otter, Sitka black-tailed deer and black bears. Learn more about bear safety in the Tongass National Forest.
Nearby Attractions
It is an easy 18 mile drive to lower Thorne River, which has excellent fishing, boating, hiking trails, wildlife viewing areas and day-use areas.
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