A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service cabin or lookout

Crescent Lake Cabin

Forest Service cabin or lookout in Chugach National Forest, Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska. About 1,450 feet. 25.1 miles from Seward.

Managed by
Forest Service Chugach National Forest
Elevation
About 1,450 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
1 1 cabin non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

Elodea has been found in Crescent Lake in 2023. Please stop aquatic hitchikers and use clean, drain, dry methods to prevent the spread of elodea. For more information on elodea.

Crescent Lake Cabin is a rustic cabin on beautiful Crescent Lake, providing access to great fishing, hunting, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities.

This site can be accessed by hiking, biking, skiing, horseback, snowmobile and floatplane. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Fishing in Crescent Lake is very popular for grayling. A rowboat with oars is available at the cabin, however, life jackets and fishing equipment are not provided. High winds could present a danger to anyone on the lake.

In season, visitors hunt for moose, black and brown bears and Dall sheep.

Hiking, horseback riding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are also popular activities. There is extreme avalanche danger on the Crescent Creek Trail in winter and early spring. The primitive trail around Crescent Lake crosses several avalanche chutes and should not be used in the winter.

Facilities

The log cabin has bunk space for six and a maximum occupancy of eight people. It is equipped with counter space, table, benches and a wood stove for heat. A splitting maul and hand saw are available. An outhouse is also provided.

There is no electricity, potable water, mattresses, bedding, cooking utensils or cut firewood at the cabin. Visitors should bring sleeping bags and pads, a cook stove, cooking gearandfood. Water taken from the lakes or streams should be treated or boiled before consumption. All garbage and food must be packed out.

Natural Features

The cabin is located south of Sterling Highway on the Crescent Lake Trail. It sits at the northwest end of Crescent Lake, at an elevation of about 1,450 feet. The surrounding area is close to the tree line, affording scenic views of nearby mountains.

In addition to avalanche danger, high winds may sweep across the lake, causing danger for small boats and planes. For information on access and regulations pertaining to this cabin, trail conditions, safety precautions and outdoor safety and ethics , please contact the Seward District office.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • hunting
  • wildlife viewing
  • winter sports

The land around Crescent Lake Cabin

The ringed pin is this cabin or lookout; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • 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

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.