Overview
Harrison Lagoon Cabin is open for year-round enjoyment, offering a variety of recreational opportunities on land and water. The cabin's remote location makes an ideal base for exploring the natural beauty of Prince William Sound. The Cabin is located on Chugach National Forest lands within the Nellie Juan - College Fiord Wilderness Study Area.
The site can be accessed by float plane or boat, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities including sleeping pads, sleeping bags, cook stove, toilet paper, pots and utensils as well as some form of water purification.
Recreation
Guests who have kayaks can use them for exploring the coast or crossing the lagoon, which offers more hiking possibilities than the area around the cabin. It is possible to walk the lagoon at low tide, but tide tables should be consulted to time the return hike at low tide as well.
It is also possible to access the Granite Mine Trail via a ~1mile beach walk South from the Cabin along Port Wells to the Granite Mine Trailhead. Again tide tables should be consulted and timed appropriately to avoid being stuck and unable to return to the Cabin in a given tide cycle.
Hunting for black bear and waterfowl is allowed with the proper permits in designated areas in-season. Fishing is fair for pink salmon in August, either in Lagoon Creek (inland from Harrison Lagoon) or in saltwater. Shrimping is also possible.
Berry pickers can harvest blueberries and salmonberries near the cabin when they are in season.
Facilities
The 16 x 20 foot cabin sleeps six and is equipped with wooden bunks, a table with benches, an oil drip (kerosene) stove for heat and an outhouse with pit toilet. Cabin users must supply thier own fuel for stove. Typically 1 gallon of kerosene/ day is sufficent.
Drinking water is accessible by kayak at Lagoon Creek or by walking south of the cabin along the shoreline at low tide. Water from natural sources should be treated before drinking.
Items such as a cooking stove and gear, lanterns, sleeping gear, toilet paper, kerosene and garbage bags are not provided.
Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.
Natural Features
Harrison Lagoon is located on the west side of Port Wells in Prince William Sound. The cabin is tucked into a stand of conifer trees on a gravel spit that separates the lagoon and the Sound. One side faces Port Wells, and the other faces the lagoon. The lagoon itself is surrounded by rocky shoreline and dense evergreen forest, with views of distant snow-capped mountains.
Black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles make their home here ( learn about bear safety ). The lagoon and Port Wells support many seabirds, Dall's and harbor porpoises, harbor seals, sea otter and some sea lions frequent the area. Orcas and humpback whales may be seen in Port Wells.
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