A white Tacoma with a camper shell parked on a rise above a broad, empty basin under building cloud.

Forest Service cabin or lookout

Upper Paradise Lake Cabin

Forest Service cabin or lookout in Chugach National Forest, Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska. About 1,340 feet. 21.3 miles from Seward.

Managed by
Forest Service Chugach National Forest
Elevation
About 1,340 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
1 1 cabin non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

Upper Paradise Lake Cabin is extremely remote and secluded in the forest of south-central Alaska. The cabin provides access to fishing and hunting, as well as day hikes that warrant spectacular views of glaciers.

The cabin is accessible only by floatplane and access is extremely difficult in the winter when the lake freezes. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

The cabin offers seclusion and good fishing. A rowboat and oars provided at the cabin gives anglers excellent opportunities to catch grayling on the small, adjacent lake. Life jackets are not provided, however.

Hunting is popular during designated seasons. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, black and brown bears, sheep, and mountain goats.

While there are no maintained trails in the area, it is rife with potential for exploration. A good day hike leads to views of the majestic Wolverine Glacier, high in the Kenai Mountains.

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. An outhouse is also provided. Firewood is limited in the area. A handsaw and splitting maul are provided at the cabin.

Visitors will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes. Water taken from the lakes or streams should be treated or boiled prior to consumption. Visitors will also need to bring their own bedding and sleeping pads, flashlights, cooking gear, food, clothing and cooking utensils, among other necessities. All garbage and food must be packed out.

Natural Features

The alpine cabin is located east of Seward Highway, on the western shore of Upper Paradise Lake.It sits in a forest of alder and willow trees at an elevation of about 1,340 feet and offers very scenic views. Wild berries are ripe for the picking in late-summer to fall.

For more information on access and regulations pertaining to this cabin, trail conditions, safety precautions and outdoor safety and ethics , please contact the Seward Ranger District.

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

What people do here

  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • hunting
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Upper Paradise 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.