State Park Cabins
In Great Recreation Areas!

Alaska State Park cabins are available as vacation rentals, in many Parks and Recreation Areas.



As with the Forest Service Cabins, these are all rustic, though I will say, many of them are a bit nicer. Many cabins cannot be reached by road, but are usually closer to civilization than the Forest Service Cabins.

"Rustic" means no utilities and they have outdoor latrines (toilets). Bring your own gear as if you were camping outdoors.

During our early years in Alaska, we lived as if we were on a continuous camp-out. So I learned such things as how to pick the right kind of sticks for kindling, how to light new Coleman lantern mantles WITHOUT punching holes in them, and how to make bread from scratch.

If you spend much time in these remote cabins, you might also get skilled at some new tasks.

State Park cabins are generally furnished with the following types of items: wood or oil heating stoves, sleeping platforms or bunks, counters, tables and seats. Other items usually furnished are propane or gas lanterns, extra mantles, bow saw, ax, broom and shovel.

Here's a list of recommended supplies needed or at least handy: sleeping bag, sleeping pad/air mattress, food, cookware, dishes, utensils, cooking stove and fuel, matches, lighters, paper fire starter, first aid items, mosquito repellent, trash bags, water jug, extra saw or ax, and flashlight or candles. Water is often available in creeks, springs, or by melting snow, but may need purification.

Firewood can often be gathered nearby, but its scarce in some areas. You can also bring it with you or purchase bundles at nearby Ranger Stations. Bring a disposable propane cylinder or white gas (for Coleman lanterns—check which type), lantern mantles if needed, and #1 stove oil for cabins with oil heaters rather than wood heaters.

Other State Park Cabin Information:

I've sorted the State Park cabins by area in which they are located, with some information on each. They will be marked as available SUMMER, YEAR AROUND or WINTER ONLY.

And if you're one of those people that is charmed by the idea of staying in a REAL LOG CABIN, they are listed here for convenience, with a link to their information.

FISHING and small game HUNTING are generally available and allowed in the areas around the cabins. But do ask about it for the particular cabin you want, when you make a reservation.

Though this is not a complete list of State Park Cabins, it should give you a few choices.

Going INTO THE NORTHERN REGION – For more information about park cabins in this area and trail openings, contact: DNR Public Information Center - Fairbanks, 3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99707-4613, 907-451-2705, Fax: 907-451-2706. For trail information: 907-451-2698.

State Park Cabins in Quartz Lake State Recreation Area - near Delta Junction. Ice fishing hut rentals available from the State.

• Quartz Lake Cabin - is 10' x 16' (3.05m x 4.88m). Sleeps 3 with a maximum stay of 3 consecutive nights. Located just inside campground. Studded tires, chains or 4-wheel drive are recommended in winter because of steep road. Has road access and is available SUMMER ONLY (May 1 to September 30)
• Glatfelder Cabin - Available YEAR AROUND.

• Salcha River Cabin - Available WINTER ONLY (October 1 to April 30).

State Park Cabin in Birch Lake State Recreation Site - near Fairbanks. Ice fishing hut rentals available from the State.

• Birch Lake Cabin - is 16' X 20' (4.88m x 6.1m). Sleeps 6 with a 2-person sleeping platform on the main floor and a half-loft sleeping area above. Has a wood-burning stove, table, benches, counter and cabinets. Cabin has covered porches in front and back. Drinking water available but bring firewood with you. This extra nice cabin is for summer caretakers, so is available WINTER ONLY (September 16 to May 1). Access road is plowed a few hundred feet from cabin - 4-wheel drive recommended.

• Colorado Creek Cabin - Available YEAR AROUND but easier access in WINTER.
• Stiles Creek Cabin - Available YEAR AROUND.
• Chena River Cabin - Available YEAR AROUND.
• Hunt Memorial Cabin - Available YEAR AROUND.
• North Fork Cabin - Available YEAR AROUND.
• Lower Angel Creek Cabin - is 12' x 14' (3.66m x 4.27m) and sleeps 6. In WINTER, it is 3.6 miles (5.8km) from the Angel Creek/Upper Chena Dome Trailhead at Mile 50.5, Chena Hot Springs Road. Can be reached by snowmachine, dog team, skis or snowshoes following yellow trail markers. In SUMMER, hike up the Lower Chena Dome trailhead located at Mile 49.1 of the Chena Hot Springs Road, following the yellow trail markers. For water supply, melt snow, use creek water or bring your own. Available YEAR AROUND, but the summer trail is quite wet and difficult.

State Park Cabins IN THE CENTRAL and SOUTHCENTRAL REGION to ANCHORAGE AREA –

• Matanuska Glacier Cabin - Road accessible YEAR AROUND.
• Squirrel Cove Cabin - in Decision Point State Marine Park (Prince William Sound) - on south side of Passage Canal about 8 miles (12.87km) east of Whittier. Cabin located on west side of Squirrel Cove. No protected anchorage, but is used by experienced kayakers and small boat users. High tides and surf has to be contended with, so make sure you don't lose your watercraft. Boardwalk trail from cabin takes you to a 4 tent-platform campsite area - no reservations needed. Pebble beach also has area for tent camping above high tides. Can be reached by floatplane, small boats, kayaks and water taxis from Whittier.

State Park Cabins IN THE SOUTHCENTRAL REGION to VALDEZ – Cabin fees are $50 to $65/night.

Shoup Bay State Park Cabins

• McAllister Creek Cabin - is 16' x 16' (4.88m x 4.88m) and sleeps 8. Located next to McAllister Creek at the beach on west side of the outer bay. Use creek water (treated) or bring your own. Maximum stay - 7 nights.
• Kittiwake Cabin - is 16' x 16' (4.88m x 4.88m) and sleeps 8. Located on east side of inner lagoon and has boardwalk. Bring your own water in case you can't reach one of the two creeks in the area. Purify creek water if you use it. Two trails lead to the cabin from the lagoon. A gravel trail east of a connecting creek on the lagoon, or a trail at southeast corner of lagoon. Both need a shallow boat, canoe or other small watercraft, but second one should only be tried at high tide. Watch out for icebergs and shifing sand bars near the creek! Maximum stay - 7 nights.

State Park Cabins IN THE SOUTHCENTAL REGION to THE KENAI PENINSULA and SEWARD area

In Caines Head State Recreation Area:

• Derby Cove Cabin - is 14' x18' (4.27m x 5.49m) and sleeps 8. Near gravel beach, at the head of the trail system, with evergreen forest around it. Creek water available at cabin. Reachable by boat, float plane, or 4 mile non-motorized trail; portion of trail along tidal beach - must hike at low tide! Maximum stay of 7 consecutive nights. Available YEAR AROUND.
• Callisto Cabin - is 14' x18' (4.27m x 5.49m) and sleeps 8. Water available from small stream on nearby hillside or from waterfall 400 yards down beach—reachable at low tide only. Cabin reachable by boat, float plane, or 3.5 mile 5.63km) non-motorized trail; portion of trail along tidal beach - must hike at low tide! Maximum stay of 7 consecutive nights. Available YEAR AROUND.

State Park Cabins IN THE SOUTHCENTAL REGION to THE KENAI PENINSULA and HOMER area: - Yurt rentals also available.

In Kachemak Bay State Park Cabins:

• Lagoon-Overlook Cabin - is 16' x 20' (4.88m x 6.1m) and sleeps 8. Has 2 bedrooms, double wooden bunks, table, counter, chairs, benches and wood stove. Located on a rocky point, 500' by boardwalk, from the Halibut Cove Lagoon Public Dock. Outdoor latrine nearby. Bring water or purify and use water when available, from ranger station. Maximum stay of 7 consecutive nights. Available YEAR AROUND.
• Lagoon-East Cabin - Available YEAR AROUND.
• Lagoon-West Cabin - Available YEAR AROUND.
• China Poot Lake Cabin - Available YEAR AROUND.
• Moose Valley Cabin - is 12' x 12' (3.66m x3.66m) and sleeps 2. Has a wood stove. Located just off the Moose Valley Loop trail, about 2.4 miles (3.6km) from the Halibut Cove Lagoon Ranger Station. About 1.2 miles ranger station, the trail leaves the lake trail and ‘loops’ through Moose Valley, up to south side of Poot Peak. From Poot Peak, take the South Spur trail to China Poot Lake (Leisure Lake) or Wosnesenski River Trail. Purify lake water or bring your own. Outhouse (latrine) nearby. Available SUMMERS, when trails cleared in mid to late June. Maximum stay - 7 consecutive nights.
• Sea Star Cove Cabin - is 16' x 16' (4.88m x 4.88m) and sleeps 6. Has a table, benches, counter and wood stove. Outhouse is 50 yards away (45.72m) on north side of cabin. Use creek water (treated) or bring your own. Maximum stay - 7 consecutive nights.

State Park Cabins in the WESTERN REGION:

For more information about cabins in this area, contact Mat/Su Copper River Basin Area Office, HC 32 Box 6706, Wasilla, AK 99654, Phone: 907-745-3975, Fax: 907-745-0938

Denali State Park near Trapper Creek - the next 3 cabins can all be reached from Milepost 147.1, (George) Parks Highway, the Alaska Veteran's Memorial. Each cabin has a wood heating stove, bunks, tables, and benches. In summer, get water at campground pump or purify lake water; in the winter, purify lake water, melt snow or bring your own. Bring or find firewood in area.

• Byers Lake Cabin #1 - Available YEAR AROUND.
• Byers Lake Cabin #2 - is 12' x 16' (3.66m x 4.88m) and sleeps 6. In summer, hike/hand launch boat, short distance by lake or trail of 1/2 mile; In winter, park in the Veteran's Memorial parking lot and follow the trail with ski/snowshoe/dogsled/snowmachine, taking the right fork at bottom of hill, near lake. Total distance - 1.7 miles (2.74km). Maximum stay - 5 consecutive nights. Available YEAR AROUND.
• Byers Lake Cabin #3 - is 14' x 20' (4.27m x 6.1m) and sleeps 6. Same directions as cabin #2, but this cabin is 70 yards (64m) farther south. This cabin is wired for electricity but you must bring a generator to use it. Maximum stay - 5 consecutive nights. Available YEAR AROUND.

Nancy Lake State Recreation Area near Willow - at Milepost 67.3, Parks Highway. Cabins may be reached by trails or canoes on the lake. Cabin Fees are $30 to $45/night.

• Nancy Lake Cabin #1 - is 16' x 16' (4.88m x 4.88m) and sleeps 6. Maximum stay - 5 consecutive nights. Available YEAR AROUND.
• Nancy Lake Cabin #2 - is 12' x 24' (3.66m x 7.32m) and sleeps 6. Maximum stay - 5 consecutive nights. Available YEAR AROUND.
• Nancy Lake Cabin #3 - is 16' x 16' (4.88m x 4.88m) and sleeps 6. Cabin is surrounded by private property, so can only be reached by boat or floatplane in summer. In winter it is a 1/2 mile (.8km) hike, without a marked trail; or ski/snowshoe/dogsled/snowmachine on lake or along lake edge, same distance. Maximum stay - 5 consecutive nights. Available YEAR AROUND.
• Nancy Lake Cabin #4 - is 24' x 24' (7.32m x 7.32m) and sleeps 8. Maximum stay - 5 consecutive nights. Has a large, covered front porch and is great for families.
• Bald Lake Cabin - is 16' x 24' (4.88m x 7.32m) and sleeps 6. Has a 6' porch and is the only cabin on this lake, located on the north end. It's only 1/4 mile from the trailhead at Mile 2.5 of the Nancy Lake Parkway. In winter, park at the parking lot at Mile 2.2, Nancy Lake Parkway and use ski/snowshoe/dogsled/snowmachine to the cabin. Maximum stay - 5 consecutive nights. Available YEAR AROUND.

The above is general information about cabins available for rent from the State of Alaska.

For All Cabin Reservations contact: DNR Public Information Center - Anchorage, 550 W. 7th Ave, Suite 1260, Anchorage, AK 99501-3557, (907) 269-8400, TDD (907) 269-841l, Fax (907) 269-8901.

When you've picked out one, or a few, State Park Cabins you'd like to rent, contact the State Parks Division with any questions. To get ALL of the specific information on each cabin, ask for their FACT SHEET. Then, download, print and fill out the Cabin Permit Application which can be faxed back to them.

Hope this helped you find the right State Park cabin for your Alaskan vacation. I expect you'll shortly be enjoying the smell of a wood fire burning cheerily and the taste of food cooked on an open fire. You'll never get too much of that fresh Alaskan air, either. Enjoy your pioneer living in Alaska State Park cabins!

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