Can you reserve a site at Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK)?

Yes, Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK), Alaska — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Barber Cabin offers a remote lodging experience on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula of south-central Alaska. The rustic cabin has few amenities, but provides access to the great outdoors and a scenic mountain lake. There is great fishing in Lower Russian Lake, and hiking and biking trails abound. Wildlife viewing is good in the area as well, though visitors should watch out for bears.

The cabin can be accessed by hiking, biking, skiing, horseback or floatplanes. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Visitors enjoy boating and rainbow trout fishing on Lower Russian Lake. A rowboat with oars is provided at the cabin. Fishing equipment is not provided and permits are required to fish in the state (click here for Alaska Department of Fish & Game regulations). The lake freezes during winter months.

A variety of trails and unexplored areas exist near the cabin. Hikers and bikers can explore varying terrain, including muskeg, meadows and high-canopied forest along the 21-mile Russian Lakes Trail, toward the Upper Russian Lake Cabin. There is a high avalanche hazard on Russian Lakes Trail in the winter (learn about avalanche safety). Snow can remain on the trail until early June. Hunting is popular along the trail and in the surrounding area.

Facilities

The accessible 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 gear and food. Water taken from the lake should be treated or boiled before consumption.

Natural Features

The cabin is close to Cooper Landing off the Sterling Highway, in a fairly flat area on the east shore Lower Russian Lake. It is surrounded by a scattered spruce forest, and meadows with shrubs and brush, providing scenic mountain views.

A variety of wildlife make its home in the area, including moose, black and brown bears and wolves. The surrounding area has a particularly high concentration of bears. 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 facts

1 bookable site
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: AREA BARBER CABIN

Site types

1 Cabin Nonelectric

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK)

Check-in 12:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
S16	AREA BARBER CABIN	Cabin Nonelectric	—	Gravel	—	8

Getting there

At mile 52.6 of the Sterling Highway turn into Russian River Campground and travel 1 mile to Russian Lakes Trailhead, follow the Russian Lakes Trail 3.3 miles turning onto the Barber Cabin Spur trail at mile 2.5. The route is 4.2 miles in the winter and follows the campground entrance road, the summer trail for 1.8 miles, then a marked winter route and across the frozen surface of Lower Russian Lake.

Via floatplane, the cabin is 25 minutes from Seward or Cooper Landing. Refer to USGS topographic map Seward B8. Maps are available online or by calling the Seward Ranger District at 907-288-3178.

Winter travelers need to be able to evaluate avalanche and over-ice travel conditions. For current travel conditions, call the district office. Motorized access is prohibited year-round. The trail is closed to horse/pack stock from April 1 to June 30.

See link below for Russian Lakes Trail information:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recreation/recarea/?recid=16813&actid=51

60.43740, -149.98660 · 60°26'14.6"N 149°59'11.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 69°F in Jul, down to 24°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	24	31	37	48	59	67	69	67	57	44	31	27
Low °F	9	14	14	26	33	41	47	44	37	27	17	12
Precip in	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Reservations can be made the day of arrival or up to 180 days in advance, for three consecutive days maximum per person from May 15 to Aug. 31. Only one change per reservation for all Alaska cabins is allowed. Change is defined as a modification to the start or end date of the reservation; after one change has been made, if additional changes are desired, the customer must cancel the current reservation and re-book the new dates. If you cancel a cabin reservation within 14 days of your scheduled arrival date, you will be charged the $10 service fee and forfeit the first night's recreation use fee. No-shows, early departures, or cancellations after the scheduled arrival date are not entitled to a refund. Cancellations for single night use for Alaska cabins will not be assessed a service fee.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK)

Can you reserve a site at Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK)?: Yes, Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK) have?: 1 site.

Also listed by

Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK) also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK)'s operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Per night prices range from $50-75 (2018 prices) depending on season. Cabin fees are based on non-peak/peak season/days. Seasons vary by cabin. A non-refundable service fee will be added to each reservation by Recreation.gov

Restrictions:

Russian Lakes Trail is closed to motorized vehicles year round between Russian River Campground and Upper Russian Lake Cabin. Russian Lakes Trail closed to pack/saddle stock from April 1- June 30.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK)

Russian River 3.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Aspen Flats Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK) 4.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cooper Creek South 4.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Upper Russian Lake Cabin 6.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hidden Lake Campground 7.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Trout Lake Cabin 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Quartz Creek Campground 9.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Romig Cabin 9.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Juneau Lake Cabin 10.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Swan Lake Cabin Seward 13.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Eastern Kenai Peninsula 10.9 mi · Facility
Crescent Creek Campground 11.2 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 907-288-3178
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK)