Can you reserve a site at Black Bear Lake Cabin (Tongass National Forest, AK)?

Yes, Black Bear Lake Cabin (Tongass National Forest, AK) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Black Bear Lake Cabin (Tongass National Forest, AK), Alaska — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Black Bear Lake Cabin offers recreation, relaxation and a unique lodging experience on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. The remote site offers a scenic, mountainous setting for fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing.

Access to the cabin is by floatplane only. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Anglers will find fair fishing on a resident population of rainbow trout. Boating or kayaking on the lake offers a peaceful setting for viewing wildlife in the area.

Hunters can take advantage of the long hunting season in the surrounding national forest. Bear season occurs during spring and fall, while deer season begins in late summer and lasts through the late fall.

Facilities

The 12x12-ft primitive, pre-cut cedar, pan-abode style log cabin sleeps up to six people on wooden bunkbeds without mattresses. The cabin is equipped with a table, benches, a wood stove for heat and an outside toilet. Other amenities include a cooking counter, shelves, cupboard space and a broom.

The cabin does not have running water or electricity. Visitors must bring their own food, water, Bio brick compressed logs for the woodstove, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cook stove and fuel, fire starter, cooking gear/utensils, lantern or flashlights, toilet paper, first aid kit and garbage bags. Water is available from the lake, but must be treated before being used.

An aluminum skiff with oars available for use, however visitors are responsible for bringing and using their own personal floatation devices. Click here for more cabin details.

Natural Features

The cabin is situated at an elevation of 1,700 feet, 20 yards from the shoreline of Black Bear Lake, a cold, clear lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks reaching elevations of 4,000 feet. The terrain is rugged with a mixture of old-growth forest and alpine vegetation. The high mountains and alpine terrain is quite stunning, showcasing a display of wildflowers in mid-summer.

Wildlife in the area is abundant, including Sitka black-tailed deer and black bears.

A hydroelectric project was constructed at the north end of the lake in 1995. The project now provides power to several communities on the island. The lake level varies, but is still a popular destination.

The facts

Season: Mid-June — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
1 bookable site
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: AREA BLACK BEAR LAKE CABIN

Site types

1 Cabin Nonelectric

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Black Bear Lake Cabin (Tongass National Forest, AK)

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

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
C01	AREA BLACK BEAR LAKE CABIN	Cabin Nonelectric	—	—	—	6

Getting there

Access to Bear Lake Cabin is by floatplane only, 50 air miles from Ketchikan. Visitors must walk 20 yards from the lake to the cabin. Refer to USGS map Craig C-3.

55.53972, -132.85500 · 55°32'23.0"N 132°51'18.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 64°F in Aug, down to 40°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	40	41	44	51	57	61	63	64	60	52	44	40
Low °F	31	30	31	35	41	46	51	51	47	40	34	31
Precip in	8.7	6.3	6.8	5.5	4.1	3.4	4.3	6.8	10.7	12.3	10.2	10.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

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.

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 Black Bear Lake Cabin (Tongass National Forest, AK)

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

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

$30/night peak season May 1 – September 30 $25/night non-peak season October 1 – April 30

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Black Bear Lake Cabin (Tongass National Forest, AK)

Harris River Campground 5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Salmon Lake Cabin Thorne Bay 7.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Karta Lake Cabin 9.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Eagles Nest Campground 9.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Control Lake Cabin 10.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Karta River Cabin 11 mi · Campground · we watch it
Twelvemile Cabin 13 mi · Campground · we watch it
Polk Camp 18.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Honker Lake Cabin 20.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Point Amargura Cabin 20.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Eagles Nest Campground 11.5 mi · Campground
Lake No. 3 Campground 13.1 mi · Campground

Contact

Book Recreation.gov

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

Black Bear Lake Cabin (Tongass National Forest, AK)