Harding River Cabin

Campground · Alaska · 1 bookable site ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

1
Bookable site
up to 6
People per site
63 ft
Elevation
Beach with foggy mountains in the background
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Overview

Harding River Cabin is located in the Bradfield Canal near excellent fishing and crabbing spots. It is also in a prime spot for viewing birds and wildlife. The site can be accessed by float plane or boat, depending on conditions. Boats and planes should anchor in deeper water, and guests should take small skiffs or punts to the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Anglers can fish in the Harding River for cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden from May through September, steelhead in April and May, and silver and chum salmon in August and September. Bradfield Canal offers excellent crabbing, but tide charts should be consulted before planning any boating or crabbing excursions.

Facilities

This 14-by-16 cabin ( hunter-style ) was built in 1978 and has two single bunks and two double bunks to sleep up to six people. It is also equipped with a table and benches, broom, an oil stove for heat (No. 1 oil only) and an outhouse toilet. A food storage locker is located on the partially covered front porch. Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from the Harding River, but guests should be sure to treat or boil any water taken from an outside source, prior to consumption ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply. Heating oil is not supplied by the Forest Service. In addition to bringing a supply of No. 1 stove oil, guests should pack sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and matches, among other necessities. Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving ( click here for more cabin details).

Natural Features

The cabin sits on relatively flat land overlooking the Harding River and Bradfield Canal. The surrounding rainforest is primarily Sitka spruce and western hemlock with scattered cedar. Muskeg is also common in the area. Brown and black bears, harbor seals and bald eagles are often spotted around the cabin ( bear safety information ). A lucky few may spot gray whales swimming in the nearby waters. The upper end of Bradfield Canal is a spring and fall stop for migratory waterfowl.

The facts

  • 1 bookable site
  • Up to 6 people per site
  • Loops: AREA HARDING RIVER CABIN

Site types

  • 1 Cabin Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Shade

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, pets allowed.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Harding River Cabin

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

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
W28AREA HARDING RIVER CABINCabin Nonelectric———6

Getting there

Located southeast of Wrangell on the mainland at the mouth of the Harding River, which is on the north side of the Bradfield Canal. Distance is 31 miles by air, 40 miles by boat from Wrangell. The beach near the cabin slopes gradually and does not provide for easy boat anchorage. Anchoring the boat in deeper water is recommended, and using a skiff or punt between the boat and shore.

56.20389, -131.61556 · 56°12'14.0"N 131°36'56.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 64°F in Jul, down to 36°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F363942505861646358494137
Low °F293032374449525248413531
Precip in————————————

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 34.9 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 of cabin arrival. Cabin reservations are restricted to a maximum stay of 7 consecutive nights per party for any one reservation between May 1 and September 30, and 10 consecutive days from Oct. 1 through April 30. There are no discounts for Alaska cabin rentals with Golden Age and Golden Passports. 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.

More photos

Harding River Cabin brown cabin surrounded by trees and greenery
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov
Harding River Cabin wood interior with wood bunkbeds and table
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about Harding River Cabin

Can you reserve a site at Harding River Cabin?
Yes, Harding River Cabin is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Harding River Cabin have?
1 site.

Also listed by

Harding River Cabin also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Harding River Cabin's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $35/night peak season May 1 – September 30 $35/night non-peak season October 1 – April 30

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Harding River Cabin

Comments

Contact

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

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.