Can you reserve a site at Helm Bay Cabin?

Yes, Helm Bay Cabin is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Helm Bay Cabin, Alaska — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Helm Bay Cabin is located on the west shore of Helm Bay behind Forss Island. This rustic retreat is open year-round for relaxation and recreational use in Alaska's beautiful Inside Passage.

The site can be accessed by float plane, boat or kayak, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Helm Bay is especially known for excellent crabbing, as well as saltwater fishing for salmon, halibut and red snapper. Tide tables should be consulted before taking a boat out on the bay to fish. Sea kayaking is also possible.

Facilities

This 16-by-20 ft. three-room (pan-abode style) cabin has four single bunks and two double bunks, to sleep up to eight people. A covered deck extends from the front of the cabin. It is also equipped with a table and benches, wood stove, splitting maul, broom and an outhouse. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed.

A floating dock is located nearby, which is maintained by the state and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from an adjacent creek, but guests should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking with it (water safety tips). It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply.

Other items to pack include sleeping bags, sleeping pads, 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 herefor more cabin details).

Natural Features

The cabin sits at sea level, near a large saltwater tide flat, surrounded by an old-growth rainforest of Sitka spruce and western hemlock. A beach is revealed in front of the cabin at low tide. Guests have views of Helm Bay and the gentle, forested slopes that surround the area.

The area is home to black and brown bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and mountain goats (bear safety information). Seals, whales and other marine mammals may be seen in Helm Bay.

The facts

Season: Year Round — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
1 bookable site
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: AREA HELM BAY CABIN

Site types

1 Cabin Nonelectric

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Helm Bay Cabin

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

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
K06	AREA HELM BAY CABIN	Cabin Nonelectric	—	—	—	8

Getting there

The cabin is approximately 24 miles from Ketchikan or 12 miles from the Clover Pass area, located on west end of Helm Bay. It is accessible by float plane, kayak or boat with a state-maintained floating dock near cabin. Refer to USGS topographic map for Ketchikan, C-6, and consult local tide tables.

55.62826, -131.97720 · 55°37'41.7"N 131°58'37.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 65°F in Jul, down to 38°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	38	41	44	50	58	63	65	65	59	51	43	38
Low °F	31	32	32	36	42	48	52	53	48	41	35	32
Precip in	11.7	7.8	7.5	7.3	5.5	4.7	5.2	8.0	10.2	12.9	13.1	10.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 13.7 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 Helm Bay Cabin

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

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

$80/night peak season May 1 – September 30 $65/night non-peak season October 1 – April 30

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Helm Bay Cabin

Helm Creek Cabin 1.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Jordan Lake Cabin 16.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Heckman Lake Cabin 17.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Last Chance Campground 17.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Southeast Heckman Cabin 18 mi · Campground · we watch it
S'igeidí Aas Hídi Cabin 18.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Signal Creek Campground 18.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Patching Lake Cabin 19.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Trollers Cove Cabin 20.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Wolf Lake Shelter Site 15.8 mi · Campground
Three C's Group Use Campground 18.6 mi · Campground
Last Chance Campground 21.6 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 907-225-2148
Book Recreation.gov

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

Helm Bay Cabin