John Muir Cabin
Campground · Alaska · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Juneau Urban Roadless Area (Roadlessarea Rule (2001)) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 8
- People per site
- 1,535 ft
- Elevation
Overview
John Muir Cabin was built in 1980 and named after John Muir to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his visit to the Gastineau Channel area. This rustic cabin is open year-round and offers spectacular views and plenty of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.The cabin is accessed by hiking, snowshoeing or skiing 3.5 miles from the Spaulding Meadows/Auk Nu trailhead off of Glacier Highway. The trail is partially planked and winds through muskeg with a 1,500-foot elevation gain. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
The Auk Nu Trail continues past the cabin toward Auke Mountain. Cross-country skiing is excellent in winter, with close access to Spaulding Meadows and an undeveloped trail to Peterson Lake Cabin (map and compass are recommended). Skis or snowshoes are recommended in winter.Facilities
This 15'x12' chalet-style log cabin has two double bunks on the first floor and two bunks that can sleep six on the second floor. Other amenities include a table with benches, wood stove, broom and dustpan, snow shovel, propane furnace and a ramp and hardened trail to the vault toilet. Propane is provided. Water, firewood and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a nearby stream, 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. Cooking facilities are not available. Visitors should pack sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Visitors are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving ( click here for more cabin details).Natural Features
The cabin sits in a subalpine meadow 1,550 feet above the Mendenhall Valley. This vantage point offers great views of Juneau, Gastineau Channel, Auke Bay, the Chilkat Mountains, Admiralty Island and numerous ice field peaks.Brown and black bears, deer and porcupines are common to the area (bear safety information). A variety of bird species make their home here, including the bald eagle.
The facts
- Season: 01/01 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 1 bookable site
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: AREA JOHN MUIR CABIN
Site types
- 1 Cabin Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, picnic tables, grills, shade, pets allowed.
1 campsite at John Muir Cabin
Check-in 12:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J04 | AREA JOHN MUIR CABIN | Cabin Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | — | 8 |
Getting there
A marked skiing trail connects John Muir Cabin to Peterson Lake Cabin in the winter. A GPS or map and compass are recommended.
58.40944, -134.69667 · 58°24'34.0"N 134°41'48.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 63°F in Jul, down to 33°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 33 | 35 | 39 | 47 | 57 | 62 | 63 | 63 | 56 | 47 | 38 | 35 |
| Low °F | 25 | 27 | 28 | 34 | 41 | 48 | 51 | 51 | 45 | 38 | 31 | 28 |
| Precip in | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.8 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.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about John Muir Cabin
- Can you reserve a site at John Muir Cabin?
- Yes, John Muir Cabin is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does John Muir Cabin have?
- 1 site.
- Are campfires allowed at John Muir Cabin?
- Campfires are allowed at John Muir Cabin. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
John Muir Cabin also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by John Muir Cabin's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $75/night peak season May 1 – September 30 $75/night non-peak season October 1 – April 30 Refunds are not made if inclement weather conditions or other acts of nature beyond the Forest Service control cause the permittee to not use the shelter at the designated time.
Camping near John Muir Cabin
- Peterson Lake Cabin 2.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Auk Village Campground 2.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sítʼ Yá Hítʼ Cabin 4.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mendenhall Campground 4.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Windfall Lake Cabin 7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Eagle Glacier Cabin 11.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dan Moller Cabin 13.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Admiralty Cove Cabin 16.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Young Lake (North) Cabin 20.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Young Lake (South) Cabin 21.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Auk Village Campground 2.7 mi · Campground
- Mendenhall Lake Campground 3.8 mi · Campground
Contact
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-21.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
Comments