Josephine Lake Cabin

Overview

Josephine Lake Cabin offers visitors recreation, relaxation and a unique lodging experience on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. The remote site is located at an elevation of 1,800 feet and offers a scenic setting for fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing, within the vicinity of the cabin.

The site is accessible by float plane only. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

There are no fish in Josephine Lake, but hiking, hunting and wildlife viewing are popular pastimes for visitors to the cabin. The alpine terrain is quite stunning, showcasing a display of wildflowers in mid-summer.

Boating or kayaking on the lake offers a peaceful setting for viewing wildlife in the area. An aluminum skiff with oars available for use. Guests are responsible for bringing and using their own personal floatation devices.

Facilities

The cabin is a 12 x 12 - foot primitive, pre-cut cedar log cabin (pan-abode style) furnished with wooden bunkbeds (without mattresses) that sleep up to six people. The cabin is equipped with a table, benches, an oil 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, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cook stove, stove fuel, #1 diesel stove oil, fire starter, cooking gear/utensils, light source (lantern), toilet paper, first aid kit and garbage bags.

Water is available from the lake, but must be filtered, boiled or chemically treated before drinking. Click here for more cabin details.

Natural Features

The cabin is situated on the shores of Josephine Lake, a cold, clear alpine lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks reaching elevations of 4,000 feet. The terrain is rugged with a mixture of stunted trees and alpine vegetation. Wildflowers dot the area in mid-summer.

Wildlife in the area is abundant, including Sitka black-tailed deer and black bears. Learn more about bear safety in the Tongass National Forest.

The area is famous for its quartz and epidote crystals. Several mining claims are nearby, including some that are active, and others that have been idle for some time. Visitors are asked to please respect the property rights of private landowners and note that prospecting, digging, or collecting mineral specimens on the private land near Josephine Lake is prohibited.

Access to Josephine Lake Cabin is by float plane only. The trip is 28 air miles from Craig and 38 air miles from Ketchikan. Guests must walk 75 yards uphill from the lake, which sits at an elevation of 1,800 feet. Refer to USGS maps Craig A-2 and B-2 for more information.

Visitors should be aware that in fall, winter, and early spring, the cabin may be inaccessible to float planes due to a frozen lake surface. Check with air charter companies on the status of the lake surface if reserving the cabin before June.

Inclement weather conditions may cause extended stays during any time of the year and winter access can be difficult due to snow and ice conditions. Guests should bring extra supplies to last 2-5 days Please contact the Craig Ranger District at 907-826-3271 prior to arrival for more detailed information about safety precautions.