Can you reserve a site at McDonald Lake Cabin?

Yes, McDonald Lake Cabin is reservable through Recreation.gov.

McDonald Lake Cabin, Alaska — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

McDonald Lake Cabin sits on Wolverine Island near the outlet of McDonald Lake 50 miles from Ketchikan, Alaska. The cabin is available year-round and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska with its many recreational options and abundant wildlife.

The cabin is remote and accessible only by boat or float plane, depending on conditions. Visitors arriving by boat must anchor at Yes Bay and walk the 1.5-mile McDonald Lake Trail to get to the cabin.

This primitive cabin has no electricity, indoor plumbing or cell phone coverage. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Boating, hiking, fishing and hunting are popular activities at this cabin. The McDonald Lake Trail features a 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) 3-sided shelter.

A skiff with oars is provided for rowing around the lake, but visitors must provide their own life jackets. The skiff can use a short-shaft motor, which is not provided.

Steelhead and salmon runs occur up to Wolverine Creek. The lake offers resident trout and Dolly Varden. For information about fishing and hunting permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.

Facilities

The 12x14-ft. (pan-abode style) cabin accommodates 6 people with 2 double bunks and 2 single bunks. Other amenities include a table and benches, a cooking counter, a broom with dust pan, outhouse, splitting maul, and woodstove. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed.

Drinking water is not available at the cabin. It is recommended that visitors bring their own water supply, but water is available from a small stream near the cabin and should be treated before drinking or cooking with it (water safety tips).

Visitors should bring sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove and cooking gear, lanterns or flashlights, toilet paper, garbage bags, fire extinguisher and a fire
starter. Rain gear and boots are recommended. Visitors are expected to pack out all their trash, gear and food and clean the cabin before leaving (more cabin details).

Natural Features

The cabin is backed by old-growth cedar, Sitka spruce and Western hemlock rainforest. From the front deck, visitors can gaze out over the lake and its forested shoreline, as well as admire the surrounding mountain peaks.

Wildlife in the area includes Sitka black-tailed deer, black and brown bear, wolf, beaver, marten, mink and otter (bear safety and precautions). A variety of birds may be spotted in and around the lake.

The facts

Season: Year Round — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
1 bookable site
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: AREA MCDONALD LAKE CABIN

Site types

1 Cabin Nonelectric

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at McDonald Lake Cabin

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

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
K08	AREA MCDONALD LAKE CABIN	Cabin Nonelectric	—	—	—	6

Getting there

Approximately 50 miles from Ketchikan. Located on Cleveland Peninsula, north of Yes Bay. Cabin site is on Wolverine Island near outlet of lake. Access is by float plane or boat. There is a 1.5-mile hike by trail from Yes Bay Lodge at saltwater. Refer to USGS Ketchikan D-6. In fall, winter, and early spring, the cabin may be inaccessible due to frozen lake surface (float planes cannot land). Please contact the Ketchikan-Misty Fjords Ranger District for information prior to making reservations during these periods.

55.93574, -131.80893 · 55°56'8.7"N 131°48'32.1"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 66°F in Jul, down to 38°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	38	40	43	50	57	63	66	65	59	51	42	38
Low °F	28	28	30	34	40	46	51	50	45	38	32	30
Precip in	8.2	5.5	6.3	5.1	3.5	4.1	5.3	7.0	8.6	12.1	10.5	9.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 32.5 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 McDonald Lake Cabin

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

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Free

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near McDonald Lake Cabin

Blind Pass Cabin 6.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Reflection Lake Cabin 10.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Frosty Bay Cabin 10.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Anan Lake Cabin 13.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Plenty Cutthroat Cabin 15.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Eagle Lake Cabin 15.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Anchor Pass Cabin 16.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Anan Bay Cabin 17.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Harding River Cabin 20 mi · Campground · we watch it
Helm Creek Cabin 20.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lake Shelokum Shelter 6.5 mi · Campground
Thoms Creek Crossing Campsite 22.1 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 907-225-2148
Book Recreation.gov

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

McDonald Lake Cabin