Can you reserve a site at Plotnikof Lake Cabin?

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

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

Overview

Plotnikof Lake Cabin is located on Baranof Island within the South Baranof Wilderness Area, 45 air miles southeast of Sitka, Alaska. The wood cabin is generally available mid-June to October and makes an excellent base for experiencing and exploring this corner of Alaska.

This is a remote site. The cabin can be accessed by floatplane only, weather permitting. From Sitka, it's 40-minute plane ride, then a 100-foot walk to the cabin. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring their own amenities.

Recreation

Plotnikof Lake and its inlet stream on the north shore offer fair rainbow trout fishing. Steelhead runs occur from mid-May to early June on the outlet stream on south shore; coho salmon from late August through September.

The 1.2-mile Davidof Lake Trail begins behind the cabin, ending at an outlet stream on Davidof Lake. The trail is not maintained and can be difficult to find.

Hunters willing to walk some distance from cabin will find good deer hunting in the surrounding area. For information about fishing and hunting permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.

Facilities

The 12 x 14-ft wood, Pan abode-style cabin can accommodate up to six people. It offers two double plywood bunks and two single plywood bunks. Amenities include an oil stove for heat, a table with benches, a cooking counter, broom, axe or splitting maul, outdoor screened cooler box and an outhouse toilet.

The cabin does not include heating oil, mattresses or cooking utensils. Visitors should bring #1 diesel oil (generally 10 gallons for a three-day stay, more of less depending on the time of year), sleeping bags and pads, a cooking stove, pots, pans, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, a lantern, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Rain gear and boots are recommended. Firewood is not provided for campfires; gather dead and down wood.

Water is available from the lake or a nearby inlet stream, but must be treated before using. It's recommended that visitors bring their own water.

***AS OF 06/10/24 SKIFF REPORTED DAMAGED/POSSIBLY OUT OF SERVICE, FOREST SERVICE WILL UPDATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE*** A small skiff with oars is provided. A 2-10 HP long-shaft outboard motor enhances use of the skiff, but is not provided. Bring personal flotation devices (PFDs). Be sure plug is in before launching boat. Tie skiff well up on shore and pull plug before leaving so boat does not fill with rain water.
Click here for more cabin information and maps.

Natural Features

The cabin lies near the north end of narrow, 4-mile long Plotnikof Lake on Baranof Island at an elevation of 275 feet. The cabin sits 100 feet back from the shore, on a narrow path lined with dense thickets of shoulder-height brush and berries. Large old-growth spruce and hemlock trees surround the cabin.

The area offers wilderness solitude and beauty. The view from the cabin includes waterfalls cascading from steep granite slopes that rise to snow-capped ridges. Brown bear frequent the area.

The facts

1 bookable site
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: AREA PLOTNIKOF LAKE CABIN

Site types

1 Standard Nonelectric

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Plotnikof Lake Cabin

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

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
S15	AREA PLOTNIKOF LAKE CABIN	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	—	6

Getting there

Accessible early June through October. This cabin is located 45 miles southeast of Sitka, 4 miles east of Whale Bay, on the south-central part of Baranof Island. Access by floatplane is 40 minutes from Sitka.

For geographic features surrounding the cabin, refer to USGS topographic map Port Alexander C-3.

56.58893, -134.86032 · 56°35'20.1"N 134°51'37.2"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 61°F in Jul, down to 38°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	38	39	41	47	54	58	61	61	56	49	43	39
Low °F	31	31	32	36	41	46	50	51	47	41	35	32
Precip in	28.0	18.9	18.1	14.7	12.2	7.8	10.4	16.7	25.7	31.6	29.4	32.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 16.3 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 Plotnikof Lake Cabin

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

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

$45/night peak season May 1 – September 30 $45/night non-peak season October 1 – April 30

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Plotnikof Lake Cabin

Davidof Lake Cabin 2.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Avoss Lake Cabin 8.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Sevenfathom Bay Cabin 21.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Kanga Bay Cabin 27.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Salmon Lake Cabin Sitka 27.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Samsing Cove Cabin 32.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Baranof Lake Cabin 33.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Kadake Bay Cabin 35.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Seven Fathom Bay Cabin 21.9 mi · Campground
Bay Of Pillars Shelter 22.6 mi · Campground
Baranof Lake Cabin 34.4 mi · Campground
Sawmill Creek Campground 35.2 mi · Campground

Contact

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

Plotnikof Lake Cabin