Shipley Bay Cabin
Campground · Alaska · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Tongass National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 6
- People per site
- 355 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Shipley Bay Cabin offers visitors recreation, relaxation and a unique lodging experience on Kosciusko Island in southeastern Alaska. The remote site offers a scenic setting for fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing, all within the vicinity of the cabin.The site can either be accessed by float plane or boat at high tide. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
The cabin is an excellent location for anglers, as the stream and lake support cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, dolly varden, steelhead and three species of salmon.Hikers may want to head out from the cabin on a rugged 0.8 mile natural-tread trail connecting Shipley Creek to Shipley Lake. Continuing to Devilfish Bay is an option as well, however good maps and orienteering skills are essential as there is no designated trail.
The snow-capped Mount Francis rises 2,592 feet in elevation and can be seen in the distance from the cabin on a clear day.
Facilities
The cabin is a 12 x 14 foot primitive, pre-cut cedar log cabin (pan-abode style) furnished with wooden bunkbeds (without mattresses) that sleep 4-6 guests.
The cabin is equipped with a table, benches, a tiny stove for heat and an outdoor toilet. Other amenities include a cooking counter, fire extinguisher and a broom.
The cabin does not have running water or electricity. Guests must bring their own food, water, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cook stove/fuel, biobricks for stove, fire starter, cooking gear/utensils, light source (lantern), toilet paper, first aid kit and garbage bags. Water is available from the nearby stream, but must be filtered, boiled or chemically treated before drinking.
Click here for more cabin details.
Natural Features
The cabin sits on a low bluff between Shipley Creek and Shipley Bay on Koscicusko Island. The front of the cabin faces out to a large rocky beach, and a grassy tidal flat extends from its back where Shipley Creek meets the ocean.Wildlife in the area abounds, including a variety of waterfowl, shore birds, bald eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer and black bears. Learn more about bear safety in the Tongass National Forest.
The facts
- 1 bookable site
- Up to 6 people per site
- Loops: AREA SHIPLEY BAY CABIN
Site types
- 1 Cabin Nonelectric
1 campsite at Shipley Bay Cabin
Check-in 12:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T12 | AREA SHIPLEY BAY CABIN | Cabin Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 |
Getting there
A mooring buoy in the bay is available on first-come, first-served basis. Mooring of more than one vessel is allowed if the first party there agrees. Refer to USGS map Petersburg A-5. Click here for information about reaching Forest Service Cabins.
Inclement weather conditions may cause an extension of your trip 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 Thorne Bay Ranger District at 907-828-3304 prior to arrival for more detailed information about safety precautions.
56.09222, -133.50194 · 56°5'32.0"N 133°30'7.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 11.5 | 7.8 | 9.5 | 7.1 | 6.3 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 9.9 | 12.7 | 14.7 | 14.6 | 12.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 10.5 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.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Shipley Bay Cabin
- Can you reserve a site at Shipley Bay Cabin?
- Yes, Shipley Bay Cabin is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Shipley Bay Cabin have?
- 1 site.
Also listed by
Shipley Bay Cabin also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Shipley Bay Cabin's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $30/night peak season May 1 – September 30 $25/night non-peak season October 1 – April 30
Camping near Shipley Bay Cabin
- El Capitan Cabin 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- El Capitan Campground 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Red Bay Lake Cabin 12.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sarkar Lake Cabin 14.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Salmon Bay Lake Cabin 16.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Barnes Lake Cabin 21.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Staney Creek Cabin 23.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sweet Water Lake Cabin 23.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Red Bay Lake Cabin 13.4 mi · Campground
- Sarkar Lake Cabin 14.7 mi · Campground
- Sweetwater Lake Cabin 23.9 mi · Campground
- Horseshoe Hole Campground 24 mi · Campground
Contact
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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