Steamer Bay Cabin

Campground · Alaska · 1 bookable site ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Tongass National Forest (NF) · Open Access

1
Bookable site
up to 7
People per site
102 ft
Elevation
View from Steamer Bay Cabin of ocean and islands
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Overview

Steamer Bay Cabin is on the northwest corner of Etolin Island on the east side of Steamer Bay. Its location on saltwater provides access to fishing and paddling opportunities. The site can be accessed by float plane or boat, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Saltwater fishing for King salmon is possible from May through July, silver salmon in August and September, and halibut from June through September. Dolly Varden and pink salmon (July through August) are available in nearby Porcupine Creek.

Steamer Bay offers opportunities for crabbing, as well as digging for clams and abalone. The gravel beach, nearby islands and rocky shorelines invite beachcombing.

The surrounding area can be explored on foot or by water, but tide tables should be consulted before any boating, kayaking or canoeing excursion.

Facilities

The 20-by-20 cabin ( modified A-frame style ) has two single bunks (one with a trundle bed) and a partial loft, to sleep up to seven people. It is also equipped with a table with benches, wood stove for heat, fire grill, broom and outhouse. A partially covered deck wraps around three sides of the cabin, and a wooden cooler box is provided for food storage. The cabin is fully accessible and includes a wheelchair ramp from the beach to the cabin. There is a mooring buoy located in the water in front of the cabin.

Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a small stream, but guests should be sure to treat water taken from any outside source prior to consumption ( water safety tips ). It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply. Cooking facilities are not available. Guests should provide their own firewood, cook stove, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and matches, among other necessities. Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving ( click here for more cabin details).

Natural Features

The cabin sits near a gravel beach and overlooks Steamer Bay and Clarence Strait, as well as large rock outcroppings, a grassy estuary and tidal flats. The surrounding terrain is mountainous and densely forested with Sitka spruce and western hemlock rainforest. Muskeg is also common in the area. Brown and black bears, porcupine, deer, waterfowl, porpoises, whales and other marine life are commonly seen in the area (learn about bear safety ). Roosevelt elk were introduced here and thrive on Etolin Island.

The facts

  • 1 bookable site
  • Up to 7 people per site
  • Loops: AREA STEAMER BAY CABIN

Site types

  • 1 Cabin Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Fire pits
  • Shade

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, picnic tables, grills, pets allowed.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Steamer Bay Cabin

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

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
W14AREA STEAMER BAY CABINCabin Nonelectric———7

Getting there

Steamer Bay Cabin is located on the northwest corner of Etolin Island on the east side of Steamer Bay. The cabin is accessible by boat or float plane only, and is 27 miles by boat or 25 miles by air from Wrangell. Use caution when anchoring the boat due to the rocky shoreline. Check local tide tables to determine the best time for arrival and departure, ideally at high slack tide. There is a mooring buoy anchored in the bay for cabin guests only.

56.16500, -132.68917 · 56°9'54.0"N 132°41'21.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 64°F in Jul, down to 36°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F363942505861646358494137
Low °F293032374449525248413531
Precip in————————————

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 24.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Reservations can be made the day of arrival or up to 180 days in advance of cabin arrival. Cabin reservations are restricted to a maximum stay of 7 consecutive nights per party for any one reservation between May 1 and September 30, and 10 consecutive days from Oct. 1 through April 30. There are no discounts for Alaska cabin rentals with Golden Age and Golden Passports. 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

Steamer Bay Cabin exterior showing firepit and trees behind cabin
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov
Interior of outhouse at Steamer Bay Cabin with hand rail
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about Steamer Bay Cabin

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

Also listed by

Steamer Bay Cabin also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Steamer Bay 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 Steamer Bay Cabin

Comments

Contact

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.