Can you reserve a site at Winstanley Lake Cabin?

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

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

Overview

Winstanley Lake Cabin is located on the mainland on the shore of its namesake lake approximately 33 air miles northeast of Ketchikan. The cabin offers recreational and wildlife viewing opportunities and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska.

The cabin is remote and accessible only by float plane or boat, depending on conditions. Access by boat involves a 2.5 mile hike from saltwater plus a 2.25 mile row to the cabin. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

A 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars is provided for rowing around the lake, but visitors must provide their own life jackets. Visitors can row to the historic Winstanley Lake Shelter at the end of the lake, which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s.

Anglers can fish for cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon in the lake. Hunting is possible for Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goat, black bear and brown bear with the proper permits.

Facilities

The 12x14-ft. ( pan-abode style ) log cabin accommodates 6 people with 2 single and 2 double bunks. Other amenities include a table and benches, a cooking counter, food storage, broom, and wood stove. An outhouse is located nearby. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed.

Drinking water and electricity are not available. Visitors must bring their own water supply, but water is also available from the lake and should be treated before drinking or cooking with it (water safety ).

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

Click here for more cabin details and maps.

Natural Features

The cabin is located within the Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness. It is backed by a forest of large old-growth spruce, hemlock and cedar and offers views of the placid lake with its forested shoreline and surrounding mountains.

The Misty Fiords Monument Wilderness supports a diverse variety of wildlife. Mountain goats, bears, deer, moose and bald eagles make their home here (bear safety). Many species of birds may be seen in or around the lake.

The facts

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

Site types

1 Cabin Nonelectric

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Winstanley Lake Cabin

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

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
M14	AREA WINSTANLEY LAKE CABIN	Cabin Nonelectric	—	—	—	6

Getting there

The cabin is located on Winstanley Lake approximately 33 air miles northeast of Ketchikan on the mainland, east of Winstanley Island. The cabin is accessible by float plane or by trail from saltwater (skiff provided at end of trail; please return it to the trail after use). Access by boat involves a 2.5 mile (4 km) hike from salt water plus a 2.25 mile (3.6 km) row to the cabin. Refer to USGS Ketchikan B-3. 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. This cabin is in a designated Wilderness area, and access by helicopter is illegal.

55.42738, -130.82053 · 55°25'38.6"N 130°49'13.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 67°F in Aug, down to 39°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	39	41	45	52	59	64	66	67	60	52	43	40
Low °F	32	33	35	39	45	50	54	54	50	43	37	33
Precip in	17.6	11.1	12.6	9.5	7.2	5.9	6.5	11.2	17.7	19.1	19.5	19.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 34.7 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 Winstanley Lake Cabin

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

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

$60/night peak season May 1 – September 30 $45/night non-peak season October 1 – April 30

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Winstanley Lake Cabin

Winstanley Island Cabin 3.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Checats Lake Cabin 4.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Wilson Narrows Cabin 9.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Ella Narrows Cabin 11.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bakewell Lake Cabin 12.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Wilson View Cabin 13.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Fish Creek Cabin 15 mi · Campground · we watch it
Manzanita Lake Cabin 15.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Winstanley Lake Shelter Site 1.6 mi · Campground
Punchbowl Lake Shelter Site 7.8 mi · Campground
Wilson View Cabin 14 mi · Campground
Nooya Lake Shelter Site 14.4 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 907-225-2148
Book Recreation.gov

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

Winstanley Lake Cabin