Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, Ak)

Star4.38
23 reviews
Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur, Seward, AK 99664, USA
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

522 ft

Price

$50 - $75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open from May 1 to D...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Seward Ranger District site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, Ak)
$50.00 - $75.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Peak season rates are $75/night (May 1 - September 30). Non-peak rates are $50/night (October 1 - December 31), with an additional $25/ weekend.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
907-288-3178
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What Campers Say

4.38

Recommended

Based on 23 reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanlocationhiking

"Overall, reviews for Barber Cabin are positive, highlighting its scenic location, rustic charm, and opportunities for outdoor activities. Some users have raised concerns about maintenance issues and communication challenges."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur, Seward, AK 99664, USA

Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, Ak)

Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur, Seward, AK 99664, USA

Driving directionsAt mile 52.6 of the Sterling Highway, turn into Russian River Campground and travel 1 mile to Russian Lakes Trailhead. Follow the Russian Lakes Trail for 3.3 miles before turning onto Barber Cabin Spur trail at mile 2.5. Winter route: 4.2 miles following the campground entrance road, summer trail for 1.8 miles, then a marked winter route crossing the frozen surface of Lower Russian Lake. Alternatively, use a floatplane for a 25-minute trip from Seward or Cooper Landing. Winter travelers must evaluate avalanche and over-ice conditions.
Accessible by foot, bike, ski, horseback, or floatplane. Motorized access is prohibited year-round. Trails are closed to horse/pack stock from April 1 to June 30. Winter travelers need to assess avalanche and ice conditions.
Nearby places
Cooper Landing (~25 minutes by floatplane)
Seward (~25 minutes by floatplane).
Nearby supplies
Supplies available in Seward (~25 minutes by floatplane). Nearest grocery store, fuel, and camping supplies not explicitly mentioned.

Best Time to Camp at Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, Ak)

Winter transforms Barber Cabin into a crystalline wonderland, with snow gracing the landscape nearly a third of the season. Bundle up for crisp days hovering around 25°F and starry nights that dip to a brisk 17°F – perfect for cozying up by the wood stove after a day of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Summer unveils a gentler side of the wilderness, inviting long days of exploration under Alaska's legendary midnight sun.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season May–Sept; summer reviews highlight hiking, boating and scenic beauty.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open through Dec; likely good for solitude and fall colors though fewer explicit notes.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Opens May 1; trails include muskeg and variable conditions typical of spring thaw.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.5 / 5
Top 11% in AK

Winter offers skiing, snowshoeing and frozen-lake activities but stove and snow variability noted.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 01 - September 30 (peak season).. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open from May 1 to December 31.
  • Current Alerts: Avalanche and over-ice travel conditions need evaluation during winter.

About Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, Ak)

Escape to the untamed wilderness of Barber Cabin, where modern conveniences fade away and raw Alaskan beauty takes center stage. Nestled on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula, this remote sanctuary offers adventurers a genuine back-to-basics experience with breathtaking mountain lake vistas and pristine hiking trails weaving through ancient forests. Here, you'll trade electricity for starlit skies and running water for pure mountain air. Wildlife enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise, though visitors should come prepared with their own bedding and camp cookware for this authentic wilderness retreat.
Barber Cabin accommodates campers in a rustic cabin setting and does not include options for tent camping, RV camping, or group camping.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in time not explicitly mentioned.
Check-out
Check-out time not explicitly mentioned.
Stay Limit
  • Three consecutive nights maximum during May 15 - August 31
  • seven consecutive days maximum within a 30-day period.

Amenities available

Firewood available
Lodging and accommodations
Vault toilets
Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

Barber Cabin is located in a scenic and remote area offering a range of outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. Winter activities like snowshoeing and skiing are also popular.
HikingHiking opportunities include the 21-mile Russian Lakes Trail, which features diverse terrain such as muskeg, meadows, and high-canopied forests. Snow can persist on the trail until early June, and there is a high avalanche hazard during the winter.
FishingFishing is available at Lower Russian Lake, where rainbow trout can be caught. A rowboat is provided at the cabin, but visitors must bring their own fishing equipment and obtain permits as required by Alaska state regulations.
BikingBiking trails are accessible near the cabin, including the Russian Lakes Trail with varying terrain.
BoatingGuests can engage in boating activities on Lower Russian Lake using the rowboat provided at the cabin. Canoeing is also popular among visitors.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is abundant, with animals such as moose, black and brown bears, and wolves commonly spotted. The area has a particularly high concentration of bears, requiring food storage precautions.
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHigh bear concentrations. Avalanche hazards on the Russian Lakes Trail during winter. Snow may remain on the trail until early June.
Active AlertsAvalanche and over-ice travel conditions need evaluation during winter.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, Ak)

Reviews

4.4
23 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, Ak) is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
Overall, reviews for Barber Cabin are positive, highlighting its scenic location, rustic charm, and opportunities for outdoor activities. Some users have raised concerns about maintenance issues and communication challenges.
Review Summaries
Based on 23 reviews

What Campers Love

Guests appreciate the cabin's beautiful location, accessibility for activities like hiking and boating, and amenities such as the wood stove and rowboat. Many reviews mention the cleanliness and...
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Based on 23 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include issues with the wood stove's performance, a drafty window, and poor communication from Recreation.gov. A user also reported receiving a parking fine despite having a reservation.
Based on 23 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips from reviewers include using the Summer Trail for easier access, bringing a power pack for the LED lights inside the cabin, and ensuring careful navigation to avoid fines or penalties.
Based on 23 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter reviews highlight the cabin's utility for stormy weather, although challenges like snow coverage and stove maintenance are mentioned. Summer reviews focus on hiking and boating opportunities,...
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Based on 23 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. "Easy hike for first-time adventurers!" - Krista M. 2. "We had a nice stay on stormy New Year's Eve. The cabin was generally good, but the wood stove wasn't drawing air properly." - John S. 3....
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Based on 23 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews mention issues such as fines for parking and maintenance concerns like the wood stove and drafty windows. Guests have praised the cabin's cleanliness and scenic surroundings.
Based on 23 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility feedback is limited, but the cabin is reachable via hiking, biking, skiing, horseback, or floatplane, which requires physical effort.
Based on 23 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific reviews about pets or pet-related policies are available.
Based on 23 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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