Crescent Saddle Cabin

Star3.55
23 reviews
Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur, SEWARD, AK, 99664, USA
Scenic ViewsSummer Destination

Quick Facts

1,450 ft

Price

$50 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open May 1 to Decemb...

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
Crescent Saddle Cabin
$50.00 - $60.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Rates vary by season: $60 during May 01 - September 30 (peak season) and $50 during October 01 - December 31 (non-peak season). Additional fees may...
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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

3.55

Mixed Reviews

Based on 23 reviews

Most mentioned

location

"User reviews highlight the remote beauty and challenges of accessing Crescent Saddle Cabin. Visitors appreciate the stunning views and rustic amenities but frequently raise concerns about the missing rowboat, trail conditions, and avalanche risks."

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Campground Map

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

Crescent Saddle Cabin

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

Driving directionsAccess is by trail, 7 miles from the Carter Lake Trailhead at milepost 34 of the Seward Highway or 10.7 miles from the Crescent Creek Trailhead, from milepost 45 on Sterling Highway, take Quartz Creek road 3.2 miles to the Crescent Creek Trailhead. Cabin is also accessible by floatplane.
The campground is difficult to access. Winter travel requires experience in backcountry conditions. Access methods include hiking, skiing, snowmobile, or floatplane. Not suitable for horseback or bikes.
Nearby places
Seward (approx. 40 miles away, 1-hour drive)
Nearby supplies
Seward, AK offers grocery stores, camping supplies, and fuel facilities approximately 40 miles from the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Crescent Saddle Cabin

Mother Nature rules supreme at Crescent Saddle, painting each season with dramatic brushstrokes. Winter transforms the landscape into a formidable wonderland where avalanche danger lurks and fierce winds whip across Crescent Lake with untamed fury. Summer brings its own challenges as nature reclaims the trails with vigorous growth and swollen streams test your crossing skills. Blue-sky days are precious gems here—the mountains prefer to wrap themselves in mist and rain, creating an ever-changing atmospheric theater.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season (May–Sep): good wildlife and fishing; trails can be muddy and overgrown per reviews.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Fall trips noted as scenic without extreme weather; strong visuals and wildlife viewing.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Early spring has avalanche risk; late May can be excellent (positive reviewer notes about late-May conditions).

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Winter transforms landscape but avalanche danger and slick snow make visits hazardous; needs expertise.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 01, 2025 - September 30, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open May 1 to December 31 each year.
  • Current Alerts: Elodea invasive species detected in Crescent Lake as of 2023; campers should practice clean, drain, and dry methods to prevent its spread.

About Crescent Saddle Cabin

Perched high in the untamed Kenai Mountains, Crescent Saddle Cabin beckons to those who crave authentic wilderness adventure. This remote mountain refuge delivers breathtaking panoramic views that will leave you speechless—but only after you've earned them through a challenging journey that tests your outdoor mettle. Here, far from civilization's reach, experienced adventurers find the raw Alaska they've been searching for.
Crescent Saddle Cabin is categorized as a remote lodging facility accessible by hiking, skiing, snowmobile, or floatplane. It provides primitive accommodations without electricity or potable water.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
12:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Guests may stay up to 3 nights during any visit.

Amenities available

Lodging and accommodations
Vault toilets
Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

Crescent Saddle Cabin offers a wide range of recreational activities with a focus on enjoying the remote wilderness of the Kenai Mountains. Popular activities include fishing for grayling in Crescent Lake, hunting for moose, black and brown bears, and Dall sheep (in season), as well as hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, and wildlife viewing. Extreme avalanche danger makes winter and early spring hiking risky. The cabin includes a rowboat, though users have noted its availability as inconsistent.
HikingHiking is available but challenging, with trails such as the Crescent Creek Trail posing avalanche risks in winter and early spring. The primitive trail around Crescent Lake requires navigating avalanche chutes and is not recommended for small children. Reviews highlight muddy conditions, overgrown foliage, and stream crossings.
FishingFishing for grayling in Crescent Lake is highly popular, with the cabin providing a rowboat for fishing. However, reviewers have noted that the rowboat is often missing, causing disappointment. Fishing equipment and life jackets are not provided.
BoatingA rowboat with oars is included for use at Crescent Lake, but reviews frequently note its inconsistent availability, with some visitors finding the boat missing during their stay. Life jackets are not provided.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, with evidence of moose, brown bears, Dall sheep, and loons noted by visitors. "Plenty of evidence of moose, brown bear, and sheep or goats from the snow prints," as noted by one camper.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsExtreme avalanche danger during winter and spring; strong winds over Crescent Lake may pose risks for boats and planes.
Active AlertsElodea invasive species detected in Crescent Lake as of 2023; campers should practice clean, drain, and dry methods to prevent its spread.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Crescent Saddle Cabin

Reviews

3.6
23 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Crescent Saddle Cabin has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the remote beauty and challenges of accessing Crescent Saddle Cabin. Visitors appreciate the stunning views and rustic amenities but frequently raise concerns about the missing rowboat, trail conditions, and avalanche risks.
Review Summaries
Based on 23 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers praise the cabin's stunning location, adequacy of amenities like the wood stove, and wildlife viewing opportunities. "Best forest service cabin I've been to. Seriously. It's the prettiest...
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Based on 23 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints focus on the challenging accessibility, including muddy and slick trails, overgrown foliage, and snowpacks. The inconsistent availability of the rowboat is a recurring issue: "The boat is...
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Based on 23 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips from campers emphasize proper preparation for the trail, including waterproof gear, food and drink supplies, and avalanche safety. Boot spikes are recommended for crossing snowpacks, and taking...
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Based on 23 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter and early spring visits require backcountry expertise due to avalanche risks. Summer visits bring muddy trails and overgrown foliage, while fall trips feature scenic beauty without extreme...
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Based on 23 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Beautiful cabin in a stunning location! If arriving from Carter lake trailhead, plan to cross some dubious water depending on the time of the year!" - JEANNIE P. "Best forest service cabin I've been...
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Based on 23 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews mainly focus on the cabin itself and its amenities, with repeated mentions of the missing rowboat and the cabin's scenic beauty. "The cabin itself is on a beautiful spot. It’s...
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Based on 23 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility concerns include challenging trails due to mud, snow, and avalanches. "The primitive trail was not easy and hard to follow in certain marshy areas," said one camper. The Carter Lake...
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Based on 23 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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