Jack Bay Cabin

4.53

21 reviews

PO BOX 280, CORDOVA, AK, USA, 99574

Fishing

Featured in:Pet-Friendly Campgrounds Alaska Primitive Camping Alaska

Quick Facts

75 ft

Price

$60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Cordova Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Quick Facts

75 ft

Price

$60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Cordova Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Jack Bay Cabin

$60.00 - $60.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Facility rates are $60 per night during peak season, from January 1st through December 31st, 2025. Displayed rates do not include discounts, taxes,...

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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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

1 (907) 424-7661

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What Campers Say

4.53

Top-Rated

Based on 21 reviews

6 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewssceneryquietlocation

"Overall, users praise the secluded and scenic setting of Jack Bay Cabin, highlighting its remote location, stunning views, and opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing. However, some users have raised concerns about the cabin's cleanliness and the condition of facilities such as the stove."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

PO BOX 280, CORDOVA, AK, USA, 99574

Jack Bay Cabin

PO BOX 280, CORDOVA, AK, USA, 99574

Driving directionsAccess to the site is by float plane or boat only. The flight is typically 15 minutes from Valdez or 30 minutes from Cordova. By boat, it is 20 miles from Valdez and 70 miles from Cordova. Tides influence travel to the cabin. Inclement weather conditions may cause an extension of the trip during any time of the year, and winter access can be difficult due to snow and ice conditions. Guests are advised to bring extra supplies to last 2-5 days.

The cabin is accessible by float plane or boat only. Tides play a significant role in access, and weather conditions can complicate travel year-round. Winter access is particularly challenging due to snow and ice.

Nearby places

Valdez is 20 miles away by boat (approximately 2 1/2 hours). Cordova is 70 miles away by boat (approximately 4 1/2 hours).

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies can be accessed in Valdez, which is 20 miles away by boat or in Cordova, 70 miles away by boat.

Best Time to Camp at Jack Bay Cabin

Mother Nature reigns supreme at Jack Bay, where weather patterns shift like scenes in an ever-changing drama. Summer brings misty mornings and afternoon rains that transform the forest into a glistening wonderland, while powerful tides reshape the shoreline twice daily. Winter wraps the landscape in snow and ice, creating a crystalline paradise that challenges even seasoned adventurers with complex access conditions. Spring and fall offer their own moods—from violent storms that showcase nature's raw power to surprisingly gentle days when the bay mirrors the sky in perfect stillness. Every season tells its own story here, demanding respect and rewarding those who come prepared.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer reviews highlight beachcombing, fishing, and wildlife; misty, rainy weather common.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall/coho runs and moody coastal scenery; good wildlife/fishing opportunities.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Shoulder season fishing and wildlife; variable weather and access conditions.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Top 22% in AK

Open year-round; winter use possible but snow/ice and stove damage reported as challenges.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 1st to December 31st, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round, from January 1st to December 31st, 2025.

About Jack Bay Cabin

Tucked away in the pristine wilderness of Chugach National Forest, Jack Bay Cabin beckons adventurers seeking an authentic Alaskan escape. This remote sanctuary, accessible only by float plane or boat, sits at the eastern edge of Jack Bay, where the rhythms of nature dictate daily life. Here, you'll find yourself immersed in a world where eagles soar overhead, salmon leap in the waters below, and the only sounds are those of the wild. While the cabin provides a cozy shelter with basic amenities, the true luxury lies in the solitude and spectacular surroundings. Pack your essentials—drinking water, stove oil, and firewood—and prepare for an unforgettable journey into one of Alaska's hidden treasures.

Jack Bay Cabin is a remote, primitive cabin that can only be accessed by boat or floatplane. It offers a unique experience for visitors willing to bring their own provisions and navigate challenging travel conditions.

Weather and SeasonsMother Nature reigns supreme at Jack Bay, where weather patterns shift like scenes in an ever-changing drama. Summer brings misty mornings and afternoon rains that transform the forest into a glistening wonderland, while powerful tides reshape the shoreline twice daily. Winter wraps the landscape in snow and ice, creating a crystalline paradise that challenges even seasoned adventurers with complex access conditions. Spring and fall offer their own moods—from violent storms that showcase nature's raw power to surprisingly gentle days when the bay mirrors the sky in perfect stillness. Every season tells its own story here, demanding respect and rewarding those who come prepared.

Natural Features and SceneryJack Bay Cabin serves as your front-row seat to one of Alaska's most dramatic natural theaters. Towering mountains rise like ancient sentinels directly from the water's edge, their peaks often lost in swirling clouds. The surrounding temperate rainforest creates a emerald cathedral of massive Sitka spruce and western hemlock, where shafts of light filter through the canopy to illuminate a mystical understory. Crystal-clear waterfalls cascade down rocky cliffs, their source waters born from hidden ice fields and glaciers high above. From your cabin doorstep, watch as the bay transforms with each tide, revealing secret coves and hidden beaches that invite exploration.

Geological RegionThis remarkable landscape tells a story written in stone and ice over millennia. The cabin nestles within a lush temperate rainforest where ancient Sitka spruce and western hemlock giants stretch skyward, their massive trunks testament to centuries of growth. Beneath this towering canopy, a verdant understory thrives—devil's club, blueberry bushes, and delicate ferns carpet the forest floor, while emerald moss drapes fallen logs like nature's velvet. The steep mountains that embrace Jack Bay bear the scars of glacial carving, their slopes adorned with ribbons of waterfalls fed by ice fields that glisten like diamonds in the alpine heights. This is a landscape where geological time meets the present moment, creating an environment of extraordinary beauty and ecological richness.

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

Check-out

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay of 14 nights allowed. Maximum total stay of 7 nights per year.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 6 guests permitted.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe site consists of a single cabin in a grassy clearing surrounded by forest and bay.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made at Recreation.gov.

Walk-in AvailabilitySame-day reservations are allowed for the cabin, but walk-up availability is not applicable as the cabin requires advance booking.

Cancellation PolicyReservations can be canceled any time before the date of arrival with a $10 cancellation fee. Late cancellations within 14 days of arrival incur additional penalties, including forfeiture of the first night's recreation use fee. No refunds are provided for cancellations on the day of arrival.

AccessibilityThe cabin is not accessible by road and lacks specific accessibility features for individuals with disabilities. Access is limited to float planes or boats.

Site SizeThe cabin is 12-by-14 feet in size and can sleep up to six guests.

PrivacySecluded and remote, the cabin offers great privacy with no nearby neighbors and minimal human activity.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesVisitors consistently recommend bringing heating oil for the stove and cleaning supplies to address potential cleanliness issues.

Amenities available

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

Jack Bay Cabin offers a variety of recreational opportunities that emphasize its remote location and natural beauty. Activities include fishing, boating, beachcombing, wildlife viewing, and hunting. The cabin's setting makes it an excellent destination for those seeking solitude and a connection with nature.

FishingFishing is a major highlight. Anglers can catch pink salmon near the cabin and coho salmon in nearby creeks later in the year. Some user reviews also mention rockfish.

BoatingBoating is the most efficient way to explore Jack Bay. Visitors have reported anchoring in 35 to 45 feet of water, and the area offers opportunities to explore the bay and view marine wildlife.

Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is exceptional, with opportunities to observe harbor seals, sea otters, Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goats, and brown bears.

Beach activitiesBeachcombing at low tide offers opportunities to find razor clams, eel, and crabs.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBrown bears are common in the area, and tides significantly affect travel. Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) is a rare but reported hazard for clam diggers.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyVisitors must bring firewood for the wood stove as none is provided.

Emergency ServicesContact the Cordova Ranger District at (907) 424-7661 for safety precautions and details. Closest emergency services are located in Cordova.

Trash & RecyclingAll trash and food must be packed out, and visitors are responsible for cleaning the cabin before leaving.

Water FeaturesAdjacent to Jack Bay, with nearby creeks and waterfalls accessible.

Camp HostForest Service recreation crew performs periodic maintenance. No permanent hosts are mentioned.

Weather at Jack Bay Cabin

Reviews

4.5

21 reviews

Top-Rated

Jack Bay Cabin is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, users praise the secluded and scenic setting of Jack Bay Cabin, highlighting its remote location, stunning views, and opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing. However, some users have raised concerns about the cabin's cleanliness and the condition of facilities such as the stove.

Review Summaries

Based on 21 reviews

What Campers Love

Users frequently highlight the beautiful scenery, quiet and remote location, effective heating stove (when functioning), and ample opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing. 'The views from the...

Based on 21 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include issues with the cabin’s cleanliness, such as filthy foam sleeping pads and a stove that was damaged or unusable due to winter snow. One user described the cabin as 'smelling like a...

Based on 21 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors advise bringing extra heating oil for the stove, as well as cleaning supplies to address any leftover mess. Several reviewers recommend packing air mattresses due to the poor condition of...

Based on 21 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter visitors appreciated the cabin’s warmth and shelter but noted challenges with snow and ice. Summer reviews often highlight beachcombing and fishing opportunities. Some users mentioned that the...

Based on 21 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Remember to bring fuel for the furnace, it was great to dry clothes in the cabin and have heat.' – David C. 2. 'Views from the cabin are beautiful. It’s tucked away and relatively out of the...

Based on 21 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific feedback largely pertains to the cabin’s condition. For example, one user reported, 'The stove sat on a slant and couldn’t be used in [its] current condition,' but another noted later...

Based on 21 reviews