Berg Bay Cabin

3.15

6 reviews

WRANGELL RANGER DISTRICT, PO BOX 51, WRANGELL, AK, 99929-0051, USA

Quick Facts

148 ft

Price

$40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens U.S. Forest Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

148 ft

Price

$40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens U.S. Forest Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Berg Bay Cabin

$40.00 - $40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The recreation use fee for the cabin is $40 per night for both peak and non-peak seasons. Additional fees include a $10 cancellation fee and a $20...

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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What Campers Say

3.15

Mixed Reviews

Based on 6 reviews

Some mention

noise

"User reviews highlight both positive and negative aspects of Berg Bay Cabin. Some guests appreciate the secluded location and functional facilities, while others report issues with noise, dampness, and broken amenities."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

WRANGELL RANGER DISTRICT, PO BOX 51, WRANGELL, AK, 99929-0051, USA

Berg Bay Cabin

WRANGELL RANGER DISTRICT, PO BOX 51, WRANGELL, AK, 99929-0051, USA

Driving directionsThis cabin is located on the mainland along the north shore of Berg Bay, east of Blake Channel and near the mouth of Aaron Creek. The cabin can be accessed by boat (22 miles) or float plane (15 miles) from Wrangell. If arriving by boat, be aware of the shallow entrance into the bay and arrange to arrive at high tide. A 25-foot mooring float anchored in the bay is for use by cabin guests only.

The cabin is only accessible by boat or float plane. If arriving by boat, the entrance to Berg Bay is shallow and may dry out at low tide, requiring guests to consult local tide charts. Float planes must account for weather conditions.

Nearby places

Wrangell (22 miles by boat, 15 miles by float plane)

Nearby supplies

Supplies and provisions can be acquired in Wrangell, but guests are advised to bring essential items due to the remote nature of the cabin.

Best Time to Camp at Berg Bay Cabin

Berg Bay's coastal climate showcases Alaska's dramatic seasonal personality. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, with snow blanketing the forest and ice formations creating natural sculptures along the shoreline. Summer brings the famous Alaska mist and rain that nourishes the lush temperate rainforest, creating an emerald paradise punctuated by dramatic cloud formations and stunning light. The weather here changes its mind as quickly as the tides—morning sunshine can give way to afternoon squalls, making each day an adventure. Savvy visitors pack layers and rain gear for every season, and always keep tide charts handy to time their beach explorations and water activities perfectly.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Peak season May–Sep with salmon runs, but reviews cite dampness and noise from anchored yachts in summer.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Silver and chum salmon in Aug–Sept; scenic fall wildlife and fewer peak-season visitors likely.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Steelhead season Apr–May and shoulder-season solitude, though weather and access can be variable.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Open year-round and scenic in winter, but harsher weather, access challenges and limited services reduce appeal.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 1 through September 30.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round, peak season May 1 - September 30.
Current Alerts: No reported alerts, but guests are advised to monitor for weather or tide-related issues.

About Berg Bay Cabin

Twenty-two miles by boat from Wrangell, where the pristine waters of Berg Bay meet the verdant Alaskan wilderness, sits a secluded cabin that promises the ultimate backcountry escape. Berg Bay Cabin beckons adventurers seeking authentic solitude amid Southeast Alaska's raw beauty. Whether you arrive by float plane skimming across 15 miles of scenic waterways or navigate the channels by boat, this remote retreat rewards your journey with world-class fishing, pristine hiking trails, productive crabbing grounds, and paddling routes through some of Alaska's most spectacular coastal scenery. Perched above the bay with sweeping views across Blake Channel, this rainforest sanctuary offers the perfect basecamp for those ready to trade city sounds for the calls of eagles and the gentle lap of tidal waters.

Berg Bay Cabin offers primitive accommodations suitable for backcountry exploration and access to Alaska's Inside Passage.

Historical SignificanceSince 1965, Berg Bay Cabin has stood as a testament to the U.S. Forest Service's vision of making the Tongass National Forest's remote wonders accessible to those willing to venture beyond the beaten path. This rustic outpost represents nearly six decades of backcountry heritage, where countless adventurers have found refuge, recharged their spirits, and created lasting memories in America's largest national forest. The cabin embodies the pioneering spirit of Alaskan recreation, offering modern explorers the same authentic wilderness experience that has drawn visitors to these pristine shores for generations.

Weather and SeasonsBerg Bay's coastal climate showcases Alaska's dramatic seasonal personality. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, with snow blanketing the forest and ice formations creating natural sculptures along the shoreline. Summer brings the famous Alaska mist and rain that nourishes the lush temperate rainforest, creating an emerald paradise punctuated by dramatic cloud formations and stunning light. The weather here changes its mind as quickly as the tides—morning sunshine can give way to afternoon squalls, making each day an adventure. Savvy visitors pack layers and rain gear for every season, and always keep tide charts handy to time their beach explorations and water activities perfectly.

ElevationNestled on a gentle, forested slope that gradually rises from the water's edge, Berg Bay Cabin offers the perfect vantage point over its namesake bay. This thoughtfully positioned perch provides sweeping panoramic views while keeping you comfortably above the high tide line. The cabin's hillside location creates a natural amphitheater effect, where the sounds of the bay—from gentle wavelets to the splash of jumping salmon—carry up through the trees to serenade your stay.

Natural Features and SceneryStep into a living postcard where towering Sitka spruce and western hemlock create a cathedral-like canopy overhead, their moss-draped branches filtering sunlight into ethereal green beams. The cabin's front-row seat overlooks Berg Bay's ever-changing tableau, where tides reveal hidden beaches and Blake Channel stretches toward mountain peaks that pierce the sky. At Aaron Creek's tide flats, nature puts on a botanical show with vibrant grass sedges swaying in the breeze and seasonal wildflowers painting splashes of color across the landscape. This pristine ecosystem supports an incredible cast of wildlife characters: brown and black bears fish for salmon along the streams, moose browse in quiet meadows, playful sea otters float past on their backs, and the haunting calls of grouse and ptarmigan echo through the forest. Lucky visitors might even spot sure-footed mountain goats navigating distant cliffsides, while overhead, waterfowl trace ancient migration routes across the sky.

Geological RegionBerg Bay Cabin sits within the legendary Inside Passage, where the Pacific Ocean has carved a maze of channels, fjords, and islands through ancient mountains. This temperate rainforest ecosystem thrives in the maritime climate, creating one of Earth's most productive and diverse environments. Majestic Sitka spruce and western hemlock dominate the landscape, interspersed with aromatic cedar groves and mysterious muskeg bogs that have captured carbon for millennia. The Aaron Creek tide flats showcase the dynamic intersection of land and sea, where twice-daily tides orchestrate an endless dance of renewal. From your cabin doorstep, views sweep across Berg Bay to Blake Channel, with a backdrop of peaks that tell the geological story of ice ages, tectonic forces, and the patient work of wind and water sculpting this magnificent corner of the Tongass.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Up to 7 consecutive nights May 1 - Sept 30
up to 10 consecutive nights Oct 1 - Apr 30.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 7 people.

Groups

Group camping is not mentioned.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe cabin features a 16-by-16 A-frame layout with two single bunks, a trundle bed, and a loft. Interior amenities include a table, benches, and an oil stove; exterior includes a mooring float and outhouse.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov online, mobile app, or contact center.

Walk-in AvailabilityNo walk-up availability; cabin must be reserved in advance.

Cancellation PolicyGuests can cancel reservations anytime before the scheduled arrival date. A $10 cancellation fee applies, and late cancellations (within 14 days of arrival) also forfeit the first night's fee. No-show reservations incur a $20 fee and loss of the first night's fee.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not addressed in the authoritative source or user reviews.

Site SizeThe cabin size is 16x16 feet, accommodating up to seven people.

PrivacyThe cabin is located in a secluded area within Alaska's Inside Passage, providing ample privacy. However, some user reviews mention disruption from anchored boats during the summer.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesGuests should bring #1 heating oil, dry firewood, and sufficient food supplies. Early arrival may be necessary to secure ideal tide conditions.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational activities at Berg Bay Cabin include hiking, fishing, crabbing, hunting, paddling, and wildlife viewing. The remote location offers opportunities for solitude and exploration of Alaska's Inside Passage.

HikingTwo hiking trails are accessible from the cabin: Aaron Creek Trail (0.4 miles, boardwalked) and Berg Creek Trail (4 miles, unmaintained). The trails lead through grassflats and mountainous terrain.

FishingFishing opportunities include pink salmon (mid-July to mid-August), silver and chum salmon (August to September), and steelhead (April and May). Fishing is available in Aaron and Oerns Creeks.

BoatingGuests can bring kayaks or canoes to explore Berg Bay. Low tide may affect access to the bay, and local tide charts should be consulted.

Wildlife viewingThe area is rich in wildlife, including brown and black bears, moose, sea otters, grouse, ptarmigan, waterfowl, and occasionally mountain goats on surrounding ridges.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include encounters with bears, exposure to severe weather, and tide-related access issues. Guests should consult tide charts and practice bear safety.

Active AlertsNo reported alerts, but guests are advised to monitor for weather or tide-related issues.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Fire PolicyGuests must purchase local firewood and use on-site fire grills. Fire safety measures should be observed.

Emergency ServicesWrangell serves as the nearest emergency services hub, including hospitals, police stations, and ranger services.

Trash & RecyclingGuests are required to pack out their trash and food. No recycling facilities or trash pickup schedules are mentioned.

Water FeaturesThe cabin sits near Berg Bay and Aaron Creek tide flats, offering access to saltwater and freshwater for fishing and crabbing.

Camp HostNo host information available.

Weather at Berg Bay Cabin

Reviews

3.2

6 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Berg Bay Cabin has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight both positive and negative aspects of Berg Bay Cabin. Some guests appreciate the secluded location and functional facilities, while others report issues with noise, dampness, and broken amenities.

Review Summaries

Based on 6 reviews

What Campers Love

"Great little spot with a good trail behind the cabin leading to a beautiful estuary-esque area." "Everything seemed to be in good shape inside and out, so no issues there!"

Based on 6 reviews

Common Concerns

"Local yachts like to anchor in this little bay right in front of the cabin and PARTY." "Stove in cabin was broken." "Very damp, the whole time even though it’s summer." "There was no dry wood...

Based on 6 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Guests recommend bringing dry firewood and consulting tide charts before boating. Packing sleeping bags, cookware, and other supplies is essential.

Based on 6 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer visits may be disrupted by anchored boats and noise from parties, according to user reviews. Dampness was also reported during summer.

Based on 6 reviews

Camper Quotes

"During summer it’s not uncommon to have 6-10 big boats anchored within 200’ of the cabin. Plenty of noise and they leave anchor lights on all night." "A friend said she reported the broken oil stove...

Based on 6 reviews