Trail River Cabin

2.88

28 reviews

Trail River Cabin

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Campground is open i...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Seward Ranger District (Chugach National Forest) site

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Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Campground is open i...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Seward Ranger District (Chugach National Forest) site

Get Directions

Trail River Cabin

No fees available

Campsite Fees

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

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

907-288-3178

What Campers Say

2.88

Mixed Reviews

Based on 28 reviews

21 Google reviews

Most mentioned

spacioushikinglakebeach

"Reviewers consistently praise Trail River Cabin for its beautiful lakeside setting, well-maintained grounds, large private sites and good variety of pull-through, back-in and tent spots. Most comments are highly positive, with a few practical concerns noted around water access, road conditions and occasional wildlife or spotty cell service."

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Best Time to Camp at Trail River Cabin

Summer transforms the campground into a fully-serviced base camp, with potable water flowing and trash services handling your cleanup while you focus on adventure. When winter blankets the landscape, the campground takes on new life as groomed ski trails replace vehicle access—plan for a scenic 1.2-mile ski or snowshoe journey to reach your cabin sanctuary. The surrounding peaks hold onto their snow well into late August, with dramatic avalanche chutes carving white ribbons down the mountainsides throughout summer.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Summer (potable water and trash disposal available during peak season).. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Campground is open in the summer season; campground is closed in winter and the entrance road and loops are groomed for freestyle and Nordic skiing. Potable water and trash disposal are available only when the campground is open during the summer season.

About Trail River Cabin

Perched on the shores of pristine Kenai Lake, Trail River Cabin beckons adventurers with its rustic two-story log construction and panoramic mountain vistas. This off-grid retreat within Trail River Campground welcomes up to eight guests who come prepared with sleeping bags and camp kitchen essentials, ready to embrace an authentic Alaskan wilderness experience where the lake's edge becomes your front yard.

Facility includes an accessible two-story log cabin within Trail River Campground; other campground camping types are not explicitly described in the source material.

Historical SignificanceYour stay places you along the historic pathways of Alaska's legendary Iditarod Trail, where an ambitious ongoing project is weaving together a southern route from Seward to Eagle River. Strike out on the Crown Point Mine Road, where early prospectors once hauled their dreams upward, and you'll climb beyond the treeline to discover the same sweeping vistas that drew miners to these mountains over a century ago.

Weather and SeasonsSummer transforms the campground into a fully-serviced base camp, with potable water flowing and trash services handling your cleanup while you focus on adventure. When winter blankets the landscape, the campground takes on new life as groomed ski trails replace vehicle access—plan for a scenic 1.2-mile ski or snowshoe journey to reach your cabin sanctuary. The surrounding peaks hold onto their snow well into late August, with dramatic avalanche chutes carving white ribbons down the mountainsides throughout summer.

Natural Features and SceneryHemlock and sitka spruce stand sentinel around your cabin while aspen and cottonwood rustle in the breeze off Kenai Lake, creating a living tapestry characteristic of the Chugach National Forest. Step from your door to the lake's pebbly beach, cast a line for the abundant trout that make these waters famous, or follow Trail River as it tumbles toward the lake. A network of trails radiates from the campground, connecting you to the legendary Iditarod route and countless backcountry adventures across the Kenai Peninsula's eastern wilderness.

Geological RegionEastern Kenai Peninsula within Chugach National Forest

Campsite details

AccessibilityDescribed as an accessible log cabin; access involves a 0.1 mile hike in summer and a 1.2 mile ski/snowshoe in winter (contact Seward Ranger District for road conditions).

Sites Sizetwo-story accessible log cabin

Total Campsitesnull campsites

Recommended CampsitesBring sleeping bags and pads, a cook stove, cooking gear and food; there are no mattresses, bedding, cooking utensils, or cut firewood provided. Potable water is available in the campground during the peak season but must be hauled to the cabin during the off-season. In winter park outside the campground gate and ski/snowshoe approximately 1 mile to the cabin.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum occupancy of eight people.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutTwo-story log cabin with bunk sleeping space (sources state bunk space for six or seven) and maximum occupancy of eight. Cabin is adjacent to campsite site 90 and has designated 'Cabin Parking' spots; a vault toilet is about 400 feet away and potable water is in the campground (haul to cabin).

Open and Closed SeasonCampground is open in the summer season; campground is closed in winter and the entrance road and loops are groomed for freestyle and Nordic skiing. Potable water and trash disposal are available only when the campground is open during the summer season.

Accomodation available

Cabin lodgingCabin lodging is available for campers seeking a more sheltered and comfortable experience. These enclosed accommodations offer protection from the elements and are ideal for those who prefer not to camp in tents.

Amenities available

Potable water

Lodging and accommodations

Flush toilets

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Outdoor recreation includes hiking on multiple nearby trails, trout and Dolly Varden fishing, boating on Kenai Lake when conditions allow, beach activities along Kenai Lake, and wildlife viewing (including brown and black bears). In winter the area and roads are groomed for Nordic and freestyle skiing and the cabin is accessed by ski or snowshoe.

Hiking

Multiple trails within about one mile of the campground entrance: Falls Creek Trail, Crown Point Mine Road, Ptarmigan Creek Trail, Vagt Lake Trail, and connections to the Iditarod National Historic Trail. Ptarmigan Lake is a seven-mile round trip; Falls Creek OHV Trail and Crown Point Mine Road provide steeper/higher-elevation options.

Fishing

Trout fishing (Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, lake trout) is productive from the Kenai Lake beach and nearby streams; Kenai Lake is not open to salmon fishing. Anglers must have a State of Alaska fishing license and follow Alaska Department of Fish & Game regulations; special restrictions apply within 1/4 mile of inlet streams.

Boating

Boating on Kenai Lake is possible and enjoyable when winds are calm; lake access is available from the campground beach.

Wildlife viewing

The area supports diverse wildlife and visitors often spot brown and black bears. Nearby opportunities include wildlife viewing in Kenai Fjords National Park and other Seward Ranger District destinations; visitors are advised to follow bear safety guidance.

Beach activities

The cabin provides beach access to Kenai Lake for activities such as fishing, collecting driftwood, skipping rocks, and walking along the shore; mountain and lake views are noted.

Winter Activities

Nordic and freestyle skiing (entrance road and loops groomed in winter), snowshoeing and cross-country skiing access to the cabin (1.2 mile ski/snowshoe approach in winter).

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
No cut firewood is provided at the cabin; a wood stove is available for heat and a splitting maul and hand saw are provided for wood splitting.

Hazards

General hazardsBrown bears and black bears are often spotted in the area; visitors should practice bear-safety measures. Avalanche chutes and persistent high-elevation snow exist into late August. The Falls Creek OHV Trail is steep and suited to experienced OHV users.

Weather at Trail River Cabin

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 46%

Wind: 0.9 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

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Good to know

Peak season datesSummer (potable water and trash disposal available during peak season).

Trash and recyclingTrash should be disposed of in dumpsters located in the campground or at the transfer station at mile 24 of the Seward Highway; potable water and trash disposal are available only when the campground is open during the summer season.

Proximity to water featuresBeach access to Kenai Lake; Trail River nearby. A vault toilet is located approximately 400 feet from the cabin in the campground loop.

Campground Map

Trail River Cabin

Driving directionsFrom Anchorage: go south on Seward Highway approximately 100 miles to Crown Point. Turn at Milepost 24.2 on Trail River Road for 2 miles to campground. Take a right to the Eagle Point Loop and the cabin is located next to site 90. Look for 'Cabin Parking only' spots and do not park in campsite parking. Winter access: park outside the Trail River Campground gate and cross-country ski or snowshoe approximately 1 mile to access; do not drive on groomed cross-country skiing trails.

Accessible via Seward Highway (approximately 100 miles south of Anchorage) then Trail River Road (turn at Milepost 24.2) to the campground.

Nearby places

Anchorage — approximately 100 miles (driving on Seward Highway). Seward Ranger District information office — about 1 mile south on Ranger Station Spur.

Nearby supplies

Seward Ranger District Information Office is one mile south on Ranger Station Spur (information, maps)

transfer station for trash disposal located at mile 24 of the Seward Highway.

Reviews from booking and map sources

2.9

28 reviews

Mixed Reviews

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

Reviewers consistently praise Trail River Cabin for its beautiful lakeside setting, well-maintained grounds, large private sites and good variety of pull-through, back-in and tent spots. Most comments are highly positive, with a few practical concerns noted around water access, road conditions and occasional wildlife or spotty cell service.

Review Summaries

Based on 28 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers love the scenic forest and glacier‑tinted lake, private and spacious sites, and well-kept day‑use/beach areas with picnic tables and fire pits. Easy access to hiking, relaxing by the lake,...

Based on 28 reviews

Common Concerns

Several reviewers mention limited water infrastructure (hand‑crank bore wells, tricky jerrycan filling) and long walks to the dumpster. The access road has large potholes, some sites are not near the...

Based on 28 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Book online for peak season and look up the site map before reserving—sites vary widely in lake access. Bring your own water containers and tools for filling jerrycans, be prepared for no/limited...

Based on 28 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the busiest and most popular time to visit (multiple summer posts, recommendation to book). Reviewers report enjoyable summer camping with relatively manageable bugs; off‑season visits are...

Based on 28 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Site number 72 is the best with best access to the shore. However, long walks to the dumpster and lack of taps( only hand crank bore-wells) was a bummer." "There is absolutely no cellular phone...

Based on 28 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #72 is called out as the best for shore access; site #76 is recommended by one reviewer (and another noted a mountain lion passed through site #76); site #70 was described as a '5 second walk to...

Based on 28 reviews

Accessibility Features

The access road to the campground reportedly has very large potholes which could challenge low‑clearance vehicles or those with mobility concerns. Some amenities (dumpster, wells) may require a long...

Based on 28 reviews