Helm Bay Cabin

$65.00/night

Overview

Helm Bay Cabin is located on the west shore of Helm Bay behind Forss Island. This rustic retreat is open year-round for relaxation and recreational use in Alaska's beautiful Inside Passage.

The site can be accessed by float plane, boat or kayak, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Helm Bay is especially known for excellent crabbing, as well as saltwater fishing for salmon, halibut and red snapper. Tide tables should be consulted before taking a boat out on the bay to fish. Sea kayaking is also possible.

Facilities

This 16-by-20 ft. three-room (pan-abode style) cabin has four single bunks and two double bunks, to sleep up to eight people. A covered deck extends from the front of the cabin. It is also equipped with a table and benches, wood stove, splitting maul, broom and an outhouse. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed.

A floating dock is located nearby, which is maintained by the state and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from an adjacent creek, but guests should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking with it (water safety tips). It is recommended that guests bring their own water supply.

Other items to pack include sleeping bags, sleeping pads, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and matches, among other necessities. Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving (click herefor more cabin details).

Natural Features

The cabin sits at sea level, near a large saltwater tide flat, surrounded by an old-growth rainforest of Sitka spruce and western hemlock. A beach is revealed in front of the cabin at low tide. Guests have views of Helm Bay and the gentle, forested slopes that surround the area.

The area is home to black and brown bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and mountain goats (bear safety information). Seals, whales and other marine mammals may be seen in Helm Bay.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Largest party: 8 people

Fees

Only one change per reservation for all Alaska cabins is allowed. Change is defined as a modification to the start or end date of the reservation; after one change has been made, if additional changes are desired, the customer must cancel the current reservation and re-book the new dates.

Directions

The cabin is approximately 24 miles from Ketchikan or 12 miles from the Clover Pass area, located on west end of Helm Bay. It is accessible by float plane, kayak or boat with a state-maintained floating dock near cabin. Refer to USGS topographic map for Ketchikan, C-6, and consult local tide tables.

Stay Limit

Check in from 12 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

6 reviews

5 stars

2 stars

Samuel C

Loop:Area Helm Bay Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

We appreciate that wood was available and that the cabin was in good condition! The dock needs some care as some places are rotten breaking through.

Seth R

Loop:Area Helm Bay Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 3 years ago

Experience was great, mourning dock was very handy with a short float to shore and cabin. Two bedroom cabin with one room having a privacy door.

Trisha L

Loop:Area Helm Bay Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 5 years ago

Excellent weekend with my kiddos and a few extras!! CABIN WAS GREAT!! Thank goodness we brought our own wood because there was none there when we arrived. No bear activity.

James W

Loop:Area Helm Bay Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 5 years ago

Bring firewood as once again the FS can’t seem to do there job.

john m

Loop:Area Helm Bay Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 6 years ago

Very cool experience. Amazing the amount of tide change that happens at this location. We all enjoyed our stay very much.

Pamela J

Loop:Area Helm Bay Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 6 years ago

We had an amazing time. The cabin was great. Having a fresh water stream right there was awesome. We did have to get fire wood as there was none left. My only complaint or suggestion would be for the forest service to leave pots and pans and the like for everyone to use. All our cabins in Montana have those items plus whatever everyone else has left over the years. It would also be nice to have mattresses that are in the vinyl covers.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

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