John Muir Cabin

$75.00/night

Juneau Ranger District, 8510 Mendenhall Loop Road
JUNEAU, AK 99801

Overview

John Muir Cabin was built in 1980 and named after John Muir to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his visit to the Gastineau Channel area. This rustic cabin is open year-round and offers spectacular views and plenty of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

The cabin is accessed by hiking, snowshoeing or skiing 3.5 miles from the Spaulding Meadows/Auk Nu trailhead off of Glacier Highway. The trail is partially planked and winds through muskeg with a 1,500-foot elevation gain. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

The Auk Nu Trail continues past the cabin toward Auke Mountain. Cross-country skiing is excellent in winter, with close access to Spaulding Meadows and an undeveloped trail to Peterson Lake Cabin (map and compass are recommended). Skis or snowshoes are recommended in winter.

Facilities

This 15'x12' chalet-style log cabin has two double bunks on the first floor and two bunks that can sleep six on the second floor. Other amenities include a table with benches, wood stove, broom and dustpan, snow shovel, propane furnace and a ramp and hardened trail to the vault toilet. Propane is provided. Water, firewood and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a nearby stream, 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. Cooking facilities are not available. Visitors should pack sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Visitors are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving ( click here for more cabin details).

Natural Features

The cabin sits in a subalpine meadow 1,550 feet above the Mendenhall Valley. This vantage point offers great views of Juneau, Gastineau Channel, Auke Bay, the Chilkat Mountains, Admiralty Island and numerous ice field peaks.

Brown and black bears, deer and porcupines are common to the area (bear safety information). A variety of bird species make their home here, including the bald eagle.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Fire pit: all 1 sites
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 13 miles northwest of Juneau. Access by hiking, skiing and snowshoeing. The first 0.8 miles is on Spaulding Meadows Trail, and the rest is on the Auk Nu Trail. The trailhead is located at mile marker 12.3 off Glacier Highway. The cabin is also accessible by helicopter. A marked skiing trail connects John Muir Cabin to Peterson Lake Cabin in the winter. A GPS or map and compass are recommended.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

24 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

Cara C

Loop:Area John Muir Cabin

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Beautiful views! The cabin was well maintained,

Anna A

Loop:Area John Muir Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 7 months ago

Cabin was wonderful, despite the thigh-deep snow in April.

marsha s

Loop:Area John Muir Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 8 months ago

Beautiful winter wonderland

katie h

Loop:Area John Muir Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 8 months ago

The cabin is in great shape and heats up surprisingly quickly for how large it is on a ten degree evening. A wonderful snowy weekend in the mountains. Thanks USFS for providing us with such amazing opportunity to be outside and be warm!

Stephen S

Loop:Area John Muir Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 9 months ago

Love this cabin in the winter. Beautiful snowy landscape and views. Snow was deep the last mile up to the cabin. Definitely needed snowshoes. Cabin was very cold when we arrived and heater was extremely slow to warm up the lower level of the cabin (kept the upstairs sealed off). Wasn't until about mid-night that we were finally peeling layers off. Outhouse path cleared and easily accessible.

Kevin P

Loop:Area John Muir Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 9 months ago

One of my favorite cabins in the area. Really enjoy having the woodstove!

Availability

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

Reserve

Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in November, when about 18% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 4 years of reservations.