Sarkar Lake Cabin

$25.00/night

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SARKAR LAKE CABIN, P.O. BOX 19001
THORNE BAY, AK 99919

Overview

Sarkar Lake Cabin offers guests recreation, relaxation and a unique lodging experience on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. The remote site offers a scenic setting for fishing, canoeing and wildlife viewing, all within the vicinity of the cabin.

The site can either be accessed by vehicle and a two mile boat trip, or by float plane. Canoeing is a common way to access the cabin. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

The Sarkar Lakes Canoe Route offers boaters the opportunity to explore a relatively pristine area of lakes and islands, where salmon streams enter the lake and bears and deer are frequently spotted. The entire route is 16 miles, with 3 miles of portage. Boaters should plan ahead and prepare for changing weather conditions and always wear personal floatation devices when boating.

A developed boat launch and parking area provides easy access to the canoe route, and rental companies will deliver boats and gear upon request. Check with the Chamber of Commerce for details.

Anglers will find Sarkar Lake to be a quiet, scenic spot for a variety of trout and salmon fishing. The Sarkar Rapids burst with sockeye salmon each July, attracting black bears and harbor seals. Bird watchers are also drawn to the Sarkar area because of its wide array of waterfowl.

Hunters can take advantage of the long hunting season in the surrounding national forest. Bear season occurs during spring and fall, while deer season begins in late summer and lasts through the late fall.

Facilities

The cabin is a 12 x 12 foot primitive, pre-cut cedar log cabin (pan-abode style) furnished with wooden bunkbeds (without mattresses) that sleep up to six guests. The cabin is equipped with a table, benches, a wood stove for heat and an outside toilet. Other amenities include a cooking counter, an axe, splitting maul, fire extinguisher and a broom. Firewood may be available, but the supply cannot be guaranteed.

The cabin does not have running water or electricity. Guests must bring their own food, water, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cook stove, stove fuel, fire starter, cooking gear/utensils, light source (lantern), toilet paper, first aid kit and garbage bags. Water is available from the lake, but must be filtered, boiled or chemically treated before drinking. Click here for more cabin details.

An aluminum skiff with oars is available for use at the boat launch. Guests may choose to bring a long shaft motor for boat use, and are responsible for bringing and using their own personal floatation devices. Guests should also be cautious when boating, as there numerous rocks in the lake; a good marine chart is recommended.

Natural Features

The cabin sits on the shore of Sarkar Lake near the start of the Sarkar Lake Canoe Route. The shoreline is surrounded by a temperate rainforest of old-growth forest, towering over muskeg openings, lakes and streams.

Wildlife in the area abounds, including a variety of waterfowl, bald eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer and black bears. Learn more about bear safety in the Tongass National Forest.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

  • Largest party: 6 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

Sarkar Lake Cabin is accessible either by vehicle and then boating in, or by float plane. The Sarkar Cabin boat launch is located on Forest Road 20 about 40 miles from Craig. From Craig, head north on State Highway 929 to Control Lake Junction. From Control Lake Junction, travel Forest Service Road 20 for 40 miles to Sarkar Lake. The cabin is approximately 2 miles from the parking area by boat.The boat is provided by the Forest Service and uses a long shaft motor, but visitors will have to bring their own. Note: the 2-mile paddle to Sarkar Cabin winds around several islands in its route. Visitors who have never been to the cabin should make sure to bring a good map of the lake system, as it can be difficult to find the cabin through the maze of islands and similar land forms around lake. Visitors may obtain a detailed map from the visitor center or district office. Refer to USGS map Craig D-4. Click here for information about reaching Forest Service Cabins. The cabin is also accessible by float plane, 76 air miles from Ketchikan and 53 miles from Thorne Bay. In fall, winter, and early spring, the cabin may be inaccessible as float planes cannot land on the frozen lake surface. Inclement weather conditions may cause an extension of your trip during any time of the year and winter access can be difficult due to snow and ice conditions. Guests should bring extra supplies to last 2-5 days Please contact the Thorne Bay Ranger District at 907-828-3304 prior to arrival for more detailed information about safety precautions.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

6 reviews
5 stars
6
Hannah H
Loop:Area Sarkar Lake Cabin
Site:
Reviewed 6 months ago
Beautiful location, so peaceful. Love the new woodshed. Thank you!
Travis D
Loop:Area Sarkar Lake Cabin
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
Such a beautiful lake and cabin area. Well kept and cared for. Appreciative of past guests and volunteers who cleaned, cut and stocked firewood, made repairs, and left behind supplies. There was a black bear frequenting the informal campground at the north end of the lake near the creek and portage, but it was not aggressive and responded to talking, clapping, etc .
Marci B
Loop:Area Sarkar Lake Cabin
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
Great location, neat and tidy when we arrived. It may be helpful to know that the canoe route to the cabin is marked along the way.
MARK C
Loop:Area Sarkar Lake Cabin
Site:
Reviewed 5 years ago
The cabin was clean and there was plenty of firewood. Left with the wood shed and cabin full of wood. The door knob has been replaced and a full fire extinguisher was in the cabin. An improvement from 11/19.. Portages 1,3,4 &5 need work. This is a work in progress as there a lift bags of rock at all the landings.
Sean T
Loop:Area Sarkar Lake Cabin
Site:
Reviewed 5 years ago
Always a peaceful place to stay. Nice supply of firewood on had too!
Michael K
Loop:Area Sarkar Lake Cabin
Site:
Reviewed 6 years ago
Terrific location. Simple and cozy cabin. Bring water or a water filtering pump. Viking pressed log bricks work great in the wood stove. One box of 8 bricks will keep you warm all night and through the next day. There was wood in the wood shed, but we used the bricks. Look forward to visiting again soon.
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Season dates

Off Peak season

Oct 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026

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Off Peak season

Jan 1, 2027 – Apr 30, 2027

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May 1, 2027 – Sep 30, 2027

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Off Peak season

Oct 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027

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Off Peak season

Jan 1, 2028 – Apr 30, 2028

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Peak season

May 1, 2028 – Sep 30, 2028

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Off Peak season

Oct 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028

Reservable online

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