Shelikof Cabin

Show on map 907-747-6671 sm.fs.r10_sitka_rd@usda.gov

SITKA RANGER DISTRICT, 2108 HALIBUT POINT RD
SITKA, AK 99835

Overview

Shelikof Cabin overlooks a sandy beach of Shelikof Bay on the west coast of Kruzof Island, 20 miles from Sitka, Alaska. The cabin is generally available year-round, weather permitting, and was built in 1991 by volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Sitka.

This is a remote site. The cabin can be accessed by helicopter or wheeled plane on the beach during low tide. Alternatively the cabin can be reached by boat, a 45-minute ride from Sitka to Mud Bay, followed by a 7-mile hike, across the Kruzof Island Trail to Iris Meadows and access to Shelikof Trail, subject to tide conditions. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring their own amenities.

Recreation

Scenic viewing, photography, beachcombing and hiking are popular activities here. Fishing is fair for Dolly Varden, coho and pink salmon in a nearby stream.

For information about fishing permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.

Facilities

The 16 x 16-foot wood A-frame cabin can accommodate up to eight people, with a double bunk bed on the main level and an upstairs sleeping loft reached by vertical ladder. A wood stove for heat, a table with benches, cooking counter, cupboard, broom and an axe or splitting maul are provided. An outhouse toilet is close to the cabin.

The cabin does not include mattresses or cooking utensils. Visitors should bring sleeping bags and pads, a cooking stove, pots, pans, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, a lantern, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Rain gear and boots are recommended.

Water is available from a spring about 1/4-mile from the cabin, but must be treated before using. It's recommended that visitors bring their own water.

Click here for more cabin details and maps.

Natural Features

The cabin offers spectacular ocean views of Shelikof Bay's rolling surf from its location at the edge of spruce-hemlock forest. Relatively flat and easy terrain surrounds the cabin and is easy to explore. A expansive sandy beach provides great beachcombing opportunities. North Beach Cabin lies on the northern beaches of Shelikof Bay. Brown bear frequent the area.

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

Open year round, weather permitting. Located 20 miles northwest of Sitka on the western shore of Kruzof Island in the Gulf of Alaska. First-time users of this cabin should contact the Sitka Ranger District office at 907-747-6671 for specific directions to the cabin. Helicopter or wheel plane can land on the beach at low tide. Access by boat is 45 minutes from Sitka to Mud Bay, then hike 7 miles on the Kruzof Island Road (old logging road) and Shelikof Trail. ATV access is allowed as far as Iris Meadows, approximately 1.4 miles from the cabin. From Mud Bay, take Kruzof Island Trail about 6 miles to T in road at Iris Meadows. Turn left toward Shelikof Trail, cross footbridge and parallel Shelikof River to right through meadows on south side to large diamond trail marker at the meadow/forest edge. Do not turn left once you cross footbridge. Easier to cross meadows during lower tides of 6 feet or less. Shelikof Trail continues at diamond marker just inside the timber and parallels the forest edge, crossing occasional sloughs before reaching cabin. Be alert, as you can easily lose sight of trail markers at slough crossings. For geographic features around the cabin, refer to USGS topographic maps Sitka A-5, A-6.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

7 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

Katy P

Loop:Area Shelikof Cabin

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Reviewed 5 months ago

Shelikof is the best beach in southeast Alaska. The cabin is quiet and pristine, the beach feels like Southern California without all the people, and the tide pools are incredible for all ages.

Don K

Loop:Area Shelikof Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 7 months ago

Had to snowshoe the entire way, still lots of snow.

Don K

Loop:Area Shelikof Cabin

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Reviewed a year ago

Make sure the previous group closed the upstairs window otherwise the cabin won't heat appropriately in cold weather.

Michael M

Loop:Area Shelikof Cabin

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Reviewed 2 years ago

Shelikof cabin is a nice hike from the road whereas much more popular North Beach cabin is accessible directly by ATV/UTV. Shelikof cabin offers different more remote experience. It is not used so hard. People who use this cabin like to keep nice. Shelikof beach is huge but inaccessible from North Beach which protects it from 99% of Kruzoff users and all ATV traffic. Same long, gradual beach and break which makes this location great for surfing and shell collecting also makes boat landings directly to the cabin dangerous and generally impossible. If accessing the cabin by water arrive very early in the day especially in winter when days are short and have a backup plan for going someplace else to camp. I’ve tried a Shelikof beach boat landing a couple times on nice days and the breaking waves still made it way too dangerous. About the best chance to beach a dinghy is to go around to the north shore of Port Mary 57.15705, -135.7474 where rock outcropping to west and south shore of Port Mary will break some waves. It’s about 850 yard walk along beach from north Port Mary to cabin. Even on a super nice day with under 5’ ocean swell and no wind waves it’s a dicey landing in Port Mary so plan on getting wet. I would not try a beach landing directly to Shelikof beach ever and will only do Port Mary landings in an inflatable I can walk out into to surf. It’s nothing like the Mud Bay landing on other side of Kruzoff. Almost totally exposed to the long, powerful open gulf waves. Anchoring in Port Mary is good behind the rock outcropping. There is a nice freshwater pipe here 57.15992, -135.74565 which is in from the beach a little and about 450 yards from cabin halfway to Port Mary. The cabin is here: 57.16341, -135.74596 Wood stove kept us warm in January. There are definitely bears here (like everywhere else) so plan accordingly.

Brooke R

Loop:Area Shelikof Cabin

Site:

Reviewed 3 years ago

It was beautiful and clean. I called the forest service about the broken but functional stove. Glad that people are packing out their garbage!

Maia S

Loop:Area Shelikof Cabin

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Reviewed 4 years ago

Fantastic cabin, location, maintenance. The only thing is the stove door handle is a little broken, but still functions perfectly.

Availability

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