Appleton Cove Cabin
Tongass National Forest — fishing, hiking
Location: SITKA, AK, AK
Price: From $50 per night
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (8 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Appleton Cove Cabin was built in 1992 by Forest Service administrative crews for field housing during a period of logging. When logging was complete, the cabin became available for recreation. The cabin is open year-round and makes an excellent base for visitors looking to enjoy saltwater fishing, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing and hunting in this beautiful corner of Alaska.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/appleton-cove-cabin to be notified when sites open up.
Year-round access to a remote Alaskan cabin with excellent saltwater fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities on Baranof Island. Located in pristine Southeast Alaska with direct access from Sitka via float plane (25 min) or boat (2 hours).
Wildlife alert: Brown bears present in area. Humpback whales and orcas observed in nearby waters. Standard bear safety precautions recommended.
Insider tips for Appleton Cove Cabin: Book early—this is a federal campground with only 1 site and year-round demand Access by float plane (25 min) is faster than boat (2 hours) from Sitka, though weather-dependent Cabin built in 1992 by Forest Service and serves as excellent base for saltwater fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and hunting
Skip Appleton Cove Cabin if: You need hookups—no hookups available at this site. You require guaranteed year-round accessibility—weather can affect float plane and boat access. Winter travel plans—occasional freezing temperatures noted in winter months.
Best time to visit Appleton Cove Cabin: Year-round — Cabin is open year-round, though winter temperatures can occasionally freeze conditions. Current forecast shows stable weather (mostly sunny, high 65°F)..
Nearby campgrounds: Sitkoh Lake (West) Cabin (SITKA, AK), Lake Eva Cabin (SITKA, AK), Sitkoh Lake (East) Cabin (SITKA, AK), Piper Island Cabin (SITKA, AK).
Cell Phone Coverage at Appleton Cove Cabin
Cell signal at Appleton Cove Cabin (SITKA, AK): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Appleton Cove Cabin was built in 1992 by Forest Service administrative crews for field housing during a period of logging. When logging was complete, the cabin became available for recreation. The cabin is open year-round and makes an excellent base for visitors looking to enjoy saltwater fishing, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing and hunting in this beautiful corner of Alaska.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 1 site and year-round demand
Access by float plane (25 min) is faster than boat (2 hours) from Sitka, though weather-dependent
Cabin built in 1992 by Forest Service and serves as excellent base for saltwater fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and hunting
Cabin is open year-round, though winter temperatures can occasionally freeze conditions. Current forecast shows stable weather (mostly sunny, high 65°F).
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Accessible from Sitka year round, weather permitting. 30 air miles or 50 boat miles north of Sitka on Baranof Island just south of Peril Strait on the southeast shore of Appleton Cove. Access from Sitka, 25 minutes by float plane or 2 hours by boat. Occasionally winter temperatures can freeze the cove, preventing access during those times. For geographic features surrounding the cabin, refer to USGS topographic map Sitka B-4.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Tongass National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Tongass National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Appleton Cove Cabin cost per night?+
What season is Appleton Cove Cabin open?+
Does Appleton Cove Cabin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Appleton Cove Cabin?+
How do I make reservations at Appleton Cove Cabin?+
What is the cell service like at Appleton Cove Cabin?+
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●Data sources on this page
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