Baranof Lake Cabin
Tongass National Forest — lakeside, fishing
Location: SITKA, AK, AK
Price: From $45 per night
Rating: 3.6 out of 5 (7 reviews)
Season: May through October
Baranof Lake Cabin sits on the shores of greenish-blue Baranof Lake on the southwestern edge of Baranof Lake, 20 air miles east of of Sitka, Alaska. The cabin is generally available June through October, and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska. The cabin can be accessed by a 25-minute floatplane trip, weather permitting.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/baranof-lake-cabin to be notified when sites open up.
Remote cabin on pristine Baranof Lake offers excellent fishing and wildlife viewing, with verified sightings of Bald Eagles and loons. The greenish-blue lake setting provides an authentic Southeast Alaska experience accessible only by floatplane.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagles present in the area. Common and Red-throated Loons frequent the lake. Bears may be in the region (typical for Southeast Alaska), though not specifically documented in nearby iNaturalist observations.
Insider tips for Baranof Lake Cabin: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 1 site and seasonal operations (May-October per CamperWatch data, June-October per RIDB) Plan floatplane logistics from Sitka in advance; poor weather and low clouds significantly extend travel time and may delay access Bring fishing gear — the lake is specifically noted for fishing opportunities in a remote setting with minimal pressure
Skip Baranof Lake Cabin if: You cannot arrange or afford floatplane charter from Sitka (no road access). You need hookups — there are no hookups at this site. You're visiting November-May — the cabin is seasonally closed.
Best time to visit Baranof Lake Cabin: June-October — Official availability window per RIDB. June through October is when floatplane access is most reliable and weather conditions are most favorable.. Clear weather days — Floatplane access takes 25 minutes in clear weather but can double in poor visibility when flights must reroute around Baranof Island..
Nearby campgrounds: Salmon Lake Cabin Sitka (SITKA, AK), Starrigavan Creek Cabin (Sitka, AK), Starrigavan Campground And Day Use (SITKA, AK), Samsing Cove Cabin (SITKA, AK).
Cell Phone Coverage at Baranof Lake Cabin
Cell signal at Baranof Lake Cabin (SITKA, AK): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
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.
Baranof Lake Cabin sits on the shores of greenish-blue Baranof Lake on the southwestern edge of Baranof Lake, 20 air miles east of of Sitka, Alaska. The cabin is generally available June through October, and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska. The cabin can be accessed by a 25-minute floatplane trip, weather permitting.
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 seasonal operations (May-October per CamperWatch data, June-October per RIDB)
Plan floatplane logistics from Sitka in advance; poor weather and low clouds significantly extend travel time and may delay access
Bring fishing gear
the lake is specifically noted for fishing opportunities in a remote setting with minimal pressure
Official availability window per RIDB. June through October is when floatplane access is most reliable and weather conditions are most favorable.
Floatplane access takes 25 minutes in clear weather but can double in poor visibility when flights must reroute around Baranof Island.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Accessible June through October. Located 20 air miles from Sitka on the east side of Baranof Island, west of Warm Springs Bay. Access by floatplane from Sitka, 25 minutes in clear weather. For geographic features surrounding cabin, refer to USGS topographic map Sitka A-3.
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 Baranof Lake Cabin cost per night?+
What season is Baranof Lake Cabin open?+
Does Baranof Lake Cabin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Baranof Lake Cabin?+
How do I make reservations at Baranof Lake Cabin?+
What is the cell service like at Baranof Lake Cabin?+
What season is Baranof Lake Cabin open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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