John Muir Cabin
Tongass National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: JUNEAU, AK, AK
Price: From $75 per night
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (23 reviews)
Season: Year-round
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Electric Hookups, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/john-muir-cabin to be notified when sites open up.
This rustic 1980-built cabin offers spectacular views and year-round access via a scenic 3.5-mile trail from Glacier Highway, with comfortable sleeping capacity for 6-7 adults and amenities including a working propane heater and fire pit.
Wildlife alert: Brown bears and gray wolves present in area; also rock ptarmigan, bald eagles, Pacific harbor seals, and American red squirrels
Insider tips for John Muir Cabin: Trail is approximately 2 hours from trailhead; plan accordingly for day hikes Cabin open for hikers 10am-5pm; reserve in advance for other hours Berry picking available in surrounding area First 0.8 miles on Spaulding Meadows Trail is planked; remaining trail through muskeg terrain
Skip John Muir Cabin if: Seeking hookups — no hookups available. Require vehicle access — hiking/skiing/snowshoeing only. Want multiple site options — only 1 tent site available. Federal campground with high demand — book early.
Best time to visit John Muir Cabin: Year-round — Open year-round; accessible by hiking spring-fall, skiing and snowshoeing winter months.
Nearby campgrounds: Peterson Lake Cabin (JUNEAU, AK), Auk Village Campground (Juneau, AK), Sítʼ Yá Hítʼ (JUNEAU, AK), Mendenhall Campground (JUNEAU, AK).
Cell Phone Coverage at John Muir Cabin
Cell signal at John Muir Cabin (JUNEAU, AK): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- 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.
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.
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 entryTrail is approximately 2 hours from trailhead; plan accordingly for day hikes
Cabin open for hikers 10am-5pm; reserve in advance for other hours
Berry picking available in surrounding area
First 0.8 miles on Spaulding Meadows Trail is planked; remaining trail through muskeg terrain
Open year-round; accessible by hiking spring-fall, skiing and snowshoeing winter months
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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.
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 John Muir Cabin cost per night?+
What season is John Muir Cabin open?+
Does John Muir Cabin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at John Muir Cabin?+
How do I make reservations at John Muir Cabin?+
What is the cell service like at John Muir Cabin?+
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