Mcdonald Lake Cabin
Tongass National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: KETCHIKAN/MISTY, AK, AK
Price: From $60 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Season: Year-round
McDonald Lake Cabin sits on Wolverine Island near the outlet of McDonald Lake 50 miles from Ketchikan, Alaska. The cabin is available year-round and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska with its many recreational options and abundant wildlife. The cabin is remote and accessible only by boat or float plane, depending on conditions.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/mcdonald-lake-cabin to be notified when sites open up.
This remote cabin on Wolverine Island offers year-round access to pristine Alaskan wilderness with excellent fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. Google reviewers consistently praise the well-maintained cabin and abundant recreational activities.
Wildlife alert: Brown bears and sandhill cranes documented in the area within 8km
Insider tips for Mcdonald Lake Cabin: Low tide reveals a huge beach ideal for walks and group activities Book early as this is a federal campground with limited availability Arrive by boat from Yes Bay and hike the 1.5-mile McDonald Lake Trail, or access by float plane depending on conditions
Skip Mcdonald Lake Cabin if: You need electric hookups or standard campground amenities—this is a primitive cabin. You cannot arrange boat or float plane transportation—the cabin is only accessible by water or air.
Best time to visit Mcdonald Lake Cabin: Year-round — Cabin operates year-round according to RIDB official description.
Nearby campgrounds: Blind Pass Cabin (KETCHIKAN/TONGASS, AK), Reflection Lake Cabin (KETCHIKAN, AK), Frosty Bay Cabin (WRANGELL, AK), Anan Lake Cabin (WRANGELL, AK).
Cell Phone Coverage at Mcdonald Lake Cabin
Cell signal at Mcdonald Lake Cabin (KETCHIKAN/MISTY, 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.
McDonald Lake Cabin sits on Wolverine Island near the outlet of McDonald Lake 50 miles from Ketchikan, Alaska. The cabin is available year-round and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska with its many recreational options and abundant wildlife. The cabin is remote and accessible only by boat or float plane, depending on conditions.
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 entryLow tide reveals a huge beach ideal for walks and group activities
Book early as this is a federal campground with limited availability
Arrive by boat from Yes Bay and hike the 1.5-mile McDonald Lake Trail, or access by float plane depending on conditions
Cabin operates year-round according to RIDB official description
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 →
Approximately 50 miles from Ketchikan. Located on Cleveland Peninsula, north of Yes Bay. Cabin site is on Wolverine Island near outlet of lake. Access is by float plane or boat. There is a 1.5-mile hike by trail from Yes Bay Lodge at saltwater. Refer to USGS Ketchikan D-6. In fall, winter, and early spring, the cabin may be inaccessible due to frozen lake surface (float planes cannot land). Please contact the Ketchikan-Misty Fjords Ranger District for information prior to making reservations dur
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 Mcdonald Lake Cabin cost per night?+
What season is Mcdonald Lake Cabin open?+
Does Mcdonald Lake Cabin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Mcdonald Lake Cabin?+
How do I make reservations at Mcdonald Lake Cabin?+
What is the cell service like at Mcdonald Lake Cabin?+
What season is Mcdonald Lake Cabin open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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