Peterson Lake Cabin
Tongass National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: JUNEAU, AK, AK
Price: From $75 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (24 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Peterson Lake Cabin was built in the 1980s and named after John Peterson, who started a placer gold mine in this area in 1900. The Peterson Lake Trail that accesses the cabin follows a former tram route for the first 2 miles, and remnants of the tram can still be seen. The cabin is open year-round and is one of Juneau Ranger District’s most popular backcountry rentals.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Electric Hookups, Bear Boxes, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/peterson-lake-cabin to be notified when sites open up.
Peterson Lake Cabin is one of Juneau Ranger District's most popular year-round backcountry rentals, offering beautiful scenery and diverse recreational activities including fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Real campers praise the well-maintained trail with scenic views and abundant berries.
Wildlife alert: North Pacific Humpback Whales, Resident Killer Whales, Pacific Harbor Seals, Bald Eagles, and Great Blue Herons documented in the area
Insider tips for Peterson Lake Cabin: Book early — this is a federal campground and one of the most popular backcountry rentals in the district The 4.5-mile trail follows a former tram route for the first 2 miles with visible remnants of the historical infrastructure Access the cabin via the Peterson Lake Trail starting at Mile Marker 23.5 on Glacier Highway (15 miles northwest of Juneau)
Skip Peterson Lake Cabin if: You need hookups — no hookups available at this site. You require vehicle access — trail access only, 4.5 miles from parking.
Best time to visit Peterson Lake Cabin: Year-round — Cabin is open year-round with activities ranging from fishing and hiking to cross-country skiing and skiing.
Nearby campgrounds: John Muir Cabin (JUNEAU, AK), Auk Village Campground (Juneau, AK), Windfall Lake Cabin (JUNEAU, AK), Sítʼ Yá Hítʼ (JUNEAU, AK).
Cell Phone Coverage at Peterson Lake Cabin
Cell signal at Peterson Lake Cabin (JUNEAU, 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.
Peterson Lake Cabin was built in the 1980s and named after John Peterson, who started a placer gold mine in this area in 1900. The Peterson Lake Trail that accesses the cabin follows a former tram route for the first 2 miles, and remnants of the tram can still be seen. The cabin is open year-round and is one of Juneau Ranger District’s most popular backcountry rentals.
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 and one of the most popular backcountry rentals in the district
The 4.5-mile trail follows a former tram route for the first 2 miles with visible remnants of the historical infrastructure
Access the cabin via the Peterson Lake Trail starting at Mile Marker 23.5 on Glacier Highway (15 miles northwest of Juneau)
Cabin is open year-round with activities ranging from fishing and hiking to cross-country skiing and skiing
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 →
Peterson Lake Cabin is located 15 miles northwest of Juneau, Alaska. Year-round access is by 4.5-mile trail from Mile Marker 23.5 on Glacier Highway. Cabin can be accessed by float plane depending on conditions. 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 Peterson Lake Cabin cost per night?+
What season is Peterson Lake Cabin open?+
Does Peterson Lake Cabin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Peterson Lake Cabin?+
How do I make reservations at Peterson Lake Cabin?+
What is the cell service like at Peterson Lake Cabin?+
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