Shipley Bay Cabin
Tongass National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: THORNE BAY, AK, AK
Price: From $25 per night
Rating: 3.7 out of 5 (3 reviews)
Season: May through October
Shipley Bay Cabin offers visitors recreation, relaxation and a unique lodging experience on Kosciusko Island in southeastern Alaska. The remote site offers a scenic setting for fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing, all within the vicinity of the cabin. The site can either be accessed by float plane or boat at high tide.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/shipley-bay-cabin to be notified when sites open up.
Shipley Bay Cabin offers a remote, scenic setting on Kosciusko Island for fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The cabin provides a unique lodging experience for visitors seeking solitude in southeastern Alaska.
Wildlife alert: Northern Sea Otter
Insider tips for Shipley Bay Cabin: Book early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site Access requires float plane or one hour boat ride from El Capitan dock at high tide Check Sitka tide tables before planning your visit as tides affect accessibility
Skip Shipley Bay Cabin if: You need hookups — no hookups available at this site. You are sensitive to cold weather — verified reviews report it is way too cold. Weather conditions are poor — fog, high winds, and low tides can make landing difficult. You require easy access — this is a remote location requiring special travel arrangements.
Best time to visit Shipley Bay Cabin: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: El Capitan Cabin (Thorne Bay , AK), Red Bay Lake Cabin (THORNE BAY, AK), Sarkar Lake Cabin (THORNE BAY, AK), Salmon Bay Lake Cabin (THORNE BAY, AK).
Cell Phone Coverage at Shipley Bay Cabin
Cell signal at Shipley Bay Cabin (THORNE BAY, 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.
Shipley Bay Cabin offers visitors recreation, relaxation and a unique lodging experience on Kosciusko Island in southeastern Alaska. The remote site offers a scenic setting for fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing, all within the vicinity of the cabin. The site can either be accessed by float plane or boat at high tide.
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 as this is a federal campground with only 1 site
Access requires float plane or one hour boat ride from El Capitan dock at high tide
Check Sitka tide tables before planning your visit as tides affect accessibility
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
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 →
Shipley Bay Cabin is accessible by float plane or one hour boat ride from El Capitan dock. Fog, high winds, and low tides can make landing at the cabin difficult. Click here for Sitka tide table information. A mooring buoy in the bay is available on first-come, first-served basis. Mooring of more than one vessel is allowed if the first party there agrees. Refer to USGS map Petersburg A-5. Click here for information about reaching Forest Service Cabins. Inclement weather conditions may cause an e
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 Shipley Bay Cabin cost per night?+
What season is Shipley Bay Cabin open?+
Does Shipley Bay Cabin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Shipley Bay Cabin?+
How do I make reservations at Shipley Bay Cabin?+
What is the cell service like at Shipley Bay Cabin?+
What season is Shipley Bay Cabin open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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