Steamer Bay Cabin
Tongass National Forest — ocean access, fishing, hiking
Location: WRANGELL AK, AK, AK
Price: From $45 per night
Rating: 5 out of 5 (4 reviews)
Season: May through October
Steamer Bay Cabin is on the northwest corner of Etolin Island on the east side of Steamer Bay. Its location on saltwater provides access to fishing and paddling opportunities. The site can be accessed by float plane or boat, depending on conditions.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups, Bear Boxes, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/steamer-bay-cabin to be notified when sites open up.
Steamer Bay Cabin offers saltwater access for fishing and paddling on the northwest corner of Etolin Island. Campers praise it as one of the most beautiful places they've visited, with an A-frame cabin that provides tons of room compared to typical Forest Service cabins.
Wildlife alert: Harbor seals, humpback whales, orcas, Dall's porpoises, and Steller sea lions frequent the area. Seabirds including sabine's gulls, yellow-billed loons, black-legged kittiwakes, and red-throated loons are documented within 8km.
Insider tips for Steamer Bay Cabin: Book early—federal campground with high demand Accessible by float plane or boat only; arrange your own transportation Cabin sleeps 8-10 people; ample tent pitching areas available Bring your own amenities as guests are responsible for supplying several items
Skip Steamer Bay Cabin if: You cannot arrange private boat or float plane access. You need hookups—no hookups available at most sites. You're visiting outside May-October seasonal operations.
Best time to visit Steamer Bay Cabin: May-July — King salmon saltwater fishing available. August-September — Silver salmon saltwater fishing available.
Nearby campgrounds: Barnes Lake Cabin (THORNE BAY, AK), Deep Bay Cabin (Wrangell, AK), Sweet Water Lake Cabin (KETCHIKAN/THORNE BAY, AK), Middle Ridge Cabin (Wrangell, AK).
Cell Phone Coverage at Steamer Bay Cabin
Cell signal at Steamer Bay Cabin (WRANGELL AK, 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.
Steamer Bay Cabin is on the northwest corner of Etolin Island on the east side of Steamer Bay. Its location on saltwater provides access to fishing and paddling opportunities. The site can be accessed by float plane or boat, 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 entryBook early
federal campground with high demand
Accessible by float plane or boat only; arrange your own transportation
Cabin sleeps 8-10 people; ample tent pitching areas available
Bring your own amenities as guests are responsible for supplying several items
King salmon saltwater fishing available
Silver salmon saltwater fishing available
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 →
Steamer Bay Cabin is located on the northwest corner of Etolin Island on the east side of Steamer Bay. The cabin is accessible by boat or float plane only, and is 27 miles by boat or 25 miles by air from Wrangell. Use caution when anchoring the boat due to the rocky shoreline. Check local tide tables to determine the best time for arrival and departure, ideally at high slack tide. There is a mooring buoy anchored in the bay for cabin guests only.
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 Steamer Bay Cabin cost per night?+
What season is Steamer Bay Cabin open?+
Does Steamer Bay Cabin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Steamer Bay Cabin?+
How do I make reservations at Steamer Bay Cabin?+
What is the cell service like at Steamer Bay Cabin?+
What season is Steamer Bay Cabin open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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