Overview Big John Bay Cabin is located at the north end of Big John Bay in Rocky Pass (Keku Strait) on Kupreanof Island. It provides access to great recreational activities and spectacular scenery in southeastern Alaska. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking, hunting and viewing wildlife. The cabin can be accessed by boat or …
Overview Big John Bay Cabin is located at the north end of Big John Bay in Rocky Pass (Keku Strait) on Kupreanof Island. It provides access to great recreational activities and spectacular scenery in southeastern Alaska. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking, hunting and viewing wildlife. The cabin can be accessed by boat or trail from the town of Kake, or by float plane from Petersburg. Tides can impact access, requiring up to a mile hike from the boat at low tide. The trail can be affected at high tide. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.Recreation The cabin provides access to good waterfowl hunting opportunities. Hunting is available as per state or federal hunting regulations; click here for more information from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Fishing in the Hamilton and Big John Creeks are activities that are also enjoyed by visitors to the area. Trout, as well as pink and coho salmon, can be found there. The Big John Bay Trail can be difficult to follow, but provides access to the cabin from the community of Kake. There is no trail access during high tide (local tide tables). The route follows tide flats and then parallels a small creek until reaching the logging road. Additional hikes in the area include the Hamilton Bay, Goose Lake and Cathedral Falls Trails.Facilities The hunter-style cabin has bunks to sleep up to four people. It is equipped with a table, benches and an oil stove for heat. An outhouse with a pit toilet is provided. Water for drinking, cooking and cleaning is not provided at the cabin. Water taken from the nearby stream should be treated or boiled before consumption. Guests are encouraged to bring their own drinking water if possible. Heating oil is not supplied at the cabin, so visitors must bring enough kerosene or No. 1 heating oil for the oil heater. One gallon lasts about one day. Visitors also need to bring their own sleeping bags and pads, cook stove
Photos
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How to Get There
From Petersburg, it is 28 miles by float plane. From Kake, it is 18 miles by boat or 1.75 miles from the roadside near Kake. A 15-foot tide is required for boats or float planes to directly access the cabin. A 1-mile hike across mudflats is warranted at lower tides. Part of the trail crosses a tide flat, so there is no trail access during high tide. Please check tide charts in advance. The cabin can be found on USGS topographic map Petersburg D6. Maps are available online or by calling the Petersburg Ranger District at (907) 772-3871.
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
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Dry bags for electronics
Phone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to BIG JOHN BAY CABIN
Heading to BIG JOHN BAY CABIN? A few things to know before you go:
Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for BIG JOHN BAY CABIN?
No central reservation system listed for BIG JOHN BAY CABIN. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233011) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How many campsites are at BIG JOHN BAY CABIN?
BIG JOHN BAY CABIN has 1 campsites. Site amenities (hookups, vehicle limits, ADA access) vary — see the individual campsite pages for details.
How do I get to BIG JOHN BAY CABIN?
From Petersburg, it is 28 miles by float plane. From Kake, it is 18 miles by boat or 1.75 miles from the roadside near Kake. A 15-foot tide is required for boats or float planes to directly access the cabin. A 1-mile hike across mudflats is warranted at lower tides. Part of the trail crosses a tide flat, so there is no trail access during high tide. Please check tide charts in advance. The cabin c…
