Petersburg, Alaska · Petersburg County · Campground
Overview Castle Flats Cabin is located on Kupreanof Island on the coastal waters of southeastern Alaska. It offers access to a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as a secluded place to enjoy its beautiful surroundings. The cabin is accessible only by boat or float plane from Petersburg, and tides im…
Overview Castle Flats Cabin is located on Kupreanof Island on the coastal waters of southeastern Alaska. It offers access to a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as a secluded place to enjoy its beautiful surroundings. The cabin is accessible only by boat or float plane from Petersburg, and tides impact access. During low tides, a 2-mile hike is necessary to reach the cabin. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.Recreation The Castle River Trail is an easy, 1-mile trail that leads first to the Castle River Cabin and continues upstream another half-mile through forest and muskeg. Wildlife can be seen along the trail. Waterfowl, grouse, moose, deer and bear hunting is available in designated seasons as per state or federal hunting regulations; click here for more information from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Visitors also enjoy fishing for steelhead from April to May, trout from May to October, and coho salmon in mid-August through mid-September. A small rowboat and oars are provided at the cabin. Life jackets are not provided and visitors must bring their own. Visitors may also choose to bring a small, outboard motor. Crossing the tide flats by boat requires at least a 13-foot tide (local tide tables).Facilities The hunter-style cabin has four wooden bunks and can accommodate up to five people. It is equipped with a table and benches, wood stove and oil heater. The cabin has a covered porch and an outhouse with a pit toilet. Firewood is generally provided, but is not guaranteed. A broom, dust pan, axe and splitting maul are generally available, but may be missing or damaged. Drinking water is not available. The nearest water source is a small stream west of the cabin, but water must be treated or boiled prior to consumption. Visitors may want to bring their own drinking water to avoid the hassle. Heating oil is not provided. Visitors need to bring No. 1 heati
From Petersburg, it is 16 miles by float plane or 30 miles by boat. A 15-foot tide is required for float plane access, and a 13-foot tide is required for boat access. At lower tides, there is up to a 2-mile hike along the tide flat to the cabin. Castle Flats Cabin can be found on USGS topographic map Petersburg C-4. 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.
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 CASTLE FLATS CABIN
Heading to CASTLE FLATS 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 CASTLE FLATS CABIN?
No central reservation system listed for CASTLE FLATS CABIN. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233002) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to CASTLE FLATS CABIN?
From Petersburg, it is 16 miles by float plane or 30 miles by boat. A 15-foot tide is required for float plane access, and a 13-foot tide is required for boat access. At lower tides, there is up to a 2-mile hike along the tide flat to the cabin. Castle Flats Cabin can be found on USGS topographic map Petersburg C-4. Maps are available online or by calling the Petersburg Ranger District at (907) 77…
