Turner Lake West Cabin

Turner Lake West Cabin is extremely popular and considered to be one of the most beautiful cabins on the Tongass National Forest. It is open for year-round enjoyment, offering scenic views and access to a variety of recreational activities. The site can be accessed by float plane, motor boat or kayak, depending on conditions; guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety. Anglers can fish for cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden and kokanee salmon in Turner Lake, and for pink salmon and Dolly Varden in the Turner River and Taku Inlet. A 0.8-mile trail goes from the ocean to the cabin. A skiff with oars is available at the cabin, but guests must provide their own flotation devices; a small outboard may be brought along to attach to it. Turner Creek and the mudflats may be difficult to navigate in lower tides, so a shallow draft boat or kayak is recommended, while during high tides larger inboard/outboard boats can navigate the inlet. Tide charts should be consulted. Bear, mountain goat and waterfowl hunting is allowed in designated seasons with the proper permits. This is a chalet-style log cabin with a fireplace of beautiful stonework. It sleeps six, with two single and two double bunks, and also has a table and benches, a broom, an oil heater, a cooler box for food storage, food preparation space and an outhouse. Water, firewood and electricity are not provided. Water is available from the lake or a nearby stream, but should be treated before drinking or cooking with it, and it is recommended that visitors bring their own supply. Heating oil is not provided either: bring #1 diesel oil or kerosene, a gallon per day on the lowest setting, in addition to bedding, cooking gear, lighting, food and all other supplies. Visitors are expected to pack out trash, empty the cabinets and clean the cabin before leaving. The cabin sits on rock that slopes directly to the water. The area has spectacular scenery with cliffs and numerous waterfalls cascading into the lake. This area is home to grizzly and black bears, moose and mountain goats, and a variety of waterfowl can be seen on Turner Lake.