Goose Bay Cabin

The feel

Goose Bay Cabin is an A-frame Forest Service cabin built in 2021 on Goose Bay in Prince William Sound. It sits in a small lagoon on the western shore of Culross Island, in the Nellie Juan - College Fiord Wilderness Study Area, among muskeg, spruce and hemlock. There is no road to it, so everyone arrives by boat or floatplane.

Inside, the cabin is 16x16 feet with a loft, wooden bunks, a table, benches and a kerosene heater. An outside pit toilet stands nearby, and there is no electricity or running water. The cabin suits spring backcountry skiing. The original cabin closed in 2012 after the Snowpocalypse snow load damaged it, and the new one reopened to the public in October 2021.

What to expect

Layout and setting

One 16x16 foot A-frame cabin with a loft, wooden bunks, a table and benches, heated by a kerosene heater. It sleeps 6 to 8.

Check-in and stay

Check-in and check-out are both at 12:00 PM. A Forest Order limits a stay to seven consecutive days.

Parking and rig size

There is no road. Reach it by boat, about 25 miles southeast of Whittier, or by floatplane, about 45 minutes from Anchorage.

Fees and reservations

$75/night, plus a non-refundable service fee added by Recreation.gov. Reservable up to 6 months out.

Hazards

The site is unstaffed and has no road access. The bay freezes over in winter.

Bathrooms and water

An outside pit toilet. No potable water: a fresh water source near the cabin is reachable only at low tide, and natural water should be boiled 5 minutes or otherwise treated.

Season and access

Open year-round, but water access is difficult until the bay opens, usually in mid to late March depending on temperatures.

Mingo says

Plan your boat arrival for high slack tide. The water in front of the cabin may be too shallow at low tide. Spring is the season for backcountry skiing from the cabin, so aim your trip for then.

Before you go

• Bring kerosene for the heater: 1 to 3 gallons per 24 hours on low. The cabin has none.
• Pack sleeping bags and pads, a cook stove, pots, toilet paper and water purification.
• Reserve on Recreation.gov; the cabin is not staffed.
• Call the main office at (907) 783-3242 with questions.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.