Paulson Bay Cabin

The feel

The 12 x 14 ft cabin sits on a bluff at the head of Paulson Bay, on the west side of Cochrane Bay, with steps leading up from the beach. It stands in an open wooded area with muskeg nearby and looks out over Port Wells and College Fiord, with Harvard Glacier in the background.

Black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles live here, and the Sound has sea otters, orcas, Dall's porpoises, harbor seals and sea lions. The cabin is a base for sea kayaking, fishing, shrimping and sightseeing.

What to expect

Layout and setting

One 12 x 14 ft cabin sleeping up to 6, with wooden bunks, a table with benches, an oil-drip kerosene stove, a fire extinguisher, a broom and an outhouse with composting toilet. It sits on a bluff above the beach.

Check-in and stay

Check-in and check-out are at 12pm. The cabin is open year-round.

Fees and reservations

$75/night, plus a non-refundable service fee added by Recreation.gov. Reserve up to 180 days in advance on Recreation.gov or at 1-877-444-6777. A permit is required to hunt and fish.

Hazards

Bear, water and weather safety all matter, and bad weather may extend your trip. The mouth of the bay is partly hidden by five small islands, with submerged rock ledges between the islands and off points.

Bathrooms and water

Composting outhouse at the cabin. No drinking water: bring your own, or boil surface water 5 minutes before drinking it.

Season and access

Open year-round. Not reachable by road. Floatplane is 40 minutes from Anchorage or 60 minutes from Cordova; by boat it is 18 miles from Whittier.

Mingo says

Check the tide tables before you choose arrival and departure times. The bay mouth is hard to spot among five small islands.

Before you go

• Pack sleeping pads, sleeping bags, a cook stove, toilet paper, pots and utensils, and water purification.
• Bring extra supplies for 2 to 5 days in case weather extends your stay.
• Arrange your own boat or floatplane, since boats are not provided.
• Call the Glacier Ranger District at (907) 783-3242, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

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