Campground Details - VIRGINIA LAKE CABIN, AK - ReserveAmerica

Overview

Virginia Lake Cabin, built in 1965, is located 10 miles east of Wrangell on the mainland above Eastern Passage. It is open year-round, offering guests the chance to enjoy recreation and beautiful scenery on Virginia Lake in any season.

The site can be accessed by float plane, depending on conditions. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring several of their own amenities.

Natural Features:

The cabin sits on relatively flat land with some large meadows near Porterfield Creek, which is about a quarter-mile away. The surrounding rainforest is primarily Sitka spruce and western hemlock with some cedar. Steep mountains surround portions of the lake. A sandy beach is located in front of the cabin.

This area is home to brown and black bears (bear safety information). Moose also make their home here.

Recreation:

The .9-mile Mill Creek Trail leads from the beach at Eastern Passage to the Virginia Lake outlet. The Mill Creek Trailhead is 9 miles by boat from Wrangell. There is a portage opportunity along the Mill Creek Trail between saltwater and the lake. There is no developed trail from the end of Mill Creek Trail at the Virginia Lake outlet to the cabin. Trail users can see evidence of past mining and an old sawmill.

Anglers can fish for cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden from May to October and sockeye salmon in August and September. Visitors can use the cabin's skiff with oars, but they must supply their own flotation devices and ensure that the skiff is secured before leaving.

Hunting is possible in the area with the proper permit.

Facilities:

This (pan-abode style) cabin is 12-by-14 with a 10-by-8 addition. It is fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair-friendly deck that wraps around two sides of the cabin, a walkway between the cabin and the outhouse, and a floating dock that connects to the walkway.

The cabin sleeps eight people with three single bunks and two double bunks with trundles. It also has a table and benches, broom, wood stove for heat, a campfire ring and a woodshed stocked with firewood and a splitting maul.

Water and electricity are not provided. Water is available from a stream behind the cabin, but guests should be sure to treat water before drinking or cooking with it (water safety tips). It is recommended that visitors bring their own water supply.

Cooking facilities are not available. Visitors should pack sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove, lanterns or flashlights, cookware, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Visitors are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving (click here for more cabin details).

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Accessible Boat Dock Accessible Sites Accessible Walkways Beach Birding Broom & Dust Pan Bunkbed(s) Cabin Rentals Campfire Rings Firewood	Fishing Hiking Hunting Lake Access Non-Motorized Boating Outhouse Table & Chairs Trails Wildlife Viewing Wood Stove

Know Before You Go

This facility is located in an extremely remote and wild area; before making a reservation, become aware of bear, water, and weather safety (including cold)
Recreating in Alaska can present both obvious and hidden dangers; please be aware of your surroundings and be prepared for extended stays due to occasionally poor weather
Water is not available at the cabin; guests must bring their own water supply or treat water from natural sources
Please pack out all trash and food
Use of this cabin by a commercial operator, such as an outfitter or guide, is not allowed
Expect other users on lake due to easy access and distance from Wrangell
Click here for more information about Tongass National Forest

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
56.48222, -132.14306
56°28'56"N, 132°8'35"W

The cabin is on the east end of Virginia Lake, about 10 miles east of Wrangell. The lake is on the mainland (elevation 105 feet) above Eastern Passage.

The cabin is accessible by float plane. Virginia Lake is usually ice-free May to October. In fall, winter and early spring, the cabin may be inaccessible due to frozen lake surface (float planes cannot land). Please contact the Wrangell Ranger District at (907) 874-2323 for information prior to making reservations during these periods.