Forest Service Cabins
The Sitka Ranger District, 204 Siginaka Way, Sitka, AK 99835 (tel. 907/747-6671; www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/sitka), maintains two dozen wilderness cabins on Baranof, Chichagof, and Kruzof islands, in sea-kayaking coves and on remote fishing lakes, where rowing skiffs generally are provided. The cabins and their facilities are described in a Forest Service handout or on their website.
You will need camping gear and a boat or floatplane to get there, a much greater cost than the nightly rental of $35 to $45. For cabins on saltwater near Sitka, the most affordable way is a water taxi, such as Esther G Sea Taxi (tel. 907/747-6481 or 907/738-6481 cellular; www.puffinsandwhales.com). Operator Davey Lubin also offers marine wildlife tours and kayak drop-offs to remote shores. Harris Aircraft Services, 400 Airport Rd. (tel. 877/966-3050 Alaska only, or 907/966-3050; www.harrisaircraft.com) offers floatplane charters to cabins or anywhere else. Either way, allow time in your schedule in case bad weather prevents backcountry travel.
