Esker Stream Cabin

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·Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve

Overview

Built in 2002, Esker Stream Cabin is located near Yakutat, 20 miles across Yakutat Bay in the southern coastal region of Wrangell-St. Elias Preserve, offering seclusion and relaxation. The cabin is accessible by air via beach landing in a wheeled airplane and is dependent on tide and glacial ice conditions. There is no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identifier or landing strip, nor good tie-down area for private aircraft. The cabin is located at sea level, surrounded by mature spruce and birch, and may include opportunities to see bears, moose, wolves, whales and shorebirds. Access to the cabin requires a short but unimproved 0.34 mile walk with a stream crossing. Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) are not allowed for recreational or subsistence use in the park or preserve in the Malaspina Forelands.

Great Facilities and Amenities

  • Campfire Allowed

    (All campsites have Campfire Allowed)

  • Checkin Time

    (All campsites have Checkin Time)

  • Checkout Time

    (All campsites have Checkout Time)

  • Hike In Distance To Site

    (Up to 1')

  • Max Num Of People

    (Up to 4)

  • Pets Allowed

    (All campsites have Pets Allowed)

  • Shade

    (All campsites have Shade)

  • Site Access

    (All campsites have Site Acceses)

Natural Features

view of table and heater inside Esker Stream Cabin (Wrangell-St Elias) - Credits: National Park Service
aerial view of Esker Stream Cabin (Wrangell-St Elias) - Credits: National Park Service
Topographic map of Esker Stream Cabin (Wrangell-St Elias) - Credits: Topographic map of Esker Stream Cabin (Wrangell-St Elias)
view of bunks and bench inside Esker Stream Cabin (Wrangell-St Elias) - Credits: National Park Service

The cabin is surrounded by mature spruce and birch with Yakutat Bay nearby. The Malaspina Glacier is to the northwest of the cabin and other glaciers are located throughout the bay area, including the Hubbard Glacier. There are numerous streams, lakes, marshes and tidal flats in the area, and mountains of the Tongass National Forest can be viewed from across the bay.

Recreation

front view of Esker Stream Cabin (Wrangell-St Elias) - Credits: National Park Service

Opportunities for recreation include sea kayaking, whale watching, exploring and hiking around the cabin and the Esker Stream drainage, or walking on the beach southeast for three miles to Bancas Point. This is a remote, rugged area, dependent on tide and glacial ice conditions. Be sure you're familiar with backcountry safety before venturing out to hike. To learn more, visit the Backcountry Safety page on the park website.  

This cabin is located in the preserve, so sport and subsistence hunting is allowed. A State of Alaska hunting license is required, and if you are a subsistence hunter, a federal subsistence hunting permit may be required. Please refer to state and federal hunting regulations. ORVs are not allowed for recreational or subsistence use in the park and preserve in the Malaspina Forelands. Nearby Esker Stream is suitable for fishing. If you plan to fish, a State of Alaska fishing license is required. 

Nearby Attractions

Although the cabin is remotely located, there may be opportunities to visit other attractions in Yakutat Bay, depending on your mode of transportation and experience level. The Malaspina and Hubbard Glaciers may be accessible, along with several other smaller glaciers. The Russell Fjord Wilderness of the Tongass National Forest is located across the bay from the cabin; all travel is dependent on tide and glacial ice conditions. 

Additional Information