No detected openings were recorded in the last 90 days. Campsite Sniper monitors Mcdonald Lake Cabin continuously and will alert you if that changes.
Of the 183 tracked site-nights (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 183 open for online reservation.
Where the open windows are
Load status
Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Of the open cabin-nights on mapped sites, 104 fall on weekdays and 79 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Mar 2027October holds the most room. 31 of 31 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 1 cabin| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 1 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 1 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 1 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 1 | Open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: 1 cabin is available for the complete three-night stay. Christmas: 1 cabin is available for the complete two-night stay. New Year: 1 cabin is available for the complete two-night stay.
Availability
Most open cabin-nights · tracked window| Cabin | Open cabin-nights |
|---|---|
| K08 | 183 |
This cabin currently has 183 cabin-nights available.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotThe next bookable night is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
Multi-night stays. 1 2-night, 1 3-night, 1 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 18 at site K08.
All 1 cabin with current availability
| Cabin | Max RV | Hookups | Open cabin-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K08 | Not recorded | None | 183 | 183 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +171 more |
About Mcdonald Lake Cabin
Overview
McDonald Lake Cabin sits on Wolverine Island near the outlet of McDonald Lake 50 miles from Ketchikan, Alaska. The cabin is available year-round and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska with its many recreational options and abundant wildlife.
The cabin is remote and accessible only by boat or float plane, depending on conditions. Visitors arriving by boat must anchor at Yes Bay and walk the 1.5-mile McDonald Lake Trail to get to the cabin.
This primitive cabin has no electricity, indoor plumbing or cell phone coverage. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
Boating, hiking, fishing and hunting are popular activities at this cabin. The McDonald Lake Trail features a 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) 3-sided shelter.
A skiff with oars is provided for rowing around the lake, but visitors must provide their own life jackets. The skiff can use a short-shaft motor, which is not provided.
Steelhead and salmon runs occur up to Wolverine Creek. The lake offers resident trout and Dolly Varden. For information about fishing and hunting permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.
Facilities
The 12x14-ft. (pan-abode style) cabin accommodates 6 people with 2 double bunks and 2 single bunks. Other amenities include a table and benches, a cooking counter, a broom with dust pan, outhouse, splitting maul, and woodstove. Bring your own firewood as it cannot be guaranteed.
Drinking water is not available at the cabin. It is recommended that visitors bring their own water supply, but water is available from a small stream near the cabin and should be treated before drinking or cooking with it (water safety tips).
Visitors should bring sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a cooking stove and cooking gear, lanterns or flashlights, toilet paper, garbage bags, fire extinguisher and a fire starter. Rain gear and boots are recommended. Visitors are expected to pack out all their trash, gear and food and clean the cabin before leaving (more cabin details).
Natural Features
The cabin is backed by old-growth cedar, Sitka spruce and Western hemlock rainforest. From the front deck, visitors can gaze out over the lake and its forested shoreline, as well as admire the surrounding mountain peaks.
Wildlife in the area includes Sitka black-tailed deer, black and brown bear, wolf, beaver, marten, mink and otter (bear safety and precautions). A variety of birds may be spotted in and around the lake.
Getting there
Approximately 50 miles from Ketchikan. Located on Cleveland Peninsula, north of Yes Bay. Cabin site is on Wolverine Island near outlet of lake. Access is by float plane or boat. There is a 1.5-mile hike by trail from Yes Bay Lodge at saltwater. Refer to USGS Ketchikan D-6. In fall, winter, and early spring, the cabin may be inaccessible due to frozen lake surface (float planes cannot land). Please contact the Ketchikan-Misty Fjords Ranger District for information prior to making reservations during these periods.
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
Photo gallery
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Mcdonald Lake Cabin?
Reservations for Mcdonald Lake Cabin are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 183 of 183 tracked site-nights are open (100%), though availability can change. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 14:17 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Mcdonald Lake Cabin?
1 three-night opening is showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 18 at site K08. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at Mcdonald Lake Cabin?
October 2026, with 31 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 31.
When is the next open date at Mcdonald Lake Cabin?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
Stop refreshing. Let the app watch it.
Lakefront, hookups, your RV length, weekends only - set it as picky as you want.
We run paced availability checks for Mcdonald Lake Cabin. One watch covers every matching site.
When a match opens, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.