The Alaska Cabins Project, a collaboration between the U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation, is set to increase the availability of public-use cabins in Alaska’s Chugach and Tongass National Forests.
The Alaska Cabins Project aims to construct 25 new cabins and repair existing ones by 2027, enhancing accessibility across the Chugach and Tongass National Forests. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other contributors, the initiative aims to provide more inclusive outdoor accommodations for a wide range of visitors.
The project’s first cabin, located near the Porcupine Campground off the Hope Highway, creates accessible cabins. This two-story dry cabin, set to be completed this fall, overlooks Turnagain Arm and offers proximity to popular hiking trails and the community of Hope.
Designed to accommodate eight people, it features amenities such as a wood stove, outdoor fire pit, and a wheelchair ramp. The cabin is less than half a mile from a future parking area, allowing easy access year-round.
According to Kenzie Barnwell, stewardship coordinator for the National Forest Foundation, the accessibility of the cabins is a top priority. “It was really important for both the Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation when stewarding this project to develop plans to build these cabins in really accessible sites,” Barnwell explained.
Barnwell emphasized the popularity of public-use cabins in Alaska, noting that many are booked in advance. “I think it’s no secret that public use cabins in Alaska are most booked solid in a lot of different locations, so the reason for this Alaska Cabins Project is to try to meet that demand,” Barnwell said, as reported by KBBI on September 17.
The Chugach Forest was chosen for the project’s early efforts, with additional cabin construction for locations like Trail River Campground near Moose Pass and Meridian Lake outside Seward.
Barnwell highlighted the importance of building cabins that are welcoming to a broad range of visitors, stating, “We want people to be able to drive here and have a short hike in, we want them to be able to bring their grandparents and their kids.”