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Accommodations in Alaska, particularly in the sparsely populated areas, can be quite rugged. You will find a lot of establishments have only shared bathrooms, and amenities such as a coffee pot, television, and Internet access are scant, although the latter is beginning to find its way even into remote villages. In the most rural of places it is not entirely unheard of to find no bathrooms in the establishment, but rather an outhouse or "honey bucket" out back. If such things are important to you, it's wise to inquire in advance.
A sole, beautifully decorated cabin nestled in the woods across from Kenai Lake, Teddy's is surrounded by mountains and hiking trails. The cabin sleeps up to four comfortably. The grounds are superbly manicured and convey a sense of a magical forest. The inn is 6 miles from Moose Pass and 23 miles from Seward.
Three public-use cabins are within Kachemak Bay's Halibut Cove lagoon area, another (called Sea Star) is near Tutka Bay lagoon, and a fifth is at China Poot Lake. All but the lakeside cabin are accessible by boat; China Poot can be reached only on foot from the boat landing on the beach or by floatplane to the lake. The cabin furnishings are sparse, but include wooden bunks and sleeping platforms, a table, and chairs; there's no running water or electricity. Four of the five cabins sleep up to six people (the other, the Overlook cabin at Halibut Cove, sleeps eight), and all can be reserved up to six months in advance. There are also yurts in the parks available through alaskanyurtrentals.com.
Along trails, near wilderness alpine lakes, in coastal forests, and on saltwater beaches, these rustic cabins offer retreats for solo hikers or groups. Some cabins are built of logs, and some are A-frames. Most have tables, chairs, woodburning stoves, and bunks, but no electricity, running water, or bedding. Many require a fly-in or boat ride, although some can be reached by car and then on foot. If you're suitably equipped and sufficiently adventurous, these cabins are Alaska's best bargain for getting away from town and enjoying backcountry wilderness with a roof over your head.
The Cordova Ranger District of the Chugach National Forest maintains a series of simple backcountry cabins for rent. These cabins are very basic: four walls, a roof, a floor, wooden bunks, usually a woodstove, a table, benches, counter space for preparing meals, and a pit toilet out back. There's no bedding, cooking utensils, electricity, or running water. Most of the cabins are accessible only by boat or floatplane, although the McKinley Trail cabin is accessible by motor vehicle on the Copper River Highway. Two others can be reached by hiking from the road. Rentals are arranged through the U.S. Forest Service's website up to six months in advance.
The refuge's public-use cabins are in remote areas accessible only by air or boat. If you're willing to overcome these hurdles, you'll find tranquility and true wilderness, and you won't have to worry about your tent springing a leak.
