Public Use Cabins

NPS Photo by Josh Spice

Take yourself back in time with a stay in one of the many public use cabins throughout Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. Split some wood and then head inside to light a blaze in the wood stove under the light of an oil lamp. Enjoy the warmth as your gear dries out from a long journey down the mighty Yukon River, whether it be on a recreational float or hunting trip.
Please replace the firewood, but keep the memories.

Yukon-Charley Rivers has seven public use cabins that are available on a first come, first served basis. The Nation Bluff, Glenn Creek, Kandik River, Slaven's Roadhouse, Slaven's and Smith public use cabins are easily accessed from the Yukon River. However, the Coal Creek Camp public use cabin requires some hiking off river. The Washington Creek cabin, being used as a public use cabin until the Kandik public use cabin is repaired, is accessed by hiking, or lining a boat, approximately one mile up Washington Creek. GPS units should be set at NAD 27 Alaska. Refer to cabin policies for information on regulations.

 

The Nation Bluff Cabin (N65º 12' 12.32", W141º 44' 17.61") is downstream from the mouth of the Nation River at the base of Nation Bluff. The cabin was built in 1934 by Christopher 'Phonograph' Nelson to support his trapping activities. The National Park Service restored the cabin in 1995 and protected it from wildfires in 1999.

 

The Glenn Creek Cabin (N65º 17' 59.58", W142º 05' 23.65") is approximately ¼ mile down river from the mouth of Glenn Creek on the left bank of the Yukon River. The cabin was built by Dr. LeFevere of Fairbanks in the 1950's as a hunting cabin.

 

The Kandik River Cabin (N65º 22' 34.08", W142º 30' 46.46") is located ¼ mile up the Kandik River on the west bank. The cabin was constructed in 1981 in support of a subsistence lifestyle and rebuilt in 2010, after being destroyed during the breakup flood of May 2009.

 

The Slaven's Public Use Cabin is located approximately 100 yards from the Slaven's Roadhouse along the upper trail to Coal Creek Camp. The National Park Service built the cabin in 1993 for public use.

 

Slaven's Roadhouse (N65º 21' 01.93", W143º 07' 12.01") is located just downriver from the mouth of Coal Creek on the left bank of the Yukon. The cabin was built in 1932 by Frank Slaven, Sandy Johnson, Alfred Johnson, Arthur Reynolds, and Ed Brown. This historic roadhouse was restored in 1993 and is now used as a public use facility, volunteer residence, and "dog drop" along the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race route.

 

To access Coal Creek Camp, visitors must hike a four mile trail from Slaven's Roadhouse or fly into the Coal Creek airstrip. This historic mining camp was built in the early 1930s to support gold dredging operations. The National Park Service completed restoration of the camp in 1999, and it is now used as a summer operations base. There is one designated public use cabin available year round.

 

The Smith Public Use Cabin (N65° 25' 38.76'', W143°, 33' 16.71'') is approximately 6 miles above Takoma Bluff, just above the mouth of Eureka Creek on river right. It was built in 1984 in support of a subsistence life style at the site of a 1920 cabin.

 

Map of Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve (1.44mb PDF)