Overview

Sítʼ Yá Hítʼ translates to 'Face of the Glacier House.' It is situated on the shore of Mendenhall Lake, in view of the Mendenhall Glacier, about 13 miles from downtown Juneau. The site is a popular destination for viewing beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife. Hiking opportunities abound. This rustic retreat is open year-round and is open as an overnight accommodation. The cabin is an ideal base for enjoying the serenity and beauty of Mendenhall Lake or participating in various recreational activities. The site can be accessed through the Mendenhall Campground or access trail depending on conditions. Winter weather may require a 1/2-mile trek on snowshoes or skis. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and must bring several of their own amenities.

Facilities

Cabin is drive up between May 15th to September 15th when the campground is open for reservations. Three to four parking spots reserved for cabin guests located at Site 17.

Cabin site is accessed by walking campground road from September 15th to May 15th. Groomed walk-in trail or groomed ski trail when conditions allow. One parking spot is reserved at Skater's Cabin for winter access.

The entrance gate is closed nightly from 10pm to 7am and the exit gate is open 24 hours a day. Water faucets, accessible vault toilets, a dump station and trash dumpster are provided nearby, inside the Mendenhall Campground, as are two accessible flush toilets and shower facilities.

This 14 ft. by 16 ft. pan-abode style cabin sleeps six to ten people with two single and two double bunks. The cabin also has a table and benches, broom, electric COVE heater, wood stove, axe and splitting maul. The cabin site is ADA accessible, with accessible trails connecting the road, cabin, outhouse, and fire ring. Water and firewood are not provided. Water is seasonally available from spigots in the campground nearby. It is recommended that visitors bring their own water supply in the winter.

Minimal lighting and electricity is provided. Lighting is installed inside/outside the cabin and outhouse on timed switches. USB/USB-C charging outlet provided. Cabin users are encouraged to bring their own additional lighting and power supply for devices.

Visitors must provide their own sleeping bags, sleeping pads, food, a cooking stove, cookware, plates, utensils, lanterns or flashlights, toilet paper, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. They are expected to pack out trash, empty the cabinets and clean the cabin before leaving.

Natural Features

The campground is situated on the shore of Mendenhall Lake at about 100 feet elevation. Mendenhall Glacier lies to the north and the Mendenhall River flows on the east. On either side of the campground the mountains rise from 4,000 to 7,000 feet above the Mendenhall Glacier. The topography is relatively flat and open, consisting of glacial moraines, small lakes and ponds. Forbs and lichens, black cottonwood, Sitka alder, willow and mature spruce hemlock forests cover the area. The forest floor is dotted with blueberry bushes and mosses. At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest covers most of Southeast Alaska and is the largest forest in the national forest system. The Tongass surrounds the Inside Passage, the network of waterways that buffer the jagged Alaskan Coast and a cluster of coastline islands. The Tongass offers visitors a chance to view wildlife, including eagles, bears and spawning salmon. Expansive vistas, including fjords, glaciers and mountain peaks fill the area. The Tongass is part of the world's largest temperate rain forest.

Recreation

The West Glacier Trail, with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet, can be hiked in 5-6 hours roundtrip. The trailhead is a half mile from the campground entrance by road or on the Aak'w Sit' Trail. The .4 mile Tolch Rock Trail is in this vicinity. The campground has several paths in it with interpretive signs relating facts about the area wildlife and environment.

Winter season provides even more ways to recreate. The Mendenhall Campground is groomed when conditions allow for classic and skate skiing.

Nearby Attractions

Run the rapids down the Mendenhall River, take a helicopter to the top of the glacier, bicycle or hike in the area. Outfitters offer these services. Many trails can be accessed from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center area, including East Glacier Trail, with an elevation gain of 400 feet, takes 2-3 hours roundtrip. Some of the shorter trails in this area include the 1.7 mile Nugget Falls Trail, where the waterfall drops 377 feet in two tiers onto a sandbar in Mendenhall Lake, the 1.5 mile Moraine Ecology Trail, and the .7 mile Trail of Time.

Important Notices

• The entrance gate is closed nightly from 10pm to 7am. The exit gate is left open 24/7.

• Bears frequent the area; keep food and anything with a scent in vehicles or inside the cabin. Bear attractants left unattended will be removed.

• Minimal lighting and electricity is provided. Cabin users are encouraged to bring their own additional lighting and power supply for devices.

• Water is seasonally available from spigots in the campground nearby. It is recommended that visitors bring their own water supply in the winter.

• Campground gate is closed from September 15th-May 15th. Off-season access is limited to walk-in via campground road, or groomed hiking/ski trails.

• Campers are encouraged to bring their own firewood. Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by purchasing firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org

• If vehicle or person maximums per site are exceeded, campers will be asked to move excess vehicles and equipment to an additional site, if available, and pay the additional fee.

• Reservations may be made the same day as arrival, if a site is available.

• Site check-in time is 3:00pm. Check-out time is 2:00pm the day of departure.

• Commercial outfitters or guides not allowed; institutional outfitters (universities, schools and clubs) may require a special use permit before making reservations; contact the Juneau Ranger District at 907-586-8800.

• Please pack out all trash and food.

• Click here for more information about Tongass National Forest

Available Activities

• Hiking - Hiking
• Camping - Camping
• Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing
• Cross Country Skiing - Cross Country Skiing
• Kayaking - Kayaking
• Berry Picking - Berry Picking

Directions

<p>This campsite is approximately 13 miles from downtown Juneau. Access is via the Alaska Marine Highway or via Alaska Airlines.</p><p>From the ferry terminal: turn right and travel 1.7 miles to DeHarts Store above Auke Bay marinas. Turn left uphill to Mendenhall Loop Road, and travel 2.5 miles to Montana Creek Road, turn left and travel .3 mile to Skater's Cabin Road. Turn right .3 mile to campground road and continue on campground loop to cabin. From downtown Juneau, Take Egan Drive northwest 8 miles to stoplight intersection of Mendenhall Loop Road. Turn right 2.2 miles to the intersection of Mendenhall Loop Road and Glacier Spur Road. Turn left 1.4 miles to the intersection of Montana Creek Road. Turn right .3 mile to Skater's Cabin Road. Turn right .3 mile to campground road and continue on campground loop to site 17. Cabin is located up the short road beyond the cabin parking area in site 17.</p><p>From the airport: go 0.1 mile to the junction of Yandukin Shell Simmons Drive. Turn left on Shell Simmons Drive and travel 0.3 miles to stoplight at the intersection of Old Glacier Highway. Turn left on Old Glacier Highway and travel 0.5 mile to the stoplight at the intersection of Egan Drive. Continue on Mendenhall Loop Road 2.2 miles to the intersection of Back Loop Road. Turn left on Backloop Road. Continue 1.4 miles to the intersection of Montana Creek Road. Turn right and travel 0.3 miles to Skater's Cabin Road. Turn right and travel 0.3 miles to campground. Continue on campground loop to site 17. Cabin is located up the short road beyond the cabin parking area in site 17.</p><p>Winter access (Sept. 15th-May 15th): Campground gate is closed from September 15th-May 15th. Off-season access is limited to walk-in via campground road, or groomed hiking/ski trails. Follow the steps above to arrive at Mendenhall Campground gates. From the gate continue down Skaters Cabin road to Skater's Cabin parking area. Hike past campground gate, follow the road to the left. Cabin is located at Site 17. When snow conditions allow - Skiers can follow Mendenhall Campground Nordic ski route to Site 17 and continue up to cabin site. Hikers should follow the signed Winter Access route provided to avoid damaging the Nordic Ski route.</p>

Cancellation Policy

<p><strong>If I book this reservation today, what are my options to change or cancel?</strong></p><p>Please remember that reservations at these facilities prevent other visitors from using these sites. Planned changes to your stay should be made as far in advance as possible. You can make changes to your reservation ahead of your arrival date in My Reservations.</p><p><strong>Changes</strong></p><p>If your new stay dates are completely different from your original stay dates, there is a $10 change fee (per reserved site). There are no additional fees for:</p><ul><li><p>Adding or removing nights to your stay.</p></li></ul><p>Balances will adjust based on your new stay's nightly rate.</p><p><strong>Cancellations</strong></p><p>You can cancel the reservation any time before the date of your scheduled arrival. You will receive a refund for your stay, minus the following fees:</p><ul><li><p>$10 cancellation fee</p></li><li><p>Any reservation fees (only if paid when booking)</p></li><li><p>Any previous change fees</p></li></ul><p>Late cancellation penalties may also apply:</p><p><strong>What is “Late”?</strong></p><p>A late cancellation applies starting from midnight 14 calendar days or fewer before your scheduled check-in.</p><p><strong>Late Fee</strong></p><p>In addition to the fees listed above, a late cancellation will also subtract your <strong>first night's recreation use fee </strong>from any refund owed. As of the expected check-in day, cancellations or changes to your stay are not possible through My Reservations. It is at the facility's discretion to support additional Late Cancellations, No Show, or Early Departure updates – on-site personnel may not be able to assist. These changes carry penalties and may forfeit recreation use fees. For additional details, please visit  <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies" rel="nofollow"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 907-586-8800

Rental Options

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