As the holidays near, stress levels rise. From last-minute shopping to cleaning the house for guests, the holiday to-do list can seem never-ending.
This year, counteract the stress and use up those last few vacation days by heading to one of the many cabins located on or around the Kenai Peninsula.
The cabins offer the bare essentials with bunk beds and a heating source (wood is not guaranteed though), meaning guests must bring their own gear including sleeping bags, food, cooking utensils, light sources, etc.
The state of Alaska offers 84 cabins and eight ice huts across the state. On the peninsula, they operate the Caines Head State Recreation Area near Seward, where there are three cabins available to rent from $80 a night. The Callisto Canyon Cabin, Derby Cover Cabin and Tonsina Cabin are near Resurrection Bay and can be accessed by a trail from Lowell Point or by boat.
“These cabins are difficult to reach during the winter months due to wind, rain and heavy seas,” according to the state, but have the amenities to make the trip worthwhile.
Derby Cove and Callisto Canyon have wood-heating stoves, Tonsina Cabin has an oil heater which takes kerosene or diesel fuel.
The Tonsina Cabin is the easier of the three to get to, with a 2- mile trek from the Lowell Point State Recreation Area parking lot.
There are several public use cabins in the Cooper Landing area along the Resurrection Trail including Romig Cabin on Juneau Lake, which can be rented for $50 a night.
“It is surrounded by willow and spruce and overlooks the lake and surrounding mountains,” according to the state. “A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area.”
There are also cabins located along the Russian Lakes Trail, including Barber Cabin about 2 miles into the trail. The rustic cabin is located in a flat area along the eastern shore of Lower Russian Lake. It sleeps eight and is heated by a wood stove.
For a full list of cabins and their availability, visit https://www.recreation.gov/
Reach Kat Sorensen at ksorensen@peninsulaclarion.com
