Campsite #S04 at Upper Russian Lake Cabin, AK

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$75

Cabin Site #S04

24 reviews
8 people
0 fair
S04
5/21
6/9
Campsite #S04 Features: Back-In parking, Cabin Site

Campsite Reviews (24)

4.0 out of 5

5 star
54%
4 star
25%
3 star
13%
2 star
8%
1 star
0%

@KennethB453248 · Camped on May 16, 2025 at Campsite #S04
The cabin was awesome, we had a great time. At some point in the past they switched out the small Jon boat they had with a canoe. The canoe is okay for the rare calm day on the lake but very unstable with the high winds experienced almost daily there. People who had been there prior to us left aluminum cans in the fire pit. There was trash left in the bucket behind the stove and a sleeping bag as well. There is very little firewood left anywhere near the cabin. We were walking at least 100 yards to find anything halfway decent. Otherwise it was a good experience. Caught lots of trout and saw a few bears.
@SarahB5025907 · Camped on Oct 15, 2023 at Campsite #S04
This is an amazing cabin! We paddled around the lake in the canoe provided and saw a lot of salmon, and birds, no bear sightings though a lot of signs. We were able to catch some trout for dinner and gather some berries. The weather was perfect! Thank you! There was too much leftover food left from others for us to carry it all out. Pack it in pack it out please.
@RichardB341941 · Camped on Jul 24, 2023 at Campsite #S04
Nice cabin! Saw 6 bearsWe flew in and it took us a few minutes to find the right cabin. Theres a couple others on the lake. Public use cabin is right by the outlet stream
@DanS6740969 · Camped on Dec 28, 2022 at Campsite #S04
Bust , trail not open and snow to deep
@EdwardM9946642 · Camped on Aug 17, 2022 at Campsite #S04
Found cabin in good condition. could use firewood supply and a new boat with good oar locks.
@JackieD1320356 · Camped on Jul 13, 2022 at Campsite #S04
The cabin is great. The boat provided is marginal at best, it leaks and hasn’t been fixed in YEARS. The last 5 miles of the 11 miles trail in from the Upper Russian trailhead is covered with 5’ Devil’s club and brush so is very wet most of the time! Blueberries are plentiful, enjoy!
@GaryC9619428 · Camped on Jun 17, 2022 at Campsite #S04
My favorite cabin of the three on the Russian Lakes Trail. It is the most authentic, rustic “log cabin” with hand hewn walls, beams and roof. I really liked the hand made furniture: chairs, benches, table and bed frames. And the view of the Upper Russian Lake from the beach area was spectacular. This cabin also had the best sleeping arrangement of the 3 cabins with adequate space for 4 people on the bottom bunks and 2 people on top. None of the cabins were built for 8 people unless 2 are willing to sleep on the floor. The only downside of this cabin is that the interior has less light than the other 2, partly because of the surrounding cottonwood trees and partly because of the smaller windows. But overall we were quite pleased with this cabin.
@DavidF8210922 · Camped on Feb 13, 2022 at Campsite #S04
Cabin was in good shape. Not much wood left as of 2/14/22
@JamesW5759385 · Camped on Feb 10, 2022 at Campsite #S04
Unable to locate the cabin the first night had to spent the night camped out. Appon arriving at the cabin the next day there was no firewood at all had to find a dead stand of trees and cut and split wood and left the firebox full for the next visitors.
@BrianW1026295 · Camped on Sep 10, 2021 at Campsite #S04
Cute old cabin. It is a bit dark and the windows don't open so if you want fresh air, you have to leave the door open. Not an option at night given the bears in the area. Lots, and I mean LOTS, of bear sign at this time of year given the salmon in the river. The cabin also needs a deep clean. It was a bit dingy. I was expecting it to be more scenic at the cabin so I was disappointed to see all the tall trees and vegetation around the cabin. Very scenic from the beach just a short walk from the cabin. Glad we visited but probably won't come back to this cabin.
@BrianW307 · Camped on Sep 10, 2021 at Campsite #S04
Cute old cabin. It is a bit dark and the windows don't open so if you want fresh air, you have to leave the door open. Not an option at night given the bears in the area. Lots, and I mean LOTS, of bear sign at this time of year given the salmon in the river. The cabin also needs a deep clean. It was a bit dingy. I was expecting it to be more scenic at the cabin so I was disappointed to see all the tall trees and vegetation around the cabin. Very scenic from the beach just a short walk from the cabin. Glad we visited but probably won't come back to this cabin.
@NathanP481 · Camped on Aug 3, 2021 at Campsite #S04
Great cabin. Feels like the real Alaska. Be near aware!
@NathanP3424100 · Camped on Aug 3, 2021 at Campsite #S04
Great cabin. Feels like the real Alaska. Be near aware!
@LeslieK8428925 · Camped on Jun 29, 2021 at Campsite #S04
The cabin was in great shape. As per the logbook, a previous hiker had recovered the rowboat, which presumably had been improperly tied up by someone prior. Immediately before my stay, a USFS ranger made temporary repairs to the boat, and we were able to take it out on the lake for a short trip. (The ranger advised that a new boat was on-order.) No bear sightings, but we saw salmon entering the lake and a young porcupine near the cabin.
@LeslieK502 · Camped on Jun 29, 2021 at Campsite #S04
The cabin was in great shape. As per the logbook, a previous hiker had recovered the rowboat, which presumably had been improperly tied up by someone prior. Immediately before my stay, a USFS ranger made temporary repairs to the boat, and we were able to take it out on the lake for a short trip. (The ranger advised that a new boat was on-order.) No bear sightings, but we saw salmon entering the lake and a young porcupine near the cabin.
@MaryFrancesK54 · Camped on Jun 14, 2021 at Campsite #S04
Great wilderness values; pretty remote. Cabin is nice. Arduous 9 mile hike from Snug Harbor Road makes you feel you have earned the trip. pervasive bikepackers coming through the camp taints some of the remoteness. The hole in the boat renders it useless which should be remedied immediately.
@MaryFran284096 · Camped on Jun 14, 2021 at Campsite #S04
Great wilderness values; pretty remote. Cabin is nice. Arduous 9 mile hike from Snug Harbor Road makes you feel you have earned the trip. pervasive bikepackers coming through the camp taints some of the remoteness. The hole in the boat renders it useless which should be remedied immediately.
@DavidD855 · Camped on Mar 27, 2021 at Campsite #S04
Great little cabin with lots of character and plenty of firewood.
@OlgaA155 · Camped on May 15, 2020 at Campsite #S04
Used to be our favorite cabin. However I don't think we will come back. Cabin needs signage to let people know that when it is rented they should not approach. Spent weekend explaining people why they are not welcome to come and check the cabin inside, or have a picnic by it or just hang out around it, when we are currently renting it and are there. Had to argue with couple cyclists who apparently agreed to meet someone at the cabin and was determined to sit on the cabin porch and wait for their buddies. Used to be great staying in it. Now, I would not advise booking it. At least if your schedule allows - not on weekends.
Also, its getting trashed. People leave their stuff there: old sleepers, food leftovers, sleeping pad just to name a few we discovered. It was not as bad previously.
@timo128 · Camped on May 1, 2020 at Campsite #S04
Really enjoy this cabin
Also really appreciate the staff that are maintaining the cabin.
Little things like mainting the trail and providing signs so people will not bother people at the cabin
@MollyD507 · Camped on Dec 27, 2019 at Campsite #S04
Cozy (and cute) cabin, with ample access to water and dead/down wood in the area! During our late-December visit saws/axes/etc were available and in good shape.
@AngelinaA634 · Camped on Nov 28, 2019 at Campsite #S04
Great getaway
@ShaneJ932 · Camped on Sep 23, 2019 at Campsite #S04
The cabin was excellent. Great to have during the time we were there due to the rain. Wish there was more wood cut at the time. It was getting colder at the end of Moose season. Anything maybe a chainsaw at the cabin would be great.
@MarionG795 · Camped on Aug 5, 2019 at Campsite #S04
This cabin is historic. When staying in this cabin it is easy to imagine you are part of the past history of the Russian River watershed. The cabin has been expertly restored by the USFS, and has a wonderful deck and a carved bear. The cabin has great lake access with a canoe.

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