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 16 ft. by 20 ft. pan-abode style cabin sleeps six to ten people with a single and two double bunks downstairs and a fully open floor upstairs in the loft. The cabin also has a table and benches, countertop, broom, electric COVE heaters, and wood stove. 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 motion-detection switches. USB charging outlets 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. The door has a keyless door lock and an entry code will be emailed to cabin users upon reservation.
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.
