Public Use Cabins in Prince William Sound

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State of Alaska > Natural Resources > Parks and Outdoor Recreation
	Cabin Descriptions - Prince William Sound Area

Decision Point State Marine Park, near Whittier

Shoup Bay State Marine Park (near Valdez)

January 30, 2008 - The Shoup Bay trail was damaged from flooding that occurred in October 2006. Approximately 0.75 mile from the trailhead a small creek bridge washed away during the flooding. Hikers may cross the creek with rubber boots. Approximately 3 miles from the trailhead, a section of trail was damaged by a landslide and minor repairs were made to this section of trail that allow people to hike across. A section of the approach bridge leading to the Gold Creek bridge (3.5 miles from the trailhead) washed away during the flooding. Final repairs on the Shoup Bay trail are planned for the 2008 summer season.

For more information please contact the Kenai/Prince William Sound Area Office at (907) 262-5581.

Shoup Bay State Marine Park is on the north side of Port Valdez, approximately 8.5 miles from Valdez. The park encompasses most of Shoup Bay and the southern half of Shoup Lake, also called the inner lagoon. There is an underwater moraine that stretches across the mouth of the bay and creates shallow shoals off the spit and on the opposite western side. The bay is connected to the tidally influenced lake by a shallow river that flows either way, depending on the tide. Ice from Shoup Glacier calves into the lake.

Shoup Bay

Salmon fishing, hiking, spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing are some of the recreational opportunities available within this marine park.

Each cabin has two sets of full size bunk beds with a capacity to sleep eight people, with the two lower bunks being accessible. A table, benches and counter are furnished, along with an oil stove - Use only No. 1 fuel oil - NO #2 diesel and NO gasoline! Please follow lighting instructions in cabin. The latrine is located almost directly behind each cabin. Plan on providing your own toilet paper should none be found at the latrine.

There are three cabins in the park, but the third cabin, Moraine Cabin, is leased to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

General Access: The cabins can be reached by private boat, floatplane, or commercial water taxi service. If using a private boat, please use the caution necessary for coastal Alaskan waters with respect to tides, weather, currents, and your party's abilities and experience level. The waters of Valdez Arm and Port Valdez are generally choppy in the afternoons and can become hazardous to small watercraft. No mooring buoy exists at Shoup Bay SMP. Anchoring is at your own risk. If pulling a kayak, inflatable or small skiff ashore, be sure to secure your boat to avoid losing it at high tide or surf conditions. Charter boat shuttle services are available in the Valdez Boat harbor. Arrangements can be made with them for drop-offs and pick-ups at Shoup bay SMP.
Kittiwake Cabin

There is an 11 mile trail from Valdez, for foot traffic only, to access the park and cabins. At this time, crossing Uno Creek at the park end of the trail can be hazardous. The best place to cross the creek is on the tidal flats. Please use caution and bring rubber boots to wear for the crossing. Beware of icebergs and shifting sandbars near the head of the creek. The trail is for summer use only due to extreme avalanche danger in the winter months. More information on trail conditions. There are plans to build a bridge here in the future. There is no road access to the park.

Please be aware - the port of Valdez has had additional restrictions imposed on it since September 11, 2001. The USCG has prohibited the anchoring of any boats outside the harbor within the port until further notice. The question was asked of the USCG about recreational anchoring in Shoup Bay. The USCG has requested that all boats notify them of their intent to do so and it shouldn't be a problem with proper notification. This includes Jack Bay and Sawmill Bay as well. The two ways to notify the USCG Vessel Traffic Center are on Marine VHF 13 or at 907-835-7205. This may change as the summer season approaches, but as of now and until further notice, no anchoring in the port, and with proper notification in Shoup Bay, Jack Bay and Sawmill Bay.

Cabin Fact Sheet and Map (pdf)
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Shoup Bay State Parks Cabin Location Map

Kittiwake Cabin (16' X 16')
Sleeps 8 (maximum 8) with a maximum stay of 7 nights. Kittiwake Cabin is fully wheelchair accessible upon reaching the boardwalk. The cabin is located on the inner lagoon on the east side. This cabin can be reached two ways. Both ways require a shallow draft boat, such as a kayak, canoe, dingy, or shallow draft motor boat. An overland trail starts on the east side of the connecting creek leading to the lagoon. A shallow draft boat can carefully approach this point and drop people off here. This trail is compacted gravel and is suitable for some wheelchairs. However, wheelchair access from the boat to the cabin may require some assistance depending on chair type and user ability. Assistance from a boat to the cabin's boardwalk may also be necessary for those who will be using wheelchairs. The other way to approach the cabin is to enter the inner lagoon at high tide via a small watercraft with a shallow draft. The trail to the cabin is at the far southeast corner of the lagoon. Beware of icebergs and shifting sand bars near the head of the creek. The closest fresh water source is not accessible to all users. Bring enough fresh water for your stay if you are unable to access the stream. Uno Creek is located southeast of the cabin. Another stream is located directly east of the cabin along a trail leading through a small canyon. Please purify all water before drinking! Both of these water sources are only active seasonally. It is best for all users to bring enough fresh water for your stay. GPS W 61.08.907 W 146.35.746

Moraine Cabin (16' X 16')
Sleeps 8 (maximum 8) with a maximum stay of 7 nights. The cabin is on the inner lagoon on the east side. This cabin can be reached two ways. An overland trail starts on the east side of the connecting creek leading to the lagoon. A shallow draft boat can carefully approach this point and drop people off here. The other way to approach the cabin is to enter the inner lagoon at high tide via a small watercraft with a shallow draft. The trail to the cabin is at the far southeast corner of the lagoon. Beware of icebergs and shifting sand bars near the head of the creek. Uno Creek is located southeast of the cabin. Another stream is located directly east of the cabin along a trail leading through a small canyon. Please purify all water before drinking! Both of these water sources are only active seasonally. It is best to bring enough fresh water for your stay. GPS N 61.08.856 W 146.35.765

Decision Point State Marine Park (near Whittier)

Decision Point State Marine Park is on the south side of Passage Canal approximately eight miles east of Whittier. The park is generally used by kayakers and small boat users, as there is no protected anchorage. The public use cabin in this park is located on the west side of Squirrel Cove. This public use cabin is the first cabin managed by Alaska State Parks in western Prince William Sound and will be available for renting starting July 15, 2006.

Four tent platforms and are also located in Squirrel Cove and can be accessed from the cabin by a boardwalk trail. Each tent platforms can accommodate one tent and are available on a first come basis. A cooking area and bear-proof locker is provided for food storage.

Just south of Decision Point is an east-facing, medium - pebble beach that provides dry, flat camping for up to 10 tents between the dead trees. The camp areas are above the high tide and have two fire rings.

General Access: This cabin can be reached by private boat, kayak, floatplane, or commercial water taxi. If using a private boat or kayak, please use the caution necessary for coastal Alaskan waters with respect to tides, weather, currents, and your party's abilities and experience level. No mooring buoys are provided at Decision Point SMP. Anchoring is at your own risk. If pulling a kayak, inflatable or small skiff ashore, be sure to secure your boat to avoid losing it at high tide or surf conditions. Charter boat shuttle services are available in the Whittier harbor. Arrangements can be made with them for drop-offs and pick-ups at Decision Point SMP.

Cabin Fact Sheet and Map

Decision Cabin (16' X 16')
The Decision Point State Marine Park is located on the west side of Squirrel Cove. This 16' X 16' cabin is constructed of beetle-killed, milled spruce logs and has two full size bunk beds with a capacity to sleep eight people. A table, benches, counter and oil stove are furnished. Use only No. 1 fuel oil or Kerosene. No #2 diesel and No gasoline! Please follow lighting instructions in the cabin. The latrine is located a short walk toward the tent platforms. There is no freshwater source near the cabin or tent platforms at Squirrel Cove. This cabin will be available to rent starting July 15, 2006, and may be reserved for up to 7 nights. GPS W 61.08.907 W 146.35.746

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Last updated on Monday, 31-Aug-2009 10:15:14 AKDT.
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Cabin Descriptions - Prince William Sound Area