Site Engineer Lake Cabin, Loop Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Cabins
Type: CABIN NONELECTRIC
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Site Details
- Condition Rating: Good
- Max Num of People: 4
- Checkin Time: 12:00 PM
- Pets Allowed: Yes
- Num of Rooms: 1
- Min Num of People: 1
- Site Access: Hike-In
- Checkout Time: 12:00 PM
- Campfire Allowed: Yes
- Capacity/Size Rating: Single
- Num of Beds: 4
- Proximity to Water: Lakefront
- Shade: Full
- Bed Type: Bunk
Need to Know
Skilak Lake Road is a State of Alaska Right-of-Way. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities recently announced a decision to cease winter maintenance on this 19-mile road for the 2019-2020 season. As such, travel on Skilak Lake Road is at your own risk and discretion. Reaching the parking areas for Engineer Lake and Upper Ohmer cabins may be impossible due to poor road conditions. If you decide to drive on Skilak Lake Road, expect to encounter muddy, icy, and/or snow-covered roads. Downed trees could also block your way. Traveling with tire chains and the means to clear fallen trees is recommended. Please contact the Kenai Refuge at 907-262-7021 for the latest road conditions.
The seclusion of Engineer Lake Cabin necessitates being prepared for any emergency situation. The cabin is open year round, but the Skilak Lake Road receives minimal maintenance in the winter. Winter road conditions may require 4wd, snow tires, or tire chains to access the trailhead/parking area. Call Refuge Headquarters (907-262-7021) for road conditions and more information. If the road into Engineer Lake Campground is impassable due to snow or ice, the cabin can be accessed from the wayside on Skilak Lake Road at mile 10.5 by cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Engineer Lake is one of the few Refuge lakes open to vehicles to drive on for the purpose of ice fishing only. Engineer Lake is also open to snowmachines use for ice fishing access. Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area is closed to hunting and trapping except that small game may be taken from October 1 through March 1 by bow and arrow only. Be familiar with ADF&G and Refuge specific hunting and fishing regulations. Users must provide a U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device for each passenger transported on boats. Use of the Refuge-provided boat is at your own risk. A no-wake restriction applies to Engineer Lake and the lake is closed to public aircraft operation. Bringing a personal cooking stove is recommended. Carry in potable water or boil surface water 5 minutes before drinking. Pack out your trash.
- Engineer Lake Cabin is a 16' x 18' rustic log cabin built in the summer of 2005 on the north shore of Engineer Lake in the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area. The cabin contains two bunk beds, a table with benches, countertop for food preparation, wood stove, splitting maul, crosscut saw, broom, shovel, fire extinguisher, an established campfire ring, picnic table, rowboat with oars and personal flotation devices, and an outhouse. This cabin offers seclusion, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, and fair fishing for landlocked salmon and Dolly Varden trout. Access to the cabin is by boat, hiking trail, skiing, and snowshoeing. The parking area and trailhead are located in Engineer Lake Campground at mile 10.3 on the Skilak Lake Road. The cabin is located approximately one mile from Engineer Lake Campground on the Seven Lakes Trail. Refer to USGS map Kenai B-1. GPS coordinates: Latitude: 60.483265, Longitude: -150.329068.
