Planning a trip to Dale Clemens Cabin in Seward? This public use cabin sits above Resurrection Bay in Seward, Alaska.
The trail to the cabin is a 2.5-mile one-way hike on the winter route and a 4.5-mile one-way hike or mountain bike adventure on the summer route.
In this post, I’m going to review the Dale Clemens public use cabin.
How to get to Lost Lake Trailhead from Anchorage
Dale Clemens Cabin can be found along the Lost Lake Trail in Seward. Seward is located 2.5 hours south of Anchorage.
Head south on the Seward Highway towards Seward. Turn right onto Scott Way, which becomes Rough Drive. Turn left onto Heather Lee Ln. Turn right onto Hayden Ln. Continue onto Lost Lake Trail and you’ll find the Lost Lake Trailhead at the end of the road.
Dale Clemens Cabin Review
Dale Clemens Cabin is a 14×18-foot cabin that overlooks Resurrection Bay in Seward and it’s available to reserve year-round, although it may be inaccessible during certain times of the year.
Cabin Amenities
- Wooden sleeping platforms
- Large loft
- Kerosene heating stove
- Wood table with bench seating
- Pit latrine
- Fire ring
- Huge deck
The cabin is equipped with a kerosene heating stove. Cabin users are responsible for supplying their own kerosene oil at a rate of one gallon per night during the summer months and two gallons per night during the winter months.
Dale Clemens Cabin is spacious and sleeps 8 people on two single wooden sleeping platforms and a large loft area. The cabin definitely has some wear to it and there’s a small hole in the floor that’s ironically being covered up by a box of flooring. LOL.
A fire ring can be found right outside the front and it also has some bench seating around it.
There is NO running water, electricity, or trash service in the cabin. You will have to pack out what you pack in. You may want to bring some cleaning wipes so you can tidy up before and after your stay.
There is a small creek near the cabin which you can use as a water source. Make sure to purify your water before using it.
Dale Clemens Cabin Location
The trail to the cabin starts from the Lost Lake Trailhead in Seward, Alaska. Seward is about a 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage.
You can either access the cabin from the 2.5-mile winter route or the 4.5-mile summer route from the Lost Lake Trailhead.
My favorite thing about this cabin is the view. It’s hands down my favorite view from a public use cabin in Southcentral Alaska.
The cabin sits at treeline and overlooks Seward and Resurrection Bay. You can actually watch boats coming in and out of the Seward harbor from the deck of the cabin.
Seward is generally a rainy place, so be prepared for rain and heavy fog. During the winter, you may experience some whiteout conditions.
Parking is included in the cost of the cabin. Make sure to print out your Alaska State Parks parking permit and fill in your registration number to avoid getting a ticket.
Trail Difficulty
Dale Clemens Cabin Summer Route – 4.5 miles one-way
The summer route to Dale Clemens Cabin is 4.5 miles long and follows the Lost Lake Trail. This route has a more gradual incline as it wraps back around to access the cabin. It’s usually not open to foot traffic until mid-June.
Dale Clemens Cabin Winter Route – 2.5 miles one-way
The winter route to Dale Clemens Cabin is 2.5 miles long and can be used to ski or snowshoe. It’s much steeper than the summer route and you’ll gain over 1,600 feet of elevation.
It’s not recommended to take the winter route during the summer because it’s steep and many of the sections become muddy and slippery.
However, I hiked to the cabin June 22 and the trail was mostly dry with a few wet and muddy spots. But, I slipped twice on the way down. My GPS actually only read 2.1 miles one-way.
I chose to take the winter route because I was hiking solo and this route is quicker and more direct. I was also happy to see there were no signs of bears in the area.
Primrose Trailhead – 13 miles
You can also access the cabin from the Primrose Trailhead if you want to complete the Lost Lake Trail as a thru-hike. It’s about 13 miles from the Primrose Campground.
Lost Lake Trail is a very popular trail for hikers, backpackers, and mountain bikers. The parking lot fills up during the summer months.
Nearby Activities
If you have enough time, you can hike or bike the Lost Lake Trail to Lost Lake.
How to Reserve Dale Clemens Public Use Cabin
To reserve the Dale Clemens cabin, you will need to visit the Alaska State Parks reservation site here. The cabin costs $80 per night.
Check-in/Check-out Times
- Check-in time: 12:00 p.m.
- Check-out time: 12:00 p.m.
Conclusion: Here’s What I Really Think…
If you’re looking for an overnight backpacking adventure in Seward, Alaska, then I recommend staying at Dale Clemens Cabin in Seward.
The cabin sleeps 8 people and it’s a lot of fun if you stay with a large group.
The location of this cabin is really what sets it apart. Waking up to views of Resurrection Bay is incomparable to anything else in the area.
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Do you have any questions about the Dale Clemens Cabin in Seward? Leave them in the comments.
