Aspen Flats Cabin
A 12 x 14-foot rustic cabin on the Russian River nestled between the Lower and Upper Russian Lakes. The surrounding area is flat to hilly with scattered spruce and cottonwood trees, and views of mountains beyond. Though a popular getaway in the summer, visitation is infrequent during the winter months.
This cabin sleeps 6 and has a table, wood stove, splitting maul, crosscut saw, and outhouse.
Not included: running water, electricity, mattress or bedding, cooking utensils, or cut firewood.
Reservations
Make Reservations HereVisit Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 (overseas: 518-885-3639) to check availability and make a reservation. Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance.
Reservations made on Recreation.gov are non-transferable through a third party to prevent abuse, and unauthorized sale and resale. If necessary, work through Recreation.gov to adjust reservations. Contact the Seward Ranger District office for questions regarding location-specific policy.
If you cannot use your reservation, please modify or cancel your reservation to make space for others.
Cabin check-in and check-out time is 12 p.m.
General Information
Aspen Flats Cabin is open for reservations year-round. Winter weather will affect the conditions of the access trail and the difficulty of the trek.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Check-in/Check-out time is 12pm.
Typically, the Aspen Flats Cabin can be reached through the Lower Russian Lakes trailhead. During the Russian River Campground area closure, this access point is closed to the public.
Russian Lakes Trail is closed year-round to motorized vehicles from Russian River Campground to Upper Russian Lake Cabin. The remainder of the trail between Cooper Lake Road and Upper Russian Cabin is open to motorized vehicles from Dec. 1 - April 30 only. Russian Lakes Trail is closed to pack/saddle stock from April 1 - June 30.
A permit is required to fish at the Aspen Flats Cabin. Visit the Alaska Department of Fish & Game's website to review fishing regulations.
A stay at the Aspen Flats Cabin is $60/night. A non-refundable service fee will be added to each reservation by Recreation.gov.
Address: 33599 Ranger Station Spur (mile marker 23.5) Seward, AK 99664
Phone: (907) 288-3178
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Closed 12:00 to 1:00pm; Closed on weekends (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: mailroom_r10_chugach@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 60.36927892
Longitude: -149.9747539
Directions
Aspen Flats Cabin is located on the Russian Lakes Trail, 9 miles from Russian River Campground or 12 miles from Cooper Lake Road. Follow 0.3 mile cabin access trail off of main trail. (USGS maps–Seward B8 and Kenai B1).
Distances in winter are 10 and 15 miles respectively. It can be accessed by hiking, mountain biking, horse riding or skiing.
Travel Considerations
Winter weather will affect the conditions of the access trail and the difficulty of the trek.
Parking
Access to the cabin and parking is available from the trailhead on Snug Harbor Road.
Facility and Amenity Information
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Nearby Trails
Recreation Opportunities
Fishing - River/StreamFishing - River/Stream Info
Visitors can fish the Russian River for rainbow trout and sockeye and coho salmon during the open seasons. Visit the Alaska Department of Fish & Game's website to review fishing regulations.
Salmon fish counts are monitored throughout Alaska and determine the daily limits for sport, commercial and subsistence fishing. Anyone fishing the Russian River should be aware that the limits are subject to change or restriction depending on the fish count.
Emergency orders, often restricting the harvest of king salmon, can be issued at any time and have the same force and effect as law. Be sure to check the ADF&G's Emergency Order and Press Releases page prior to fishing.
Viewing WildlifeViewing Wildlife Info
Sockeye and coho salmon run in Russian River from June-September.