Hike To The John Muir Cabin Near Juneau

Juneau is a great place from which to base your adventures into Alaska’s wilderness, an unspoiled paradise you have to see firsthand to appreciate. With over 250 miles of hiking trails, there’s no shortage of adventures to be had on the trails, though one of our favorites is the hike to the John Muir Cabin.  It’s one of the many hikes that can be taken year-round, offering different adventures depending on when you visit the area.

When you’re not hiking around through the Alaskan wilderness, you’ll find that our hotel in downtown Juneau offers a cozy and comfortable place to land.  We offer 12 exceptional guest rooms, each thoughtfully decorated for your maximum comfort. Our hotel offers an extensive range of amenities, including a delicious breakfast in the morning and rooftop hot tubs for your tired muscles to soak in at the end of the day.

Apart from that, we’re also within walking distance of the top restaurants, shops, and attractions in downtown Juneau.  There’s no better place to base your adventures. Book your room with us today!

Hike to the John Muir Cabin Near Juneau

The John Muir Cabin, situated deep in the Tongass National Forest, was built in 1980 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of John Muir’s visit to the Juneau area. It’s a 15’x12′ cabin that can only be accessed via hiking (or snowshoeing in the winter).

Inside the John Muir Cabin, you’ll find sleeping arrangements for up to 6 people, with two double bunks on the first floor and two bunks on the second floor. There’s also a table with benches, a wood stove, a propane furnace (with propane supplied), and a vault toilet outside. Water is provided from a nearby stream (treat before drinking), but firewood needs to be brought in on your own. You’ll also need to bring all your own gear to cook and be comfortable, just as you would with any other backcountry hiking trip.

The John Muir Cabin itself sits in a beautiful subalpine meadow at an elevation of 1,550 feet. From the John Muir Cabin, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Juneau, Gastineau Channel, Auke Bay, the Chilkat Mountains, Admiralty Island, and numerous ice field peaks. The area is great for wildlife viewing, including things like brown and black bears, deer, and a variety of birds, including bald eagles. In the winter, there’s an unmarked cross-country ski/snowshoe trail that can be used to access the Peterson Lake Cabin as well.

Access to the John Muir Cabin is just off Glacier Highway, at mile marker 12.3. You’ll begin on the Spaulding Meadows Trail for 0.8 miles before continuing the rest of the 2.7 miles on the Auk Nu Trail. The cost to reserve the cabin is $75/night.

5 More Incredible Juneau Hikes to Consider

As wonderful as hiking to the John Muir Cabin is, it’s only one of the many wonderful Juneau hikes worth considering.  And, since you’re here, you might as well take at least a few others, right?  We’d love to give you personalized recommendations while you’re here, depending, of course, on your level of experience and fitness, but in the meantime, here are 5 more of the most popular Juneau hikes worth doing while you’re in town.

1. 1. The Perseverance Trail is one of the most popular and highly trafficked Juneau hiking trails, and for a good reason.  It’s easily accessible from downtown Juneau and offers a quick escape into nature.  The trail follows an old railroad line as it climbs above the Gold Creek Valley. It also connects to many other Juneau hiking trails, including the Granite Creek Trail and the Glory Hole Trail.
   2. The Mt. Roberts Trail, another which starts in downtown Juneau, takes you up to the peak of Mount Roberts, where the popular tram takes visitors.
   3. The Nugget Falls Trail is a short 2-mile roundtrip trail near Mendenhall Glacier that leads you to a large beach overlooking a cascading waterfall, with views of the glacier in the background.
   4. The East Glacier Trail, another near Mendenhall Glacier, is a 3.5-mile loop that leads you through the rainforest before opening up to another view of this impressive glacier. For another lesser-traveled trail that leads you to a beautiful view of Mendenhall Glacier, try the West Glacier Trail.
   5. The Herbert Glacier Trail is also a beautiful hiking trail in Juneau. It’s one of the most accessible glacier hikes in the area.

The Best Hotel in Downtown Juneau

As we’ve repeated time and time, there really is so much more to Juneau than may initially meet the eye.  Hiking is just one of many activities waiting for you up here. Regardless of what you do while you’re here, you’re going to need a comfortable place to land in the evenings.  That’s where our exquisite hotel in downtown Juneau comes in.

Here, you’ll find a range of comfortable hotel rooms for a range of travelers, from those solo adventurers to family or friends traveling together.  In the morning, we’ll treat you to a delicious breakfast – the perfect fuel for your adventures ahead.  And, in the evening, order dinner from one of downtown Juneau’s hotels, let your tired muscles soak in one of our rooftop hot tubs, and enjoy our exceptional hospitality.  There’s a reason we’re the top-rated hotel in downtown Juneau! Book a room today!