Viking Lodge Cabin
Viking Lodge Cabin is a backcountry wilderness hut in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve, owned and maintained by the National Park Service. It’s a short approach from Nabesna Road: the trailhead and parking area are at Mile 21.8 across from the Rock Lake Turnout, and the cabin sits about 1/4 mile north of the road; the walk is described as an easy 10-minute stroll through a spruce forest (the trail can be extremely muddy in spring months or after rain).
The cabin was built in the early 1970s by Thor Brandt-Erickson and named Viking Lodge. Inside are two twin-sized wooden bunks plus a large loft area that sleeps up to six people (with some people on the loft floor); there’s a wood stove, a kitchen counter, table and chairs, and an outside fire pit, along with a rustic pit toilet—bring your own toilet paper since it isn’t regularly stocked or maintained. There’s no running water or plumbing; water is usually available from a stream behind the cabin about 20 yards away, though the stream can be dry (filling water jugs at the Slana Ranger Station is recommended).
Reservations are required and can be made year-round, with bookings available up to six months in advance of the requested stay dates. Access is from Nabesna Road; ATV use isn’t allowed for the access trail, while snowmachines may be used during winter. Visitors should bring all personal items they’ll need for sleeping and dining, clean the cabin and take all food and trash out on departure, and note that burying garbage is prohibited. Dogs are allowed with cleanup, and campers may gather dead and down wood for firewood, with firewood storage replenished for the next users. Headnets and bug spray are strongly encouraged during June, July, and August.