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Paulson Bay Cabin offers a secluded getaway for relaxation and recreation in the beautiful Prince William Sound. The cabin is open year-round and makes a great base for sea kayaking, fishing, shrimping and sightseeing.
This remote site can be accessed by float plane or by boat, depending on conditions. The cabin sits on a bluff and can be reached by some steps leading up from the beach. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Hiking in the area is fairly easy because there is relatively little brush to inhibit movement. A three-quarter mile route leads north from the cabin to the creek.
Guests can bring kayaks for exploring the coastline and the bay. [Local tide reports](http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions/NOAATidesFacade.jsp?Stationid=9454798) should be consulted before any kayaking trip, and kayakers should watch out for the numerous submerged rock ledges in the area.
Fishing is good for chum and pink salmon, usually from late July through August. Guests can also catch shrimp and bottom fish. Hunting for bear and waterfowl is available in season with the proper permits.
The 12 x 14 foot cabin sleeps six and comes equipped with wooden bunks, a table with benches, and an oil drip (Kerosene) stove for heat, fire extinguisher, broom and an outhouse with composting toilet. It is the responsibility of cabin users to supply kerosene fuel for the duration of their stay. With moderate use, the stove burns about 1 gallon/ day.
A new Composting Toilet has recently been built. The toilet has a seperating toilet seat which redirects urine into a leach field. The outhouse has been converted to a composting toilet and requires the user to add a small amount of peat (1/2 cup) after use. There is a metal bin for users to burn their toilet paper, please burn tp.
Water and electricity are not available. Guests must bring their own supply of drinking water.
Items such as a cook stove, cooking gear, flashlights or lanterns, bedding, sleeping pads, trash bags and toilet paper and heating fuel (kerosene) are not provided.
Guests are expected to pack out trash and clean the cabin before leaving.
Paulson Bay Cabin is situated at the head of Paulson Bay, on the west side of Cochrane Bay in Prince William Sound. The terrain is rolling and transitions into rugged mountains. The cabin is set in an open wooded area with muskeg nearby and offers a spectacular view of Port Wells and College Fiord with Harvard Glacier in the background.
Black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles make their home here ([learn about bear safety](http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=livingwithbears.bearcountry)). Prince William Sound supports abundant sea life, including waterfowl, sea otters, orcas, Dall's porpoises, harbor seals and sea lions.
To access the cabin by float plane: it is 40 minutes from Anchorage and 60 minutes from Cordova. By boat, the trip is 18 miles from Whittier.
Note: the Bay is not obvious because the mouth is partially obscured by five small islands. Beware of submerged rock ledges between islands and off coastal points.
Check [local tide tables](http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions/NOAATidesFacade.jsp?Stationid=9454798) ahead of time to determine the best arrival and departure times.
Only one change per reservation for all Alaska cabins is allowed. Change is defined as a modification to the start or end date of the reservation; after one change has been made, if additional changes are desired, the customer must cancel the current reservation and re-book the new dates.
Beautiful location! It's great to have the heater to dry out equipment after a long day kayaking, but one of my trips there the heater was out of kerosene. Also nice to have the outhouse.
If you're kayaking all the way from Whittier, be advised that it's about an hour from Decision Point around the corner to the first real shelter from the Prince William Sound wind and waves. Part of that time, your boat will be broadside to the weather. This can be challenging paddling. Good idea to have a radio for weather and a satellite phone for checking in. These photos are from my 2018 and 2019 trips.
I recommend staying an extra day if necessary to explore Three-Finger Cove across Cochran Bay to the southeast, beautiful area with an opportunity to hike to Shrode Lake. Enjoy your trip!
