ADF&G Public Use Cabins
Coal Mine #5 Cabin
The Coal Mine #5 cabin is located on a knoll above the east shore of Coal Mine #5 Lake, 23 miles south of Delta Junction in the foothills of the Alaska Range.
The cabin is accessed from Coal Mine Road, located on the east side of the Richardson Highway at MP 242. Leaving from the highway follow the unimproved road 1.8 miles to the Y in the road and turn left at the Coal Mine #5 Lake sign. Continue another 0.6 miles on the ATV trail past Backdown Lake and follow the small trail to the left down to the cabin (2.4 miles total). Please be aware that the road is primitive, not maintained and not typically passable by a highway vehicle without high ground clearance and 4-wheel drive. Vehicles over 1,500 pounds are prohibited on the ATV trail. Please consider parking at the pull-off on the Richardson Highway and continue by foot or by ATV. Winter trail conditions can be extremely variable due to high winds causing drifting snow and exposed ground in some areas.
Coal Mine #5 Lake is approximately 9 acres and is stocked with rainbow trout, landlocked Chinook salmon, Arctic char, and lake trout. For more lake information please visit our Lake Data pages
Cabin Specs:
- GPS Coordinates: Lat: N 63.7176; Long: W 145.8216
- Dimensions: 16’x16’
- Bunk space: 6 adults
- Check In/Out time: 12:00 pm (noon)
Amenities: Outside the cabin is a fire ring, and outhouse. Inside the cabin is a wood stove, table and benches.
Important Information: Be sure to bring your own firewood (17” maximum length); the cabin is built on BLM land and firewood cutting is prohibited. Bring your own cooking and eating equipment, lanterns, fire starters, paper products, and sleeping pads, as these items are not provided. Pack out everything you pack in. Users will receive a reservation confirmation certificate by email and should carry a copy with them on their stay. If your plans change and you will no longer be using the cabin, please call and cancel your reservation so someone else can enjoy it.
Special Notes: Pets are allowed but should always be under your control, and you are responsible for cleaning up your pet waste. Be aware that traplines may be present along trails. If there are any problems with the cabin, please let us know at (907) 459-7228.
Reservation Calendar for Coal Mine #5 Cabin
Reservations must be:
- made no more than six months in advance of the anticipated stay
- made for no more than five consecutive nights
- can only be made by phone at (907) 459-7228 or in person at the ADF&G office in Fairbanks
Dates in red show that the cabin is already reserved for that night. You may check in after noon on the first day of your reservation, and must check out by noon on the day after the last night of the reservation.