Firsthand review • Bird Creek Campground, Chugach State Park, Alaska • October 2026 • Group of five
After our night at Bore Tide Cabin, we moved to Black Bear Cabin in the same campground for one more night. If you’re deciding between the two, here’s the short version: Black Bear Cabin is smaller and a little farther in, but it heated up quickly with less wood, got more daylight, and has a grill grate on the fire ring. For our family, it’s the one I’d book again.
Black Bear vs. Bore Tide: The Main Differences
- Size: Bore Tide is clearly bigger. Black Bear still had plenty of room for the five of us.
- Location: Black Bear is about a 1–2 minute walk past Bore Tide, so if you’re carrying gear from the parking area, it’s a little farther.
- Heating: Because the cabin is smaller, it warmed up well even though we used less firewood.
- Daylight: In October, Black Bear was noticeably brighter inside during the day.
- Grill: Black Bear’s fire ring has a grill grate. Bore Tide’s fire ring didn’t, so we couldn’t barbecue there.
- Dining table: Bore Tide’s large table is better for eating together.
Sleeping for Five
Five of us stayed one night, and we all slept comfortably. Like Bore Tide, it has wooden sleeping platforms and a loft, so bring your own pads and bedding. Black Bear felt cozier for sleeping.
The loft is reached by a ladder. At the top, there’s a hatch door that closes over the opening, so I didn’t have to worry about anyone falling through. Bore Tide had one too. For families with children, this was one of my favorite details.
Daylight in October
At Bore Tide, very little sunlight came in during our October stay, and it was hard to see inside even in the daytime. Black Bear was different. It got more sun, and we could see well during the day. Light will vary by month and weather, but in October this was a real difference.
Fire Ring With a Grill Grate
Both cabins have an outdoor fire ring, but only Black Bear’s has a grill grate you can set food on. At Bore Tide, we could build a fire but couldn’t barbecue. If grilling is part of your plan, Black Bear is the better pick.
How Much Firewood to Bring
At Bore Tide, there was some firewood already there when we arrived. At Black Bear, there wasn’t any, so we left some of ours for the next guests.
Firewood bundles at the grocery store were about $10 each. For one night, I’d bring one or two bundles, depending on the weather. A small cabin like Black Bear doesn’t need much.
Which Cabin Would I Book Again?
Black Bear. Our family has seven people, but our kids are fairly small, and we had plenty of room left over at Black Bear. It was cozy for sleeping, easy to heat, brighter, and we could grill. I did like having Bore Tide’s big table for meals.
If we were traveling with another family, though, Bore Tide would clearly be the better choice.
For parking, the seasonal gate, packing tips and why we wished we had a wagon, see my Bore Tide Cabin review. The same advice applies here.
After Black Bear Cabin, we spent the next night at a hotel. I’ll share that, and what we ate on this trip, in separate posts.
Independent, unsponsored review based on our stay in October 2026. Check Bird Creek Campground information for current access rules and fees.
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