Kenai
Soldotna, AK 99669-2139
Plan Your Visit
Alaska's most-visited Refuge is nearly two million acres in size. World-class fishing, camping, and hiking opportunities draw people from Alaska and around the world. The Swanson River and Swan Lake Canoe Trails are one of three such wilderness trail systems in the United States and provide an opportunity to really get into the backcountry.
There are 14 rustic public use cabins located in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Getting there can be a thrilling adventure in itself, as most require the use of boats, aircraft, hiking, or skiing.
Before embarking onto the refuge, we encourage you to visit our Visitor Center in Soldotna, Alaska. Programs for visitors and local residents are year-round. Our partner bookstore, Alaska Geographic, offers natural history-themed books, cards, gifts and educational curios and a portion of all sales directly support Refuge education and outreach programs.
Here are some essentials for travelling in Alaska's bear country.
Activities
Whether you fish, boat, hike, bird, or hunt, be sure to slow down and look for wildlife and signs of wildlife like tracks, scat, and nests. Please familiarize yourself with safety in bear country. Downloadable PDF maps are available here: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Maps
Rules and Policies
On May 5, 2016 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule for Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Consistent with the Refuge’s 2010 Comprehensive Conservation Plan, the final rule amends Refuge public use regulations to ensure natural resource conservation while maintaining high quality and safe experiences for visitors.
If you're staying in one of our public use cabins, PACK OUT all trash and secure food, garbage and supplies from bears.
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has a variety of roadside campgrounds. Camping fees at Hidden Lake and Upper Skilak Campgrounds are $15 a night. Walk-in tent sites at Upper Skilak Campground are $10 a night.
Interagency Senior and Access Passholders receive 50% off of camping fees.
Activities
Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community and fish and wildlife by doing what you love.
Services
About
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, often called “Alaska in miniature,” encompasses a high diversity of habitats from ice fields and glaciers to boreal forests and coastal wetlands. Its mission is to serve as an anchor for biodiversity on the Kenai Peninsula, ensuring biological health is maximized and human impacts are minimized through science-based management. Originally established in 1941 as the Kenai National Moose Range, it was expanded in 1980 to protect a vast array of wildlife and includes over 1.3 million acres of designated Wilderness.
