Have you ever wanted to experience a rustic, cabin stay in wilderness?  Six (6) restored, historic public use cabins are located in Refuge wilderness and five (5) of them can be reserved through www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.  These include Vogel Lake cabin in the northern Refuge, Doroshin Bay Cabin on Skilak Lake, and three cabins on Tustumena Lake – Caribou Island, Pipe Creek, and Big Bay.  The sixth cabin is available on a first-come, first-serve basis at Emma Lake and can be accessed by hiking the 3+ mile Emma Lake Trail from the southeast side of Tustumena Lake to Emma Lake.

Refuge Cabin Program  

The Dave Spencer Wilderness Unit includes the nationally recognized Swan Lake and Swanson River Canoe Routes.  These routes cover over 100 miles of lakes, portage trails, and small rivers.  They offer excellent opportunities for bird watching and rainbow trout fishing.

Group size is limited to 15 people.  Intermediate canoeing capabilities are necessary to handle windy conditions on lakes and safe maneuvering on small, narrow rivers.  Good stamina is required for paddling and portaging, since you portage as much as you paddle.

Refuge Canoe Routes 

Backcountry Camping 

The following trails and routes are located in Refuge wilderness.

Mystery Creek Unit (North of the Sterling Highway from mile 55 - 61) – Skyline Trail and Fuller Lakes Trail

Andrew Simons Unit (between Skilak and Tustumena Lakes) – Surprise Creek Trail, Cottonwood Trail, eastern half of the Funny River Horse Trail, Hanson Horse Trail, Bear Creek Trail, Moose Creek Trail, and Lake Emma Trail

 For updates on route and trail conditions, contact the Refuge at kenai@fws.gov or call 907-262-7021. 

Refuge Trail Maps 

Backcountry Camping 

Use of horses is allowed on the majority of Refuge wilderness routes and trails.  However, Fuller Lakes trail is closed to horse use and Skyline Trail is not recommended for horse use due to its steep grade.  

For updates on wilderness route and trail conditions to help plan your backcountry horse trip, contact the Refuge at kenai@fws.gov or call 907-262-7021.    

In 1980, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) provided for specific types of motorized access to Kenai NWR wilderness units.  These include aircraft, motorboats, and snowmobiles.  Refuge specific regulations were established in 1986 to designate these authorized areas. 

Refuge SpecificRegulations 

Visit our Maps page for aircraft and snowmobile maps. 

The following mechanized and motorized uses are prohibited in Kenai NWR wilderness – carts, wheel barrows, bicycles, ATV’s, ORV’s, motorcycles, dirt bikes, Argos and other power equipment such as chain saws, generators, and motorized ice augers.  The purpose of prohibiting these uses is to protect the land from scarring and habitat degradation caused by wheeled equipment and to promote quiet and solitude enhancing the wilderness experience for all visitors.