Kenai
Soldotna, AK 99669-2139
Plan Your Visit
Alaska's most-visited national wildlife 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 truly immerse yourself in the backcountry. The refuge is also home to over 100 miles of hiking trails for access and exploration.
There are 14 rustic public use cabins located in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Getting to these cabins can be a thrilling adventure in itself, as most require the use of boats, aircraft, hiking, or skiing. The refuge also has a variety of roadside campgrounds.
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.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the essentials for travelling in Alaska's bear country.
Cabin Reservations
The many public use cabins on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge can be easily reserved through Recreation.gov.
Interagency Senior and Access Passholders receive 50% off of camping fees.
Activities
Services
"Meet us at the moose!"
A large moose statue welcomes the public to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna. The building features features interpretive exhibits about the environment and wildlife of the Kenai Peninsula, educational programs, trip planning information, and more.
Special Use Permits
A Special Use Permit is required for all commercial services and most other non-visitor use activities on refuge lands. Learn more about obtaining a Special Use Permit.
About
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 federally designated wilderness.
The Kenai River, which originates in the refuge, is renowned for its wide variety of sport fish including Chinook (king), sockeye (red), and coho (silver) salmon, Dolly Varden and rainbow trout.
The Dena’ina people call this special place “Yaghanen” - the good land.
Learn more about:
Conservation in Color: Alaska's Wildlife
