Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska.
The Dena’ina people call this special place “Yaghanen” - the good land. It's also known as the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
From ice fields and glaciers to tundra, forests, and coastal wetlands, the Kenai Refuge is often called “Alaska in miniature”. Biodiversity is unusually high for this latitude because of the juxtaposition of two biomes: Sitka spruce-dominated coastal rainforest and the western-most reach of boreal forest in North America. This refuge is known for its moose, brown and black bears, lynx, wolves, trumpeter swans, and more. 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. This refuge, including the Kenai Wilderness, is an anchor for biodiversity on the Kenai Peninsula in a time of change - including development downstream, changing climatic conditions, and change through fire.
Camping and Day Use
Nearby Activities
- Auto Touring
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Environmental Education
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historic & Cultural Site
- Hunting
- Interpretive Programs
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Paddling
- Photography
- Visitor Center
- Wilderness
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
Directions
The Kenai Refuge Visitor Center is in Soldotna, Alaska. From points north, including Anchorage, travel to mile 95 of the Sterling Highway, and cross the Kenai River Bridge. Once you cross the river, immediately get in the far left turn lane and make a left on to Funny River Road. As soon as you are on Funny River Road, prepare for an immediate right turn on to Ski Hill Road. Drive one mile up the hill and make a left turn on to a road leading to the Visitor Center. Follow directional signs and look for the big bronze bull moose statue.
