Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge in Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge sprawls across two million acres with ice fields, glaciers, tundra, forests, coastal wetlands, and the Kenai River system. Public cabins and campgrounds dot the landscape, accessible via the Sterling Highway.
President Franklin Roosevelt created this area in 1941 as Kenai National Moose Range to protect moose populations from commercial hunting. Its original purpose was later expanded to safeguard a broader range of wildlife and habitats.
The Dena'ina people call this land 'Yaghanen' and have hunted and lived here for thousands of years. Their connection to the landscape remains visible in how the region is understood and used today.
Overnight lodging and campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, offering options for different travel styles. Plan your visit for summer months when trails and waterways are most accessible and weather is stable.
Three canoe trail systems wind through interconnected lakes, creating a remarkable paddling network that many visitors overlook. These water routes allow multi-day trips into remote areas where wildlife appears undisturbed in their habitat.
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