Visiting the Refuge

Camping

Selecting a campsite
Water
Human Waste
Litter
Campfires
Minimum Impact
Campground Chart
A Little Bit About Bears

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has developed campgrounds located along the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area and Swanson River Road. Campgrounds are located on various lakes near hiking and fishing areas. Consult the campground chart for size, facilities, and fees. Camping may not exceed fourteen days in a thirty-day period anywhere on the refuge. Campers may not spend more than two consecutive days at the Kenai-Russian River access area, or more than seven consecutive days at Hidden Lake Campground. Backcountry camping is also permitted in the Refuge, at least 1/4 mile away from the Sterling Highway, Ski Hill Road, or Skilak Lake Road.

Selecting a Campsite

When choosing a place to set up camp, there are several different things to take into consideration. While camping on the refuge, use sites that have previously been used, rather than creating new ones. Ideally, these sites should be 200 feet from water sources, out of sight from other trail users, and on durable terrain with little vegetation. When leaving a site, be certain to pack out all trash and clean up as much as possible in order to make it appealing to the next group that comes along. This will help to reduce the number of areas that are impacted.

Water

While the banks of a river or lake make an attractive campsite, using them tends to concentrate use in a few small areas which can overburden nearby water bodies. Too many foreign substances can alter pH levels and seriously disturb the aquatic ecosystem. Widely scatter washing and leftover cooking water at least 200 feet away from water sources and your campsite. If you use soap, be sure it is biodegradable.

Human Waste

While in the backcountry, it is important that human waste is properly disposed of for both sanitary and aesthetic reasons. This can be accomplished by burying waste in a hole several inches deep at least 200 feet from water and well off hiking trails. Toilet paper should be packed in a sealable plastic bag. Be sure to replace dirt and leaf cover over the hole.

Litter

Please be certain to pack out all of your trash as well as anyone else's trash you might find while in the wilderness. You can significantly cut down on the amount of garbage you produce by removing excess packaging and bringing food in plastic bags. Also be sure to remove any half-burned items from your fire ring.

Campfires

Many people feel that their camping experience would be incomplete without a campfire. However, due to the adverse impacts of campfires, lightweight campstoves are suggested as an alternative. Fire scars can take years to disappear. If no dead and down wood is available, people often cut living trees, unnecessarily harming or even killing them. Using a stove prevents these impacts.

If you are camping in an established site and do build a fire, use an existing fire ring if available.

Keep fires small, and use only dead and down wood. Small pieces of wood will burn more completely. If conditions are dry or there is a shortage of wood, consider spending the evening without a fire. Also be aware of campground regulations and emergency closures concerning fires. If you are camping in an area that has not been previously used, use camp stoves to minimize your camping impacts.

Minimum Impact

An increasing number of people venture into the wilderness each year, we must each take steps to protect it. The objectives of minimum impact hiking and camping techniques are to leave an area in the same or even better condition than we found it.

Last updated: September 11, 2008