kenai national wildlife refuge

Worth driving through BUT keep an eye on the car in front of you. EVERYBODY just stops to see something.

The 19-mile long Skilak Lake Road (gravel) winds through a forest, offering some beautiful views on Skilak Lake. There are several trails (moderate through strenuous) which start at different trailheads along the Skilak Lake Road and take you to the Kenai River, other creeks and lakes.You have access to some campgrounds en fishing spots.Be sure to take some bug-repellant with you and be alert because it is bear country.(Sterling Highway: start milepost 58, end milepost 75.3)

The fishing was absolutely superb. Arrangements for fishing trips were very efficient. A moose and her two calves wandered through the yard while we were fishing on the dock.

There are two entrances to the Kenai Wildlife Refuge, a huge nationally protected wildlife refuge in the north center of the Kenai Peninsula. The east entrance is at Milepost 58 and the west entrance is at Milepost 75.2, near Soldotna onto Skilak Lake Road off of Highway 1 (Sterling Highway). The forest blocked a lot of the scenery, but some pullouts revealed stunning overlooks of mountains and lakes. A large lake in the refuge was Skilak Lake. Lots of hikes were well marked in the Refuge, but we wanted to get to Kenai for dinner, so no hikes for us. We did not spot any wildlife in the park, even though the signs advised visitors to the area to be bear aware.We drove 19 miles on the dirt road, which seemed well-maintained. We did not experience too many ruts, which was good because we had a rental car.

This was nice. We enjoyed walking around and gathering information on the area. We hiked a trail and braved mosquitoes. This area was full of wildlife we saw more here than on Denali.

Take a boat ride or just enjoy the views from the various, well placed viewing platforms. Great way to see Alaskan wildlife at its best.

Well done headquarters, with displays of different animals & the dangers of unregulated hunting. They had some gift items that I purchased to help support the Refuge, but found out later that they were cheaper there than at the airport! So I'm glad I bought them there to support their efforts to preserve the wildlife. Very friendly, helpful staffers there, wish I could have taken the hike with them!

This place was actually a very nice place! We traveled to some lakes and there was a lot of wildlife. I would definitely recommend this place on your trip!

I've always visited after the main building in Soldotna had closed. There is an old sourdough cabin on one trail. Many interesting mushrooms, tree bark, moss and stone outcroppings to photograph. I was privileged to photograph two bald eagles in the top of a tree above me as well as a huge moose hoof print! No one else was around. I felt like I had experienced some of the natural majesty of this vast state.

Hubby & I drove the Skilak Lake Road when heading from Soldotna to Seward. The road is in good condition 90 % of the way...the last few miles there was mud and puddles but we managed fine in the rental car. We didn't see any wildlife along the road as we were hoping to.There are a few turn offs for hiking which we checked out until we came across Upper Skilak Lake turn off. So we ventured out to the lake and found the Vista Trail to hike. It is 1.5 miles to the top, and a fairly good climb to the top. One section has some really really steep stairs to climb to reach the top. It was a nice hike, through some thick brush, canyons, and some old burnt areas. It is bear area, so we brought our bear bells and repellent just to be safe. Once you reach the top you are rewarded with a beautiful view of Skilak Lake and way beyond....Just beautiful!

We went there late Aug 2013. Honestly, we did not see that much wildlife (at least compared to other places in Alaska, and we are probably spoiled). The real reason I wrote this review was to talk about the cabins available for rent, especially the Upper Ohmer. There are lots of cabins for rental, but they can be a hike. This is about 1/4 mile down an easy grade. Once there, you are rewarded with your own private lake, complete with a boat to go rowing about. It is a cabin, so no electricity, and they have beds but no mattresses or bedding, so you have to pack your own in. But it was fantastic...my wife, not a camper, wished we would have spent more time there. In the evening we say a momma moose and her calf in the lake. The next morning, a baby black bear came down to the lake. It books early, so jump on it. When we went on a rafting trip and the guide found out we were staying there, first he was amazed we even knew about it, and second he was really jealous because him and his buddies had tried to book it but we already had it. The park itself is an easy enough drive, about halfway across the peninsula, so good access to other activities outside the park. Trails are good, not great. But it is all worth it to sit there at sunset with your whiskey flask and a fire at the cabin watching the sun go down.

Terrific. Must do while you are in Soldotna/Kenai area. Wonderful easy hiking trails to a peaceful lake. Photo opportunities abound. Stretch your legs and your mind. I go each time I visit the area.

Pretty lakes...Lake Kelly. We drove in then walked around. Big signs about bears freaked everyone out soooobe aware...bc of that no one wanted to continue on trail right at parking. View from there was incredible.

We spent 5 days in and around the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. 2 days fishing in Cooper Landing on the Upper Kenai & Russian River ferry as well as fishing on the Lower Kenai out of Soldotna. the views were spectacular and the fishing good. We also drove the Sterling Hwy from Moose Pass to Homer. The scenery was fantastic everywhere we went. When I return to Alaska I will stay in this area.

We live in the area and visit the Refuge and the Visitors Center all the time. Check out their website for activities, especially in the summer. There's always something fun happening on Saturdays. The staff is super friendly. Be sure and take at least the short stroll down to the lake if you visit.