Kenai refuge extends woodcutting permits
Published 1:30 am Thursday, April 2, 2026
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has extended personal use firewood collection by permit until mid-April. A press release sent out Wednesday says that the extension is due to continued stable ground conditions.
According to the release, permits will now expire and areas currently open for woodcutting will close on April 15.
Permits allow collection of up to five cords of firewood per household for personal, non-commercial use. Woodcutting will continue to be permitted along Swan Lake Road from the junction of Swanson River Road to Paddle Lake Trailhead; along Swanson River Road from the Dolly Varden Campground north to Swanson River Landing; along Funny River Road from milepost 4 to MP 9.5; at the Dolly Varden Campground; at Upper and Lower Skilak Road including Engineer Lake Road and portions of Upper and Lower Skilak Campgrounds; and at Ohmer Campground, Jims’ Landing and Ski Hill Road.
Cutting is limited to trees which are dead and down within the designated permit areas. Standing trees may not be felled, and all other wood cutting on the refuge is prohibited. Dead and down wood may also be used for campfires while camping on the refuge, the release states.
Vehicles are prohibited beyond the shoulders of the main roads, and ATVs are prohibited entirely. Excess limbs and woody debris must be piled outside and away from roadsides and rights of way, ditches, riparian areas and campsites within campgrounds.
No wood cutting is allowed along the refuge service entrance roads. Permit holders are asked to consult the refuge area map for further details as additional regulations apply.
Permit packets, designated cutting area maps and instructions for completing permits are available at a self-serve station outside refuge headquarters, located at 33398 Ski Hill Road in Soldotna.
The refuge headquarters office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For further information, call 907-743-9145.
