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Snowmachine use permitted in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge beginning Dec. 1

Published 9:30 pm Tuesday, November 29, 2022

By Jake Dye Peninsula Clarion

Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Snowmachine use is permitted in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge as of today, Dec. 1. Refuge Manager Andy Loranger announced the opening in a press release on Wednesday.

Areas now available include those “traditionally open to snowmachine use,” according to the release. Areas closed to snowmachines are Refuge Headquarters on Ski Hill Road, the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, Swan Lake, Swanson River and “all areas above timberline except in the Caribou Hills.”

The refuge asks that users avoid windblown areas with insufficient snow and that users avoid moose and other wildlife whenever possible.

Snowmachine use will be permitted either until April 30 or until a public notice of inadequate snow cover, according to the release.

More information about the refuge and areas available for snowmachine use can be found at fws.gov/refuge/kenai or at the Refuge Headquarters, which can be reached by phone at 907-262-7021.

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