Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

06/07/2026

Vista trail overlooking Skilak Lake is showing off a little! Phenology is the study of the timing of cyclical and seasonal events in the natural world. It seems Alaska's seasonal calendar has been a little behind this year. This week feels like we went from almost-spring directly into Alaska summer. Morel mushrooms are out, wobbly-legged moose babies are being born, sunblock for these blue sky outdoor adventures is a necessity, the campgrounds are filling up, and the salmon are hopefully on their way into the Kenai River from Cook Inlet. Share your Kenai Refuge weekend photos in the comments section below!

📷: J. Helminiak/Kenai NWR

06/05/2026

Our seasonal biology technicians went out into the field to retrieve footage from several trail cameras spread around the refuge that keep an eye on local beaver, otter, and brown bear activity!

📷: C. Hussain/Kenai NWR

06/04/2026

Informational Notice: LifeMed will be conducting a planned training exercise on June 4 in the Hidden Creek outflow area of Skilak Lake. This exercise will include helicopter activity and watercraft operations as they practice rescue procedures.

Please be aware that this is a scheduled training event. Refuge visitors in or near the area should not be alarmed or assume any emergency is taking place. Please keep your distance.

06/04/2026

"There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds... the assurance that dawn comes after night and spring after winter." — Rachel Carson

It is only fitting to feature the lovely Trumpeter Swan that calls Alaska home. These birds are the largest native North American waterfowl and can travel between 435 mi - 620 mi (700km-1000km) during migration. Some populations living in non-coastal areas and further inland choose not to migrate and will hunker down in their territory year-round or only migrate a short distance.

Mallards, shown flying away in this photo, also exhibit partial migration. Many travel from breeding to wintering grounds but depending on conditions, populations may stay in the same area throughout the year.



📷R. Smith/Kenai NWR

05/30/2026

Edit update as of 6/3...Just a few spaces left- Register at the Kenai Refuge Visitor Center (open daily 9am-5pm). :)

Critter Camp- for youth who will be going into 2nd or 3rd grade this fall. Camp goes from 10am-2pm and has a $50 supply fee
June 8-12 2 spaces available
June 22-26 1 space available

We will be learning about Alaskan plants and animals, their habitats, life cycles, and adaptations through various arts and craft activities, trail exploration and science experiments.

05/19/2026

DFFP T2IA Gannett Glacier Fire Crew completed a grid of the entire ( #060) and declared it contained, controlled and placed in monitor status. The last of the crew was clear of the fire by mid-afternoon as they demobilized Tuesday.

This will be the final update for the Killey River Fire unless there are significant changes.

Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial attack Crew completed a grid of the entire Killey River Fire ( #060) area on Monday fi…

05/18/2026

5/17/26 update: The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew has constructed saw line around 75% of the perimeter of the Killey River Fire (060). They will continue to construct saw line and build hose lay around the fire that is located about 5-miles southeast of Funny River. Standing dead trees, snags, and jackstraw, downed trees make progress slow as the crew works safely to contain the fire. The snags and jackstraw trees are because the fire is within the 2014 Funny River Fire burned area. Having been able to walk around the entire fire, the size remains at 8.2-acres.

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew has constructed saw line around 75% of the perimeter of the …

05/16/2026

Here’s the latest update from Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry & Fire Protection - DFFP regarding the . Take care as we see winds increase across the Kenai Peninsula today, as resources are busy on this and other fires. Note that the burn permit suspension is still in place.

Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew will join the firefighters assigned to the Killey River Fire (060) located about 5-miles southeast…