The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is offering personal use firewood collection by permit beginning October 17th.
Woodcutting will be permitted along Swan Lake Road from the junction of Swanson River Road to Paddle Lake Trailhead, Swanson River Road from Dolly Varden Campground north to Swanson River Landing, Funny River Road from MP 4 to MP 9.5, Dolly Varden Campground, Upper and Lower Skilak Road including Engineer Lake Road and portions of Upper and Lower Skilak Campgrounds, and on Ski Hill Road. No wood cutting is allowed along the Refuge Service Entrance Roads. Additional regulations apply, consult the area map for details.
Permits with designated cutting area maps and all special conditions can be obtained beginning October 17th, 2022, at a self-serve station outside the Refuge Headquarters on Ski Hill Road in Soldotna. Permits are free.
Cutting is limited to trees which are dead and down within the designated permit areas. Standing trees may not be cut down. Vehicles are prohibited beyond the shoulders of the main roads. ATVs are prohibited. Excess limbs and woody debris must be piled outside and away from roadsides / rights of way, ditches, riparian areas, and campsites within campgrounds. Permits allow collection of up to five cords of firewood for personal, non-commercial use per household. All other wood cutting on the Refuge is prohibited, except dead and down wood may be used for campfires while camping on the Refuge.
The permit will expire, and these areas will close to firewood cutting on March 31, 2023. Weather conditions or depletion of wood for cutting may prompt the areas to close earlier.
For further information, contact Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters by calling (907) 262-7021. The Refuge Headquarters office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday – Friday.
