The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed an increase to the overnight fees for front-country summer campground sites and public use cabins at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge through a public notice.
Based on responses from the public and the refuge determination of appropriate fee structure, the fee increases will be in effect starting May 17, 2024.
This includes an increase of $5 per night for campsites and $10 per night for cabins.
Additionally, a loop of campsites at the Hidden Lake Campground will become reservation-only online and include a $10 reservation fee.
The changes are necessary for Kenai Refuge to continue providing high-quality visitor services and programs to the local community and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who enjoy the refuge annually. All other refuge campgrounds that are not currently in the fee system will remain free.
More details for each recreation site with a fee change can be found below.
Hidden Lake Campground
• Summer campground fees for all campsites will increase from $10 to $15 per
night at Hidden Lake Campground.
• The Skyview Loop (campsites 1-25) at Hidden Lake Campground will become
reservation only and available to book online. A reservation fee of $10 per reservation
will be charged for reserving these campsites in addition to the per night fee.
Upper Skilak Campground
• Summer campground fees for drive-in campsites at the Upper Skilak Campground
will increase from $10 to $15 per night.
• Walk-in sites at the Upper Skilak Campground will increase from $5 to $10 per
night.
Both campgrounds:
All campsites at the Upper Skilak Campground and at the Lake Loop and Ridge Loop portions of Hidden Lake Campground will remain first come first serve for visitors.
Public Use Cabins:
Refuge public use cabin rentals will increase from $35.00 to $45.00 per night for historic cabins, and $45.00 to $55.00 per night for contemporary cabins.
• Historic cabins: Big Bay, Big Indian Creek, Caribou Island, Doroshin Bay, Nurse’s, Pipe Creek, and Vogel Lake.
• Contemporary cabins: Dolly Varden, Engineer Lake, Kelly Lake, McLain Lake, Pincher Creek, Snag Lake, Upper Ohmer Lake.
Users can access campground reservations by using the search term “Hidden Lake Campground” on recreation.gov or by clicking here!
