Kenai Canoe Route Clearing

Event Start Date: 5/16/2026 7:00 AM

Event End Date: 5/17/2026 5:00 PM

Timezone: AKDT

Join the BHA Alaska chapter for the second year of volunteering to help clear the trails of the Swan Lakes Canoe System located northeast of Sterling, Alaska on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The Swan Lakes Canoe System has over thirty lakes accessed by water and land portage trails. This involves using hand tools provided by FWS to clear trees that have fallen or grown over the trail. The FWS will provide the canoes that will be used to access the trails needing cleared. Individuals need to be physically fit to help with clearing the trails and moving the canoes and gear along the portage trails that are over uneven and muddy in places. Individuals will need to bring camping gear and enough food to be away from their vehicle for two days.

For people who will be traveling from outside the area, there is the option to stay at the Outdoor Education Center consisting of 6 dry cabins to stay in on Friday night, May 15th. To get to the Outdoor Education Center, from Sterling go north on Swan Lakes Road for about 15 miles. Turn right and go east on Swan Lakes Road. The Outdoor Education Center is the first gate road on the left.

Event lead: Jeff Knisley