Sterling, Alaska: Two Popular Canoe Trails in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

he Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has two popular canoe "trails" north of the Sterling Highway. The Swanson River Canoe Trail offers long portages, isolation, and great rainbow fishing. It covers 40 lakes and 46 miles of the Swanson River, for a total of 80 miles. The Swan Lake Canoe Trail route connects 30 lakes, and covers 60 miles. There's good rainbow fishing on this trip, fine wildlife viewing, and short portages. With all these lakes, however, it's easy to get lost. That's why canoeists have to register with the refuge, and need maps and other information before setting out. Campsites can be hard to find on the river, and portages can be up to a mile long.