Hunt unit · Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Swanson River Hunt Unit Map & Access

OpenPermit required

The Swanson River unit is one of 5 mapped hunt units on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK. It covers approximately 95,730 acres and is listed as “open to hunting” for 2026–2027. Hunting generally follows state seasons and bag limits, along with general refuge rules. A refuge permit is required.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
95,730acres
Openstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Kenai Peninsula Boroughcounty

Swanson River map

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OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Downloads (whole refuge):KMLGPX

Rules & permits for this unit

Status: Open to hunting

Hunting follows Alaska seasons, bag limits and licensing, plus general National Wildlife Refuge rules.

Refuge permit required. Type: Special Use Permit. Obtain via: Other.

Hunting Black Bears over bait stations, Hunting Black Bears with aid or use of a dog

Game at Kenai NWR

Species listed for the refuge as a whole — a special-regulation unit may be limited to certain species. Confirm in the hunt brochure.

Getting to the Swanson River unit

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Destination: center of the Swanson River unit

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Decimal
60.67462, -150.97354
DMS
60°40′28.6″N 150°58′24.7″W

Nearest towns

  • Kenai, AK13 mi NE of town
  • Soldotna, AK13 mi N of town
  • Anchorage, AK52 mi SW of town

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is a point inside the unit polygon, not necessarily a parking area or legal access point. Use satellite view to find roads, gates and designated parking, and respect closed areas and private inholdings.

Shooting hours at this unit

Today at Swanson River

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Anchorage local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM9:13 PM14h 19m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM8:29 PM13h 01m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:37 AM8:07 AM7:39 PM11h 33m
Thu, Oct 15, 20268:11 AM8:41 AM6:56 PM10h 15m
Sun, Nov 1, 20267:56 AM8:26 AM5:08 PM8h 42m
Sun, Nov 15, 20268:34 AM9:04 AM4:33 PM7h 29m
Tue, Dec 1, 20269:13 AM9:43 AM4:03 PM6h 20m
Tue, Dec 15, 20269:36 AM10:06 AM3:50 PM5h 44m
Fri, Jan 1, 20279:42 AM10:12 AM4:00 PM5h 48m
Fri, Jan 15, 20279:28 AM9:58 AM4:26 PM6h 29m
Mon, Feb 1, 20278:53 AM9:23 AM5:10 PM7h 47m

Computed for 60.675, -150.974 (AKDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

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Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Other units at Kenai NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
SkilakOpen38,468Required
RefugeSpecial regs1,781,872Required
Safety AreaSpecial regs22,316Required
AdministrativeClosed4,735Required

Back to Kenai NWR →