Only 17 wildlife refuges in the entire United States receive more visitors. Over 200 miles of established trails give access to much of the backcountry. Driving south from Anchorage on the Sterling Highway, at milepost 56.9, you'll find the scenic Fuller Lakes Trail, 5.5 miles round trip with a high point of 1,690 feet. From Fuller Lakes you can bushwhack into wildlife-rich lands. Hundreds of splendid small lakes can be reached through a system of canoe trails including the popular Swanson Rive Canoe Trail.
Fishing brings many people to the area, including fly-ins to more remote lakes.
Motorized boats are allowed on the larger lakes but not on the canoe trails. Kenai produces an abundant wild berry crop, and berry picking brings other visitors. I went primarily to walk on the fascinating Harding Ice Field, a trip requiring ice ax, crampons and the ability to catch your breath when exposed to breathtaking views. The Harding is a barren, broken expanse of ice, not for the unprepared and unexperienced. Brown bears are relatively scarce here except in the less-visited places.