The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge allows Christmas tree cutting on the refuge. No permits or fees are required. For additional information contact the Refuge Headquarters office at (907) 262-7021.

Download Flyer (pdf)
Christmas Tree Cutting Area Map (pdf)

Dates: Thanksgiving to Christmas each year. The Refuge Manager makes a news release to announce the date.

How Many? One tree per family.

Where? Kenai National Wildlife Refuge except for the 2 square mile area by the refuge visitor center on Ski Hill Rd. by Soldotna.

You must cut trees 150 ft.(50 - 70 adult walking strides) from refuge roads, trail heads, campgrounds, picnic areas, and waterways (lakes, rivers, streams, etc.).

Please trim tree stumps as close as possible to the ground for safety reasons.

Closest Area to Soldotna - Travel out Funny River Rd. past the Soldotna Airport. Look for the refuge boundary sign. Beginning at this sign, trees can be taken for 6 miles on the right hand (south) side of the road.

Closest Area to Sterling- Travel out Swanson River Rd. until you see the refuge boundary sign (near Mosquito Lake - mi. 7.6 Swanson River Rd.). From this point you may select a tree as you travel north along Swanson River Rd. or if you continue east on Swan Lake Rd.

If you use the oil field access roads to take a tree, you must be on foot, horse, or snowmobile. You may use snowmobiles only if the refuge has been officially opened to snowmobile access. Check with refuge staff for opening dates.

Closest Area to Cooper Landing - Travel on the Sterling Highway until you see the refuge boundary sign. There are two major road access areas to look for a tree. These are the Sterling Highway from milepost 55 to 76 and Skilak Lake Rd. (19 miles long)

Other areas on the Kenai Peninsula open to Christmas tree cutting

U.S. Forest Service, Chugach National Forest - The U.S. Forest Service allows Christmas tree cutting in the Chugach National Forest. Cutting must be 200' or more from roads, rivers, campgrounds, trails and trailheads. Cutting is not allowed in timber sales areas. Only one tree per family allowed. No permits or fees required. Call the Seward office, at (907) 224-4124, for more information.

Alaska Division of Forestry - The Alaska Division of Forestry has two Christmas tree cutting areas in the Homer/Anchor Point vicinity. No permits or fees are required. Maps can be obtained at the Division of forestry Office at mile 92.5 Sterling Highway, or call (907) 262-4124. Maps are also available at the following locations:

Natural Resource Conservation Service - NBA building, Box 400, Homer, (907) 235-8177

Kenai Peninsula Borough - For Christmas tree cutting information on Kenai Peninsula Borough land stop by the Kenai Peninsula Borough office 144 N. Binkley in Soldotna, or call at (907) 262-4441, extension 260.