Visiting the Refuge

Snowmachine Use

Snowmachine use is not open unless there is adequate snow cover.

Areas closed to snowmachine use (12.6mb, pdf)
Snowmachine Regulations (pdf)

Snowmobiles are authorized only on designated areas as delineated on a map available from the refuge headquarters and visitor's center. Please contact the refuge for details.

A snowmobile is defined as a self-propelled vehicle intended for off-road travel on snow, having a curb weight of not more than 1,000 pounds, driven by track or tracks in contact with the snow, and steered by ski or ski in contact with snow. Only snowmobiles with an overall width less than 46 inches and weighing less than 1,000 pounds are permitted.

The use of snowmobiles may be authorized by the refuge manager between December 1 and April 30 only when snow depth is sufficient to protect the underlying vegetation and terrain along the route of travel and only after public notification.

Snowmobiles may not be used on maintained roads within the refuge. Snowmobiles may cross a maintained road after stopping and when traffic on the roadway allows safe snowmobile crossing.

Snowmobile use must be compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established. Use of snowmobiles in support of wildlife-oriented recreational activities such as fishing or trapping is compatible. Activities such as racing, harassment of wildlife, or destruction of habitat are incompatible.

All areas above timberline, except Caribou Hills, are closed to snowmobile use.

The area within section 5, 6, 7, and 8, T.4N., R.10W., S.M., AK, east of the Sterling Highway right-of-way including refuge headquarters complex, the environmental education/cross country ski trails, Headquarters and Nordic Lakes, and the area north of the east fork of Slikok Creek and northwest of a prominent seismic trail to Funny River Road, are closed to snowmobile use.

Within the Skilak Loop Special Management Area, Snowmobiles are prohibited except on Hidden, Kelly, Peterson, and Engineer Lakes for ice fishing access only. Upper and Lower Skilak Lake campground boat launches may be used as access points for snowmobile use on Skilak Lake.

An area, including the Swanson River Canoe Route and portages, beginning at the Paddle Lake parking area, then west and north along the Canoe Lakes wilderness boundary to the Swanson River, continuing northeast along the river to Wild Lake Creek, then east to the west shore of Shoepak Lake, south to the east shore of Antler Lake, and west to the beginning point near Paddle Lake, is closed to snowmobile use.

An area, including the Swan Lake Canoe Route, and several road-connected public recreational lakes, bounded on the west by Swanson River Road, on the north by the Swan Lake Road, on the east from a point at the east end of Swan Lake Road south to the west bank of the Moose River, and on the south by the refuge boundary, is closed to snowmobile use.

Refuge lands conveyed to native groups under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act or Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), are private lands and snowmobiling privileges must be obtained from the appropriate native group.

Last updated: December 30, 2008