Paddling through Wildlife Refuges

Okefenokee Swamp Prime Hook, Delaware Ruby Lake, Nevada

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

Two canoe trails in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are open every day of the year - for non-motorized boats in the warmer months and cross-country skiing, trapping, sledding and other activities after the water freezes.

Supervisory Park Ranger Bill Kent estimated approximately 10,000 people use the Swan Lake Route and Swanson River Route, both National Recreation Trails, mostly in the summer for boating. Both trails are in the Kenai Wilderness and involve a series of lakes separated by land. A popular option is to paddle the first two or three lakes that make up the beginning of the Swan Lake Route. "In those first few lakes, your chances of seeing other folks are pretty good," Kent said. "The further you go in, the less likely you are to see anyone else."

The entire Swan Lake route covers 60 miles comprised of a series of 30 lakes, although there is an inner circle of about 20 lakes that takes most canoe parties two to three days to complete. Overnight boaters may stop anywhere along the trail, although Kent recommends setting up camp off the worn paths to reduce encounters with moose, bear and other wildlife.

Less popular is the Swanson River Route, possibly because of the longer stretches of land between lakes, Kent said. But the payoff is more solitude and thus better wildlife viewing opportunities.

Some Swanson River system paddlers will opt for a 3- to 5 1/2-day route beginning at Paddle Lake, passing through Gene Lake and continuing along the Swanson River to Captain Cook State Park. Most people arrange for someone to meet them at the park, load up and go home, he said. Brown-and-white signs guide paddlers, and the Refuge also provides maps.

For more information, visit kenai.fws.gov/VisitorsEducators/visiting/canoe/canoeing.htm.

J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota

Solitude is all but guaranteed along the Souris River that courses through J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge. "On a given day, you're not likely to see anyone else out there," said Gary Erickson, assistant Refuge manager. No reservations are required, and the national wildlife refuge does not limit use of the river.

The 13-mile canoe route is part of the National Trails System. Boaters may opt to do the entire trip or a 5 1/2-mile version, both of which are one-way routes. Since the river is so windy, each end point is within two to three miles of the beginning. Boaters should plan either to carry their canoe back to their vehicle or arrange to have a bicycle or another vehicle at the end point.

Most paddlers seek out the river for a look at native moose, muskrat, waterfowl and beaver. The Souris River also provides an opportunity to see another side of North Dakota - meadows and trees in a state that is mostly open plains. Picnicking is permitted, and J. Clark Salyer Refuge is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Camping is not permitted. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/jclarksalyer/canoe4.htm.