top of page
Lynx ©BestRouteProductions

Wildlife

Moose-1534.jpg

Lynx, Otters, & Bears

Oh My! 

The Upper Kenai is home to all kinds of critters. Here we have both brown (grizzly) and black bears that feed on the region’s plentiful salmon and berries...and thus grow quite large. We also have plenty of moose and mammals large and small, slippery and spiky, furry and fierce. 

Wildlife you might see

Here are but a few...

  • Black & Brown Bear

  • Moose

  • Mountain Goat 

  • Dall Sheep

  • Coyote & Wolf

  • Red Fox

  • Lynx

  • Porcupine

  • Hoary Marmot

  • Beaver

  • River Otter

BestRoute_Goat-7347-2.JPG
BestRoute_BlackBear

Bear Aware

Bears are inherently curious, intelligent and faster than they look. They do not like to be surprised or harassed. Whether you’re out hiking, camping, fishing, biking or otherwise enjoying the outdoors, always be “bear aware” and remember, you are in their home.

Summer-6089-4.jpg
Bear Aware
BestRoute_2022-3670.JPG
Keep Your Distance

Give bears plenty of space. View and photograph from a safe distance. 

​

Do not Surprise a Bear — Make Noise!

When biking or walking trails, sing, talk loudly or shout out frequently so bears know you’re coming. Avoid thick brush and hike in a group. 

​

Do not Feed or Accidentally Attract Bears 

It is illegal (and foolish) to feed bears on purpose or by not securing food, dishes or garbage in your vehicle or in bear-proof containers. In the backcountry, hang food between trees, out of their reach. Help keep
bears wild by picking up your garbage, keep grills clean, and take down your bird feeder. A fed bear is a dead bear, do your part to prevent negative human/bear encounters.

​

Do not Let Bears Get Your Fish

- If a bear approaches while you are fishing, STOP FISHING!
- If you have a fish on, either let out slack so the fish does not splash or cut your line. 
- Immediately bleed caught fish (in the water), cut all waste into small pieces and toss into deep, fast moving water.

​

Do Not Run

If a bear notices you, stand your ground. Running will only trigger its chase instinct and no one can outrun a bear. Instead, talk in a normal voice. If it doesn’t run off, make more noise. If it charges, stand your ground; it will likely be a bluff.  
 

Rules in Bear Country

Owl © Best Route Productions

Birding

Avian Adventures

Hundreds of bird species can be found on the Kenai. The area is a key migratory stop for trumpeter swans, arctic terns and sandhill cranes. The lush forests are home to woodpeckers, kingfishers, dippers and many others. The checklist below is a fraction of species you may see. 

BestRoute_Zora-0228.JPG

Violet-green swallow

Common Loon

Be on the lookout for:

  • American Dipper

  • Arctic Tern

  • Bald Eagle 

  • Common Redpoll

  • Goldeneye

  • Loon

  • Merganser

  • Pine Grosbeak

  • Ptarmigan

  • Steller's Jay

  • Red-necked Grebe

  • Raven

  • Trumpeter Swan

BestRoute_Summer2025-0821.JPG

Common Merganser

bottom of page