Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Russian River Road, Campground to close Aug. 1, 2022 for construction
Release Date:
Contact(s): Alan Brown
Beginning Aug. 1, 2022, the Russian River Campground Road will undergo construction to redo a one-mile stretch of the road surface and reinforce portions of the hillside along the bank of the Kenai River. The road and campground will be closed to the public during the construction.
During the closure, all vehicle and pedestrian access will be restricted and campground reservations on Recreation.gov will be unavailable. The Forest Service anticipates reopening the road and campground no later than June 1, 2023, prior to the opening of the sockeye salmon sport fishing season.
Construction Overview
Construction crews will rebuild and widen one mile of the access road, making it more stable and resistant to frost heaves. The project will expand the existing shoulder and include striping, new guardrail and pedestrian fencing. Once completed, the new road will be safer for cars, recreational vehicles and pedestrians.
The construction will also reinforce sections of the hillside along the banks of the Kenai River, making them less prone to landslides and surface erosion. Reducing the long-term threat of erosion and landslides is essential to preserving the water quality for healthy salmon spawning and rearing in the Russian and Kenai Rivers.
Access restrictions or limitations during construction
Situated at milepost 53 along the Sterling Hwy, the Russian River Campground Road closure will affect access to the following:
Russian River Campground will close from Aug 1, 2022 until approximately June 1, 2023. No campground reservations will be available during this period.
Sport Fishing Access will not be available from the Anglers Trail or White Trail during the Russian River Campground Road closure. 2
Russian Lakes Trail, a popular route to Russian River Falls, will not be accessible via the Russian River Campground Road.
Barber, Aspen Flats and Upper Russian public use cabins will not be accessible via the Lower Russian Lakes Trail. Access to these cabins will be available via the Snug Harbor Road, Upper Russian Lakes Trailhead or by float plane.
Hunting Access will not be available from the Russian Lakes Trailhead via the Russian River Campground Road, affecting both sport and federal subsistence hunting seasons for large and small game.
Residents and visitors should be mindful of the upcoming closure when making plans to recreate in the area. For other camping options in the area, please visit Recreation.gov.
For more information or questions, please contact the Seward Ranger District at (907) 288-3178.
Map of Russian River Campground