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This visitor center offers wildlife information, plus
chances to view forest animals and lakedwelling birds on the adjacent
"Keen Eye" and Centennial trails.
Threespine stickleback
NOTABLE
SPECIES
Brown Bear
Muskrat
Spruce grouse
Great horned owl
Downy woodpecker
Hairy woodpecker
American three-toed
woodpecker
Olive-sided flycatcher
Gray jay
Black-capped chickadee
Boreal chickadee
Swainson’s thrush
Hermit thrush
Varied thrush
Dark-eyed junco
Pine grosbeak
Common redpoll
Dragonflies
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 FIELD NOTES
The visitor
center provides displays about animals and habitat, plus
brochures, maps and information. The Environmental Education
Center located in a log cabin at the start of the Keen Eye Trail
includes activities for kids and details about what critters have
been active recently. Nearly three miles of well-maintained trails
and boardwalks traverse woods and wetlands. More than 30 species
of birds have been seen in this area’s diverse habitats. Moose
browse understory willows and alders in winter. The lake is home
to threespine sticklebacks, dragonflies, and muskrat.
HABITAT
The trail system
meanders through a lowland white spruce and paper birch forest.
Near Headquarters Lake and its surrounding wetland, a black spruce
bog encroaches on the edge of Headquarters Lake. Bird species
using the lake from spring through fall include common loon,
arctic tern, bald eagle and trumpeter swan.
VIEWING TIP
Walk the Keen
Eye and Centennial trails slowly with ears tuned for bird song in
June and July. Spend time at the viewing deck to scan for
waterfowl. In winter, ski or snowshoe the trails and watch for
lynx, coyote, and ermine tracks.
 GETTING THERE
Sterling
Highway milepost 96.1 (just south of the Kenai River Bridge) turn
east on Funny River Road. Immediately turn right on Ski Hill Road.
The headquarters is less than one mile ahead, on the left. Follow
signs.
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