Attractions - Outdoor
Camping
The Kenai is well known for the extensive camping opportunities available along its road system. Numerous public campgrounds are located within the Chugach National Forest, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska State Parks unit, and within municipal areas of Seward, Soldotna, Kenai, and Homer.
Campground Resource Links:
Dog Sledding
Feel the power, excitement, and energy of sled dogs as they take you on the ride of your life with one of The Kenai’s sled dog tour companies. Cuddle adorable sled dog puppies and see the inner workings of a real sled dog kennel.
Flight Seeing
Flightseeing takes many forms on The Kenai, it can be enjoyed from airplanes, seaplanes, ski-planes, and helicopters. You can enjoy the spectacular scenery from the air as you fly over Kenai Fjords National Park, Lake Clark National Park, the Chugach National Forest or even Kachemak Bay State Park. Or you can land for an up close and personal look at a glacier, a volcano, or bears and other wildlife. It can also be your ticket to accessing remote fishing areas and hiking trails.
Golfing
If golf is your game you can’t miss The Kenai, where the natural beauty defies description. Enjoy five different challenging courses with breathtaking views. Tee up under the midnight sun and play golf in the middle of the night with regulation balls. Don’t be surprised if a moose or caribou play though, it is all part of the remarkable experience of golfing in the last frontier.
Hiking & Biking
For those who enjoy hiking and wilderness treks, The Kenai hosts over 400 miles of improved trails through pristine natural surroundings. Some trails are ideal for day-outings or family adventures while others are for heartier souls who are up to a challenge.
Exit Glacier
Exit Glacier is the only part of Kenai Fjords National park accessible by road. Here you can stroll the trails, walk very close to an active glacier, or take a ranger-led walk.
A network of short trails leads to different views of Exit Glacier. There is a well maintained trail to the Edge of the Glacier. This moderately strenuous trail brings you near a wall of blue ice providing the most dramatic close up view of Exit Glacier.
If you are looking for a longer day hike, don't miss the Harding Icefield Trail.
Location: To get there, turn onto the Herman Leirer/Exit Glacier Road at mile 3 of the Seward Highway. The 8.6 mile road to the Exit Glacier Area is paved, making it easily accessible to all types of vehicles.
Hike Kachemak Bay
There are over 25 miles of park trails, ranging from easy to difficult. Many climb over steep, rugged terrain, and offer excellent views. Others wind through coastal forest and meadows. Expect trails to be passable, although there may be areas of exposed rocks, roots, wet boggy areas, downed trees or tall grass. Trails and trailheads are marked with orange triangle signs with a "T" in the center.
Byron Glacier Trail
Trail offers an easy walk for all ages. It allows a close-up view of a glacier with rugged, mountains in all directions.
A good family outing with a variety of things to do for the whole family.
Location: At mile 79, Seward Highway (49 miles south of Anchorage), turn north onto Portage Valley Road. Travel 6 miles (past Begich, Boggs Visitor Center) to trailhead parking. Trail is closed to motorized vehicles all year.
Carter Lake Trail
3.4 mile hiking trail to Carter and Crescent Lakes. It is a short but steep climb through spruce/hemlock forest to a wide subalpine valley of meadows surrounded by mountains. Snow can remain in this area until early June.
Crescent Creek Trail
This 6.5 mile trail climbs gradually up the narrow valley of Crescent Creek through spruce/birch forest to Crescent Lake. Frequent openings afford views of nearby mountains. Snow can remain on the upper part of the trail until early June.
Location: At Mile 45 Sterling Highway turn south onto Quartz Creek Road. Drive past Quartz Creek and Crescent Creek campgrounds to trailhead (Mile 3.5 Quartz Creek Road). Last mile of road before trailhead is not plowed in winter.
Grayling Lake Trail
A short hiking trail from mile 13.2 Seward Highway giving access to Iditarod Trail and nearby small lakes. This trail climbs gradually through dense conifer forests and open muskegs giving occasional views of distant mountains. Snow can remain until early June.
Location: Trailhead is on the west side of the Seward Highway, mile 13.2.
Gull Rock Trail
A 5 mile hiking trail along the south shore of Turnagain Arm from the end of the Hope Highway to a rocky peninsula. This trail has gradual ups and downs with occasional short, steep sections and travels through spruce/birch forest with numerous openings affording views overlooking Turnagain Arm and mountains beyond. This trail usually becomes snow free by early May.
Location: At Mile 56.5 Seward Highway turn west onto Hope Highway. Drive 17.8 miles to Porcupine Campground. Trail starts at the far northwest end of the campground.
Iditarod Trail
22 mile trail from Nash Road in Seward to Primrose Campground on Kenai Lake, divided into 3 sections: Nash Rd to Bear Lake, Bear Lake to Divide, Divide to Primrose. Travels through dense spruce/hemlock forest with occasional views of lakes and mountains. Some sections are steep and snow can remain until early June.
Location: Access points from south to north: Mile 2.1 Nash Road. End of Bear Lake Road (via 0.6 mile access trail). Mile 12 Seward Highway. Mile 13.2 Seward Highway (via 1.0 mile Grayling Lake Trail). Primrose Road (via 0.5 mile Primrose Trail).
Lost Lake Trail
7.3 mile hiking trail from mile 5 Seward Highway to Lost Lake. This trail climbs gradually through dense spruce forest to emerge after 2 miles on an open mountainside of meadows and brush offering spectacular views of nearby mountains.
Location: At mile 5 Seward Highway turn west into Lost Lake subdivision. Follow signs to trailhead.
Rainbow Lake Trail
0.3 mile accessible trail from Cooper Lake Road to Rainbow Lake. This wide gravel trail crosses a muskeg then follows a small forested ridge to the shore of a small lake. There are views of surrounding mountains.
Location: At Mile 48 Sterling Highway in Cooper Landing turn south onto Snug Harbor Road. This turns into Cooper Lake Road after 9 miles. It is 2.5 miles further to the trailhead parking area.
Russian Lakes Trail Lower
A 21 mile multiple-use trail from Russian River Campground to Cooper Lake Road. Trail follows the valley of the Russian River, past Lower and Upper Russian Lakes then gradually climbs to the area at the head of Cooper Lake. Mostly wooded with frequent open areas with views of mountians and lakes.
Location: Lower (north) end: At mile 52.6 Sterling Highway turn south into Russian River Campground. Trailhead parking area is 1 mile further. Winter parking is at campground entrance station.
Upper (east) end: At mile 48 Sterling Highway in Cooper Landing turn south onto Snug Harbor Road. This turns into Cooper Lake Road after 9 miles. It is 3 miles further.
Horse Back Riding
Horseback riding has not replaced the dog sled for the traditional animal supported adventure in Alaska, but it has become a source of romance and adventure for many visitors to The Kenai. The opportunities for horsemen are numerous and range from mid-day, guided mountain trail rides to afternoon trots along the beach. Families can enjoy a group ride through scenic mountain passes and lush valleys, and hunters can ease the burden of packing out their meat with strong backs of packhorses.
Public Use Cabin Rentals
Destination:
Peninsula Wide No tent? No RV? No problem. The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Cabins have got you covered! Escaping overnight into the outdoors doesn't have to mean pitching a tent.
There is a wide variety of terrain in the refuge, including muskeg and other wetlands, alpine areas, and taiga forest. The refuge protects several large mammals, including brown bears, black bears, dall sheep, moose, and caribou, as well as thousands of migratory and native birds. There are numerous lakes, as well as the Kenai River, and the refuge is a popular destination for fishing for salmon and trout.
Nestled in this wild sanctuary are 14 rustic, public-use cabins. Escape into the wilderness with a breathtaking experience in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
Online Availability |
Site# |
Facility Area |
Site type |
Max # of people |
Cabin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enter Date | Big Bay Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 2 |  |
| Enter Date | Big Indian Creek Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 2 |  |
| Enter Date | Caribou Island Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 4 |  |
| Enter Date | Dolly Varden Lake Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 4 |  |
| Enter Date | Doroshin Bay Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 2 |  |
| Enter Date | Engineer Lake Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 4 |  |
| Enter Date | Kelly Lake Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 4 |  |
| Enter Date | McLain Lake Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 4 |  |
| Enter Date | Nurses Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 2 |  |
| Enter Date | Pincher Creek Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 4 |  |
| Enter Date | Pipe Creek Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 2 |  |
| Enter Date | Snag Lake Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 4 |  |
| Enter Date | Upper Ohmer Lake Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 4 |  |
| Enter Date | Vogel Lake Cabin | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge | CABIN NONELECTRIC | 4 |  |
Reservations can be made by phone, in person, or online at http://www.recreation.gov
Phone: (907) 262-7021
Toll Free: (877) 444-6777
All payments must be made at the time reservation is complete in the form of credit card, cash, check, or money order in person, or just credit card or check by the phone. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards are accepted online as well. Most cabins can only be accessed by aircraft or boat. Also, the cabins do not provide electricity, bedding, or cooking utensils.
Interested in more information on public use trails, cabins and campgrounds? Visit these links to learn more!
Passport to Adventure on The Kenai
The Passport to The Kenai features pages for each community on which to collect stamps throughout the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
Collect enough stamps and you will be eligible to enter for a grand prize Kenai Peninsula vacation drawing. Get it NOW!
Free Discovery Guide
Request your FREE Kenai Peninsula Discovery Guide!
The Discovery Guide includes everything you will need to plan your next trip to The Kenai. Not only will you find hundreds of listings for lodging opportunities, river guides, open-water charters, and bear viewing tours, but you will also get a fold-out map of the entire Kenai Peninsula!
