Kenai / Soldotna Parks & Trails

This trail follows the Kenai River through the surrounding forests. During mid-summer it is teaming with salmon, so watch out for bears and make noise on this hike! This is a great trek for those who want to fish when they get to their destination, but not only are the salmon thick during fishing season; lots of fisherman are there as well.

This trail offers similar views to that of the Skilak Lookout Trail. The view from this trail is not as close as the view from Skilak, but it offers for more of a panoramic affect. This easy trail offers access to fishing spots and is a very likely place to see wildlife, but is rather windy at the top so be sure to wear a windbreaker.

There is parking at the trailhead for passenger vehicles and one or two campers. The trail is half a mile long and takes you through a mature birch forest that is carpeted with devil's club and watermelon berry plants. It's an easy walking, ideal for small children, and ends at a small camping area on a slight bluff that overlooks Bishop's Beach and Bishop Creek. There is  More...

This is easily broken up into three short day hikes to viewpoints above Skilak Lake. These three short trails climb to fine views of the Skilak Lake country and the Kenai Mountains. Skilak Lookout, directly above the lake, is a longer hike; Bear Mountain is a shorter hike with a good view, but it's farther from the lake. Vista, farther west, looks out on the lake and the distant,  More...

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 5-50 miles

Elevation Gain: Less than 500ft

Type: Out-and-Back

Features: Kid Friendly  

The Keen-Eye Nature Trail is .75 miles long through a wooded area with a side trail leading down to Headquarters Lake. The Centennial Trail provide an additional 1.9 mile loop through a wooded area with further opportunity to view wildlife in the area. There are three basic options on these refuge trails. First and easiest is the 0.3 mile (one way), "accessible with assistance,"  More...

If you're a bird watcher, you'll love this half-mile trail of Aspen and Spruce forest. Get out your binoculars and see which birds are out there. 

This park is the confluence of the Kenai and Moose Rivers. Take a break at this recreation site named for the English author Izaak Walton who wrote The Compleat Angler. Look for the informational sign to learn about the Moose River Archaeological Site. You will also find a hosted campground and boat launch. There's excellent fly-fishing in this area.

Stop off here during the summer for an eagle's eye view of an annual Alaskan fishing frenzy. We really love our salmon, and it shows! Or, just count the bald eagles circling high overhead.