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Quick: what’s the longest combined rail and highway tunnel in North America? It’s the Anderson Memorial Tunnel, and you’ll drive through it on the scenic and historic drive to Whittier. The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area is a place whose valleys and mountains, communities and people tell the larger story of a wild place and a rugged frontier. This audio guide gives you the inside scoop on its fascinating history. You’ll… ...more
Volcanoes not only shaped the face of Alaska but also make for spectacular sights. Here are the top volcanoes to look for and photograph during your Alaska vacation.
Here’s our list of places to see wildlife on the Kenai Peninsula, as well as tours to get you to the good spots.
Finding your lost puppy is probably easier than this. Understand how refuge staff try to bring moose back to an area. It’s not as simple as putting up posters.
Fire can be hugely important in an ecosystem. Pyromaniacs should note that they’re only positively effective when controlled and contained.
The cabin is located on the north shore of Engineer Lake. The cabin is south facing overlooking the lake surrounded by spruce and birch trees. Two bunk beds, table with benches, wood stove, broom, shovel, water bucket, fire extinguisher, established campfire ring, and outhouse.
If you need a moment to yourself, this lonesome lake is a great place to find quiet solitude – and some excellent rainbow trout fishing. But that’s not all it’s great for.
Local mushers run their teams behind 4 wheelers along South Cohoe Loop Road and down to the beach. Even though the road continues past this point it becomes too sandy to drive, so park here and walk down to the beach. If the dogs are training you’ll see them whiz past with tongues lolling and sand flying.
Cabin in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The trailhead to the cabin is located on the Skilak Lake Road, mile 7.5 from the east entrance junction with the Sterling Highway. The cabin is located .2 miles from the road on the Upper Ohmer Lake Trail.
Camp out at this quiet, clearwater lake, where glaciers once stood over 2,000 feet tall
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.
This little town 10 miles northeast of Soldotna shares its name with the highway that cuts through the Kenai Peninsula. Ironically, one of the best reasons to pull over here is to steer a different kind of vehicle: a canoe. The Swan Lake Canoe Route starts 12 miles down Swan Lake Rd and offers a 17-mile float into town on the Moose River and over 60 miles of lakes and short portages, great for everything from day trips to week-long… ...more
Ken Tarbox is your guide to this area. Ken’s a retired fishery biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. He’s lived in the area for 32 years and wouldn’t change a thing about it.
Close to Anchorage and endowed with abundant recreational opportunities, central Kenai is Alaska’s playground. Two highways, numerous trails, and several major rivers slice through the spine of the Kenai Mountains. World-class fishing, hiking, river rafting, and canoeing – plus alpine lakes and gold history – make for an ideal day trip or week-long vacation.
This 18-mile-long loop gravel road is the premier wildlife-viewing area on the Kenai Peninsula, and you’ll get spectacular views of lakes and glaciers. Don’t forget to stop and explore all the nature and wildlife around you!
If you’re a bird watcher, you’ll love this half-mile trail of Aspen and Spruce forest.
Having trouble being efficient with all your resources? You could probably take a lesson from the ecosystem found here.
Find out how the sockeye salmon in this lake benefit from the clear waters.
Let’s go caribou-spotting on the wide open spaces at the mouth of the world-famous river system. This spot is one of your best bets for viewing these beautiful, stately beasts.
The city of Kenai has plenty of natural wonders going for it: Overlooking the mouth of the Kenai River, it has great views of Cook Inlet as well as miles of sandy beaches, two mountain ranges and four active volcanoes. Soldotna’s twin city has lots of cultural assets, too. Originally settled in the eighteenth century by Russian fur traders, the Peninsula’s oldest city has plenty of historic charm, such as taking a self-guided walking tour… ...more
Out of ideas for what to do? Check out the log books at this cabin to see who has stayed here and what they’ve done.
Choose this site and you have a good opportunity to spot some “charismatic megafauna.” Moose and caribou can often be found grazing along this oilfield service road, which runs adjacent to some prime wildlife habitat.
Check out this salmon-friendly habitat and learn why so many salmon spawn here annually.
This little town 16 miles north of Kenai makes a nice spot for families to stop for a meal, stock up on supplies at M&M Market, and get advice on local fishing hotspots and camping locations. At Captain Cook State Recreation Area, 13 miles further north, you can get a great camping site — with great views of the Cook Inlet, Mt. Spurr, Mt. Redoubt, & Mt. Iliamna. Off the coast in the Cook Inlet, you’ll also see oil platforms,… ...more
This 18-mile-long loop gravel road is the premier wildlife-viewing area on the Kenai Peninsula, and you’ll get spectacular views of lakes and glaciers. Don’t forget to stop and explore all the nature and wildlife around you!
See the small body of water to the right? This is the upper end of Hidden Lake. Find out what natural changes have occurred to it over time.