94% of travelers recommend this experience. Just a half mile in, and you get the beautiful river overview. Excellent trail conditions with only a few muddy spots and the brush was not too bad. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. The rest of the trail is in a large burned out area. Picked out our spot far from the madding crowd. the way, check out the full road trip planner: In the quick calculation above, we assumed you had a private take-off and landing, and time to taxi on the runway. Along with Kenai's fish, the Kenai River area is home to other wildlife, including moose, bears, and multiple species of birds. In the afternoon, rent a car or book a shuttle to climb Flattop Mountain, one of the citys most popular day hikes. So that means we really need Lots of bear poop but no bear. Keep your distance and know your surrounds. Cooper landing is the headwater of the Kenai River and allows for beautiful scenery. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. About. 3. Its 9:30am on an early November day. There was GREAT bear watching on this trail- woodpeckers, eagles, and various waterbirds, including some I still haven't been able to identify. Keep in mind that the stairs leading down to the main boardwalk are steep and many. If you are looking for a trip where you will not see anyone, this is not the trip. The coho salmon runs occur in early August and early October. Spend a day enjoying Homers relaxing, down-to-earth vibe, or book a day ferry trip to nearby Halibut Cove or Seldovia, both quiet paradises tucked into coves that can only be accessed by boat or float plane, or take a water taxi across the bay to Kachemak Bay State Park to explore miles of hiking trails. to calculate the distance between cities. Complete harvest records immediately for king salmon or rainbow trout you keep. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Beatles and fire really destroyed this land but still enjoyed it. The record caught in 1985, was over 97 pounds. (whether it's first class or coach). Halibut and other saltwater fishing is within a three hours drive of Anchorage. To see the details on this flight plan, including There's prime views from this side of the river. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. You'll see it from the roadbut I highly recommend you stop and check out the water. The best part of the trail is the begining at the canyon. Fishing the Kenai -- my experience during historic hot weather. The fish don't come in like they used to and the crowds are bigger than ever, but the settings of wild beauty makes this place worth a stop. They are king (and queen) in the wild. The adjoining campground and parking areas are federally run. Make sure if you're hiking into remote parts of the river, that you're armed and keep your eye out for bear. Fish experience shock when caught. OFFICIAL STATE OF ALASKA VACATION AND TRAVEL INFORMATION, Copyright 2023 Alaska Travel Industry Association. View past newsletters here. Some areas overgrown but completely passable. The Kenai Lake to Skilak section is commonly referred to as the "Upper River". There's been two fires that have wiped out the trees in 1991 and 2019, but make no mistake, The trail is extremely overgrown in some places and there's ALOT of bear activity due to its proximity to the salmon rich Kenai River. In a raft it is a casual float through the Class III and III+ rapids, while in an inflated kayak there is more heart thumping adrenaline as you navigate the rapids along the way. That left us with months of planning, thousands of dollars per person and all of our travel time wasted!! Over 105 miles (169km) of the river and lakes are managed by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources as the Kenai River Special Management Area, from 4 miles (6.4km) inland of the river mouth at Cook Inlet, to 82 miles (132km) upstream. The canyon (lower part of the river) offers class 4 whitewater, which is amazing for a rush and fun time. Alaska Bus Company offers transportation between Anchorage, Girdwood, Cooper Landing, and Homer to Soldotna during the summer months. Courtesy and common sense make everyones experience more enjoyable. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Prince William Sound (Whittier) is just over an hour away; Resurrection Bay (Seward) is 2.5 hours; and Kachemak Bay (Homer) is 5 hours south. Bc of the long days, you can be on the water by 5:30 am. If you fish, you will like this place. Russian River is also a popular hunting spot for bears. In addition to the big Kings in June and July, the Kenai River boasts a huge number of Sockeye (Red) Salmon in July, and in August and September there is a good run of the acrobatic Silver (Coho) Salmon. Interesting, as soon as we did, we found fresh bear scat on the trail that wasn't there on our hike in. Bleeding into the water quickly clears the blood from the fish, thus improving quality. From Anchorage you take the Seward Highway around Turnagain Arm to the Sterling Highway Junction and then take the Sterling Highway to the lower end of Kenai Lake to the start of the upperriver. Book a float trip to fish for king or red (sockeye) salmon, wander hiking trails in the nearby Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, or continue another 10 miles to nearby Kenai, where you can tour the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church, a National Historic Landmark. Sorrento Farm and Food Experience including Olive Oil, Limoncello, Wine tasting. About 12 miles (19 km) from the lake, the river passes through Kenai Canyon for about 2 miles (3.2 km) of fast-flowing whitewater rapids. Just go into Soldotna or any of the state parks and sometimes you will stand beside people up to your waist in clear beautiful clean water and catch salmon with a piece of yarn. Four species of salmon are here with the King salmon reported to be the largest of its kind. Cook Inlet - Wikipedia [1] Near Cooper Landing, the lake narrows to form the river. Your plane flies much faster than a car, so the flight time is about 1/5th of the time it would take to drive. Redoubt Volcano | Visible from Kenai, Alaska | ALASKA.ORG A few muddy spots but nothing major. Down to Soldotna, provides incredible fishing depending on what time of year it is. If it's a real road trip, you might want to check out interesting places along the way, or maybe eat at a great restaurant. It's 80+ miles of pristine glacier water is a sight to see. How far is Kenai from Anchorage? It usually takes about five hours to make the 220-mile drive from Homer to Anchorage but leave yourself extra time to stop over in the ghost town of Portage and take a boat tour to the glistening blue face of Portage Glacier. Lovely day. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. In fact the Kenai and Russian Rivers are two of the most heavily fished and visited sites in the state and power boats will nearly swamp a canoe and lines of combat fishermen on the shore may make it nearly impossible to pull over. Were in a bit of a time crunch. Portage Glacier Road, which is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Alaska, has a high concentration of free campsites for boondockers. As endangered beluga whales head up the Kenai River, committed There's tons of damage from the 2019 Swan Lake Fire, and the floral and fungal growth is really beautiful if you're into that sort of thing, I enjoy micro photography and contrasts and this trail is a gorgeous playground of colors. Your heart jumps to your throat as the giant leaps from the water and you get the first glimpse of your Kenai River King. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Visitors flying into Anchorage will find big city amenities among a backdrop of wild and rustic landscape. The town of Kodiak has two excellent museums where you can learn about its rich Sugpiaq and Russian heritage. We even saw a sow with 3 cubs. In fact, Kenai Fjords ended up ranking at number 2 when we rated all the national parks from best to worst! Be careful. Once out of the lake and on the river expect, right away, some Class II rapids along Fisherman's Bend. It rained 24/7 the entire 5 days and never did he nor my group stop fishing. [citation needed] Occasionally there will be reports of catching of "Steelhead"(Sea-run Trout). Below the rapid is the confluence with the Moose River. Jim's Landing is here and is just above the Kenai Canyon and the biggest of the rapids. To & Fro may contain sponsored posts and affiliate/referral links, and accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. Homer is at the "end of the road" where the world's largest natural sand spit stretches into Kachemak Bay. You'll love it! Overwhelmed by choices? Slot Canyon 2hr tour in Grand Staircase/Greater Bryce Area! When you catch a fish you intend to harvest, immediately kill your fish, then bleed it into the water. 5. From there, the toe of the glacier is just a short hike away. We had a chance last year to go to Kenai Alaska and fish for silver salmon last Sept and already planing our next trip back this June. Kenai Peninsula The water is so clean, clear, and beautiful. Anchorage to Kenai including time spent getting to/from If you like to fish this river is famous for its salmon run. Mid June to mid August can be brutal in wetter areas. Anchorage to Homer Road Trip - Wild West Trail If you're planning to take a trip to the Kenai River, it will be worth it. Kenai Peninsula. This is a new world for them, too. Here is a site with the majority of the hiking trails on the peninsula. In recent years, the king salmon fishery has been closed or heavily restricted due to low returns of fish.[8]. If you are doing a multi day trip you might have time to fish the west end of the lake and there are places near Snug Harbor where you can launch. Flowing out of the western edge of the Chugach Mountains, the Kenai River runs turquoise blue from Kenai Lake through canyons and whitewater till it spills out onto the low elevation woodlands to where it finally meets the salt water of Cook Inlet near the town of Kenai. The bears were not there on the hours I visited but know that they are there. Now finally, let's look at an actual flight from ANC to ENA on Era Aviation and figure out how long it would take to fly including [11], U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kenai River, "Boat Waves on Johnson Lake and Kenai River, Alaska. My dog Hyper gives it his 5 stars of approval as well, follow Hyper on Instagram @hyper_thedog. 2-5 day small ship explorations. They cost, but the scenery is worth it if you aren't familiar with rafting. The straight line flight distance is 93 miles less than driving on roads, which means the driving distance is roughly 2.4x of the flight distance. The walk is a very pleasant 3/4 mile walk from the Salmon lot down to the confluence of the Kenai / Russian Rivers. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. The silvers were running so we took a detour to watch the fishermen for a while. Be respectful of the bears and especially the cubs. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. You'll also find sites near Anchorage and . My father and I rafted the Kenai from the upper part of the river and drifted all the way down through Kenai Canyon (class 4 whitewater) that dumps out into Skilak Lake dozens of times. I do mean awful!! Trail was in great shape but we were here on a dry day. Flying from Anchorage to Kenai on Ravn Alaska is faster than driving across Anchorage! Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is located north of Katmai National Park, 65 air miles northwest of Homer, and about 120 air miles southwest of Anchorage. Road Trip: From Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska A typical king in the second run, beginning in mid-July, weighs 4085 pounds (1823kg), with considerably larger specimens not uncommon. Russian River Falls | Easy Hike On the Kenai Peninsula Seward B-8 5. The river is for everyones enjoyment there is no such thing as a personal fishing hole. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. The flavor turns very fishy very fast in fresh water. Phone: (907) 522-8368 [7] The Kenai is also the home of trophy size rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has a great website for Kenai River areas to fish, regulations, and loads of maps. and flights. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. places in Soldotna - The Moose is Loose. 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. In any outdoor activity fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, hunting, picnicking, berry picking, even going to work you may encounter bears. A Detox You'll Love - Liver Cleanse Cocktail, How to Take Easy Silhouette Maternity Photos, Family Travel Made Easy with Happytrails from MEC. Theres usually people out whenever I go, havent seen any wildlife. But, if we could, we would stop at one, or more, of the many scenic lookouts or tiny towns along the way - Beluga Point, Bird Point, Girdwood and Portage Valley, just to name a few. Sterling Highway | Kenai Peninsula Driving Guide | ALASKA.ORG Breakaway sinker rigs greatly reduce gear lost to snags and help prevent disruptions to others. Recommended option Drive 2h 54m Drive from Anchorage to Soldotna 148.1 miles $26 - $40 Cheapest option Drive via Dimond & Arctic Ese 3h 12m We drove in his old Vovo had coffee on the tailgate until the rush of Patagonia clad city folks had charged down the hill at the strike of midnight. Lots of bear scat but thankfully did not run into Yogi. Alyeska for spectacular views. Scenery, Fishing, Beauty In The Rugged Alaskan Wilderness. Some of the best views of the Kenai River that Ive seen, and the chance to get right down on the banks at points and walk the River Beach. See all 4 Kenai River tours on Tripadvisor, Chugach National Forest: Tickets & Tours, 2 nights Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan,Hot deal, Maafushi: Ship wreck & Nurse shark snorkeling with Dolphin watching. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? The Russian River is a gorgeous place to visit. An exhausted fish may need to be gently supported in the water. Population 192. Rainy so turned around at the west connector. helping you figure out travel plans in detail. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. So, having lived this experience, here's my advice: 1. The park is only a 2.5-hour drive south of Anchorage and the town of Seward serves as the perfect base for sightseeing. The Kenai River [Kee-nye] is a meltwater river that drains the central Kenai Peninsula region. Wear four layers (I did): a short sleeve fitted shirt, a long sleeved shirt, and heavy pullover, and a water-proof jacket with a hood. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Get driving directions Its a beautiful hike with fireweed bloom in the summer and incredible fall colors and several different types of mushrooms in late summer early fall. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Special thanks to Curtis Green (pictured below) for these pictures of the original Russian River Ferry, from 1955. The Kenai River [Kee-nye] is a meltwater river that drains the central Kenai Peninsula region. The ferry services one of the most productive salmon sport fishing areas in all of North America. Where do I drive to in order to start the short hike to the river? For Halibut, big fish, go 50 miles south and pay $200 to get on a boat and catch fish you just dreamed about. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. I'm sure its a beautiful, bustling little town in the summer, but in early November, there's not a soul in sight. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Anchorage & the Kenai Peninsula by Road The state charges a hefty $12 just to park for a couple of hours. Alaska Dept. Take lots of sunscreen. Are you planning an upcoming road trip vacation, and in search of the perfect rental car? Take advantage of one of the many pullouts as you follow the water on one side, with the towering Chugach mountains on the other. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. Plus there's so much to see on your boat ride back. If you like to fish this river is famous for its salmon run. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It is truly magnificent. It is illegal to gaff fish on the Kenai River or to lift any fish you do not intend to keep out of the water. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks, Russian River Campground: Put-in Option for Rafts. put together a flight itinerary with actual airports. In the evening, consider making the 12-mile drive to the Exit Glacier Visitor Center. Let me take you on a scenic road trip from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. 6. Spend your morning in Anchorage at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, learning about these cultures, touring re-created village sites, and seeing examples of traditional singing, drumming, and craftsmanship. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. There are moose and bears. It runs 82 miles (132km) westward from Kenai Lake in the Kenai Mountains, through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Skilak Lake to its outlet into the Cook Inlet of the Pacific Ocean near Kenai and Soldotna. For almost 80 miles the river frolics through 3 sets of whitewater and forms 7-mile long Skilak Lake. your total travel time for this trip. We also wore zip off pants. Getting There. Car, train, or group tour. The Kenai and Russian Rivers are famous for record-setting salmon; you can go with professional guides or on your own. Glancing outside at the misses I explained my situation and he went outside and convinced her to let me live just once !!!! Obviously a river so choked with salmon is prime Brown Bear habitat, so be clean and careful especially if you are camping. Local guides can also help you access world-class sportfishingboth freshwater and saltwateror see the world-renowned Kodiak brown bear in Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. When she was 17 years old, she was given a credit card to plan a trip for one month for, Get up close and personal with Alaska wildlife in this three-day itinerary. Very little snow left on it. Take more water than you think you'll need. If you do the Russian River Ferry that too is a hefty $12 to park and yet another $12 to ride the ferry. There are 17.3 river miles from Kenai Lake to Skilak Lake, and this stretch of river is commonly called the "Upper River." After leaving Skilak Lake, the river travels for 10.5 miles at a gradient of 3.3 ft/mi before encountering Naptowne Rap- ids. Beautiful views for the first mile or so then pretty much the same view of the river. Drift fishing through backtrollers, or backbouncing or backtrolling in the middle of an occupied drift is not only discourteous, it is dangerous. The water is so blue! ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. Its a 95-mile drive from Seward along the Seward and Sterling highways to Soldotna, which sprawls along the banks of the world-famous Kenai River. I suggest taking binoculars so you can spot the Mountain goats on the high range just to the west of the Kenai River. View on Map Coordinates Latitude: 60.45455 Longitude: -149.987 Driving Directions Russian River Falls Visit Website Nonstop drive: 158 miles or 254 km Driving time: 3 hours Realistically, you'll probably want to add a buffer for rest stops, gas, or food along the way. Ravn Alaska typically offers between 3-6 flights daily. Pink Salmon or Humpy's as they're called are best caught as soon as they enter the river or at sea. Red Salmon or Coho are primarily caught from the bank and the most prolific of the salmon species. There are 3 ways to get from Anchorage to Kenai by car or plane Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. Drive for about 50 minutes, then stop in Girdwood and stay for about 1 hour. Past the marsh, the road begins to wind - this time, we have the ebbing and flowing tide of the Cook Inlet on our right and the steep rocky cliffs of the Chugach State Park on our left. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Thanks for coming along, we hope you enjoyed the ride! Moose Pass, AK | Things to Do, Recreation, & Travel Information A little mud. The observation area overlooks the mouth of the Kenai River, and in late spring and early summer, belugas are often seen riding the incoming tides to feed on salmon. 6. [9] These fish are considered pests by many anglers because they interfere with catching other species and because, by the time they reach inland freshwater, their meat may be soft and oily compared to other species. Saw some bear scat near the river and took the higher elevation trail as opposed to walking along the river. They really put on a show.. And all along its length occurs one of the greatest salmon runs of south-central Alaska. End the day by renting a car and driving to Potter Marsh, a popular wildlife and bird viewing wetlands located just south of Anchorage. . , a must on anyone's Alaskan bucket list. When you meet the Sterling Highway, youll enjoy another stretch of Scenic Byway from Tern Lake to Skilak Lake, following the impossibly teal blue waters of the glacially fed Kenai River. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you hook a right through Soldotna, youll be taken to the Peninsulas namesake, the town of Kenai itself. So, having lived this experience, here's my advice: 1. Boat guides focus on the King or Chinook Salmon which can not be landed from the bank or easily landed in a drift boat. Okay back to the Kenai and Russian Rivers, the fishing is fairly good. It lies within driving distance of two main tourism destinations; 24 miles north of Seward and 40 miles east of Cooper Landing, AK. Dont make it easy for bears to find food garbage, birdseed, picnics, fish, or game, for example. Which one is right for you? There are several starting spots but where the Sterling Highway crosses the river just after it exits the lake is a common one. We visited the Russian River Campground and went to the Pink Salmon lot. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Kenai River Trail. Fish & Game Website, From Anchorage The famous Kenai River is just 90 minutes south of Anchorage on the Sterling Highway. The drift guide service is the best exposure to the environment. Fish up to 80 pounds have been pulled from these waters. Prices for most campgrounds are $15-20 a night for tents and $30-40 for rv's. If your not into fishing or taking a break the scenery is spectacular and you will undoubtedly see moose and maybe even a bear or two. As always, if you have questions please feel free to ask. My boyfriend and I came up to Kenai for a day the second week of August and booked a chartered fishing trip with King of the River. The long walk over to the Russian Falls is nice and very doable for the flatfooted. Seeing as we've been in the car for a few hours now, lets make a pit stop for a snack at one of our. Take your equipment and fish so bear does not associate angling activity with food. The watershed covers about 100,000 km 2 (39,000 sq mi) of southern Alaska, east of the Aleutian Range, south and east of the Alaska Range, receiving water from its tributaries, the Knik River, the Little Susitna River, and the Susitna and Matanuska rivers. Watch for Dall sheep in the steep rock faces adjacent to the road. If you find yourself on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska you have to stop at one and view the Russian River. Bugs are bad in certain places. Keep in mind that the stairs leading down to the main boardwalk are steep and many. 3. Between Denali and Seward no where else seems to have such a dense population of bears within driving reach of Anchorage. Dolly Varden and Rainbow Trout are also numerous. It has been quite a story to be fishing and then the grizzlies pop out of the brush and are very close. All content, images, design elements and text belong to Mar Ward at To & Fro, unless otherwise noted. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any of the aforementioned material without express and written permission from Mar Ward and To & Fro is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your continued support! On a heavy day, even a casual fisher might catch several dozen of the species. How do we get here from the princess lodge?? We hit the Seward Highway and head south out of Anchorage just as the sun is rising. Anchorage, AK 99503. I urge you to be prepared for inclimate weather regardless of how sunny it is when you leave your home or hotel. There are a few turn off spots to get down to the river. Hiking. I definitely would like to hike this trail again in the fall maybe after we get a light dusting of snow and I'd like to try the other TH. more. Directions - Lake Clark National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park The king salmon fishery is not as prolific as in other Alaskan rivers, but the Kenai is known for its large fish. Anchorage to Kenai - 3 ways to travel via car, and plane Beautiful landscape! We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. This highway is a popular place in the summermonths as it leads to some of the best fishing spots alongthe Kenai River. The hike itself isn't anything special. Does anyone offer tours? Big ship or small ship? airport, and get to your destination. BIG caution though, the restrooms are by far the worst I have entered for any local, state, or federal park. Map. It runs along the Kenai River canyon- the aquamarine color is stunning from the height the trail is at. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. There are places to take out sooner as well. Fish only 1/2 day. More people BY FAR are attacked by moose so do not approach them. Yes, the driving distance between Anchorage to Kasilof is 163 miles. 2. Fax: (907) 522-8383 Not a lot of snow. Nature & Wildlife Areas Theatre & Performances, Points of Interest & Landmarks Geologic Formations.
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how far is the kenai river from anchorage
