| The Kenai Peninsula spans 25,600 square
miles, yet only 15,600 of those miles are land. That leaves 10,000
miles of various waterways where water adventure enthusiasts can
play, play, play! CANOEING
The Kenai Canoe Trails, one of only two wilderness
canoe systems in the Unites States, lies within the Kenai National
Wildlife Refuge. A trip on the Canoe Trails is an exciting combination
of canoeing adventure and wildlife viewing. Water and land portages
connect the lakes and rivers that comprise two canoe trail systems,
The Swan Lake Canoe Trails and the Swanson River Canoe Trails.
The lowland spruce and birch forests provide a peaceful habitat
for a variety of wildlife including loons, trumpeter swans, wolves,
and bears. Numerous guide services offer trips through Swanson
Lake and Swanson River canoe systems, ranging from day trips to
week long adventures.
The Swan Lake Route, with a total of
30 lakes, is 60 miles in length and can be completed in less than
a week. However, most canoeists set a leisurely pace, spending
extra days to enjoy the wildlife and scenery. The north passage
of the system contains shorter portages that can be traveled in
less time.
| Swan Lake Routes & Travel
Times |
|
| North Passage |
Canoe Lake via Gavia Lake to Portage Lake |
2-3 days |
| Central Passage |
Canoe Lake via Loon Lake to Portage Lake |
2-3 days |
| East Passage |
Portage Lake to Swan Lake to Moose River
Bridge |
3-4 days |
The Swanson River
Route, containing 40 lakes, is a total of 46 miles in length.
It offers canoeists the option of a shorter trip; many can be
made in a little over one day. Experienced canoeists will find
an exciting challenge in the swampy waterways east of Pepper and
Eider Lakes.
| Swanson River Routes & Travel Times |
|
| Paddle lake to Gene Lake |
1-2 days |
| Gene Lake to Swanson River Landing |
1-1.5 days |
| Swanson River Landing to Cook Inlet |
1-2 days |
| Gene Lake via loop from Eider to Pepper
Lake |
2-3 days |
Inexperienced canoeists are encouraged
to travel with a guide service.
KAYAKING
There is no better way to truly "immerse"
yourself in the aquatic wonders of the Kenai Peninsula than by
taking a sea kayaking trip along its coast line. Sea kayaking
offers adventurous explorers the opportunity to witness nature
in an up close and personal manner. Spend an hour or two traveling
the seas with a pod of Orcas as your guide. Your journey is bound
to include a visit by an otter or sea lion, not to mention the
variety of sea birds guaranteed to be flying overhead. Kenai
Fjords National Park is the ideal sea kayaking location. In
this amazingly diverse environment, kayakers can witness the calving
of ice off the glaciers, while otters and porpoise dive around
them, and bears and dall sheep play on nearby shores. Kachemak
Bay is another favorite kayaking location offering it's own unique
wildlife and scenic viewing opportunities. Kayak
rental and guided trips are available through many Seward
and Homer companies.
Kenai River Trips |
RIVER RAFTING
River rafting is an excellent way to see
the area's plants and wildlife. Numerous guide
services offer safe and exciting trips ranging form leisurely
half day scenic floats, to exhilarating full day trips through
Kenai Canyon, in the heart of the Kenai Peninsula wilderness.
Rafting trips provide outdoor enthusiast with abundant wildlife
viewing opportunities and often the chance to fish the famous
Kenai River. Contact
a guide to book a trip of a lifetime.
|
