Visitor Info

Outdoor Adventure

Happy Trails

 

The winding trails of the Kenai Peninsula offer bicyclists, hikers, and walkers the ideal setting for exploring the great outdoors.

Are you looking for the perfect location for an easy stroll? The nearby parks and recreation areas are ideal. Give these beautiful locations a try:

• The city of Kenai beach - located at the end of Spruce Drive in Kenai
• Kenai Municipal Park - located at the end of Forest Drive in Kenai North Peninsula
•  Recreation Area - located north of Kenai at mile 23.4 of the Kenai Spur Hwy.

HIKING

The two million acres that comprise the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge were originally titled the Kenai National Moose Range. In 1980, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) renamed the refuge and designated 1.35 million acres of the land as wilderness. The refuge boasts some of the most breathtaking wilderness to be found. From the lowland spruce forests, speckled with hundreds of pristine lakes, to the icy mountain peaks of the Harding Icefield, the land's beauty is unsurpassed. With more than two hundred miles of waterways and trails, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge provides many walking and hiking opportunities. Trails on the refuge vary greatly in length, level of difficulty, and accessibility. Most trails can be reached from the Sterling Highway, but some are only accessible by boat.

Popular Refuge Trails include:

• Skyline Trail:
  • Trailhead located at milepost 61 of the Sterling Highway.
  • This is a strenuous hike noted for the view seen at the trail's end.
• Fuller Lakes Trail:
  • Trailhead located at milepost 57 of the Sterling Highway.
  • This strenuous trail is known for its berry picking opportunities.
• Hidden Creek Trail:
  • Trailhead located at milepost 58 of the Sterling Highway.
  • A moderate trail leading to fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Seven Lakes Trail
  • Two trailheads, one is at Kelly lake campground at Milepost 68.3 of the Sterling Hwy and the other is at Engineer lake Campground at Milepost 58
  • This is an easy hike that leads to both Kelly and Engineer Lakes.

Captain Cook State Recreation Area Captain Cook State Recreation Area offers explorers a beautiful outdoor experience. In the serene setting of Stormy Lake, forest trails, and saltwater beaches, you are likely to happen on to exciting wildlife viewing opportunities. The terrain of the Captain Cook State Recreation is best suited for hiking and walking. The recreation area can be reached by driving 25 miles north of the city of Kenai on the Kenai Spur Highway.

• Visit these beautiful areas:
• Yurik Nature Trail
  • This easy and scenic trail stretches the perimeter of Discovery campground.
• Bishop Creek
  • The trails surrounding Bishop Creek offer a fun and easy hike down to the beach.
• Captain Cook State Recreation Area Beaches
  • Take a short trail from Discovery Campground or Bishop Creek down to the beach overlooking Cook Inlet. Keep your eyes open for the elusive beluga whale.