Hikes dominated by snow-capped mountains, casting a line in hopes of a record-breaking catch, standing at the base of a giant glacier feeling the minutia of humanity wash over you – the Kenai Peninsula is the closest you’ll ever get to the wild in its most primal form. Located south of Anchorage, the peninsula is dotted with eclectic small towns, glacial fjords, rivers, and unforgettable camp-sites. Whether you see Kenai with a paddle in hand, traverse 3,500 feet for stunning views of Harding Icefield, or flex your angling muscle to take on some of the biggest fish in the world, every twist, and turn is met by breathtaking imagery, and a friendly group of locals ready to show you around their corner of the “last frontier.”
The towns of Kenai are what makes this region so enchanting, and few places do adventure tourism quite like them. Sitting upon Resurrection Bay, Millers Landing in Seward lets visitors customize their adventure whether it’s renting a boat or kayak to paddle alongside giant icebergs, climbing aboard a water taxi, or heading out on a fishing charter where beneath the glassy water, behemoth halibut, and salmon are the stuff of angling legend. Seward’s secluded campgrounds are a wooded wonderland of oceanfront views, and options to pitch a tent, or park an R.V. Companies like ABC RV Rentals make exploring Kenai easy by offering a variety of transportation options including shuttle services to and from the airport,
Cooper Landing, along Sterling Highway, is home to the Russian River, and Kanai River – best known for incredible sports fishing including the Kanai River salmon fishery which produces sockeye salmon, and trout you won’t find anywhere else. A visit to “The Landing” isn’t complete without embarking on a raft trip, hiking or biking the Russian Lakes or Anglers Trail, or rolling out a sleeping bag under the stars at the Russian River Campground – a hideaway in the 5 million acres Chugach National Forest.
Jutting out into Kachemak Bay, Homer is a whimsical little town with a big personality. Popular with tourists – scattered with museums, restaurants, entertainment venues, and a breathtaking site for kayaking, and boating, Homer is best known as the world’s halibut fishing capital. From harvesting the catch of the day from the bay’s icy water to staking your claim on a waterfront campsite as bald eagles soar high above you, it’s no wonder people say “there’s no place like Homer.”
When you’re in Kenai Fjords National Park, listen carefully and you might hear the ebb and flow of Exit Glacier as it makes its slow descent. Get closer than you thought possible to this active glacier on a ranger-led walk, or challenge your skill along the Harding Icefield Trail. When winter settles upon the area, this glacial eden makes way for greater adventure from snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snow-shoeing, to quintessential Alaskan dog-sledding excursions. With more daylight hours than anywhere in the country, they call this enchanted place the “land of the midnight sun” – that’s a lot of awe-inspiring action to pack into one day – are you ready?
img cc Wikimedia Commons
