The days are continuing to get longer and the weather has been practically the picture of perfection. With warmer air and electric sunshine rays, the snow is quickly melting and we just can’t seem to get enough! With over two months of the spring season remaining, it’s the perfect time of year to break out of hibernation and hop on these 10 awesome trails. Remember to be aware of wildlife that surrounds area trails all throughout The Kenai, Alaska’s Playground.
Flickr – Dan Logan
1: Exit Glacier – Seward, Alaska (2.5 miles)
As one of the most popular hikes on the Kenai Peninsula, this well-maintained trail makes it easy to get into to the serene surroundings of nature without having to go too far. The remarkable views of Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park will take your breath away. Take the 2-mile loop from the Nature Center or keep on going and make it a 3 or 4 mile trek. If you’re after a longer journey, continue on up to the Harding Icefield. For more trail information, click HERE.
Yelp – Katie R.
2: Beluga Slough Trail – Homer, Alaska (1.2 miles)
This 1.2-mile loop trail offers scenic views overlooking Kachemak Bay, with tremendous wildlife viewing opportunities to boot. Walk the shores of Bishop’s Beach while beach combing along the way. For more trail information, click HERE.
Yelp – Jeannette G.
3: Captain Cook Beach Trail – Nikiski, Alaska (2.5 miles)
Nothing beats a long walk on the beach, especially when you have the whole place all to yourself. That’s the feeling you get out here. Enjoy the picnic area (with a million dollar view) and then take a nice flat walk on the beach with the whole family. For more trail information, click HERE.
David Mendosa
4: Tonsina Creek Trail – Seward, Alaska (3 miles)
This scenic 3 mile trail will lead you from the beautiful Lowell Point beach area through lush hemlock and spruce trees on to Tonsina Creek. Stop and take time to soak in the views overlooking Resurrection Bay as you enjoy gradual elevation gain. For more trail information, click HERE.
The Trek Planner
5: Bear Mountain Trail – Sterling, Alaska (1.6 miles)
Access this short, sweet hike by taking Skilak Lake Loop to mile marker 6.9 (accessible from the Sterling or Cooper Landing) in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. You’ll climb a fairly steep .8 miles up hill, but the view you’ll be rewarded with is way worth any pain from the elevation gain. Soak in sights overlooking Skilak Lake and the robust Kenai Mountains. For more trail information, click HERE.
Loomis Sage Marketing
6: Keen Eye & Centennial Trails – Soldotna, Alaska (.3-3 miles)
Hike along the Keen-Eye Nature Trail with interpretive information along a well-maintained path. Visitors can take a side path down to Headquarters Lake in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Continue on to the 2-mile Centennial Trail Loop to enjoy a beautiful nature escape with plentiful wildlife viewing opportunities. For more trail information, click HERE.
Alaska.org
7: Hidden Creek Trail – Cooper Landing, Alaska (3 miles)
This 3-mile out and back hike is located off of Skilak Lake Loop and it is a fairly flat, winding hike. You’ll go through a variety of diverse terrain, with excellent berry picking opportunities during July and August. You’ll also wind through an old burn area from the 1996 wildfire, giving you widespread views overlooking the surrounding Kenai Mountains. For more trail information, click HERE.
Alaska Hike Search
8: Calvin & Coyle Trail – Homer, Alaska (1.5 miles)
Located near to town in Homer just down East End Road, this lovely little nature trail winds through thick spruce forest with enchanting widespread meadows. The observation platform overlooking the Beluga wetlands provides tremendous birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. For more trail information, click HERE.
Life in Alaska Blog
9: Russian River Falls – Cooper Landing, Alaska (4 miles)
Head to the Russian River Campground to access the trailhead for this awesome hike. The whole family will love the wide gravel path with gentle elevation gain. During the summer months, this is a great place to view salmon running in the streams beneath the falls. This area is also known for its frequent bear encounters, so remember to be cautious. For more trail information, click HERE.
Flickr – USDA Forest Service Alaska Region
10: Anchor Point Beach – Anchor River State Recreation Area, Alaska (2-5 miles)
Bring a fly rod and walk the Anchor River while fishing, or head down to the soft sandy beach to walk for a few flat miles. Soak in breathtaking scenery overlooking Kachemak Bay leading to spectacular views of mountains and volcanoes in the distance. For more trail information, click HERE. Other nearby hiking areas include Stariski Creek and Whiskey Gulch.
Flickr – Brian Johnson and Dane Kantner
If you love beach walks, check out a full list of some of the Kenai Peninsula’s most beautiful sandy shores by clicking HERE. Also, we highly recommend the book 50 Hikes In Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, which is available for purchase by clicking HERE.
If you have any questions about any of these beautiful hikes, feel free to let us know in the comments below or by visiting our Facebook page. Have fun out there, adventure hounds!
The smell of the Bath & Body Works coconut lime soap, lotion and shampoo was divine!
After that we grabbed lunch in town and ate at a picnic table with a million dollar view.
The tour starts from the convenient main strip area in Seward next to the boat harbor. You’ll find lots of tourism vendors nearby including day cruises, fishing operations, hiking, kayaking and many others.
As you pull in to the resort you’ll notice a pretty large spread of cabins in every direction that you look. But what makes this resort extra special is that every individual cabin offers a lovely amount of privacy so you’ll always feel like you’re experiencing your own little slice of paradise.
The cabin was filled with all the amenities we could ask for and so much more. Inside was a full size refrigerator, microwave, oven, coffee maker (with complimentary coffee) and plenty of dishes to accommodate a large group. Seating in the dining room and kitchen area was enough for nine people!
4: Dolly Varden Lake Cabin – Swanson River Road (accessible via boat)
5: Doroshin Bay Cabin – Skilak Lake (accessible via boat)
6: Engineer Lake Cabin – Skilak Lake Road (accessible via hike-in, boat, or cross-country skiiing and snowshoeing in the winter)
7: Kelly Lake Cabin – Mile 68.1 Sterling Highway (accessible via short hike in)
12: Snag Lake Cabin – Cook Inlet area near Nikiski (accessible via float plane, ski plane, snowmachine)
14: Vogel Lake Cabin – Cook Inlet / Turnagain Arm (accessible via float plane, ski plane and snowmachine)
Please note that all the cabins are non-electric and many will require a boat to access. They are bare bones shelters that will require you to bring a warm sleeping bag, head lamp, fresh drinking water (or filtration system), safety gear and plenty of food. Make sure that anything you pack in you also pack out (meaning please do not leave any trash behind). By clicking on the link above to book these cabins, you can read the full descriptions of where each is located and what they offer. Many are even accessible all year long with snow-machine and cross country skiing access during the chilly, snowy winter months. Have fun out there, happy campers!
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Well, it’s hard to believe that June is already here! May ended up proving to be one of the most beautiful months that we’ve seen all year. From steady temps in the 70’s, flat water on the salt, stunning vistas high in the mountains, epic sunrises and breathtaking sunsets… it sure was a doozy!
The boat harbor on the Homer Spit is surely filled with more fish stories than we could even imagine. And it sure is beautiful!
We were also very impressed by the layout. There is a great amount of seating area (although were sure it gets packed during the summertime), a lengthy bar area and also lots of outdoor picnic tables. For such a small town, this is a rare find!
At Rocky’s Café they serve a mix of hearty American style cuisine options including burgers, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, wild Alaska seafood, omelets, pancakes and other fabulous breakfast, lunch and dinner options. We stuck to some traditional favorites. Up first was a delicious Rueben on toasted wheat bread with fries on the side.
And when a sunset gives you goose-bumps and makes your heart dance with so much pure joy, you also know that you live in THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD. Like this one taken at the beginning of the month on 
In addition to the beautiful beach, endless ocean and epic mountain peaks, the up close and personal Bald Eagle viewing is also a sight to behold when visiting Ninilchik.
Are you as blown away by these stunning photographs as we are? It’s hard not to fall in love. And just wait until you experience these incredible glaciers in person. The feeling of the crisp air and the sound of the robust calving is quite enchanting. If you haven’t already, be sure to add a visit to some of these amazing glaciers to your 2016 Kenai Peninsula bucket list!
Step outside the lodge and into the pristine wilderness of Alaska’s Kachemak Bay. This designated critical habitat area is home to a remarkably high level of biological activity. Witness playful sea otters up-close in their natural habitat as you launch an ocean kayak or stand up paddleboard right from the private dock at 
Up Close and Personal Alaska - The Kenai Peninsula 