
Alaska Tourism Marketing Council
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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.
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