how far is the kenai river from anchorage

We hit the Seward Highway and head south out of Anchorage just as the sun is rising. Can any one recommend an overnight/multi-day hiking route (loop) where you start in the same town/place? From Jean Creek the Kenai Canyon is quickly reached and it is a 4-mile section of sheer walled gorge making lining or portaging near to impossible. We recommend booking Kenai River tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Only went .9 miles in though. Be respectful of the bears and especially the cubs. Clear of all snow with beautiful views along the trail. Are you planning an upcoming road trip vacation, and in search of the perfect rental car? The water is so clean, clear, and beautiful. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Trail was dry. Lots of bear scat but thankfully did not run into Yogi. The guided power boats are great to but you do not get out of the boat and fish from the bank. Viewing the volcano from the seashore maximizes its impact. We visited the Russian River Campground and went to the Pink Salmon lot. Russian River, Kenai: Address, Russian River Reviews: 4.5/5. Just watch their reaction to help spot the bears. 7 Scenic Stops on the Drive from Anchorage to Seward The long walk over to the Russian Falls is nice and very doable for the flatfooted. I definitely would like to hike this trail again in the fall maybe after we get a light dusting of snow and I'd like to try the other TH. Below the rapid is the confluence with the Moose River. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. A typical king in the second run, beginning in mid-July, weighs 4085 pounds (1823kg), with considerably larger specimens not uncommon. Fish as early as possible. [7] The Kenai is also the home of trophy size rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. On a heavy day, even a casual fisher might catch several dozen of the species. Fish only 1/2 day. From Anchorage you take the Seward Highway around Turnagain Arm to the Sterling Highway Junction and then take the Sterling Highway to the lower end of Kenai Lake to the start of the upperriver. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Picked out our spot far from the madding crowd. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 32 min to complete. fastest possible straight line between Anchorage, Alaska and The record caught in 1985, was over 97 pounds. This could be a take out. Here is a site with the majority of the hiking trails on the peninsula. The water is so clean, clear, and beautiful. Near the Russian River. and flights. At the confluence with the Moose River is the Bing's Landing State Recreation Site, just upstream of the Naptowne Rapids, where there is good access and further down near Soldotna are more take outs. Listen carefully because if the ferry operator blows the air horn there's a grizzly in the immediate area. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Easy, walked 3.5mi out and back. Its all fishing. Below Jim's Landing is the Kenai Canyon and the Class III+ rapids. Fish up to 80 pounds have been pulled from these waters. The water is so blue! Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. The 19.5 miles (31.4km) portion from Skilak Lake downstream to the Sterling Highway bridge near Soldotna is known as "Middle River". The Kenai and Russian Rivers are famous for record-setting salmon; you can go with professional guides or on your own. About 10 miles below the lake is Naptowne Rapids, another fun Class III section. As you float past Soldotna there are numerous places to pull out but the public dock off Beaver Loop in Kenai is a common place to finish this gorgeous river trip. There are 3 ways to get from Anchorage to Soldotna by car or plane Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. Local guides can also help you access world-class sportfishingboth freshwater and saltwateror see the world-renowned Kodiak brown bear in Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. 5. We snowshoed on 3/19. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any of the aforementioned material without express and written permission from Mar Ward and To & Fro is strictly prohibited. Thanks for coming along, we hope you enjoyed the ride! Anchorage to Kenai / Soldotna | 3 Hrs by Car, 45 Mins by Air Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is located north of Katmai National Park, 65 air miles northwest of Homer, and about 120 air miles southwest of Anchorage. This is one of our favorite skilak trails. recommended airports, airline, and route, check out Anchorage to Homer is the ultimate in Alaska road trips. How far is Kenai from Anchorage? The rest of the trail is in a large burned out area. The drift guide service is the best exposure to the environment. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks, Russian River Campground: Put-in Option for Rafts. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. recommended restaurants, hotels, and things to do along Keep in mind that the stairs leading down to the main boardwalk are steep and many. If youd rather have guaranteed wildlife sightings, head to the nearby Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where you can see moose, bears, elk, musk oxen, wolves, and other animals in a natural setting. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. The Kenai River, often referred to as the world's greatest sportfishing river, is also one of the most heavily used freshwater fisheries in Alaska. more. Beautiful landscape! Kenai Peninsula Anchorage to Homer Road Trip - Wild West Trail into account all these factors to get a more accurate estimate If you find yourself on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska you have to stop at one and view the Russian River. Okay back to the Kenai and Russian Rivers, the fishing is fairly good. The trail is nicely sloped and not a difficult hike, but on wet slippery, rocky trail, there were a few places my partner and I were very glad we had our poles. If its your lucky day and there is a bear or 2 eating salmon below the falls its a 5+ rating! Get driving directions This is a relatively short flight in a private plane, but you might be planning to book a commercial flight. (Watch for Beluga whales; they aren't common but can sometimes be spotted from the air). Let someone know your trip plans. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kenai_River&oldid=1152937125, This page was last edited on 3 May 2023, at 06:37. To & Fro is a for-profit family lifestyle blog based in Toronto, ON, Canada. In fact the Kenai and Russian Rivers are two of the most heavily fished and visited sites in the state and power boats will nearly swamp a canoe and lines of combat fishermen on the shore may make it nearly impossible to pull over. Went about 3.5 out until the trail got too overgrown and messy. With stops, this can take a full day. A trip of 4 to 5 days is an ideal time to spend on this world-class fishery watershed, even though there are good sections that are an easy day float. That's what Trippy is perfect for, [1] Near Cooper Landing, the lake narrows to form the river. Jin Chen's love for travel started when her mom used vacations as incentives for good grades in middle school. From Kenai its another 80 miles of scenic driving along the Sterling Highway to Homer, a bustling community of artists, foodies, and fishermen thats also known as the Halibut Capital of the World. Take a guided fishing charter, go kayaking, or stroll one of several wide, sandy beaches and the 4.5-mile Homer Spit, a slender finger of land thats lined with some of the states best art galleries and gift shops. The politics or the government regulators sure fowled up a nice trip. Kenai River Trail is a little wonky because it has two Trail heads two miles apart, so depending on how you approach it, it can be an in an out hike or a loop. Book an Alaska Railroad trip, take an Alaska flightseeing tour or day cruise, or stay in a remote Alaska lodge. Mid June to mid August can be brutal in wetter areas. Fish & Game Website, From Anchorage The famous Kenai River is just 90 minutes south of Anchorage on the Sterling Highway. The fish don't come in like they used to and the crowds are bigger than ever, but the settings of wild beauty makes this place worth a stop. Realistically, you'll probably want to add a buffer for rest stops, gas, or food along the way. Highlights plus less visited destinations. The watershed covers about 100,000 km 2 (39,000 sq mi) of southern Alaska, east of the Aleutian Range, south and east of the Alaska Range, receiving water from its tributaries, the Knik River, the Little Susitna River, and the Susitna and Matanuska rivers. KENAI A simmering excitement spread through a group of volunteers standing on the edge of a bluff overlooking the Kenai River on a recent morning. Accidentally paused the hike and forgot to unpause it so I didnt get full hike. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. There are 3 ways to get from Anchorage to Kenai by car or plane Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. Book a float trip to fish for king or red (sockeye) salmon, wander hiking trails in the nearby Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, or continue another 10 miles to nearby Kenai, where you can tour the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church, a National Historic Landmark. [11], U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kenai River, "Boat Waves on Johnson Lake and Kenai River, Alaska. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. This 18 -mile-long loop gravel road is the premier wildlife-viewing area on the Kenai Peninsula, and you'll get spectacular views of lakes and glaciers. Seagulls and a raptor were all I saw at 8p. Doroshin was convinced, however, that large placer gold deposits were present in the Kenai Mountains. Trail River, Chugach National Forest - Recreation.gov To get a better idea of how long this trip would really be, scroll down to calculate how many hours it would take if you drive with stops. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Some of the rapids can be scouted by car. You can see the Schooner Bend Rapids from the Russian River Campground. Great trail. Get a quick answer: It's 158 miles or 254 km from Kenai to Anchorage, which takes about 3 hours to drive. Drive for 55 minutes then stop in Soldotna (Alaska) and stay for 1 hour. Stock assessment of rainbow trout in the upper Kenai River, Alaska, in 2001 / by Bruce E. King and Jeffery A. Breakfield. You are responsible for your own safety in Kenai River bear country. During a road trip in the summer, its not rare to see shoulder to shoulder combat salmon fishing along the banks of the turquoise-coloured Kenai and Russian Rivers, or the odd bear wandering the banks in search of its next meal. Take lots of sunscreen. Next is Cooper Creek then the Class III Schooner Bend rapids. 3. 3705 Arctic Blvd, #2337 If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Highlights plus less visited destinations. I urge you to be prepared for inclimate weather regardless of how sunny it is when you leave your home or hotel. Trail was overgrown at 4.5 miles out. Does anyone offer tours? Lots of fisherman in the river even with the covid. Landing a salmon on the Kenai River is a challenge in itself. The closest town is Cooper Landing, Alaska. Consider moving to a different spot if such signs are encountered. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Click the button below to explore Kenai in detail. Easy quick hike due to time constraints. In any outdoor activity fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, hunting, picnicking, berry picking, even going to work you may encounter bears. Kenai River (Alaska) - What to Know BEFORE You Go (2023) Its source is the Kenai Lake. Take more water than you think you'll need. About 12 miles (19 km) from the lake, the river passes through Kenai Canyon for about 2 miles (3.2 km) of fast-flowing whitewater rapids. Welcome to To & Fro - a family lifestyle & outdoors blog sharing our every day adventures raising two little gals (and one furry pup) in the big city of Toronto, while maintaining our need for nature. The fishing on the river has degraded over the last few decades because of the massively increased volume of people fishing the river, but you can still catch decent fish in more remote parts of the river, which is why floating the river is so valuable. Boat guides focus on the King or Chinook Salmon which can not be landed from the bank or easily landed in a drift boat. There are 3 sections of river to run and there is road access for all of them. My father and I rafted the Kenai from the upper part of the river and drifted all the way down through Kenai Canyon (class 4 whitewater) that dumps out into Skilak Lake dozens of times. Map. Head out on this 10.2-mile out-and-back trail near Cooper Landing, Alaska. The distance from Anchorage to Seward is 127 miles. cost, bugs, and safety from bears. Next, drive for another 1 hour then stop in Cooper Landing and stay for 1 hour. Flying from Anchorage to Kenai on Ravn Alaska is faster than driving across Anchorage! Check the immediate area for fresh bear signs. Glancing outside at the misses I explained my situation and he went outside and convinced her to let me live just once !!!! Perfect night for a fly fisherman. 5. Anchorage, AK 99503. Treat a fish you intend to release carefully and release it before it is totally played out. Halibut and other saltwater fishing is within a three hours drive of Anchorage. Kenai, AK | Things to Do, Recreation, & Travel Information If you hook a right through Soldotna, youll be taken to the Peninsulas namesake, the town of Kenai itself. Worth the hike. Stretching to sizes over 76.2cm (30inches). As we leave the big city behind, the highway narrows to two lanes, and is sandwiched between Potter Marsh on our left and the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet on our right. A bit of a change of scenery. But, if we could, we would stop at one, or more, of the many scenic lookouts or tiny towns along the way - Beluga Point, Bird Point, Girdwood and Portage Valley, just to name a few. Super nice trail- will work your legs but the views are worth it. If you can spare another two days, take a commercial flight from Anchorage or Homer to Kodiak Island, also known as Alaskas Emerald Isle. Rent a car or book a van tour to explore Kodiaks magnificent coastal scenery or wander the trails at Fort Abercrombe State Historical Park to see the World War II-era coastal defense installations. By Plane Flying from Anchorage to Kenai on Ravn Alaska is faster than driving across Anchorage! Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. When she was 17 years old, she was given a credit card to plan a trip for one month for, Get up close and personal with Alaska wildlife in this three-day itinerary. A few muddy spots but nothing major. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? For Halibut, big fish, go 50 miles south and pay $200 to get on a boat and catch fish you just dreamed about. The Kenai River Special Management Area includes more than 105 linear miles of rivers and lakes, home to some of the best river fishing in Alaska. Pound for pound, Alaska mosquitoes pack punch, The inner workings of the worlds largest sockeye salmon hatchery. If you like to fish this river is famous for its salmon run. Surrounded by the Chugach National Forest, Moose Pass is an ideal place for hikers and backpackers to stage outdoor adventures and a scenic pit stop for travelers road tripping through the Kenai Peninsula.The town of about 300 residents lies along the Seward Highway, making . A must see if you come to Alaska. Pink Salmon or Humpy's as they're called are best caught as soon as they enter the river or at sea. The distance between Anchorage Airport (ANC) and Kenai is 61 miles. Should I bring bear spray? From Anchorage, take Alaska Route 1 (AK-1, also called Glenn Highway) to Glennallen. Driving from Anchorage to Valdez: Best Things to Do, Map, & Photos Travel Alaska is a registered trademark of Alaska Travel Industry Association. The rafting is amazing and some of the most scenic drifting you can do in the world. Visitors flying into Anchorage will find big city amenities among a backdrop of wild and rustic landscape. First, it should be noted that the Russian River is nowhere near Kenai, Alaska. Seeing as we've been in the car for a few hours now, lets make a pit stop for a snack at one of our. There was only one spot of old, dried out bear scat; it appeared to contain berries, so likely from last fall. From Glennallen, take Alaska Route 4 (AK-4, also called Richardson Highway) south towards Valdez. It usually takes about five hours to make the 220-mile drive from Homer to Anchorage but leave yourself extra time to stop over in the ghost town of Portage and take a boat tour to the glistening blue face of Portage Glacier. The Kenai River is the most popular sport fishing destination in Alaska, particularly for king salmon (Chinook salmon). A must do. helping you figure out travel plans in detail. Trail is clear of snow with only a few wet/muddy patches. Rainy so turned around at the west connector. Home of the Kenai River Image Details Image Details Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Birds arriving in Alaska for the breeding season may be infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has caused illness and death in waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and birds of prey and some mammals. Flowing out of the western edge of the Chugach Mountains, the Kenai River runs turquoise blue from Kenai Lake through canyons and whitewater till it spills out onto the low elevation woodlands to where it finally meets the salt water of Cook Inlet near the town of Kenai. Plus there's so much to see on your boat ride back. Morley will tell you, they have the best apple fritter donuts. Or are they generally on the other side of the river? The final 12 miles (19km) are greatly influenced by changing tides.[3]. The world record king salmon, which weighed about 44kg (97lb), was caught in the Kenai River in 1985. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Below the canyon is a braided section that can have logs and sweepers in the channel. Nature & Wildlife Areas Theatre & Performances, Points of Interest & Landmarks Geologic Formations. There was GREAT bear watching on this trail- woodpeckers, eagles, and various waterbirds, including some I still haven't been able to identify. Best Vacation Value. Before salmon season a 3.5. They are king (and queen) in the wild. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. He had it all along. Take lots of sunscreen. Sterling Highway | Kenai Peninsula Driving Guide | ALASKA.ORG Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Here's the quick answer if you are able to make this entire trip by car without stopping.
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