Kenai Things to Do

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The main hall had an exhibit of local, mostly contemporary art. The lighting was well done. I especially liked a sculpture made of antlers and the way the shadows complemented it. I don't know if the giant tangle that some fisherman pulled in was art or part of the museum, but it was fun to see.

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The Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center actually has a quite nice museum and there is no charge. It includes preserved examples of local fish and animals, as well as Native and Russian artifacts. It takes some time to visit this museum. It seems small but there are lots of interesting things in it. I'll also have to do separate tips on the art exhibit and cultural center aspects.

He was given the name "Moosemeat John" because he hunted moose to feed his 13 children. John Hedburg originally homesteaded in Nikiski. His Kenai house, which sits across the parking lot from the visitors' center, is now the Chamber of Commerce. BTW, I did not see any moose there, but it is pretty close to the Burger Bus!

Traveling westbound toward Kenai, shortly after the Skilak Lake Loop Road, you'll see a sign to turn onto Swanson River Road. It's a lot like the Skilak road but we thought it was in a slightly better condition. However, we did go when things were still iced up so the road could have just been better for that reason. Anyway, this road takes you to Swan Lake Road--used to get to the canoe trail routes of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Along the way, there are numerous lakes for fishing. In the early spring, no one was out there and we used some of the (very snowy) trails to get down to the frozen lakes. Even if you aren't into fishing or paddling, take some time and go down Swanson River Road. There are campgrounds and trails and it's a good place to maybe spot some wildlife.
You should probably be aware that you need to follow the road to Swanson River landing and not be confused by the gated road a few miles from the end. This area borders private oil fields. Believe me, you don't see them and they don't distract from the lakes, the road and the canoe trails. And there's no way you'd accidentally wander into this area, either.

The drive on Swanson River road is 17 miles of gravel but it seems to go pretty fast. Beyond that, Swan Lake Road leads another 12 miles to the east and continue on if you are using the canoe trail or want to camp out here.

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Rather than turning onto the Sterling Highway, if you stay on the Seward you'll eventually end up in...Seward. Looking on a map, Homer and Seward are very close but road, quite far. But they are similar towns--both cute waterfront communities with lots of things to do. I have spent more time in Seward so I feel I know more about it and created a separate page for the area.

Click here to go to my Seward page.

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Staying on the Sterling Highway rather than the Kenai Spur will lead you south along the west side of the Peninsula. You'll pass a couple little towns like Kasilof and Clam Gulch which although we've been down that way a couple times, they don't particularly stick out as anything memorable. So moving onto one that does: Ninilchik. This little village does catch your eye be it for the bluffs on the water or the little Russian Orthodox church. It's really a cute little place, much like Hope. People come here not just for the fishing but Ninilchik is a prime location to get razor crabs. It seemed pretty empty and quiet when we visited but that Russian Orthodox has stood on top of that hill since 1901. I heard it a different way that makes its existance even more impressive: That Russian Orthodox Church has endured 106 Alaskan winters. Wow. Ninilchik is also where the Kenai Peninsula Fair is held each year in August--smart location since its in between Soldotna and Homer. Additionally, they have a salmon and halibut derby, charters, gift shops, restaurants, gasoline, and places to stay. You'd never know this is you visit in February like we did, though. It looked completely deserted! Still, great views of the Inlet, the volcanoes and the little village. Certainly worth a stop.

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Captain Cook State Recreation Area is at the end of the Kenai Spur Road. You enter it about 4 miles before the end and right away the scenery is better than Nikiski. First, you'll come to Bishop Creek--a good place to look (not fish) for spawning salmon in the summer or to picnic and walk to the beach. Stormy Lake, about 1/2 mile down the road has a swimming area and fishing. The overlook for the lake is slightly beyond that followed by a boat launch. Also in the park is Swanson River , campgrounds and trails. It's a nice out of the way Recreation Area with opportunities to see lots of wildlife as well as a great view of Mt Spurr and the water.

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This area is very cute, full of history and information on a self guided walking tour. Believe me, it's so small there's no other way to see it but by walking--you can get a brochure from the close by visitor center. The first building you're likely to see is Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox church which is one of the oldest in Alaska. Good insight on Russian Alaska with the history here and there are services held. Nearby, there is a chapel called St. Nicholas which is a memorial to Father Nicholai built in 1906. There is also the Parish House Rectory built in 1881 and is the oldest in one remaining in Alaska. There is also Fort Kenay on the site of the Russian schoolhouse. I find the Russian history more interesting than the Fort being an American installation but the multi-cultural history of the area makes it fascinating alone. There is of course more history here but you'll just have to visit to learn the details;-)