Kenai River Special Management Area
Guide

The amazing American Bald Eagles love to spend time around the Kenai River as it teaming with fish during the spring and summer months. The park organizes float trips on boats that silently drift under the very nests of these majestic predators. These nests are often built on trees near the salmon-filled rivers and the boat tour takes you past these various spots for a chance to spot an American Bald Eagle in flight and younglings crying out to their mothers for food. Make sure to bring your cameras and capture these amazing moments!

Stretching over a hundred miles the Kenai River waterway system Special Management Area is built around rivers, hence it goes without saying that boating activities are found in abundance here. Campers get a chance to enjoy the scenic views and the diverse natural flora and fauna around them as they float over the calm river and lake waters. Kayaking, boating, paddle boarding, rafting, and canoeing are all allowed inside the park with boat ramps and designated boat launch areas reserved for those seeking river based adventures.

Fishing is the focal point of Kenai River Special Management Area considering it is amongst the largest sport fishery spots in the world and home to over 36 species of freshwater fish. The river and lake waters have bestowed anglers with record-sized Chinook salmon and the rare and exotic rainbow trout. Anglers of all ages and expertise can come and have a blast fishing for salmon and trout from the river banks or via boat out into the many lakes and river systems.

The vast expanse of the Kenai River Special Management Area, the surrounding forest, and the peeking mountains in the horizon can also be enjoyed in the winters via snowmobiling. The management allows snowmobiling in the Kenai Lake and Skilak Lake so that the campers can zoom past the beautiful scenery and enjoy rare outdoor activities in the winters.

The timing is strict, however, and the authorities wait until the snow depth is adequate enough to protect the underlying vegetation before opening the areas for snowmobiling.

The Kenai River might be an angler’s paradise, but abundant prey can bring about a vast number of wildlife that wants to take advantage of the protein-rich waters just as we humans do. The surrounding woods are home to moose, trumpeter swans, waterfowl, wolves, black and brown bears, caribou, lynx, river otters, coyotes, and minks all dwell into the Kenai Peninsula during the salmon bloom. Bring your binoculars and witness the vast array of wildlife that is home to the Kenai River Special Management Area.

Hiking enthusiasts come in droves to Alaska for its simply breathtaking trails that wind through mountains, lakes, rivers, grasslands and dense woodlands. The Kenai River Special Management Area is no different and captures Alaskan beauty by offering numerous trails for hikers to choose from and explore this vast largely untouched landscape. Remember to pack an extra pair of hiking boots, snacks and drinking water before venturing out on these endless trails.