Traveling Information
We’ve put together a few things you may want to know when traveling to from Anchorage to Soldotna (Kenai), Alaska or just the Kenai Peninsula in general. Take a look at the boxes and tap the one you may be interested in.
The Drive
Anchorage to Soldotna (Kenai)
The drive from Anchorage to Soldotna (Kenai) is approximately 150 miles and takes about 3 hours if driving with minimal stops. I suggest you take your time and enjoy this scenic drive rated by National Geographic as one of 50 ultimate road trips. As you leave Anchorage, you start this adventure along the beautiful, sometimes turbulent, Turnagain Arm Turnagain Arm explored by Captain James Cook in 1778 while looking for the Northwest Passage. If the timing is right, you might see an incoming bore tide bore tide , majestic, snowcapped mountains, mountain goats, and an occasional Beluga whale making its’ way up the inlet in search of food.
Girdwood anyone?
Girdwood Alaska
Girdwood, approximately 35 miles out of town, is a scenic place for a lunch stop at Jack Spratts but there are other good places to eat places to eat including the Double Musky. After lunch, it’s a short drive (10 miles) from the Girdwood turnoff to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Wildlife Conservation Center on the right side of
On we go!
Whittier and Hope
F
Up for a little Alaska history? Consider taking another side trip into one of the first gold rush towns in Alaska, the town of “Hope”. The drive is a
Continuing your drive south while keeping right at “Sterling Junction”, also called the Seward “Y”. A left turn instead would take you to Seward (37 miles) however, consider exploring Seward when you have a full day. Seward is only 95 miles from “A Cabin by the Pond” and would make a perfect day outing or stop by on the trip back to Anchorage if you wish. (continued below)
Didn't we say Alaska is beautiful?
Tern Lake at Sterling Junction
In another 8 miles, you’ll encounter Kenai Lake snuggled up to the Kenai Mountains. This zigzag, 22 mile long lake has a vibrant, aqua greenish blue color, is 540’ deep and is fed by the Snow River off the Sargent Icefield. After a few more scenic miles, you will cross the Kenai River Bridge, the headwaters of the world famous Kenai River which was voted the “#1 fishing hotspot in North America in 2004” by Field & Stream. It runs 82 miles westward from Kenai La
We're getting closer
Cooper Landing
Continue on, you will immediately pass the small residential area of Cooper Landing. Originally a small gold rush town, it is now an area of numerous water rafting companies. On the left, a couple more miles up the road, is the access to the Russian River Falls Russian River Falls trail. North end of the trail can be accessed at mile 52.5 of the Sterling Highway. Turn into the Russian River campground and you’ll see the trailhead parking about 1 mile further in the park. The trail is pretty easy and about 2.3 miles one way. Best to hike it when the sockeye salmon are running and watch them jump the falls. It’s lots of fun but make plenty of noise and watch for bears! If you want to backtrack from Soldotna on another day, it’s about a 45 mile drive.
You're almost to us!
On to Soldotna
From there, you will cross the Kenai River again and travel about 1 mile to Sportsman’s Landing and the Russian River Ferry, at milepost 54.8. If you are into “combat fishing” for red salmon, this is a good place to fish. This is a fee area and you will need to take the ferry across the Kenai River. You’ll know when the fish are running, as anglers will be lined up elbow to elbow across the river.
From here, Soldotna center is about 40 miles more at milepost 95. Once in Soldotna, continue to “A Cabin by the Pond”, by driving straight ahead toward Homer. Stay in the left lane as you cross the Kenai River bridge (about 1½ miles). Immediately on your right, is the Soldotna Visitor’s Center. This is a “must see” when you have a little time to explore. The friendly staff will provide lots of material and ideas for your stay in our beautiful area. Make a left at the next light onto Funny River road. Continue 1 mile and turn left on Airport Heights road. If you drive by the Soldotna Airport, you’ve gone too far. “A Cabin by the Pond” is about 1 block up Airport Heights road and on the right just before the intersection of Oehler road. You can’t miss the big brown shop with white garage doors. This is the back driveway, but pull in there to register and for parking instructions. Call a few minutes ahead (907-717-6996) and we’ll watch for you!
