For those with grown-up toy chests containing fishing lures, hiking boots and binoculars, there is a good chance the Kenai Peninsula is already on your vacation to-do list. For those who have not yet learned about the 15,000 square miles of this Southcentral Alaska playground, consider this a mini treasure map to the towns, waterways and national parks of this must-see destination. The Kenai Peninsula is located just south of Anchorage and is easily accessible by road, air or sea and offers travelers a variety of experiences - from world-class fishing and glacier cruises to rafting, kayaking and camping - all guaranteed to leave any traveler as gleeful as a grown-up in a sporting goods store.

The Kenai is world-renowned for its wide-range of fishing opportunities, and no shortage of dents in the record books. Four species of salmon by the hundreds of thousands find their way into the peninsula's bays, rivers and lakes and the area holds the record for the largest king salmon ever caught, weighing 97.25 pounds. But salmon fishing is only part of the draw. Most coastal towns on the Kenai - such as Homer, Seward, Valdez and Whittier - offer charter fishing for halibut and other saltwater species. Visitors looking to win some cash and take home a trophy catch can try their luck in one of the extremely rewarding fishing derbies. Some of the largest and most competitive include the Seward and Homer Jackpot Halibut Derbies. Whether fishing in fresh or saltwater, there is no shortage of professional guides waiting to take visitors to wherever the fish are biting. Once you haul your catch ashore, fish can be flash-frozen and shipped home for showing off to friends and neighbors. For more information on fishing and other attractions on the Kenai Peninsula, click here.

Enjoying the aquatic fruits on the Kenai is easy. But why wait? Traveling to the peninsula can be a journey in itself. The Kenai Peninsula is located south of Anchorage, and is easily accessible within a day of Alaska's largest city, no matter how you travel. Whether you choose plane, train or automobile (or ferry), the path to the Kenai's wilderness playground is paved with the chance for exploration. If arriving by sea, make the scenery and wildlife of the nation's only ocean-bound National Scenic Byway part of the trip by traveling one of the many ferry routes from the neighboring Alaska regions of Southcentral, Southwest or the Inside Passage, or from as far away as Bellingham, Washington on the Alaska Marine Highway System. Traveling by road leaves no shortage of sights - from bear-inhabited valleys to whale-populated coasts - along the Seward Highway, Alaska's only federally designated All-American Road. The Alaska Railroad also offers scenic access to the Kenai Peninsula, with service to Seward and Whittier from Anchorage. For those who simply can't wait to feel the river current pounding their waders, flight companies offer convenient daily service to most towns within the peninsula from Anchorage and other points north. For more information on getting to and from the Kenai Peninsula, click here.

It may seem unrealistic for one peninsula to contain three national or state parks, but look no farther than the Kenai to find all the unique majesty of these public lands. Comprised of 669,983 acres of rugged coastline, tidewater glaciers and abundant marine wildlife, Kenai Fjords National Park is a wonderland of scenic enjoyment. Located near the town of Seward, Kenai Fjords includes three main areas - Exit Glacier, Harding Icefield and the coast. Head northwest and land in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, stretching across 2 million acres and a range of habitats and wildlife, including Dall sheep, mountain goats, brown bear and moose. This park encompasses much of the total land area of the Kenai Peninsula and includes the western slopes of the Kenai Mountains and forested lowlands along Cook Inlet. This park also contains the Kenai River, more than 200 miles of trails, 15 road-accessible public campgrounds and 10 backcountry cabins. Farther south, located across the Kachemak Bay from Homer, Kachemak Bay State park is one of the largest parks in the state system, encompassing 120,000 acres of largely undeveloped wilderness combining ocean, forest, mountains, glaciers and a variety of wildlife. The park is reached only by plane or boat, but once there, visitors are welcomed by excellent wildlife viewing, 20 developed campsites and a number of wilderness lodges and camps. For more information on public lands on the Kenai Peninsula, click here.