With panoramic views of Mount Iliamna and Mount Redoubt, this Kenai Peninsula park is known for legendary salmon runs, Deep Creek, and the tractor-assisted boat launch, which provides access to the waters of Cook Inlet for fishing charters and private boats., Halibut and king salmon make Deep Creek State Recreation Area a popular destination for anglers. For those who aren’t fishing, two scenic overlooks, a beach-side campground and day use area, and an exciting array of wildlife are other highlights of the area., THINGS TO DO, Halibut fishing in Cook Inlet and the king and silver salmon runs at Deep Creek are legendary, making this a bustling area for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Be sure to catch the excitement of the tractor-assisted boat launch, busily launching and retrieving boats from Cook Inlet on every tide of the day during the summer season. Several fishing charter companies located in Ninilchik …, WILDLIFE, Eagles congregate at Deep Creek year-round, and the site is a seasonal birding hot spot for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. In May, keep an eye out for sandhill cranes in the area’s saltwater marsh. Whales, seals, and otters can also be seen offshore in Cook Inlet., HISTORY, The recreation area is located near the town of Ninilchik . Historically an area used by Dena'ina Athabascans for fishing, Ninilchik is also one of the oldest Russian settlements on the Kenai Peninsula . Established in 1990, the tractor assisted State Park boat launch concession at Deep Creek began offering access to world class saltwater fishing for larger boats, serving both fishing…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, A gravel parking area along the beach provides 100 overnight campsites at Deep Creek State Recreation Area and includes water, picnic tables, restrooms, and fire pits. The campsites are not reservable in advance and fill up quickly in the summer. Additional lodging and campgrounds can be found in Ninilchik . A private boat launch service operates here and uses a tractor to launch boats into Cook…, GETTING HERE, Deep Creek State Recreation Area is located at Mile 137.3 of the Sterling Highway, just south of Ninilchik and 42 miles north of Homer . Deep Creek North Scenic Overlook is accessible from Mile 137 of the Sterling Highway and Deep Creek South Scenic Overlook is located off of Mile 136.9. Learn more about fishing in Alaska . For more information, visit the Deep Creek State Recreation Area…
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Wildlife viewing and canoeing are key attractions in this diverse refuge, comprised of alpine tundra, wetlands, and boreal forest., Kenai National Wildlife Refuge makes up a long, broad swath of the western Kenai Peninsula , stretching across 2 million acres. The refuge encompasses the western slopes of the Kenai Mountains, forested lowlands along Cook Inlet, rivers, wetlands, and chains of lakes., THINGS TO DO, Outdoor adventures abound in the refuge year-round, including world-class fishing, hunting, hiking, cross-country skiing, canoeing, and camping. Visitors can fish or float on the waters of the Kenai River, experience canoeing in lowland lakes, or hike trails high into the refuge’s alpine tundra. The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Ski Hill Road near Soldotna is an excellent,…, WILDLIFE, The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge features a range of habitats, from treeless alpine and subalpine zones home to mountain goats, Dall sheep, caribou, and wolverine, to boreal forests in lower elevations where moose, wolves, black and brown bears, and lynx reside. Breaking up the forest are numerous lakes and rivers, including the Kenai River and its world-renown king salmon fishery. The world's…, LANDSCAPE, The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of a variety of ecosystems to support the diverse wildlife in the area: ice fields and glaciers, mountain tundra, lakes and wetlands, and rivers all play a critical role. Due to the vast and diverse bionetworks that comprise the refuge, the 2-million-acre wildlife preserve is often referred to as “Alaska in miniature.”, HISTORY, Bounded to the east by , Chugach National Forest, , to the southeast by Kenai Fjords National Park , and to the south by Kachemak Bay State Park , the refuge was originally called the Kenai National Moose Range when President Franklin Roosevelt established the preserved in 1941 to protect the moose from market hunting. In 1980, the moose range was renamed and expanded, and today the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is the most accessible refuge…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, The refuge has 13 developed campgrounds along Skilak Lake Loop Road and Swanson River Road, located on lakes near hiking trails and fishing areas. The campgrounds are all first-come, first-serve and range in size from 3 to 44 campsites. There are also 14 rustic public use cabins , most of which are accessible only by boat or float plane. Some cabins, however, are accessible by a short hike…, GETTING HERE, The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge located on the Kenai Peninsula , with access near the towns of Cooper Landing , Kenai , Soldotna , and Sterling . The refuge is bisected by the Sterling Highway, which enters the refuge westbound at Mile 55. Secondary access roads are Skilak Lake Loop Road, Swanson River Road, Swan Lake Road, and Funny River Road. The northern refuge boundary is 20 air…
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Recreational activities draw in visitors year-round to this magnificent lake near Glennallen ., Located west of Glennallen in the Copper River Valley , Lake Louise State Recreational Area is a popular year-round playground for Alaskans and visitors alike. The 90-acre recreation area lies at the south end of Lake Louise, and along with adjoining Susitna Lake, extends over 37 square miles. The area is surrounded by four scenic mountain ranges: the Wrangell, Talkeetna, Chugach, and Alaska…, THINGS TO DO, Lake Louise offers great year-round fishing for Arctic grayling, whitefish, burbot, and lake trout. Other summer activities include camping, boating, birding, hiking, biking, and berry picking. In the winter, visitors can go ice fishing, ride snowmobiles, cross-country ski, ice-skate, and view the northern lights., WILDLIFE, The two lakes and the surrounding area are home to a variety of wildlife and birds, including the only known freshwater nesting site for cormorants. This nesting site, known as Bird Island, is also a rare inland nesting site for gulls. Other wildlife that may be seen while traveling the large lakes include moose, wolf, bear, fox, sheep, lynx, and the annual fall migration of the Nelchina caribou…, LANDSCAPE, There are many small islands at the south end of the lake, most of which have private homes built on them. The Lake Louise area has a dry Interior climate due to high mountains shielding the region from moist maritime weather. Precipitation is only about 10 inches annually. Both Lake Louise and Susitna Lake can be rough and have hidden sandbars in shallow areas. Boaters are cautioned to keep…, HISTORY, Near the end of World War II, the U.S. Army established a recreation facility at the lake and built the first road into the area, Lake Louise Road, while building the Glenn Highway. After the war, the area was homesteaded and the lake was eventually designated as an official state recreation area. Traces of the WWII era can still be found today on the trails leading up to the dilapidated cabins…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, The state recreation area has a campground with a total of 67 sites. The campsites feature fire rings and picnic tables. Other facilities include a picnic area, covered picnic shelter, a boat launch, and a walking trail. A private concessionaire manages the campground and offers boat rentals and guided fishing trips., GETTING HERE, Lake Louise is 32 miles northwest of Glennallen and accessible by road via Lake Louise Road from Mile 159.8 of the Glenn Highway. Lake Louise State Recreation Area is located at Mile 17.2 on the Lake Louise Road. Learn more about the Lake Louise community . For more information, visit the Lake Louise State Recreation Area website .
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With its rolling topography and network of lakes, this is an ideal area for year-round outdoor adventures., Nestled between the Susitna River and the Talkeetna Mountains, just 67 miles north of Anchorage , Nancy Lake State Recreation Area provides a peaceful setting for canoeing, fishing, camping, skiing, and snowmobiling., THINGS TO DO, One of the main summer attractions is the Lynx Lake Loop Canoe Trail which takes paddlers 8 miles through a series of tranquil lakes and portages through the forest. The Lynx Lake Canoe Loop Trail starts at the Tanaina Lake Trailhead and takes most paddlers a full day. Additional lakes and portages can be connected to the Lynx Lake Canoe Loop for a longer paddle. There are several lakeside …, WILDLIFE, The recreation area's lakes, wetlands, and forests create an ideal habitat for a wide variety of mammals and birds. Beavers are active in lakes and ponds throughout the park and moose and black bears visit frequently. Grebes, ducks, geese, and shorebirds use the lakes and ponds during their migrations and many stay to nest in the area. Green-headed loons, with their eerie laughing call, are one…, LANDSCAPE, Lakes, streams, and swamps that drain into the Susitna River and Cook Inlet dominate the 22,685-acre recreation area. The park's lakes are surrounded by spruce, birch, and poplar forests., HISTORY, Once covered by huge glaciers, the area has been free of ice for at least 9,000 years. Nancy Lake's Indian Bay was the site of an Alaska Native village that was established near the turn of the century. In 1917, the , Alaska Railroad, was built on the east side of the lower Susitna Valley, bringing homesteaders and fueling the growth of the towns of Wasilla , Houston, and Willow . Settlers avoided the Nancy Lake area because it was too wet. As a result, the area has remained wild., FACILITIES AND CAMPING, There are two maintained campgrounds with road access, water, boat launches, picnic shelters, and outhouses at Nancy Lake State Recreation Area. South Rolly Lake Campground , with 98 sites, is located at the end of Nancy Lake Parkway, 6.5 miles off of the Parks Highway. Nancy Lake State Recreation Site , on the northeast shore of Nancy Lake, has 30 sites and can be reached from Mile 66.5 of the…, GETTING HERE, Nancy Lake State Recreation Area is 67 miles north of Anchorage via the Parks Highway. To enter the recreation area, turn west onto Nancy Lake Parkway at Mile 67.3 of the Parks Highway. From there, the Nancy Lake Parkway travels 6.5 miles southwest to South Rolly Lake Campground . In winter, the parkway is not plowed beyond the winter trailhead at Mile 2.2. The community of Willow lies two…
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This spot is known for its rich salmon runs, magnificent views, and access to clamming., Located on Cook Inlet, the Ninilchik State Recreation Area is home to three campgrounds and some of the best salmon runs in the state. With a spectacular backdrop showcasing two active volcanoes, Mount Iliamna and Mount Redoubt, this area is popular for anglers and outdoor recreationalists. The recreation area is located in the town of Ninilchik , which means “peaceful settlement by a river,”…, THINGS TO DO, Ninilchik State Recreation Area is made up of four separate units totaling 97 acres that offer a variety of activities, including camping, sportfishing, clamming, and hiking. No matter the activity, visitors will be surrounded by beautiful views of Mount Iliamna and Mount Redoubt - both active volcanoes on the west side of Cook Inlet. The recreation area consists of Ninilchik Beach Day Use Area…, FACILITIES AND CAMPING, Ninilchik Beach is one of the top spots in Alaska for razor clamming and features magnificent views across Cook Inlet. Located on a bluff above Ninilchik Beach is Ninilchik View Campground with 14 sites in a forested setting and a stairway leading down to the beach. Ninilchik River Campground features 39 campsites set among birch and spruce trees, with a trail down to the river. Ninilchik…, GETTING HERE, The recreation area is 40 miles south of Soldotna on the Sterling Highway. Ninilchik River Campground is at Mile 134.5 of the Sterling Highway, Ninilchik Scenic Overlook is at Mile 135.1, Ninilchik Beach is at Mile 135, and Ninilchik View Campground is at Mile 135.5. Explore more things to do in the town of Ninilchik . For more information, visit the Ninilchik State Recreation Area…
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In the shadow of active volcanoes, this rugged refuge protects a variety of local and migratory wildlife., Situated between the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge to the north and Izembek National Wildlife Refuge to the south, Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge is the most scenically diverse of the refuges that line , Bristol Bay, in Southwest Alaska., THINGS TO DO, The Alaska Peninsula Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of recreational opportunities for the adventurous, independent visitor including sport fishing, flightseeing, wildlife viewing, photography, hiking, backpacking, boating, and camping. The Ugashik Lakes are world-renowned for trophy Arctic grayling after the Alaska record grayling - 4 pound 13 ounces - was caught in the Ugashik Narrows. The…, WILDLIFE, The land, waterways, and cliffs along the Pacific Coast are home to a diverse array of fish and wildlife. All five species of Pacific salmon spawn in the refuge’s rivers, attracting a dense concentration of brown bears to the area’s rivers, lakes, and streams. Other land mammals include moose, wolves, wolverines, foxes, and the Alaska Peninsula caribou herd, one of the 13 herds that lives in…, LANDSCAPE, The 3.7 million acre refuge encompasses a varied and dramatic landscape of active volcanoes, jaded mountains, rugged coastline, tundra, lowlands, rivers, and lakes. Within the refuge is Mount Veniaminof, one of Alaska's most active volcanoes. The summit crater of this massive volcano is 5.2 miles in diameter and contains a 25-square mile cupped ice field - the largest crater glacier in North…, HISTORY, The Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act (ANILCA) established the 3.7 million acre Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge on December 2, 1980. Before that, the lands were part of the federal domain., FACILITIES AND CAMPING, There are no roads, maintained trails, or visitor facilities in the refuge. The King Salmon Visitor Center includes exhibits and interactive programs on the refuge and assists visitors with trip planning, air charter services, and fishing and hunting guides. There are no designated camping areas in the refuge but backcountry camping is permitted., GETTING HERE, Refuge lands are remote and accessible only by small aircraft or boat. Charter air service to the refuge is available in King Salmon , Cold Bay, King Cove , and Sand Point . For more information, visit the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge website .
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The heart of this refuge is Izembek Lagoon, which draws 140 species of migratory birds from all over the world., At 310,000 acres, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge at the southern tip of the , Alaska Peninsula, in Southwest Alaska is the smallest wildlife refuge in the state. This diverse wilderness protects a wide variety of fish and wildlife species and their habitats., THINGS TO DO, Birding, wildlife viewing, and photography are the main activities for visitors to Izembek along with hunting and fishing. There are also opportunities for spectacular backpacking and remote camping, but visitors need to be prepared for the area's rapidly changing weather conditions. Even during the summer months, high winds and heavy rainstorms are common. An 11-mile road connects the town of …, WILDLIFE, Almost the entire Pacific black brant population of 135,000 birds arrives to feed on the large eelgrass beds in Izembek Lagoon during the annual 3,000-mile migration to or from wintering grounds in Mexico. More than 140 species of birds from all over the Arctic funnel through Izembek Refuge each fall on their way to winter destinations throughout the world. Dozens of other species remain within…, LANDSCAPE, Beyond the lagoon, most of the refuge is low brush tundra, accented with tiny wildflowers and dotted with tangled alder thickets. Izembek is a diverse wilderness, characterized by hundreds of freshwater lakes, meandering streams, u-shaped valleys, ancient glaciers, hot springs, and smoking volcanoes., FACILITIES AND CAMPING, Vehicle access is possible to a small part of the refuge via a gravel road system from the town of Cold Bay that leads to the shoreline of Izembek Lagoon, the shoreline of Cold Bay, Russell Creek, and the lower flanks of 6,600-foot Frosty Peak. Although backpacking and camping are allowed, no campgrounds exist in the refuge. There are also no maintained trails, but unimproved footpaths are…, GETTING HERE, Cold Bay is accessible via commercial aircraft from Anchorage and a once-a-month service by the , Alaska Marine Highway, from May through September. The US Fish & Wildlife Service organizes a bus tour to the lagoon whenever the Alaska Marine Highway ferry is in port. Several gravel roads lead from Cold Bay into the refuge. For more information, visit the Izembeck National Wildlife Refuge website .
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Hostels are an inexpensive and reliable option for travelers on a budget, and there are dozens throughout Alaska. The dormitory-style lodging is a safe and less expensive way to experience Alaska while still enjoying the quirky, communal spirit hostels offer. Choosing to overnight at a hostel gives visitors the opportunity to interact with fellow travelers in Alaska, as well as knowledgeable…
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Home to the highest density of brown bears in North America, wildlife activity abounds on this rugged island in the Inside Passage ., Embracing nearly a million acres of old growth rainforest, alpine tundra, and rugged coastline, Admiralty Island National Monument located within the Tongass National Forest has been home to the Tlingít people for centuries, and to brown bears even longer. The Tlingít call this island "Kootznoowoo," meaning "Fortress of the Bear.", THINGS TO DO, Admiralty Island is best known for bear viewing at the Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area . Most visitors to Pack Creek arrive on float planes from Juneau just for the day. Upon arrival, they are met by a ranger and then hike a mile-long trail to an observation tower from which they can watch brown bears feed on spawning salmon. Kayaking in Seymour Canal is also popular. With an expansive 32-mile…, WILDLIFE, The 956,155-acre monument is home to an estimated 1,600 brown bears, the highest concentration anywhere in the world, and more than the rest of the states combined. The island also has the world's greatest concentration of nesting bald eagles. More than 5,000 eagles live on Admiralty Island and average a nest every mile along the coastline of Seymour Canal. Admiralty Island has a variety of other…, LANDSCAPE, Located 15 miles southwest of Juneau , Admiralty Island is bounded on the east and north by Stephens Passage, on the west by Chatham Strait, and on the south by Frederick Sound. Admiralty is a rugged island, with mountains that rise to 4,650 feet, covered by tundra and icefields. Numerous lakes, rivers, and open areas of muskeg break up the coastal rainforest of Sitka spruce and western hemlock…, FACILITIES, CAMPING, AND LODGING, Scattered across Admiralty Island are 13 Forest Service cabins that can be rented in advance. Many of the cabins are located on inland lakes and can be reached from the Cross-Admiralty Canoe Route. The 32-mile trail system links eight major lakes and seven portages and allows paddlers to travel from the east end of Mitchell Bay to Mole Harbor in Seymour Canal. No camping is allowed at Pack…, GETTING HERE, Primary access to the monument is by boat from Juneau or Angoon or by floatplane from Juneau. Both southbound and northbound Alaska Marine Highway ferries stop at Angoon on the run from Sitka to Juneau and the village is also serviced with scheduled seaplane air service from Juneau. For more information, visit the Admiralty Island National Monument website . Learn more about bear…
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