Sterling Highway
MP 37 (from South)
MP 37.7 (from North)
| Seward Highway Intersection MP 37
| Note: The mile markers start with 37 instead of 0.
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MP 45
| Quartz Creek Campground
| Access: Turn south on Quartz Creek Road just before MP 45 and drive .4 miles; the campground is on the right. 19 sites. The USFS website says there no dump station, but there is one across the Quartz Creek Road from the campground, operated by a concessionaire, $8 in 2016.
Turn Off: Campground: Lat N 60⁰ 29.148’ Lat N 60⁰ 28.779’ Long W 149⁰ 44.028’ Long W 149⁰ 43.647’ Elevation 461’ Elevation 406’ | Links:
Downloads: |
MP 45
| Crescent Creek Campground
| Access: Turn south on Quartz Creek Road, then drive 2.7 miles and turn left into the campground. In June 2016, the road was in pretty bad shape starting about ½ mile before the campground, with mud and deep potholes. In 2017 new gravel was overlaid on a one-lane track, and is in good condition. Although the USFS website says this campground takes reservations, it actually does not.
Turn Off: Campground: Lat N 60⁰ 29.148’ Lat N 60⁰ 29.805’ Long W 149⁰ 44.028’ Long W 149⁰ 40.775’ Elevation 461’ Elevation 481’ | Links:
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MP 45
| Crescent Creek (Lake) Trail
| Access: Turn south on Quartz Creek Road; the parking lot is at 2.8 miles, where the road turns into an unmaintained road. The trailhead is on the right, and the parking area is on the left. The road is closed in winter, but you can ski in. In June 2016, the road was in pretty bad shape starting about ½ mile before the campground, with mud and deep potholes. In 2017, new gravel was overlaid on a one-lane road, and is in good condition.
Turn Off: Trailhead: Lat N 60⁰ 29.148’ Lat N 60⁰ 30.168’ Long W 149⁰ 44.028’ Long W 149⁰ 40.297’ Elevation 461’ Elevation 531’
Distance: 6.2 miles each way Elevation Gain: 865’ Difficulty: Easy Best Months: June - October
The first half of the trail is pretty much in the trees, but the second half breaks out into views of the river and the surrounding mountains. The trail is in good enough condition to bike it most of the way, for a biker of intermediate skills and in reasonably good shape. You can also leave your bike at some point and hike the rest of the way, as the more challenging sections are on stretches of the second half. The traverse to Carter Lake (along and past Quartz Lake) is not maintained, hence the “3.” (See MP 33.1 Seward Highway.) There are several campsites at the lake, in addition to a USFS cabin, and beach access for hikers. Valerie’s Rating: ❸-❹ | Links:
Downloads:
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MP 47.9
| Rainbow Lake Trail
| Access: Turn south on Snug Harbor Road and drive 10.7 miles. The parking lot is on the left.
Turn Off: Trailhead: Lat N 60⁰ 29.437’ Lat N 60⁰ 22.649’ Long W 149⁰ 48.729’ Long W 149⁰ 41.789’ Elevation 453’ Elevation 1307’
Distance: .3 miles to lake Elevation Drop: 50’ Difficulty: Easy Best Months: May-October
I really like this trail – it is out in the open, in a very pretty valley, and the trail is well-maintained. It’s well worth the short stop if you drive down Snug Harbor Road. Valerie’s Rating: ❺ | Links:
Downloads: |
MP 47.9
| Russian Lakes Trail (South end)
| Access: Turn south on Snug Harbor Road and drive 11.3 miles. The parking lot is on the left.
Turn Off: Trailhead: Lat N 60⁰ 29.437’ Lat N 60⁰ 22.612’ Long W 149⁰ 48.729’ Long W 149⁰ 42.571’ Elevation 453’ Elevation 1296’
Distance: 21.78 miles to the northern trailhead (see MP 52.5) Elevation Gain: 1100’ Difficulty: Easy-Moderate Best Months: Year-round
This trail can be done as a one-way from either end with a car shuttle. I prefer to do an out-and-back from this end, because I can avoid the crowds on the northern end and the very expensive concessionaire parking fee. Valerie’s Rating: ❹ | Links:
Downloads:
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MP 47.9
| Cooper Landing SRS
| Access: Turn north into the parking area, just before the MP 48 marker. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass.
Lat N 60⁰ 29.428’ Long W 149⁰ 48.869’ Elevation 459’ | Links:
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MP 50.5 & MP 50.6
| Cooper Creek Campground
| Access: Turn into the campground road on the south side of the highway at MP 50.5 for the south unit, or to the north side of the highway at MP 50.6 for the north unit. 26 sites.
North: South: Lat N 60⁰ 29.034’ Lat N 60⁰ 29.030’ Long W 149⁰ 53.126’ Long W 149⁰ 52.928’ Elevation 471’ Elevation 394’ | Links:
Downloads: |
MP 52
| Gwin’s Lodge Summer Concert Series | Access: South side of the highway. Music on weekends in summer.
Lat N 60⁰ 28.901’ Long W 149⁰ 55.299’ Elevation 378’ | Links: |
MP 52.5
| Russian River Campground
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Russian Lakes Trail
| Access: Turn onto the campground road on the south side of the highway.
Lat N 60⁰ 28.971’ Long W 149⁰ 56.244’ Elevation 368’
Distance: 21.78 miles to the southern trailhead (see MP 47.9) Elevation Gain: 1100’ Difficulty: Easy-Moderate Best Months: Year-round
This trail can be done as a one-way from either end with a car shuttle. Use on this end is very heavy during summer months. A concessionaire has control over the parking lot, and day-use fees (12 hours) are outrageous at $11 per vehicle in 2018 ($8 for overflow parking, but supposedly free with proof of cabin reservation), generally Memorial Day through Labor Day. I give it a “2” for that reason. See above at MP 47.9 for the southern end of the trail, which does not have parking fees or heavy use. Valerie’s Rating: ❷ | Links:
Downloads:
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MP 53.1
| Resurrection Pass Trail (South)
| Access: Turn north into the trailhead parking area.
Lat N 60⁰ 29.016’ Long W 149⁰ 57.231’ Elevation 380’
Distance: 39 miles to north to Hope (see MP 16.1 Hope Spur Road) Elevation Gain: 2100’ Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Best Months: Year-round
Most people do this as a backpacking trip, and many try to get cabins for overnights. Many people also bike this in one day (to Hope) and arrange a car shuttle. If you hike in from this end, be aware that mountain bikes often come down the hill and around blind corners very fast. I prefer to hike one of the winter routes for that reason; directions can be found on the USFS link to the right. Valerie’s Rating: ❹ | Links:
Downloads: |
MP 54.8 |
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| Links: MP 54.8 Road Weather Conditions
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MP 57.2
| Fuller Lakes Trail
| Access: Parking lot on the north side of road, which is easy to miss if you are driving the speed limit.
Lat N 60⁰ 29.101’ Long W 150⁰ 04.528’ Elevation 267’
Distance: 3.3 miles to Upper Fuller Lake, but you can go further cross-country. Elevation Gain: 1503’ Difficulty: Moderate with some steeper sections Best Months: Summer - Fall
This trail has a steady uphill grade with some steeper sections, and there are muddy sections when wet. You will reach the first lake at 2.1 miles. The continuing trail to the upper lake at 3.3 miles is very root-y, muddy, soggy, and hasn’t been brushed in years. The area is pretty, but with the poor trail condition, I’d skip this hike unless you were doing the ridge traverse with Skyline Trail (MP 61.3). The traverse is a route that requires navigation skills and should only be attempted by expert hikers. [Note: the Wildlife Refuge information is incorrect.] Valerie’s Rating: ❸ | Links:
Downloads:
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MP 58.2
| Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
| Access: Turn off the highway into the large parking lots on the north side (it’s actually at MP 58.2, but the MP 58 marker is just past the Skilak Road turn-off). There is a small log cabin visitor contact station that has been closed due to budget cuts, though the website says it is self-service. The main visitor center is now in Soldotna, which is unfortunate since you have long passed through the refuge by the time you get there. Be sure to visit the links and downloads to the right so that you have information when you arrive at this end of the Refuge, since you probably will not have cell and internet access for most of the distance between Cooper Landing and Soldotna.
Lat N 60⁰ 29.072’ Long W 150⁰ 06.377’ Elevation 273’
| Links: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Kenai Nat'l Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Downloads:
Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area Map
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MP 58.2
| Skilak Lake Road Junction MP 0
| Access: Just past the rest stop on the right, turn left onto Skilak Road. (It is actually MP 58.2, but the MP 58 marker is just past the road junction on the right.) [Note: Cell service is spotty or non-existent on Skilak Lake Road.]
Lat N 60⁰ 20.085’ Long W 150⁰ 06.679’
| Links:
Downloads: Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area Map
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MP 61.3
| Skyline Trail
| Access: The parking lot is on the south side of the road, but you have to cross the road to get to the trailhead on the north side. Be careful! People drive too fast through here and the road is very narrow, and this section of road is very dangerous with a history of many serious accidents.
Lat N 60⁰ 31.100’ Long W 150⁰ 11.275’ Elevation 453’
Distance: 1 mile each way Elevation Gain: 2300’ Difficulty: Strenuous Best Months: Summer
This trail goes straight-up, but is very popular. The views are tremendous. Expect strong winds at the top.
Valerie’s Rating: ❺ | Links: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Downloads: |
MP 68.8
| Kelly & Peterson Lakes / Seven Lakes Trail / Kelly Lake Cabin
| Access: Turn south off of Sterling Highway and drive .2 miles to the “Y” intersection. Kelly Lake is .3 miles to the left, and Petersen Lake is .2 miles to the right. 3 sites at each Lake.
Lat N 60⁰ 31.790’ Long W 150⁰ 23.152’ Elevation 366’
Distance: 4.4 miles to Engineer Lake parking lot, and .25 mile to Kelly Lake Cabin Elevation Gain: 150’ Difficulty: Easy, except for the trail tread has a lot of roots Best Months: Year-round
This trail is mostly for fishing access, though the forest is pretty and the lakes are peaceful.
Valerie’s Rating: ❷ | Links:
Downloads:
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MP 70.7
| Egumen Lake Trail
| Access: There is a small parking lot on the south side of the highway. Walk 150 yards east along the highway to the trailhead.
Lat N 60⁰ 31.867’ Long W 150⁰ 26.602’ Elevation 251’
Distance: .4 miles Elevation Drop: 23’ Difficulty: Easy Best Months: Year-round
I would only use this trail for a leg-stretch, or for fishing. You don’t get away from the noise of the highway. Valerie’s Rating: ❶ | Links: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Downloads:
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MP 71.2
| Watson Lake
| Access: Turn off onto the access road on the north side of the highway; drive .4 miles to where it dead-ends at 3 campsites and a boat launch.
Lat N 60⁰ 31.854’ Long W 150⁰ 27.544’ Elevation 289’ | Links:
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MP 75.2
| Skilak Lake Road Junction MP 19
| Access: Turn south onto Skilak Road. [Note: Cell service is spotty or non-existent on Skilak Lake Road.]
Lat N 60⁰ 31.537’ Long W 150⁰ 33.973’
| Links:
Downloads: Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area Map
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MP 80.1
| Bing’s Landing State Recreation Area
| Access: Turn off on the south side of the highway onto Bing’s Landing Road and drive .3 mile into the recreation area. 36 campsites, nice campground. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Lat N 60⁰ 31.496’ Long W 150⁰ 42.569’ Elevation 243’
Distance: short trails down to and along rivers Elevation Gain: minimal Difficulty: easy Best Months: Year-round Valerie’s Rating: ❷ | Links:
Downloads: Kenai River Special Management Area
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MP 81.9
| Izaak Walton Campground
| Access: The entrance is on the south side of Sterling Highway, right in Sterling. It’s a pretty place to stop and stretch your legs on the river. 31 campsites. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Lat N 60⁰ 32.157’ Long W 150⁰ 45.052’ Elevation 162’ | Links:
Downloads: |
MP 83.4
| Swanson River Road
| Access: Turn north onto the Swanson River Road. There are 3 small campgrounds: Dolly Varden Lake at mile 15, Rainbow Lake at mile 16, and Swanson River at mile 18.
Turn Off: Lat N 60⁰ 32.163’ Long W 150⁰ 47.664’ Elevation 243’ | Links:
Downloads:
Swanson River Road Campgrounds
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MP 84
| Alaska Canoe
| Access: On the north side of the road, nice place to take showers. 907-262-2331.
Lat N 60⁰ 32.214’ Long W 150⁰ 48.185’ |
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MP 84.8
| Scout Lake State Recreation Site
| Access: Turn off on the south side of highway onto Scout Lake Loop Road (not the first entrance to the loop, but the second), and then turn immediately right into the parking lot. The sign is hard to see and it is not well-marked. Day-use only.
Turn Off: Parking Lot: Lat N 60⁰ 32.228’ Lat N 60⁰ 32.192’ Long W 150⁰ 49.705’ Long W 150⁰ 49.712’ Elevation 283’
Distance: Short trail system along lake edge. Elevation Gain: minimal Difficulty: easy Best Months: Year-round
This is really a neighborhood trail system or good for a leg-stretch while traveling. You can’t get away from the highway traffic noise. Valerie’s Rating: ❷ | Links:
Downloads: |
MP 84.8
| Morgan’s Landing State Recreation Area & Kenai Area State Park Headquarters
| Access: Turn off on the south side of highway onto Scout Lake Loop Road (not the first entrance to the loop, but the second). Drive 1.5 miles and then turn right on Lou Morgan Road. Drive 1.8 miles, then turn right again and drive .4 miles into the parking lot. 51 campsites, nice campground. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Turn Off: Parking Lot: Lat N 60⁰ 32.228’ Lat N 60⁰ 30.061’ Long W 150⁰ 49.705’ Long W 150⁰ 51.865’ Elevation 194’
Distance: short trails down to and along river, fishing docks Elevation Gain: minimal Difficulty: easy Best Months: year-round Valerie’s Rating: ❷ | Links:
Downloads: |
MP 93.9
| Fred Meyer Soldotna
| Access: On your left as you drive down the hill into Soldotna. Free dump station and potable water. You can camp there a maximum of three nights in your RV for free. (Yes, they do come around and keep track!)
Lat N 60⁰ 29.422’ Long W 151⁰ 03.069’ Elevation 125’ | Links:
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MP 94.2
| Captain Cook SRS
| Access: From Soldotna, take the Kenai Spur Highway and follow it for approximately 39 miles. The campground is operated by a concessionaire. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Turn Off: SRS: Lat N 60⁰ 29.210’ Lat N 60⁰ 47.253’ Long W 151⁰ 03.396’ Long W 151⁰ 02.504’ Elevation 122’
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Downloads: |
MP 95.3
| Funny River Campground
| Access: Go through Soldotna to the last light and turn left (east) on Funny River Road. Drive ~11.2 miles to Piper Place. 10 campsites. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Turn Off: SRS: Lat N 60⁰ 28.490’ Lat N 60⁰ 29.530’ Long W 151⁰ 05.071’ Long W 150⁰ 51.532’ Elevation 125’
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Downloads: |
MP 95.3 & 97.9
| Kenai Nat’l Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
| Access: On the far side of Soldotna, turn left onto Funny River Road, then an immediate turn right onto Ski Hill Road. Drive .8 mile to the visitor center, and then turn left into the visitor center parking lot. Or turn east at MP 97.9 and drive 1.2 miles on Ski Hill Road, and turn right into the parking lot.
Turn Off: Visitor Center: Lat N 60⁰ 28.490’ Lat N 60⁰ 27.888’ Long W 151⁰ 05.071’ Long W 151⁰ 04.493’ Elevation 253’
There are 3.2 miles of trails from the Visitor Center. See the Kenai NWR Visitor Guide page 4, in the “Downloads,” or visit the links.
| Links: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Kenai Nat'l Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Downloads:
Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area Map
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MP 97.8 |
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| Links: |
MP 97.9
| Tsalteshi Trails
| Access: On the west side of the highway, near Skyview Middle School. After turning toward the school, either take the first right and park next to the school, or go straight toward the Stadium, and park near the hockey rink. The lighted loops are on the far side of the hockey rink.
Lat N 60⁰ 27.492’ Long W 151⁰ 06.183’ Elevation 171’ | Links: Tsalteshi Trails Nordic Association
Downloads: Tsalteshi Ski Trails Aerial Map
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MP 109.1
| Kasilof River State Recreation Site
| Access: Turn east onto Spetz, and then take an immediate left into the SRS. Day use only. There are some short fisherman’s trails, which makes for a nice leg stretch by the river. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass.
Lat N 60⁰ 18.867’ Long W 151⁰ 15.575’ Elevation 80’ | Links:
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MP 110.1
| Johnson Lake State Recreation Area
| Access: Turn left onto Johnson Lake Loop Road. Drive .5 mile, then turn left on Tustumena Lake Road. Drive .1 mile and turn right into the campground. 48 campsites. Short walks around lake. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Turn Off: SRA: Lat N 60⁰ 17.811’ Lat N 60⁰ 17.886’ Long W 151⁰ 16.513’ Long W 151⁰ 15.931’ Elevation 179’ Valerie’s Rating: ❸ | Links:
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MP 110.8
| Crooked Creek State Recreation Site
| Access: Turn west onto North Cohoe Loop Road. Drive 1.7 miles, then right on Rilinda. Drive .4 miles, then left into the SRS. 24 campsites. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Turn Off: SRA: Lat N 60⁰ 17.807’ Lat N 60⁰ 19.289’ Long W 151⁰ 16.536’ Long W 151⁰ 17.203’ Elevation 52’ Valerie’s Rating: ❹ | Links:
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MP 117.3
| Clam Gulch State Recreation Area
| Access: Turn west from the Sterling Highway and drive .5 miles. You can hike the beach. 120 campsites, but this is a parking lot for RV’s, and there are very few tables. This is a heavily commercialized area, and its primary purpose is for fishing access. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Turn Off: SRA: Lat N 60⁰ 13.971’ Lat N 60⁰ 14.305’ Long W 151⁰ 23.274’ Long W 151⁰ 23.787’ Elevation 121’
Distance: beach, as far as you want Elevation Gain: None Difficulty: Easy Best Months: Year-round, but the road down is steep and may be very icy and unmaintained in winter. Valerie’s Rating: ❸ | Links:
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MP 134.5
| Ninilchik River Campground
| Access: East side of the Sterling Highway. 39 campsites. 2-3 campsites per parking pad, in the trees. This campground is good for small groups of people, or those that don’t mind sharing close adjacent sites. Short trail to the river. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Lat N 60⁰ 03.168’ Long W 151⁰ 39.109’ Elevation 165’ Valerie’s Rating: ❸ | Links:
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MP 134.9
| Ninilchik Scenic Overlook
| Access: East side of the Sterling Highway. 26 campsites that are parking spots, some have tables. Short trail to the river. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Lat N 60⁰ 02.924’ Long W 151⁰ 39.238’ Elevation 102’ Valerie’s Rating: ❹ | Links:
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MP 135.2 |
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| Links: MP 135.2 Road Weather Conditions
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MP 135.1
| Ninilchik Beach Day Use Area
| Access: The website say “Closed due to flood damage,” but only the campground was wiped out. You can still park next to the beach and hike either direction. Turn west on Mission Avenue, then follow the signs to the boat harbor for .4 miles. There is still a State Park campground on the bluff above.
Turn Off: SRA: Lat N 60⁰ 02.864’ Lat N 60⁰ 02.939’ Long W 151⁰ 39.581’ Long W 151⁰ 40.300’ Elevation 1’
Distance: Depends on tides. Elevation Gain: 0 Difficulty: Easy Best Months: Year-round Valerie’s Rating: ❹ | Links:
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MP 135.5
| Ninilchik View Campground
| Access: West side of the Sterling Highway. 14 campsites, nice campground. There is a trail down to the beach and you can hike in either direction (see above). Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Lat N 60⁰ 02.737’ Long W 151⁰ 40.231’ Elevation 75’ | Links:
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MP 136.5 & MP 136.7
| Deep Creek North & South Overlooks
| Access: East side of the Sterling Highway. One is on the north side of Deep Creek, the other on the South. Both are parking lots, but camping is allowed. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
North: South: Lat N 60⁰ 01.836’ Lat N 60⁰ 01.726’ Long W 151⁰ 40.899’ Long W 151⁰ 41.145’ Elevation 37’ Elevation 57’ | Links:
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MP 137.2
| Deep Creek Beach and Campground
| Access: Turn right on Wayside Road and drive .4 miles to the campground. 100 campsites next to the beach, parking lot-style; most sites have tables. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee. Turn Off: SRA: Lat N 60⁰ 01.578’ Lat N 60⁰ 01.883’ Long W 151⁰ 41.908’ Long W 151⁰ 42.137’ Elevation 6’
Distance: beach hiking to south Elevation Gain: None Difficulty: Easy Best Months: Year-round, but road may be icy and unmaintained in winter. | Links:
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MP 151.8
| Stariski State Recreation Site
| Access: West side of the Sterling Highway. The turn-off is a little confusing, since there is another road about 30 feet before it that is after the sign placement. Pass that one and take the next right. If you are on a road instead of immediately entering the campground, then you took the wrong turn. 14 campsites, nice campground, on the bluff. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Lat N 59⁰ 50.487’ Long W 151⁰ 48.677’ Elevation 207’ Valerie’s Rating: ❹ | Links:
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MP 156.7
| Anchor Point
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| Links: FAA Webcam Weather Information
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MP 157
| Anchor River State Recreation Area
| Access: Turn west onto the Old Sterling Highway and drive.4 miles, then right again on Anchor River Road. There are 4 campgrounds (46 campsites) in this recreation area, and you can hike the beach. Alaska State Parks daily use fee or Annual Pass, or camping fee.
Turn Off: SRA: Lat N 59⁰ 46.548’ Lat N 59⁰ 46.255’ Long W 151⁰ 49.986’ Long W 151⁰ 50.182’ Elevation 8’
Silver campground – at intersection of Anchor River Rd, parking lot-style Coho campground - .2 mile, parking lot-style Steelhead campground - .4 mile, parking lot-style Slidehole campground - .7 mile, nice campground Halibut campground – 1 mile, nice campground, beach views
Distance: beach access at 1.1 mile, hiking from there Elevation Gain: None Difficulty: Easy Best Months: Year-round | Links:
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MP 167
| Diamond Creek State Recreational Site and Trail
| Access: Even though the State Parks website says that this area is undeveloped, a .9 mile dirt road leads to a small parking lot. The gate may be open or closed, but the road is deeply potholed anyway, so you might want to park near the highway and walk in either way.
Lat N 59⁰ 40.445’ Long W 151⁰ 40.654’ Elevation 534’
Distance: .6 mile Elevation Drop: 338’ Difficulty: Moderate Best Months: Year-round, but in winter you must hike from the highway.
From the parking lot, there appears to be two options – go straight from the end of the road, or go to the left. The left option is the trail that goes down to the beach. There is a kiosk a few feet down the trail. There is a warning at the kiosk: “Trail Not Maintained. Hike at your own risk.” The trail has a lot of drainage problems and is sloughing in some places, but still seems safe enough as of 11/18 if you stay away from edges. This trail may be re-built in the future. On low tides, you can hike all the way to Bishop’s Beach in Homer (approximately 6.5 miles), with a car shuttle. Be sure to check a tide book as there are cliffs too steep to climb if you were to be caught by the tides that cover the beach in places. There is an interesting mudslide slough on the hillside that pushed up a buckle of land in the sea just offshore in about 2010. Be aware if you hike from Homer to this trailhead, there is no marker indicating the trail down to the beach. It is better to go from north to south for this reason. Valerie’s Rating: ❸ | Links:
Downloads: Diamond Creek Beach Trail GPS Map
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MP 169.6
| Viewpoint overlooking Homer
| Access: Right side of highway.
Lat N 59⁰ 39.266’ Long W 151⁰ 37.650’ Elevation 774’
Homer has all the services you need. I recommend a stop at the Islands and Oceans Visitor Center (MP 173.2) both for the exhibits and for information. The Shorebird Festival in May is a popular event for birders.
Trails: There aren’t a lot of summer trails available in Homer. Mostly it is winter ski trails, a few of which are suitable for summer use, so I am just providing links here. The Baycrest Ski Trail area (from Roger’s Loop) has the best summer hiking (see link), but it’s not very long. Most of the hiking in this area is in Kachemak Bay State Park (via water taxi), so unless you are going across the Bay, or want to see Homer and hike the beaches, most of the good hiking is found before Sterling Highway MP 75.2. Due to funding cuts, State Parks trails in Kachemak Bay are not being well-maintained some summers, and people are getting lost due to overgrown trails. It’s advisable to check with State Parks for trail conditions before investing in a trip across the Bay.
From Bishop’s Beach you can walk along the beach either to the north to Diamond Creek Trail (see MP 167 for more information, but I recommend north to south because the northern trailhead would be very easy to miss from the beach), or a short distance to the south, or to/from the Islands and Oceans Visitor Center. | Links: Islands and Oceans Visitor Center
Kachemak Nordic Ski Club (Directions to trailheads here)
FAA Webcam Weather Information
Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park
Downloads:
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MP 173.2
| Islands and Oceans Visitor Center
| Access: Turn into the parking lot on the west side of the road. This is a really nice visitor center and well worth the stop.
Lat N 59⁰ 38.514’ Long W 151⁰ 32.319’ Elevation 73’
| Links: Islands and Oceans Visitor Center
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MP 173.6
| Dump Station
| West side of the highway, right before the traffic light. The dump station and potable water are available for a small fee. There is another one out on the Homer Spit. | Links: |
Homer Spit Road
| The Washboard
| Access: Go through the light .6 mile, across the causeway and curve left on Ocean Drive. The Washboard is on the left side. Showers and laundromat.
Lat N 59⁰ 38.302’ Long W 151⁰ 30.739’ |
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East End Road
| Calvin & Coyle Nature Trail
| Access: From the traffic light on the Sterling highway, turn left onto Lake Street and drive .4 mile, then turn right on East End Road and drive 1.1 miles. Then turn right on Mariner Drive, and the parking lot is at the end of road at .1 mile. There is only room for 3 cars.
Turn Off: Trailhead: Lat N 59⁰ 39.367’ Lat N 59⁰ 39.237’ Long W 151⁰ 29.928’ Long W 151⁰ 29.933’ Elevation 54’
Distance: 1.4 miles round-trip Elevation Drop: 118’ Difficulty: Easy Best Months: Year-round
If you enjoy a short walk through the woods, you might like this trail, but there aren’t a lot of views except for a platform on the edge of Beluga Slough, across from the airport. The boardwalk is very slippery and there are some mudholes, and the trail has not been maintained since it was built several years ago. Valerie’s Rating: ❷ | Links:
Downloads:
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East Skyline Road
| Wynn Nature Center
| Access: From the traffic light on the Sterling highway, turn left onto Lake Street and drive .4 mile, then turn right on East End Road and drive .8 mile. Turn left on East Hill Road and drive 2.4 miles. At the top of East Hill Road, where it is intersected by West Skyline coming in on your left, stay to the right on East Skyline Road. Drive 1.6 miles and look for the sign and parking lot for Wynn Nature Center on your left. Daily guided hikes. There is a fee for use.
Lat N 59⁰ 41.084’ Long W 151⁰ 28.408’ Elevation 1323’ | Links:
Downloads: Carl E Wynn Nature Center Trail Map
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East Skyline Road/ Ohlson Mt. Rd.
| Lookout Ski Trails
| Access: From the traffic light on the Sterling highway, turn left onto Lake Street and drive .4 mile, then turn right on East End Road and drive .8 mile. Turn left on East Hill Road and drive 2.4 miles. At the top of East Hill Road, where it is intersected by West Skyline coming in on your left, stay to the right on East Skyline Road. Drive 2.8 miles and turn left on Ohlson Mountain Road for 2 miles; the ski area is on the left. | Links:
Downloads: |
East Skyline Road/ Ohlson Mt. Rd.
| Homer Rope Tow
| Access: From the traffic light on the Sterling highway, turn left onto Lake Street and drive .4 mile, then turn right on East End Road and drive .8 mile. Turn left on East Hill Road and drive 2.4 miles. At the top of East Hill Road, where it is intersected by West Skyline coming in on your left, stay to the right on East Skyline Road. Drive 2.8 miles and turn left on Ohlson Mountain Road for 3.4 miles; the ski area is on the left. | Links:
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East End Road
| McNeil Canyon Ski Trails
| Access: From the traffic light on the Sterling highway, turn left onto Lake Street and drive .4 mile, then turn right on East End Road and drive 12.2 miles to McNeil Canyon Elementary School; turn left into the parking lot.
Lat N 59⁰ 44.688’ Long W 151⁰ 15.456’ Elevation 1317’ | Links:
McNeil & Eveline Ski Trails Map
Downloads: |
East End Road
| Eveline State Recreation Site and Trail System
| Access: From the traffic light on the Sterling highway, turn left onto Lake Street and drive .4 mile, then turn right on East End Road and drive 13.4 miles, turn left onto Alpine Meadow Drive, and drive .4 mile to the trailhead. Mostly for x-country skiing.
Turn Off: Trailhead: Lat N 59⁰ 45.108’ Lat N 59⁰ 45.449’ Long W 151⁰ 13.772’ Long W 151⁰ 14.077’ Elevation 1509’ | Links:
McNeil & Eveline Ski Trails Map
Downloads: McNeil & Eveline Ski Trails Map
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Water or Air Taxi | Kachemak Bay State Park
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| Links: Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park
Kachemak Bay State Park Information
Trail Reports and Park Conditions
Kachemak Bay State Park Trail Conditions
Downloads: Kachemak Bay State Park Brochure
Emerald Lake Loop & Mallard Bay Trails Guide
Glacier Lake, Saddle, & Blue Ice Trails Guide
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