Kenai, Alaska is a charming coastal community located just under 100 miles south of Anchorage. With its breathtaking scenery, plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities, and historic small-town charm, Kenai serves as a gateway to exploring the Kenai Peninsula.
Whether you enjoy fishing, hiking, camping, or simply taking in beautiful vistas, there is something for every type of traveler to enjoy in Kenai. This guide will introduce 12 of the top attractions in Kenai that should not be missed during a visit.
Kenai Visitors Center
The Kenai Visitors Center is the perfect starting point for any exploration of Kenai. Located right in downtown Kenai, the visitors center offers comprehensive information on outdoor recreation in the area through brochures, maps, and knowledgeable staff. Visitors can learn about the best fishing spots, hiking trails, camping areas, and more. Interactive displays highlight Kenai’s rich cultural history from its early days as an Alaska Native village to the arrival of Russian fur traders.
Be sure to check out the short film that plays in the theater, which provides an excellent overview of the Kenai Peninsula. Outside the visitors center, you’ll find scenic viewing areas overlooking Cook Inlet where you may spot beluga whales or sea otters. As the top source for trip planning in Kenai, budget some time at the visitors center to get the most out of your visit.
Legacy of the Land Discovery Center
Located just a short drive from downtown Kenai, the Legacy of the Land Discovery Center provides a unique way to learn about the landscape, wildlife, and human history of the Kenai Peninsula. Interactive exhibits take visitors through different ecosystems like forests, wetlands, and ocean shorelines. You’ll gain an understanding of the diverse plant and animal species that call this region home.
Another highlight is the cultural exhibits which showcase artifacts and traditions from the original Dena’ina Athabascan inhabitants as well as subsequent settlers like Russian fur traders. Outdoors you can stroll elevated boardwalks through boreal forest and muskeg wetlands, taking in the real landscapes that are portrayed inside. The Discovery Center does a marvelous job of telling the story of Kenai Peninsula through engaging, educational exhibits that will appeal to all ages.
Funny River Road
Funny River Road is arguably one of the most scenic drives anywhere in Alaska. This 28-mile gravel road winds its way through the Chugach National Forest, offering breathtaking views of mountains, streams, and forests seemingly around every bend. In summer, wildflowers like coral bells and globe flowers add vibrant color to the landscape.
Look closely and you may spot local wildlife like moose, black bear, golden eagles, or river otters. Some of the top stops along Funny River Road include Morgan’s Landing trailhead, leading to the secluded Funny River beach, and the Pillars day use area with picnic sites and trails through old-growth forests. For those with more time, adventuring down the full length of Funny River Road makes for an unforgettable daytrip from Kenai. Just be sure to drive slowly and cautiously on the gravel road.
Kenai Beach
Right in the heart of downtown Kenai lies Kenai Beach, a scenic stretch of sand and pebble shoreline along Cook Inlet. It’s a perfect place to spend an afternoon relaxing, beachcombing or if conditions allow, having a picnic. On calm summer days, the sparkling waters invite swimming but be cautious of tides and currents. The scenic beach walkway also makes for an enjoyable stroll, with scenic views across the inlet and opportunities to spot marine life like sea otters and birds.
After your beach visit, check out the surrounding Riverwalk Park which has hiking trails, fishing access, and picnic sites. For a quintessential Alaska seaside experience, a visit to Kenai Beach should be on your itinerary. Even on cloudy days, the rugged mountains and waterfront views provide plenty of picture-perfect scenery.
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Encompassing 2 million acres along the western edge of the Kenai Peninsula, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge offers boundless opportunities for outdoors exploration. Top activities within the refuge include birdwatching along the shorelines of Kustatan and Skilak Lakes, bear viewing in early summer berry patches, and salmon fishing in the many rivers and streams. Over 300 species of birds inhabit the refuge at some point during their migration.
Be on the lookout for bald eagles, waterfowl, shorebirds, and more. Because of its proximity to Kenai, Homer, and Cooper Landing, the refuge has excellent access for day trips. Some easy trails for wildlife viewing include Skilak Lake Loop and Swanson River trails. Be sure to stop by the refuge visitor center for information on current bear activity and recommendations for the best spots to view these impressive giants of the wild.
Kenai Mountains
Rising directly behind Kenai, the rugged Kenai Mountains make for a spectacular scenic backdrop. For adventurous travelers who don’t mind expending a little effort, hiking into the alpine scenery of the Kenai Mountains is highly rewarding. Some popular trails to trek include the Pioneer Ridge Trail, with breathtaking panoramas over Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm from its ridgetop route.
For a more strenuous hike, the six-mile China Poot Lake trail gains 2,200 feet in elevation but treats hikers to alpine scenery and a pristine mountain lake. climbers may opt for scaling nearby Fox Creek Peak which requires routing skills but rewards with fantastic views. Backcountry campers can plan multi-day trips throughout the heart of the Kenai Mountains by reserving a camping permit. With over 800,000 protected acres of wilderness, exploring the Kenai Mountains tops many visitors’ must-do lists during summer.
Kenai River
Renowned worldwide among anglers, the Kenai River draws fishermen from around the globe to snag massive rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, sockeye salmon, and other fighty fish species. At 300 feet wide in places, the crystal clear waters of the Kenai flow down from the Harding Icefield before emptying into Cook Inlet.
The best fishing is usually from late May into early July for king salmon runs, and from late July into August for red salmon. Top angling spots along the river include Funny River, Skilak Lake Outlet, and Russian River. In addition to fishing, visitors enjoy wildlife viewing, rafting/kayaking, or just a scenic riverside stroll along the many trails that parallel the mighty Kenai River. Whether or not you fish, spending a day exploring the Kenai River is a must for any visitor to the area.
Cooper Landing
Nestled along the beautiful Kenai River about 30 miles east of Kenai, the picturesque community of Cooper Landing serves as a prime jumping off point for exploring the surrounding Chugach National Forest. Top activities include fishing and floating the famous Upper Kenai, hiking to stunning waterfalls like Moose Falls, and paddling scenic lakes like Russia Lake or Trail Lakes during summer.
Other outdoor adventures include birding, wildlife viewing, berry picking, or scenic drives taking in vistas of alpine ridges and glaciated valleys. Cooper Landing also has charming cafes, art galleries, and charming B&Bs where travelers can refuel after a day adventuring in nature. With its abundance of glacially-fed streams, lush wildflower meadows, and surrounding mountain grandeur, spending a day in scenic Cooper Landing provides yet another memorable experience on the Kenai Peninsula.
Alaska Sealife Center
Located in Seward a short drive from Kenai, the Alaska Sealife Center provides a fun, educational experience for visitors of all ages. This top-rated aquarium and research facility focuses on marine life found in northern waters, from harbor seals to octopuses to puffins. Guests can watch rehabilitation programs for injured seals and sea otters, and see animals like harbor seals getting trained for research projects.
Large tanks allow visitors to get up close to active underwater life like wolf eels, greenlings, and anemones waving their tentacles. Guided intertidal touch tank tours let visitors touch live critters found on the shore like starfish, crabs, and chitons. After an afternoon exploring, soak in scenic views of Resurrection Bay and the Kenai Mountains. With its mission of research, rescue, and education, the Alaska Sealife Center delivers a memorable visit.
Conclusion
With its dramatic coastal scenery, productive rivers and lakes teeming with wildlife, and historic small towns, the Kenai area celebrates Alaska’s natural bounty at its finest. From leisurely beach strolls to challenging mountain hikes, renowned fishing grounds to interactive museums, there is truly something for every visitor during any season.
By exploring several of the top attractions highlighted in this guide like the Kenai Visitors Center, Legacy of the Land Discovery Center, scenic roads like Funny River, beaches like Kenai Beach, and vast natural areas within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Chugach National Forest, travelers are certain to experience the best of what this picturesque region has to offer. Whether a daytrip or longer stay, Kenai and its surrounding areas continue to draw visitors back with new adventures and unforgettable Alaska experiences year after year.