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Alaska Highways
5 pointsSeward Highway
The Kenai Peninsula is recognized as a sportsman's paradise. Mileage markers along this route read from Seward (mile 0) to Homer (mile 173). Details for the first 38 miles of this highway will be found in the highway description of the Seward Highway (mile 38 to mile 0, Seward).

We Start in Anchorage with the Seward Highway.
This Highway can lead you all the way to Kodiak Island, the King Crab Capital of the World. And the Second Largest Island in under the American flag.

This 127 mile/204 km highway has been designated a National Forest Scenic Byway. It connects the cities of Anchorage and Seward traveling past salt water bays, ice-blue glaciers, and alpine valleys. The first 50 miles of the highway twists and turns along the base of the Chugach Mountains, and the shore of Turnagain Arm.

The 37-foot tides here are exceeded only by those in Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy. The waters racing out of the inlet expose miles of mud flats and when they return, frequently create 6-foot bore tides.

Thirty-eight miles from Seward, the route joins the Sterling Highway which continues down the peninsula to Soldotna, Kenai, Ninilchik, Anchor Point, and Homer, and from there you can go to Kodiak.

The Alaska Railroad parallels the Seward Highway to Portage, where it has a branch line to Whittier—port for the Alaska Marine Ferry System.

Alaska Marine Ferry System has service to Valdez and Cordova. And from Homer you can take the Ferry to Kodiak.

The railroad also serves Seward, which was the original starting point of the Alaska Railroad. Just past the turn-off for Portage Glacier, you will enter the Kenai Peninsula Borough - over 25,000 square miles of scenic park lands, forests, volcanoes, glaciers, coastline, rivers, and unique communities.

Here it is easy to try your luck at hooking a world record king salmon or a giant halibut, photograph a Russian church, spotted sea lions, whales, and a kaleidoscope of seabirds on a scenic cruise, and do it all on the same day!

Warning:
The mudflats along the coast from Anchorage to Portage (Turnagain Arm) exhibit quicksand-like conditions. It is extremely dangerous to walk on the beach or mudflats in this area.

From Anchorage, mile 127/km 204.4 Anchorage.
Gambell Street and 15th Ave. mile 125/km 201.2 Airport Road. 8 miles to International Airport, no access from New Seward Highway.

You must turn west on Diamond or Tudor Road to Old Seward Highway, then take Airport Road to Anchorage International. mile 124.7/km 200.7 Tudor Road. Bypass route around Anchorage to Glenn Highway via Muldoon Road.

mile 122.2/km 196.7 Diamond Boulevard. Exit for Diamond Mall, Costco, Fred Meyers. mile 120.7/km 194.2 O'Malley Road.

To reach Alaska Zoo, turn left (southbound from Anchorage) and drive 2 miles. mile 119.5/km 192.3 Huffman Road. mile 118.1/km 190 Old Seward Highway and Rabbit Creek Road.

mile 117.6/km 189.3 Parking for Wildlife Viewing Boardwalk and Rabbit Creek Rifle Range.

mile 117/km 188.3 Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge (Potter Marsh), a 2,300-acre wetland for bird watching, interpretive displays along the boardwalk. Nesting ponds for Arctic tern, geese, ducks, and swans.
mile 116.1/km 186.8 Potter's Marsh, parking.

mile 115/km 185 Potter Section House and Historic Park. Built in 1929 to maintain a section of the railroad, the house serves as Chugach State Park Visitor Center and railroad museum. Open daily 8 to 4:30 year round. Chugach State Park, north boundary.

From here to mile 103 there are several scenic viewpoints of Turnagain Arm. mile 113.3/km 182.3 Parking. mile 111/km 178.6 McHugh Creek State Picnic Area. Picnic sites, water, toilets and trails.

The views of Turnagain Arm and Cook Inlet are breathtaking. Fast movement of the water (up to 6 knots) usually visible to naked eye. mile 111.2/km 179 Parking; Potter trailhead. mile 110.3/km 177.5 Beluga Point interpretive site with telescopes.

Enjoy beautiful views of Turnagain Arm while you watch for beluga. There are several parking areas along the ocean from mile 109 to mile 90. mile 109.2/km 175.7 Parking. mile 108.9/km 175.3 Parking.

mile 108.7/km 174.9 Parking. mile 108.4/km 174.4 Rainbow Road to Rainbow Trailhead and parking, access to Old Johnson Trail. mile 108/km 173.8 Parking. mile 107.7/km 173.3 Parking. mile 106.8/km 171.8 Scenic viewpoint, parking. Fallen Rock Trail access.

mile 105.6/km 169.9 Falls Creek Trailhead, parking. mile 104/km 167.4 Indian Valley Mine. mile 103.9/km 167.2 Indian Road.
mile 103/km 165.7 Bridge over Indian Creek, rest area at south end of bridge.

Heavily fished by local residents. Sea-run Dolly Varden, silver salmon, rainbow—June to Sept. Pink salmon—July and August.
mile 102.2/km 164.5 Parking, Bird Ridge Trailhead. mile 101.5/km 163.3 Bridge over Bird Creek, parking, observation platform. Heavily fished by local residents.

mile 101.2/km 162.9 Bird Creek State Campground. 27 camp sites, picnic shelters, water, toilets, hiking trails and fishing. Seven day limit, this campground is very often full, there is an overflow campground with 20 camp sites. View from campground across Turnagain Arm to Hope, a booming city in goldrush days. Fee Area.

Warning: The tidal mud flats that are exposed by low tide in this area are extremely dangerous donot go out on them. mile 100/km 160.9 There are many large scenic parking areas from mile 100 to the junction at Girdwood. mile 96.4/km 155 Bird Point rest area.

The historic gold rush settlement of Hope can be seen across Turnagain Arm.
mile 90.5/km 145.6 Tidewater Slough. mile 90/km 144.8 Junction to Girdwood and Alyeska Ski Resort and Kobuk Valley Jade. Tesoro 2, Go Tesoro gas and oil products convenience store.

Editor's note: There is no gas available between Girdwood and Seward on this Highway.
mile 89.8/km 144.5 Glacier Creek. View of 3 glaciers to the east. mile 89.2/km 143.5 Virgin Creek. mile 86/km 138.4 Parking, Chugach National Forest, West Boundary. mile 84.1/km 135.3 Peterson Creek.

mile 81/km 130.4 Twenty Mile River. Observation platform with information on Twenty Mile River wetlands and wildlife. mile 80.7/km 129.9 Bridge over Twenty Mile River which flows out of Twenty Mile Glacier. Parking.

mile 80.3/km 129.2 Portage-Whittier. mile 79.3/km 127.6 Portage Creek No. 2, parking. mile 78.9/km 127 Portage Creek No. 1, parking.

5 points mile 78.8/km 126.8 Portage Glacier Recreation Area. Access via 5 mile/8 km paved highway. Three U.S. Forest Service campgrounds with more than 64 camping spaces are located approximately a mile apart on the Portage Glacier Road: Beaver Pond Campground, Black Bear Campground, and Williwaw Campground.

The road ends at a large parking lot overlook at the western end of Portage Lake with excellent view of the huge icebergs floating in the lake. The Begich Boggs Visitor Center, near the parking area, is open daily in summer 9 to 6, weekends in winter 10-4. Call for information 907-783-2326. Forest Service Naturalists describe the many phenomena associated with the glacier. A self-guided trail begins south of the visitor center.

During July and August you can see spawning salmon in nearby Portage Creek. Portage Glacier is one of Alaska's most accessible and frequently photographed glaciers. Icebergs, weighing many tons, are blown about on Portage Lake (600 ft. deep), creating an ever-changing panorama of weather-sculptured blue ice. In 1913 the glacier's face ended at the parking area. In less than 70 years the glacier has receded over 2 miles.

5 points Editor's note: This is a must stop for all. The 8 million dollar center is the only one of its kind in the state. The M.V. Ptarmigan offers a one hour tour on Portage Lake to the face of Portage Glacier. This tour will give you an up close look at one of the most visited glaciers in Alaska. Daily departures mid-May to mid-September.

Portage Glacier Lodge is privately operated facility near the Glacier. mile 78.4/km 126.2 Placer River, large parking area with boat launch. mile 77.9/km 125.4 Placer River overflow. mile 75.5/km 121.5 Scenic view, parking. mile 75.2/km 121 Ingram Creek. mile 75/km 120.7 Parking. mile 74.5/km 119.9 Large parking area. mile 72.5/km 116.7 Parking. mile 71.4/km 114.9 Parking. mile 71.2/km 114.6 Parking. mile 71/km 114.3 Parking. mile 69.9/km 112.5 Scenic viewpoint.

mile 68.1/km 109.6 Turnagain Pass Recreation Area (elev. 988 feet). Parking with view of Turnagain Pass. Restrooms and emergency phone.
mile 66.8/km 107.5 Parking. mile 66/km 106.2 Parking. mile 65.5/km 105.4 Bertha Creek. mile 65.4/km 105.2 Bertha Creek Forest Service Campground. 12 camp sites, water, overlook benches, toilets, firepits. Fee area. mile 64.8/km 104.3 Spokane Creek.

mile 63.7/km 102.58 Johnson Pass Trail. mile 63.5/km 102.2 Granite Creek. mile 62.9/km 101.2 Granite Creek Forest Service Campground. 19 camp sites, water, toilets, and tables. Fee area. mile 61.5/km 99 East Fork Sixmile Creek. mile 61.1/km 98.3 Silvertip Creek. mile 59/km 95 Parking. mile 58.4/km 94 Parking. mile 57.7/km 92.9 Dry Gulch Creek, parking. mile 56.7/km 90.9 Canyon Creek, wayside both sides of highway at north end of bridge tables, toilets and hiking trails.

mile 56.4/km 90.7 Hope Junction. Hope is reached by a 16-mile paved road. mile 56/km 90 There are many large parking areas between mile 56 and mile 62. mile 55.2/km 88.8 Parking. mile 54.8/km 88 Parking. mile 53.5/km 86 Parking.
mile 52.1/km 83.8 Parking. mile 51.2/km 82.4 Parking.

mile 50.3/km 81 Parking if headed to Seward. mile 48/km 77.2 Fresno Creek, parking area.

mile 47.6/km 76.6 Lower Summit Lake. mile 47.2/km 76 Parking, good photo spot. mile 46.1/km 74.2 Colorado Creek. mile 46/km 74 Tenderfoot Creek Forest Service Campground, 28 campsites, water, toilets, tables and firepits, on east shore of Upper Summit Lake—good spring and fall fishing for small, Dolly Varden. Fee area.

mile 45.8/km 73.7 Summit Lake Lodge, services. mile 45.4/km 73.5 Scenic view with parking on the shores of Summit Lake. mile 44.7/km 71.9 Parking at end of lake.

mile 42.2/km 67.9 Quartz Creek. mile 39.5/km 39.5 Devil's Pass Trail. Part of Resurrection Pass Trail System. 10 miles to Forest Service recreational cabin and main trail between Hope and Cooper Landing (mile 56.4). mile 38.6/km 62.1 Scenic view. mile 37.2/km 59 Junction. Seward Highway and Sterling Highway. See Sterling Highway in the Index.

Editor's note: There is no gas available between Girdwood mile 90 and Seward mile 0 on the Seward Highway. mile 37/km 59.5 Tern Lake Forest Service Picnic area. Toilets, water, tables, viewing platform. Trout fishing in Daves Creek.

mile 37/km 59.5 Sterling Junction. You are 89 miles from Anchorage, 135 miles from Homer. The Seward Highway continues north.

5 points Sterling Highway
This route runs along the western edge of the Kenai Peninsula and features extraordinary mountain scenery, sparkling lakes, glacier-fed streams, and beautiful coastal inlets.

Wildlife abounds along this scenic route and you'll probably even encounter a giant Kenai moose.
Many good private, state and federal camp sites are found along the way, and the highway passes through a number of intriguing villages and towns, each worth a visit.

There is an interpretive observation platform overlooking Tern Lake with great views of the surrounding mountains. mile 37.4/km 62 USFS Tern Lake day-use picnic area tables, water, toilets, firepits. Trout fishing in Daves Creek. King salmon spawning area, informative viewing trail. mile 38.3/km 61.6 Parking with emergency phone.

mile 38.8/km 62.4 Parking. mile 39/km 62.8 Daves Creek, good fishing for Dolly Varden and rainbow. Salmon spawning in late July and August. mile 40.5/km 65 Parking. There are several small parking areas between mile 40 and mile 55.

mile 41/km 66 Quartz Creek, empties into Kenai Lake. mile 43/km 69 Parking.
mile 43.5/km 70 Parking. mile 44.3/km71.3 Refuse deposit site.

mile 44.9/km 72.3 Quartz Creek and Crescent Creek Forest Service Campgrounds. Fee area.
Quartz Creek campground borders Kenai Lake. Access via 1/2-mile road. 30 camp sites, boat ramp, good sandy swimming beach, flush toilets. Dall sheep can often be spotted on mountain sides. Trail leads along nearby Quartz Creek. Fishing for Dolly Varden and rainbow. Crescent Creek campground, access via 3 mile road, 9 camp sites, water, tables and toilets, at confluence of Crescent and Quartz Creeks. Camping fee.

Crescent Creek trail is 1/2-mile past campground near end of road—watch for sign. Good trail leads to Crescent Lake and Forest Service cabin (make reservation through USFS in Anchorage or Seward) round trip, 12.4 miles hiking time, 5-8 hours. Stocked with grayling.
Sunrise Inn, Tesoro gas and oil.

mile 45/km 72.4--The highway parallels Kenai Lake, good fishing for Dolly Varden and trout, it is closed to salmon fishing. mile 45.5/km 73.2 Parking, Dall Sheep can often be seen on the surrounding mountains. mile 47/km 75.6 Parking.
mile 47.7/km 76.8 Bean Creek Road access to Kenai Princess Lodge and RV Park - 2 miles.

Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge
This true Alaskan lodge overlooking the Kenai River is just two hours from Anchorage in the geographic heart of the Kenai Peninsula.
Enjoy excursions along the Peninsula then return to the comfort of this wilderness lodge. Private hillside bungalow-style rooms with wood-stoves, seating areas, porches, telephones and televisions.

Lodge amenities include a restaurant, lounge, espresso bar, outdoor deck, fresh-air hot tubs, exercise room, and gift shop. A tour desk can arrange river rafting, horseback riding, fishing, hiking, flightseeing and day trips to Kenai Fjords National Park and Resurrection Bay. Reservations suggested. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club accepted.

Editor's note: In keeping with the Princess tradition, this lodge offers the utmost in warm comfort and quality. Open year-round. Call 800-426-0500 for reservations; web: www.princessalaskalodges.com

Kenai Princess RV Park
29 sites with water, power and septic. General store, 24-hour, coin-operated shower and laundry facilities. Guests enjoy full privileges at the adjacent Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club accepted. $25 per night. Open mid-May through mid-September. 907-595-1425 for reservations and information.

mile 47.8/km 76.9 Kenai River Bridge, boat launch, day-use parking, toilets, viewing decks and informative signs. The river empties into Kenai Lake and flows across the Kenai Peninsula 80 miles to Cook Inlet. King, pink and silver salmon, rainbow and Dolly Varden, which are usually present even when the salmon are not running. Salmon eggs and brightly colored lures are most commonly used, although fly fishing is also very productive. It's best to inquire locally.

mile 47.9/km 77.1 Snug Harbor Road. 12 mile access road to Cooper Lake and trailhead. Dolly Varden spring and fall. Boat suggested. Beginning of Russian Lakes trail off Snug Harbor Road (for description of trail, see information for mile 52.7 on this log).
Catholic Church 1 mile up Snug Harbor Road. Baptist Church at the Junction. mile 58/km 93.3 Once a part of the main highway, this well-maintained, 20-mile gravel road rejoins the Sterling Highway at mile 76. There are 8 Fish and Wildlife Service campgrounds, all on good fishing lakes, as well as a number of maintained hiking trails.

5 points Editor's note: The Hidden Lake Campground, is one of the nicest on the peninsula. This is a rewarding side trip. mile 60.5/km 97.4 Jean Lake, camping, picnic area, boat launch. Fishing for rainbow. Berry picking. mile 60.8/km 98 Skyline Trail, parking. mile 62.3/km 100.4 Parking.

mile 68.3/km 110 Access to Peterson Lake (.5 mile) and Kelly Lake (1 mile) public campgrounds .5 mile side road, camp sites, tables, fireplaces, toilets, handicap accessible, boat ramp, fishing for rainbow, swimming, and hiking along Seven Lakes Trail—7 miles over level ground. mile 70.4/km 113.3 Egumen wayside with large parking area. Short trail (.5 mile) to Egumen Lake fishing for rainbow.

mile 71.3/km 114.7 Watson Lake, parking at entrance to Watson Lake campground. 3 camp sites, tables, toilet, handicap accessible, drinking water, steep boat ramp. Rainbow. East Fork Moose River. mile 72.9/km 117.3 Parking.
mile 75.3/km 121.2 Skilak Lake Loop Road leaves the Sterling Highway here and rejoins it at mile 58. For detailed description of this loop road see mile 58 on Sterling Highway.

mile 80 The Great Alaska Fish Camp is a full service Resort. Where the Moose River flows into the Kenai River.
lake
Alaska's #1 Destination for Angling and Adventure Travel!
Great Alaska Fish Camp
Where the World Famous Kenai River & Moose River Meet
This is the Best Fishing in Alaska, I know I grew up here! I have not been Home in years, but I get fishing reports all the time. Just tell them Adams Chocolate sent you!

"For those who seek the ultimate Alaskan angling and safari experiences"
If there is a place in your mind's eye that can clearly picture the perfect Alaska- and you yearn for it- then come with us to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. It is all here on the Kenai, exactly as you pictured it:

Hundreds of square miles of impossible beauty and bounty; a seemingly endless expanse of rolling forests, mountain meadows, hidden lakes, whispering streams, turquoise glaciers - and all of it teeming with rare species of North American wildlife... including some of the largest game fish on earth.

Fish for Alaska's world record King Salmon, acrobatic Silver Salmon, feisty Reds or Pinks, trophy Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Char and Arctic Grayling in many freshwater areas while giant Pacific Halibut, Ling Cod, Rockfish and Salmon await you in Alaska's Premier saltwater fishing grounds.

Experience the adventure of flying into our remote Lake Clark Bear Viewing Lodge, kayak a glacial lake, view wildlife on a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise, flightsee Denali National Park or walk a tundra trail while on safari with Great Alaska.

Plan your Alaska vacation with Great Alaska and be rewarded with the "trip of a lifetime" from a reputable operator with 20 years experience in sport fishing, nature tours and adventure travel vacations on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula.

Sterling is a small highway community that has several businesses that cater to the traveler. It is at the confluence at the Kenai and the Moose Rivers. There are extensive canoe trail systems with excellent fishing.Post Office at mile 81.5.
mile 81/km 130.4 Sterling. Suburban Propane 907-262-1331. Gas appliance repairs, leak checks.

5 points mile 83.7 on the left is an all natural public spring, the finest water in the World, on the right is a little Log Cabin, it was the areas one room School House.

mile 83.7/km 134.7 Swanson River Road. Leads to four campgrounds and two canoe systems: Sunken Island Lake Campground (7 miles), Dolly Varden Lake Campground (15 miles), Rainbow Lake Campground (16 miles), Swanson River Campground (18 miles).
Sunken Island Lake is good for (stocked) silver salmon, and there are rainbow in Forest Lakes at mile 9.5 on Swanson River Road.

All 4 campgrounds on this road have camping, tent and trailer sites, picnic tables, fireplaces, drinking water, toilets, boat ramps.
Scout Lake Loop Road rejoins the highway at mile 85. Two canoe systems traverse well-marked lakes connected by streams or short portages. Swanson Lake route is 60 miles and Swanson River route is 80 miles.

mile 84.9/km 136.6 Scout Lake Loop Road extends 7 miles and rejoins the Sterling highway at Mile 83.7. Scout Lake State Recreation Site, 8 camp sites, toilets, water, picnic shelters, hiking trails, and fishing. Follow Scout Lake Loop Road 1.5 miles to Morgan's Landing State Recreation Area, 50 camp sites, toilets. mile 85/km 136.8 Refuse Deposit site.

mile 87.5/km 140.8 Robinson Loop Road. mile 91.8/km 147.7 Reflection Lake Road.
mile 92/km 148 Birch Ridge Golf Course. mile 92.7/km 149.2 Mackey Lake Road.

The Y mile 94.2/km 151.6 Soldotna and Kenai Junction.

mile 96.3/km 155 Junction. Kalifornsky Beach Road to west, Funny River Road to east. Turn east on Funny River Road and continue for 2 miles for Soldotna Airport or west on Kalifornsky Beach Road to Soldotna Centennial Park Campground, 132 sites in heavily wooded area on the banks of the Kenai River, water, tables, firepits, toilets, dump station. Good salmon fishing area borders river near small boat ramp at end of campground. Fee area.

mile 99.9/km 160.8 Echo Lake Road. mile 101/km 162.5 Tote Road. mile 105.5/km 170 Large parking area. mile 108.8/km 175 South junction Kalifornsky Beach Road via Kasilof - this road rejoins Sterling highway at mile 96.3.
mile 109.5/km 176.2 Kasilof River State Recreation Site. 16 camp sites, water, tables, toilets, hiking trails, boat launch and fishing, access to Tustemena Lake. Fee area.

mile 110/km 177 Access to Johnson and Tustemena Lakes. Johnson Lake state campground is reached by short sideroad. 50 camp sites, toilets, water, shelters, boat ramp and fishing for rainbow. Tustemana Lake is 6.5 miles. 10 camp sites, toilets, boat launch, fishing for lake trout. Refuse deposit site.

mile 110.5/km 177.8 Parking. mile 111/km 178.6 North junction of Cohoe Loop Road leads 7 miles past homesteads and ocean beaches, and returns to highway at mile 114.6. Crooked Creek State Recreation Site, 79 camp sites (parking lot style), water, toilets, trails and fishing.1 3/4 miles on Coho Loop Rd.

When salmon are spawning, you can see them in the pools just east of the highway.
Phil's Smiling Salmon Guide Service Box 1235, Kasilof, AK 99610; 907-262-3589. The crew of guides at Phil's is dedicated to your fishing enjoyment. The crew of guides has the experience to ensure your fishing adventure will be the best it can be. Fish the Kenai River, Kasilof River and Cook Inlet for King and Silver Salmon. web: www.smilingsalmon.com\

The Crooked Creek Hatchery. Adult salmon may be viewed moving up the stream and fishway into the hatchery raceways - king salmon in late June and early July and coho salmon in late August and September; however, public tours of the facility are not available. mile 114.6/km 184.4 Cohoe Loop Road rejoins highway at mile 111.3.

mile 117.4/km 188.9 Clam Gulch State Recreation Area and Clam Gulch Beach Road. 1/2 mile to beach—good razor clam digging during minus tides, April-August. There is no closed season on clams. Sport fishing license is needed, however, and limit is first 60 clams taken. Clam Gulch State Recreation Area provides picnic sites, shelters, campsites, water and toilets. Excellent view of Aleutian Range across inlet.

Editor's note: The steep hill leading to the beach should not be attempted unless you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
mile 118.2/km 190.2 Clam Gulch. Highway community with post office. Lodge with restaurant, video rental, laundry. Public phone. mile 122.9/km 197.8 Parking.

mile 124.8/km 200.8 Parking with view. mile 126.8/km 204 Scenic wayside.
mile 127.1/km 204.5 Large parking area. mile 127.1/km 204.5 Scenic View RV Park. PO Box 39253, Ninilchik, AK 99639; 907-567-3909. Full hook-ups, electric/water, tenting, showers. mile 132.5/km 213.3 Heavenly Sights Charters & CampgroundCamping and RV sites with electric. mile 134.6/km 216.6 Ninilchik State Recreation Area. 165 camp sites, picnic shelters, toilets, water, firepits, and fishing.
mile 134.8/km 216.9 Road toward inlet leads to Old Russian Church. Magnificent view of inlet, volcanos, beach and village. Ninilchik River

Scenic Overlook
this site offers both day use and overnight camping. 117 camp sites, water, toilets, tables and firepits, walking paths, and interpretive information sign.

mile 135/km 217 Ninilchik River. mile 135/km 217.3 Side road leads to Old Ninilchik. This fishing village was colonized in 1820 by Russian fur traders. Steeped in the history of early Russian America, it affords an unexcelled old-world setting with its Russian Orthodox Church atop a nearby hill, quaint fishermen's cottages and log homes.

Information signs tell the history of Ninilchik. Walking tour maps are available at local businesses. A trail leads to the church and cemetery on the hill. The road continues to the beach where there is camping, and toilets.

mile 135.4/km 217.9 Ninilchik View Campground on a bluff above Ninilchik Beach; 13 camp sites, water, dump station and pay phone. The Ninilchik, as well as nearby Deep Creek, also has Dolly Varden, Arctic char, and rainbow

The Alaska Peninsula and Cook Inlet may be seen to the west, as well as the snowy volcanic peaks of Mt. Iliamna and Mt. Redoubt.

mile 135.5/km 218 Ninilchik. Population: 675. mile 135.8/km 218.5 Intersection of Oil Well Road, turn here to reach Ninilchik Corners RV park and public air strip. Fishing charters, B&B's and other businesses are located on Oil Well Rd. This is a gravel road, and may not be suitable for larger RV's.

mile 136/km 218.9 Lower Kenai Peninsula Fair Grounds. mile 136.7/km 220 Deep Creek North located on the north side of Deep Creek. 29 camp sites, for vehicles up to 50 feet. Water, toilets, fireplaces, interpretive information and viewing areas are provided at this scenic location.

Deep Creek South located on the south side of Deep Creek. 25 sites are provided with the primary activity intended for day use activities. However, during the peak visitor season overnight camping may be permitted to accommodate the increased visitation in Ninilchik. Water, toilets, interpretive information and viewing site are provided for visitors.

mile 137/km 220.4 Deep Creek Custom Packing just south of Deep Creek Bridge in Ninilchik. Home of the finest gourmet smoked salmon and halibut in the world. Free samples and coffee.

Seafood display includes locally caught scallops, razor clams, crab, halibut, and salmon. Sport fishermen take their own catch in to be hand-packed, frozen, canned or smoked to their specifications. PO Box 39229, Ninilchik, AK 99639; 907-567-3395.

Editor's note: This is one of my favorite places to go shopping as they have delicious products. mile 137.3/km 221 Fishward Bound Adventures and Deep Creek Sport Shop. Bait, tackle, gifts, snacks. 907-567-3518.

mile 137.4/km 221 Deep Creek State Recreation Area, 300 undeveloped camp sites in the park, water, toilets, boat ramp, fresh & salt water fishing for halibut, Dolly Varden, steelhead, king and silver salmon. mile 138.5/km 222.8 Refuse Deposit site. mile 140.3/km 225.8 Large parking area overlooking Cook Inlet.

mile 142.6/km 229.5 Large parking area with an excellent view of Mount Iliamna. mile 145/km 233.3 Happy Valley. mile 148/km 238 Scenic viewpoint and historical marker.

Across inlet you can see Mt. Iliamna and Redoubt. mile 150.9/km 242.8 Bridge over Stariski Creek. Parking on both sides of highway. Not recommended for large vehicles. mile 152.1/km 244.7 Stariski State Recreation Site. 13 camp sites, toilets, water, shelters. Good view of Mt. Iliamna Volcano (10,092 ft.) in the Chigmit Mountains of the Aleutian Range.

These mountains are the beginning of a chain of mountains and islands known as the Aleutian Chain which extends westward over 1,700 miles to Attu, beyond the international date line, to the Bering Sea.

mile 152.7/mile 245.7 Eagle Crest RV Park, full hook-ups, laundry, showers, fishing charters. mile 157/km 252.6 Anchor Point and Old Sterling Highway turn-off.
mile 161/km 259 Anchor River. mile 162/km 260.7 Anchor River State Recreation Site. 9 camp sites with tables, water, toilets. Editor's note: Limited turn around space for large RV's. mile 162.5/km 216.5 Parking beside Anchor River.

mile 164.8/km 265.2 Old Sterling Highway leads 9 miles to Anchor River Road and Anchor River State Recreation Area. This is a fee area with camping, accessible to RV's.
Anchor River Beach Road leads back to Anchor River Inn and the town of Anchor Point on the Sterling Highway. mile 167.1/km 268.9 Diamond Ridge Road.

Alternate route to Homer leaves highway here.
The road traverses homesteading country on the high bluffs overlooking Homer and Kachemak Bay. mile 169/km 272 Tesoro and private RV park.
mile 169.6/km 272.9 Large new viewpoint offers panoramic view over the city of Homer, Homer Spit and Kachemak Bay. Easy on and off access to highway.

mile 173/km 278.4 Homer. Population 4155. This is the End of the road.

5 points From here you can take your car or Rv on the Alaska State Ferry to Kodiak, or you can Fly to Kodiak at the Homer Airport.

The city of Kodiak on the eastern coast of Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska is only a 60 minute jet flight from Anchorage. This community is Alaska's sixth largest and is situated on the second largest island under the American flag.

Over 15,575 residents live on the island of Kodiak, including the outer villages and the U.S. Coast Guard Base.Kodiak Island is perhaps best known for its giant King Crab.

When the sun shines on Kodiak, and it does quite often, you'll be treated to some of the most spectacular coastal and mountain scenery you'll find anywhere.

It's this moist, yet sunny environment which gives Kodiak its lushness of grasses and brilliant varieties of wildflowers. It also provides Kodiak with clear-running streams which attract the multitudes of spawning salmon each season.

A wilderness state park offering cabins and kayaking opportunities has been established on Afognak Island. Besides Kodiak, the other communities of Kodiak Island are Old Harbor, Akhiok, Karluk, Larsen Bay, Port Lions, Ouzinkie, and Chiniak.

History
Kodiak has been inhabited for nearly 8,000 years by Natives of the Aluttiq (descendants of Pacific Eskimo).
The city of Kodiak is Alaska's oldest European settlement.

Russians first landed here as early as 1763.

Fur traders and hunters, seeking the pelt of the sea otter, established the first Russian colony in North America at Three Saints Bay on the south side of the island in 1784.

The colony was moved to the present site of Kodiak in 1792, where it remained the capital of Russian-America until the headquarters were transferred to Sitka in 1804.

The island itself was first dubbed "Kodiak" in 1778, not by a Russian, but by Captain James Cook of the British Royal Navy.

5 points Kodiak Chamber of Commerce Phone: 907-486-5557 http://www.kodiak.org
Kodiak Island Convention & Visitors Bureau 100 Marine Way 99615
Transportation to Kodiak
5 points alaska state ferry
Alaska Airlines 1-800426-0333
Era Aviation1-800-866-8396
PenAir 1-800-448-4226

Richardson Highway, Seattle to Valdez south or Fairbanks north.
ALSO SEE
Pan American Highway for full map

Fairbanks, situated in the heart of the Tanana Valley with the Alaska Range to the south and the gold-bearing hills to the north, is still, in spirit, a frontier town. Here you walk the streets side by side with merchants, miners, Indians, Eskimos, pioneers and cheechakos. It is a city of contrasts.

Historic buildings contrast with the modern-day facades of department stores and office buildings. Today, Fairbanks is a transportation hub able to serve North Slope oil fields and Arctic villages. Fairbanks is a modern, bustling city.
Twelve radio stations, six television stations, a public Broadcasting System operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks and of course cable TV.

Fairbanks has one daily newspaper, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner; churches, 32 public schools, numerous private schools and a regional library.
Fairbanks is Alaska's second largest city and has expanded its borders to include a city population of 31,601 (1998), and an overall area population of 83,928 (1998) incorporated as the Fairbanks North Star Borough. During the summer in Fairbanks, you can see crystal clear skies, with Denali etched against the blue horizon. There are division less days and nights of light when flowers bloom profusely in vibrant reds, yellows and blues from June until mid-September.

Daylight goes on for more than 21 hours. The average summer temperature is 61, with records in the mid-90's in June and July. In winter, you will find a quiet white city, sometimes with an eerie sting of ice fog. The average winter temperature is 12 below, with the record 66 below. Still, a city of contrasts.

One of the favorite aspects of Fairbanks is its rich cultural life. Here live writers, painters, weavers, sculptors, poets, historians, print makers, potters, musicians, photographers and actors, some of them award winning. Much of their work is readily available in local gift shops, art galleries and stores.

Fairbanks History
Fairbanks history began in 1901 when Captain E.T. Barnette disembarked from the steamship, Lavelle Young, and set up a temporary trading post along the banks of the Chena River. His temporary post became permanent when Felix Pedro discovered gold in the nearby hills the following year, sparking a stampede of miners into the Interior. Fairbanks, incorporated as a city in 1903, was named after Indiana Senator Charles Fairbanks who later became vice-president. Now, "discovery day" is commemorated every July with a bang-up celebration called Golden Days

There is still active mining in the area and glimpses of the former bonanzas can be seen along the Steese Highway (Fairbanks to the Arctic) in the tailing piles leftover by the gold dredges. Fairbanks economy is tied to government, military, the petroleum industry, transportation, the University of Alaska and tourism.

Even though the town itself is modern, you can still find plenty of that gutsy pioneer spirit. Despite the boom and bust eras of the pipeline, goldrushes and a devastating flood in 1967, Fairbanks continues to develop and prosper.

 Glenn Highway
This highway runs 328 miles/528 km from Anchorage to the Alaska Highway at Tok Junction. Its grades are moderate, and the entire route is paved. It parallels the Mentasta and Wrangell mountain ranges and spans the fertile, crop-producing Matanuska Valley.
The area is populated by bear, moose, caribou, & Dall sheep, there is good grayling, trout & salmon fishing along the way in many of the streams and rivers.

Tok Cut-Off (AK 1) (Richardson Hwy North Jct/Gakona Jct to Tok) Since you may be turning onto the Glenn Highway at Tok (if your driving from Seattle to Anchorage), the following highway description begins there. The 125-mile road which connects the Alaska Highway and the Richardson Highway is referred to as the Tok cutoff.

At mile 128.5 North Glenn/Richardson Junction it joins the Richardson Highway for 13 miles to the south Glenn/Richardson Junction at mile 115, of the Richardson, and then turns west for Anchorage.

If you are continuing on to Valdez see index for Richardson Highway. 0 North (Glenn-Rich) Junction, Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway. It is 125 miles northeast to Tok, 13 miles south to Glennallen, and 236 miles northwest to Fairbanks. If you are heading north to Fairbanks see Richardson Highway.

Fairbanks Area Highways
 The Dalton Highway
Going North from Fairbanks, This 415 mile/667 km long public highway begins at mile 73 on the Elliott Highway and ends at Dead Horse a few miles from Prudhoe Bay, site of North America's largest oil discovery. Still known locally as the Haul Road it can be a most challenging highway. The primary users of this state maintained highway are the oil companies so that most of the vehicles using it are large trucks.
These truckers are professional drivers but they also tend to take up a lot of room on the 38 ft/9 meter wide road. The surface is gravel and can be quite rough, dusty or slippery depending on the weather. There are long distances between commercial operations and here is where the problem lies.

If you have any sort of mechanical difficulties or medical problems it can take hours or even days to get help. The cost of towing vehicles up here can run as much as $5 a mile. Many rental car companies prohibit driving on the Dalton Highway and other gravel roads in the state.
This is one of North America's most scenic and beautiful wilderness roads so I would not want to discourage you from taking it, however my advice would be to contact one of the tour companies who deal with it on a regular basis. Their guides have radios and are trained to handle first aid emergencies as well as being very experienced in driving in these conditions.

One company I can highly recommend is Northern Alaska Tour Company at 907-474-8600. If you choose to go on your own please contact the Department of Transportation in Fairbanks at 907-456-7623 or Alaska Public Lands Information Center 456-0527 for current regulations and road conditions. web: http://www.aurora.ak.blm.gov/dalton/

Preparations for traveling
you should carry 2 full-time spares, emergency flares, extra gas and windshield wiper fluid, bug repellent, rain gear, first aid kit, emergency food & water and camping gear. Travel with your lights on, slow down when other vehicles are approaching, do not stop on the road travel surface. mile 0 Livengood. Junction of Elliott Hwy. & The Dalton Hwy. Turn west to Eureka and Manley Hotsprings.

 Parks Highway
Going South from Fairbanks to Anchorage, Like a magic carpet, Alaska's Route 3 penetrates a wilderness wonderland, connects the state's two largest population centers, borders Denali National Park and gives the motorist an opportunity to circle the heart of Alaska.

The Parks Highway was named in honor of George Parks who served as governor from 1925 to 1933. Over twelve years and $150 million went into the completion of this route which extends through 358 miles/576 km of Alaska's most rugged terrain. Yet this highway need not be feared, because it is the state's widest and best year-round road.

There are over 40 bridges to cross with the longest being a 1050-foot span of the Susitna River at mile 104. The most spectacular, Hurricane Gulch Bridge, at mile 174.3 is only half the length of the Susitna Bridge, but it is a breathtaking 254 feet above the white water of Hurricane Creek.

5 points Mt. McKinley, the nation's tallest peak, lies about half way between Anchorage and Fairbanks and can be seen from both areas on a clear day: but there's a much better view from mile 70 at Willow. At mile 104 there is a good view of the three tallest peaks in the Alaska Range: Foraker, Hunter and McKinley, left to right. At mile 132.5 the motorist enters Denali State Park. Denali "The Great One" is the Indian name for North America's tallest peak.

Perhaps the most spectacular view from the highway of this 20,320-foot mountain comes at mile 134.5. The mileage figures in the following highway description correspond to the numbers appearing on the mileposts in place along most of the highway. The description begins in Anchorage and follows the route's 358 miles to Fairbanks. Emergency Services Dial 911

 Steese Highway
(Alaska Route 6) extends 162 miles/260 km from Fairbanks to Circle, a community on the Yukon River just 50 miles below the Arctic Circle. The first 44 miles/71 km of the route are paved and the remainder is a good gravel road.

A number of wilderness hiking and canoe trails along the route are maintained by the Bureau of Land Management. These include the Chatanika River Canoe Trail (28 miles long), the Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail (24 miles), and the Birch Creek Wilderness Canoe Trail (150 miles). The following log gives trail access points.

If you intend to hike or canoe along any of these trails, be sure to obtain detailed information and maps from the Bureau of Land Management, Fairbanks District Office, 1028 Aurora Dr., Box 1150, Fairbanks, AK 99701.

Emergency Services
mile 86--Interior Ambulance Rescue Squad 911 or 459-6500 or 452-1313 Alaska State Troopers. mile 162 Circle--Central Emergency Team 911 or 452-1313 Alaska State Troopers. mile 0—Fairbanks Convention and Visitor Bureau.

5 points Chena Hot Springs Road
This 56.5 mile/91 km highway turns off the Steese Highway at mile 4 and traverses the Chena Recreation Area on its way to Chena Hot Springs, one of the state's most prominent resorts—swimming, hot mineral baths, resort accommodations, camper parking, no hook-ups, numerous visitor activities. The highway is paved. Chena Hot Springs Resort is open year around. See Nearby Attractions in Fairbanks.

Editor's note:
This is a great place to soak out some of the aches and pains that you developed on your trip up the Alaska Highway.

Emergency Services: Chena Hot Springs--Interior Ambulance Rescue Squad 911 or 452-1313 Alaska State Troopers, mile 0—Post Office on Old Steese Highway. mile 39.5/km 63.6 North Fork Chena River (second bridge).

5 points Chena River State Recreation Area
Tors Trail Campground, 21 camp sites, picnic area, water, tables, toilets, hiking trails and fishing. Handicap accessible. Fee area.
Hiking tails include a 1 hour hike to Angel Rocks, a day hike to the Granite Tors or a 3-day trip around the ridges of Angel Creek to Chena Dome.

Facilities include 4 rustic cabins, which can be rented and a shooting range. For more information call 907 451-2695. The granite tors draw hikers and rock climbers, photographers and geologists, they were formed 70 million to 90 million years ago when molten rock pushed upward and cooled before reaching the surface.

The granite formations were exposed by the erosion of the surrounding earth which revealed the towering spires we see today. mile 56.5/km 90.9 Chena Hot Springs Resort, 907- 452-7867.

The hot springs were discovered in 1905 by gold prospectors seeking to ease their painful rheumatism brought on by poor diets and grueling work.

By 1912 Chena Hot Springs had become the premier resort of Interior Alaska, a mere one to three week trip by stagecoach from Fairbanks. The hot springs are located at the center of a 40 square mile geothermal resource area.

Water flows from the hot springs at 156 degrees Fahrenheit and must be cooled before bathers can take advantage of its invigorating properties.

Accommodations vary from lovely new bedroom units to rustic cabins and camping areas. There is plenty of RV parking and tent sites.
The main lodge features fine dining, intimate surroundings and a cozy fireplace and a coffee shop. web: www.chenahotsprings.com

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