36.8
Sterling Junction. You are 89 miles from Anchorage, 135 miles from Homer. The Seward Highway continues north. There is an interpretive observation platform overlooking Tern Lake with great views of the surrounding mountains.
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Parking beside Tern Lake. Bird viewing.
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USFS Tern Lake day-use picnic area tables, water, toilets, firepits. Trout fishing in Daves Creek. King salmon spawning area, informative viewing trail.
39.7
Dave’s Creek, good fishing for Dolly Varden and rainbow.
40.1
Parking. Emergency phone.
40.5
Parking. There are several small parking areas between mile 40 and mile 55.
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Quartz Creek Bridge.
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Parking and viewpoint. Information signs.
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Parking.
43.5
Parking.
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Quartz Creek Forest Service Campgrounds. Fee area. Quartz Creek campground borders Kenai Lake. Access via 1/2-mile road. 45 camp sites, boat ramp, good sandy swimming beach, flush toilets, handicap accessible. 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, no water, tables and toilets, at confluence of Crescent and Quartz Creeks. Camping fee. CrescentCreek 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 reservationthrough USFS in Anchorage or Seward) round trip, 12.4 miles hiking time, 5-8hours. Viewing decks just outside the campground offers a good place to watch for salmon and Dolly Varden. The best place to observe spawning is along the creek at the Crescent Creek campground.
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The highway parallels Kenai Lake, good fishing for Dolly Varden and trout, it is closed to salmon fishing.
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Parking, Dall Sheep can often be seen on the surroundingmountains.
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Bean Creek Road. Access to Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge and RV Park – 2 miles.
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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 evenwhen the salmon are not running. Salmon eggs and brightly colored lures aremost commonly used, although fly fishing is also very productive. It’s bestto inquire locally.
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Cooper Landing is nestled in the majestic Kenai Mountains beside the beautiful turquoise waters of Kenai Lake, the Upper Kenai and Russian Rivers.
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Snug Harbor Road. 12 mile access road to CooperLake and trailhead. Dolly Varden spring and fall. Boat suggested. Beginning of Russian Lakes trail off Snug Harbor Road.
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Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce visitor center cabin and museum.
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Parking.
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Alaska Wildland Adventures
50.3
Cooper Creek
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Cooper Creek Forest Service Campground. 28 camp sites, water, toilets, tables, dumpsters. Dumpstation. Fishing for red salmon.
50.8
Parking. (northbound)
52.5
K Beq Interpretive Site In 1984 Archaeologists discovered Indian and Eskimo graves along with prehistoric artifacts near Mile 55 of the Sterling Highway. Most recently the investigative focus has been on an area near present day Cooper Landing known as Sqilantnu, which roughly translates to “the grocery store.” The Chugach National Forest has partnered with the Kenaitze Indian Tribe to preserve and protect the K’Beq’ “footprints” interpretive site. You can experience the traditions and culture by participating in interpretive walks with tribal members.
52.5
Russian River Campground. Camping and day-use sites. 84 Sites with toilets, water, firepits. Fee area. There are a number of hiking trails in the area. Reserve campsites by calling 877-444-NRRS or visit www.recreation.gov.
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Kenai River Bridge. Parking, Resurrection Pass trailhead.
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Parking.
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Kenai and Russian River Access. Russian River Ferry. Large parking lot, with fee charged. Picnic tables, boat launch. The Russian River Ferry takes fishermen acrosses the Kenai River to the opposite bank and the mouth of the Russian River.
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Parking.
56.4
Parking.
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Parking.
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Parking. Fuller Lakes trailhead.
57.9
Kenai Wildlife Refuge. Westbound travelers are now entering the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
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Skilak Loop Road. 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. The Hidden Lake Campground, is one of the nicest on the peninsula.
59.9
Parking.
60.5
Jean Lake, 3 camp sites, picnic area, boat launch. Fishingfor rainbow. Berry picking.
61.3
Skyline Trail, parking.
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Parking.
68.8
Access to Peterson Lake (.5 mile) and Kelly Lake (1 mile) small 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.
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Egumen Lake trailhead with large parking area. Short trail(.5 mile) to Egumen Lake fishing for rainbow.
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Watson Lake, parking at entrance to Watson Lakecampground. 3 camp sites, tables, toilet, handicap accessible, drinking water, steep boat ramp. Rainbow. East Fork Moose River.
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Parking.
75.3
Skilak Lake Loop Road leaves the Sterling Highwayhere and rejoins it at mile 58.
80.3
Bings Landing State Recreation Area. 36 sites for tents and RVs of all sizes. Tables, firepits, toilets, picnic area and boat launch. Handicap accessible. Fee area.
81
Sterling, visitor facilities.
82
Moose River.
83.3
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 shortportages. Swanson Lake route is 60 miles and Swanson River route is 80 miles.
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Scout Lake Loop Road extends 7 miles and rejoins the Sterling highway at Mile 83.3. Scout Lake State Recreation Site, toilets, water, picnic shelters, hiking trails, and fishing. Follow Scout Lake Loop Road 1.5 miles to Morgan’s Landing State Recreation Area,41 camp sites, toilets, water and fishing.
87.5
Robinson Loop Road.
88.6
Vitus- Sterling – 24-hour fuel, food mart, clean restrooms, ATM service and a liquor store.
92
Birch Ridge Golf Course.
92.7
Mackey Lake Road.
94.1
Swiftwater Campground access road. 40 camp sites, tables, toilets dump station, boat launch. Handicap accessible. Hiking and fishing. Turn off the Sterling Highway at E. Redoubt Ave (at the Fred Meyers) and then turn on Swiftwater Park Rd.
94.2
Soldotna and Junction to Kenai (12 miles on the Kenai Spur Road).
Soldotna is the central hub of the Kenai Peninsula and is located just 150 miles from Anchorage via the Seward and Sterling Highways. Unlike most towns in Alaska, which were founded during the gold rushes, Soldotna wasn’t settled until about 1947 by Homesteaders.
95.8
Kenai River Bridge
95.9
The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is Just south of the Kenai River Bridge. Home to a unique Ivory Collection and wildlife displays. You will also find brochures, maps and information on local activities and events. The visitor center offers a fishing rod & binocular loan program. Open 9-7, daily in the summer. Also located within the visitor center is the Logo Shop with souvenirs, Soldotna logo apparel and more. 907-262-9814. www.visitsoldotna.com
While visiting Soldotna, stop by one of three open air markets to get a taste of life on the Kenai Peninsula. Tuesday is the Farmers Fresh Market, 3-6 at 33955 Community College Dr. Soldotna’s Wednesday Market is 11-9 at Soldotna Creek Park. Saturday is the Central Kenai Peninsula Farmers Market from 10-2 at the corner of the Spur highway and Corral Street.
95.9
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 Centennial Park Campground, 176 sites in heavily wooded area on the banks of the Kenai River, water, tables, firepits, toilets, dump station. handicap accessible. Good salmon fishing area borders river near small boat ramp at end of campground. Fee area.
Follow Kalifornsky Beach Road for 3 miles to reach Diamond M Ranch Resort.
