The Kenai Peninsula manages to pack a lot of what makes Alaska so special into a relatively small geographic area, making it the perfect place to get a taste of what the Last Frontier has to offer. Located just south of Anchorage, this peninsula feels like a different world, packed with glaciers, fjords, charming coastal towns, and jaw-dropping views around every bend.
You could easily spend a week or more here with no shortage of things to see or do. This five-to-seven-day road trip itinerary mixes quiet stops with iconic highlights and takes you to historic settlements, fishing towns, and national parks. Seward and Homer serve as anchor towns on this trip, each with its own convenient KOA campground: Seward KOA Holiday and Homer / Baycrest KOA Holiday.
Here are the top places and activities you don’t want to miss on your Kenai Peninsula road trip.
Tern Lake
This picture-perfect lake sits right where Kenai’s two main highways branch. It’s one of the first truly magical spots you’ll encounter as you make your way down the Peninsula. Pull over at the lakeside parking lot to take in the scenery, and don’t forget your camera! Tern Lake is surrounded by mountains that will reflect in the water on a clear day.
Downtown Seward
Nestle at the head of Resurrection Bay, this port city is only a 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage, and it’s well worth the drive along the scenic Seward Highway. Visitors come here for outdoor activities, wildlife viewing, and to visit Kenai Fjords National Park, but the historic downtown is a destination in its own right. Visit galleries, shops, and restaurants, and don’t forget to check out the more than 30 vibrant murals that dot the town. The charming boat harbor is also home to the Kenai Fjords Visitor Center.
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park is the crown jewel of the peninsula. This 600,000-acre natural wonderland is sculpted by ice and features dozens of glaciers, thriving wildlife, stunning coastlines, and the park’s namesake fjords. Much of the national park is only accessible via water or air, so booking a boat or flightseeing tour is recommended to get the full experience. Kayak tours are also available for most experience levels.
Exit Glacier
The only paved road in Kenai Fjords National Park takes you past Seward KOA Holiday to the Exit Glacier area, where you’ll find a nature center, ranger programs, and well-maintained trails leading to one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska. This is also where the Harding Icefield Trailhead is located. This strenuous, 8.2-mile round-trip hike features a 3,000-foot vertical rise. Hikers who make it all the way to the icefields are rewarded with spectacular glacier views. This is a full-day hike through bear country with no facilities along the way, so plan accordingly.
Cooper Landing
Break up the drive between Seward and Homer with a stop in Cooper Landing, which sits on the northern edge of the turquoise Kenai Lake. This town is a hub for fishing, rafting, and wildlife viewing. Grab a burger at Gwin’s Roadhouse or go for a leisurely 2-mile walk to the Russian River Falls. If you visit during salmon run season, you can watch red-bodied sockeyes make their way upstream from the viewing decks. Bears might be present in the area, so make sure to practice proper bear safety.
Hope
If you’re looking for panoramic views and outdoor adventures off the beaten path, the tiny town of Hope is worth the detour. Tucked along the incredibly scenic Turnagain Arm, this former mining town is one of Alaska’s oldest settlements. Explore the area’s gold rush history at a museum housed in a log cabin, go whitewater rafting at Six Mile Creek, or head out on a hike in Chugach National Forest.
Homer Spit
Driving to the end of the Homer Spit feels like driving to the edge of the world—if the edge of the world was lined with restaurants, shops, and art galleries. This narrow, 4.5-mile-long stretch of land juts out into Kachemak Bay and is surrounded by dramatic mountain views in every direction. Come here to spot bald eagles and other wildlife, go for a walk along the beach, or grab some freshly caught seafood. Don’t forget to stop in at the iconic Salty Dawg Saloon for a cold pint.
Homer Fishing Charters
Homer is known as the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World.” Booking a fishing charter is one of the signature experiences for visitors spending time here. Depending on the time of year, charters may target halibut, salmon, rockfish, or multi-species fishing in Kachemak Bay, Cook Inlet, and the Gulf of Alaska. Even travelers who have never fished before can find beginner-friendly charter options, while experienced anglers will appreciate the chance to reel in trophy-sized catches.
Bear Viewing Tours from Homer
Homer is also a major launching point for bear viewing adventures, with flightseeing tours and air taxis providing access to remote areas of Katmai National Park and Preserve and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. These guided trips give visitors the chance to see coastal brown bears in their natural habitat, often fishing for salmon, grazing in sedge meadows, or roaming the shoreline. Because these tours are weather-dependent and extremely popular during peak season, it’s smart to book early and build some flexibility into your Homer itinerary.
Kachemak Bay State Park Adventures
For hiking, kayaking, wildlife watching, and a true backcountry feel, plan an adventure across the bay in Kachemak Bay State Park. The park has no road access, so visitors typically reach trailheads, beaches, and remote coves by water taxi or air charter from Homer. Popular outings include guided kayaking trips, wildlife cruises, and hikes near Grewingk Glacier, where visitors can experience one of the most memorable landscapes on the Kenai Peninsula.
Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks
If you’re spending a few days in Homer, consider using it as your base for visiting two of the most remote national parks in the U.S. via a flightseeing tour or air taxi. Katmai National Park & Preserve is most famous for its brown bear viewing opportunities. The Brooks Falls area of the park features viewing platforms overlooking a waterfall where bears gather to fish for salmon. Despite its remote location, this spot gets busy during peak season. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve protects a stunning region of mountains, glaciers, wildlife, and volcanoes, along with the park’s namesake turquoise lake.
Explore Kenai Peninsula with KOA
Whether you’re traveling in an RV or prefer a cabin stay, the area’s conveniently located KOA campgrounds make for the perfect base camps for your next Alaskan adventure.
From sensational views to wildlife sightings, the Kenai Peninsula captures the best of what the Last Frontier has to offer. Whether you’re traveling in an RV, pitching a tent, or splurging on a cabin stay, the area’s conveniently located KOA campgrounds make for the perfect base camps for your next Alaskan adventure. Explore our 5 Alaska KOAs and get planning!
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
