Kenai Peninsula Vacation

[bliner]

My family (wife and two teens), my parents, and my siblings and their teenage kids are going to spend a week on the Kenai Peninsula mid September. We’re staying in Soldotna, but will have a couple rental vehicles to allow some travel.

We are planning to take a day to visit Homer, hope to catch some silver salmon, and maybe go halibut fishing. Our budget will probably only allow one guided fishing trip, so if we can catch silver’s from the bank, we will probably go Halibut fishing. We would also like to do some hiking, and hope to see some bears.

If any of you that are familiar with the area have any additional recommendations of things that we should see or do I would love to hear them.

 

[Yellowknife]

There is quite a bit of hiking in the region if you like to do that. For milder day hikes (<10 mi) there is Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield near Seward. For a more strenuous effort, try Lost Lake or Devils Pass. Plenty of others as well, but they may not get you above treeline and/or be overgrown in Sept.

You can also rent canoes and do the Swanson River or Swan Lake Canoe Trails just outside of Soldotna. Those are a favorite in the fall for me. If you aren't looking to camp, you can still paddle a few lakes and catch some trout.

Seward will be roughly the same distance from Soldotna as Homer, and is worth visiting after the fishing/tourist rush has died down in September. Has more of a rainforest/mountain thing, and also has fishing charters available.

 

[bliner]

There is quite a bit of hiking in the region if you like to do that. For milder day hikes (<10 mi) there is Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield near Seward. For a more strenuous effort, try Lost Lake or Devils Pass. Plenty of others as well, but they may not get you above treeline and/or be overgrown in Sept.

You can also rent canoes and do the Swanson River or Swan Lake Canoe Trails just outside of Soldotna. Those are a favorite in the fall for me. If you aren't looking to camp, you can still paddle a few lakes and catch some trout.

Seward will be roughly the same distance from Soldotna as Homer, and is worth visiting after the fishing/tourist rush has died down in September. Has more of a rainforest/mountain thing, and also has fishing charters available.

Thanks for the information. I think there’s at least a few of us that would like to check out Exit glacier. The canoe rental idea sounds great. Would it be feasible to catch silvers out of a canoe on the Kenai or Kasilof? If not, seeing some country out of a canoe and catching some trout would be a lot of fun too.

 

[Yooper]

I don't think I would be brave enough to step foot into a canoe on the Kenai or Kasilof, but that being said there are a lot of bank fishing opportunities around the area. Look at Centennial Park or Cunningham Park for options (edit to add it's been a few years since I've been up there so check access and regs in advance). Bring a good mix of crocodile and pixie spoons and spinners in pink.

Homer is worth the trip just for sight seeing and the drive from Soldotna and back. Should be able to find a good charter for some halibut and other bottom fish as well. We always tipped our captain a little extra to have him stop and troll for silvers but that was earlier in the season so not sure that's an option in September.

Enjoy it up there!

 

[bliner]

I don't think I would be brave enough to step foot into a canoe on the Kenai or Kasilof, but that being said there are a lot of bank fishing opportunities around the area. Look at Centennial Park or Cunningham Park for options (edit to add it's been a few years since I've been up there so check access and regs in advance). Bring a good mix of crocodile and pixie spoons and spinners in pink.

Homer is worth the trip just for sight seeing and the drive from Soldotna and back. Should be able to find a good charter for some halibut and other bottom fish as well. We always tipped our captain a little extra to have him stop and troll for silvers but that was earlier in the season so not sure that's an option in September.

Enjoy it up there!

Ok thanks, I’ll scratch those rivers off the canoe list! Also appreciate the access and tackle information.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

At some point in September, the silvers will be in Valdez. This is a video of my family catching pinks in Valdez when the were schooling in late July last year. Silver fishing will be like this when they roll in. This was easily the greatest day of fishing I’ve been part of and will go back (hopefully next year) for silver. Valdez isn’t too far from Soldotna.

 

[Phaseolus]

We were in Ninilchik, Homer, and Valdez from the 14th through the 28th. Caught a ton of Pinks off of shore but didn't keep them. Silvers hadn't started running inshore but we caught a few trolling at Valdez off a friend's boat. if you're going to charter book now or sooner. J and J Smart Charters at Ninilchik does a great trip.

 

[North of 60]

Second the idea of seeing Homer while on the Kenai. Homer is a beautiful place and there are lots of really big Halibut in Kachemak Bay.

Be on the lookout for moose while driving as they can ruin your day.

 

[vermeire]

If you can, take a day and go to Seward. As has been said the drive is beautiful (really any drive south of Anchorage is) and it is such cool little town. You can hike to the glacier, take a wildlife or glacier cruise, and there are great restaurants. The gem in my opinion is the Sea Life Center.

The glacier and wildlife cruises we've gone on we saw seals, sea lions, dolphins, various whales, and all sorts of birds. There were humpback whales just off the beach across from the house we rented.

I like Seward enough that I'd even say it would be worth getting an Air BnB for a night and do 2 days even if you have lodging elsewhere that night.

If you're driving from Anchorage to the peninsula stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Girdwood.

 

[bliner]

We were in Ninilchik, Homer, and Valdez from the 14th through the 28th. Caught a ton of Pinks off of shore but didn't keep them. Silvers hadn't started running inshore but we caught a few trolling at Valdez off a friend's boat. if you're going to charter book now or sooner. J and J Smart Charters at Ninilchik does a great trip.

Was that last month or September of a previous year? I was under the impression that the silvers start running in September like clockwork?

 

[bliner]

If you can, take a day and go to Seward. As has been said the drive is beautiful (really any drive south of Anchorage is) and it is such cool little town. You can hike to the glacier, take a wildlife or glacier cruise, and there are great restaurants. The gem in my opinion is the Sea Life Center.

The glacier and wildlife cruises we've gone on we saw seals, sea lions, dolphins, various whales, and all sorts of birds. There were humpback whales just off the beach across from the house we rented.

I like Seward enough that I'd even say it would be worth getting an Air BnB for a night and do 2 days even if you have lodging elsewhere that night.

If you're driving from Anchorage to the peninsula stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Girdwood.

Thanks for the information. I was not aware of the sea life center or the wildlife conservation center. It looks like a week will not be enough time…

 

[jd270win]

At some point in September, the silvers will be in Valdez. This is a video of my family catching pinks in Valdez when the were schooling in late July last year. Silver fishing will be like this when they roll in. This was easily the greatest day of fishing I’ve been part of and will go back (hopefully next year) for silver. Valdez isn’t too far from Soldotna.

I guess it’s all relative, but Soldotna to Valdez is a solid 6 1/2 hrs without traffic or construction delays.

 

[Yellowknife]

Sea Life Center is a winner with large family groups. My kids have visited a dozen times at least, and even participated in overnight programs in the building. The porcupines and bears are always a hit at the Conservation Center as well.

If you make it to Seward, there are companies that do sea kayak tours. We did a Fox Island one this year and my kids had a blast. As already mentioned, boat based glacier tours are usually a win from that town as well.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Ha

I guess it’s all relative, but Soldotna to Valdez is a solid 6 1/2 hrs without traffic or construction delays.

Ha, true. I guess it didn’t seem that far when we stopped at a couple places in between. Of course 6.5 hours isn’t that far once you’ve traveled all that way to get there.

 

[BigSkyHntr]

Just got back from there on Sunday! The fishing was unreal. Like others have said, definitely go to Homer and if you want a charter for halibut you better book it yesterday although September probably won’t be as busy as July was.. We stopped by Whittier as well and that was pretty cool!

 

[Yellowknife]

Ha

Ha, true. I guess it didn’t seem that far when we stopped at a couple places in between. Of course 6.5 hours isn’t that far once you’ve traveled all that way to get there.

Soldotna to Valdez is actually closer to 8 hrs driving time. Longer with stops. Not really an add on for a Kenai based trip.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

Just got back from there on Sunday! The fishing was unreal. Like others have said, definitely go to Homer and if you want a charter for halibut you better book it yesterday although September probably won’t be as busy as July was.. We stopped by Whittier as well and that was pretty cool!

I was going to recommend a jaunt to Whittier as an option as well!

Stop by Summit Lake Lodge on your way down and grab lunch.

Don't sleep on the rainbow and Dolly fishing in pretty much any body of water there either.

 

[OXN939]

Some great hike in fly fishing for rainbows and dollies in a few places near where you'll be if you're willing to put a few miles in. Every minute of August and September on the KP is made of solid 24 karat gold. PM if you'd like!

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Soldotna to Valdez is actually closer to 8 hrs driving time. Longer with stops. Not really an add on for a Kenai based trip.

I think the solution is the OP needs to spend more time on this vacation.

 

[Thinkingman]

If you're curious to see boat trailers torture-tested, go watch the charters launch off the beach at Deep Creek or Ninilchik.
Best fish and chips I've ever had on the docks in Homer.
Homer Brewing was pretty good years ago...Not sure if it's still around.
If you're driving to and from Anchorage, seeing the bore tide in Turnagin Arm is kinda cool...DO NOT be tempted to walk out on the beach at low tide.
Girdwood has some good restaurants. The Double Musky was a favorite after The Turnagin House closed down.