SOLDOTNA: Fishing's big, but 'passport' has additional suggestions.
In Soldotna, there really is a "Passport to Adventure on the Kenai."
After a lunch break at Mile 58 at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Contact Station, make your next stop the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Information Center for your Passport, a guide to much of what the Kenai Peninsula has to offer. The center is also a great resource to find out about local outdoor activities, dining, lodging, fishing guides and more. It's home as well to a host of stuffed wildlife, including the record 97-pound king salmon caught in 1985 by Les Anderson.
Public access to Kenai River fishing is next to the Visitor's Center, and there anglers can drop in a line from a 250-foot walkway and fish for king, red and silver salmon, amazingly large rainbow trout and Dolly Varden char, as permitted by local fishing regulations.
It's the 22nd year of the Kenai River Festival, a two-day family event held the second week in June with music, food, local artisans and crafts and fun events such as puppet shows and educational programs. In addition to the local Saturday Market, there's now a Wednesday Market with a variety of vendors, artisans, locally grown produce and Alaskan favorites like Indian fry bread.
Other activities include golf, horseback riding, kayaking, drifting quietly down the Kenai River on Mondays, when power boats are restricted, clamming, canoeing, and in winter, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and hunting. From guided fishing to flightseeing for wildlife to hiking and berry picking, Soldotna is a Kenai Peninsula hub for outdoor activities at any season.
ATTRACTIONS
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Contact Station
A great first place to stop, stretch and collect information about area hiking, camping, fishing and boating.
WHERE: Mile 58 Sterling Highway
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, mid-June through mid-August
COST: Free
PHONE: 907-262-7021
WEB: http://kenai.fws.gov
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Information Center
Pick up your "Passport to Adventure on the Kenai" for area attractions, discount coupons, expert advice and all the information you need to explore all the area has to offer. Check out the wildlife exhibit inside the center, take a fish-walk tour on the 250-foot fishing platform below the center, or just drop a line in the water after checking it out. Handicap accessible.
WHERE: 44790 Sterling Highway
WHEN: Daily, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day; Winter hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
COST: Free
PHONE: 907-262-9814
WEB: www.visitsoldotna.com
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and Headquarters
A mile-long, self-guided nature trail with interpretive signs leads the way to a 2-mile wilderness trail for those who want to discover nature on their own. The inside complex is filled wildlife exhibits, a gift shop and expert advice on where to go and what to do.
WHERE: Ski Hill Road, Soldotna
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, May through September; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays October through April.
COST: Free
PHONE: 907-262-7021
WEB: http://kenai.fws.gov
Soldotna Historical Society Museum and Homesteaders' Village
Before Alaska statehood, homesteaders settled in Soldotna, and this re-created village of original buildings and artifacts is an historical representation of their lives at the time.
WHERE: Entrance to Centennial Campground on Kalifornsky Beach (K-Beach) Road at Centennial Park Road
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday and closed Monday. May 15 to Sept. 15 only.
COST: Free (donations appreciated)
PHONE: 907-262-3832
Central Kenai Peninsula Farmers Market
Meet local artisans and enjoy the flavor of Alaska-grown produce every Saturday from June to September.
WHERE: Intersection of East Corral Avenue and Kenai Spur Highway (the parking lot next to Soldotna Elementary School), Soldotna
WHEN: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., June to September
COST: Free
PHONE: 907-262-5463 or 907-262-7502
Soldotna Creek Park
Five acres of picnic tables, barbecues, a playground for children, 500 feet of elevated riverfront boardwalk and more.
WHERE: Left on States Avenue by Pioneer Gardens
WHEN: Day-use only; no camping
COST: Free
PHONE: 907-262-9107
WEB: www.ci.soldotna.ak.us/soldotna_creek.html
Tsalteshi Trails
More than nine miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing during winter, and for hiking, running, mountain bikes and leashed dogs in summer.
WHERE: Entrances behind Skyview High School, and across from the Soldotna Sports Center on K-Beach Road.
WHEN: Year-round
COST: Free (donations appreciated)
WEB: www.tsalteshi.org
EVENTS
Kenai Peninsula Air Fair
Air show runs between eight different airports, ending in Kenai with a barbecue.
WHEN: June 9. Breakfast 8-11 a.m., barbecue 1-3 p.m.
WHERE: Starts at Soldotna Municipal Airport and ends at Kenai Municipal Airport
COST: Varies according to participation, see website for details
PHONE: 907 283-7951
WEB: www.kenaiairport.com
Kenai River Festival
Annual educational festival about the Kenai River with food, music, arts, crafts and more.
WHEN: Second week in June (visit website for exact date/time, list of events)
WHERE: Soldotna Creek Park
COST: Free
PHONE: 907-260-4882, Kenai Watershed Forum
WEB: www.kenaiwatershed.org/kenairiverfestival.html
Wildflower Fun Day
Learn to identify wildflowers at peak bloom with a guide or self-guided tour.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 15
WHERE: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and Headquarters, Ski Hill Road, Soldotna. Meet in visitor's center area.
COST: Free
PHONE: 907-262-7021
WEB: http://kenai.fws.gov
Soldotna Progress Days
A parade, dance, rodeo, car shows, live music and arts and crafts. Games for kids and live entertainment.
WHEN: Last weekend in July
WHERE: Parade begins at corner of Marydale and Binkley at 9 a.m., followed by the festival at Soldotna Creek Park
COST: Free
PHONE: 907-262-9814
WEB: www.visitsoldotna.com
Kenai Peninsula State Fair
Rodeo, vendors, animal exhibits and competitions, games, live music and food.
WHEN: Aug. 17-19, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds, Ninilchik
COST: Adults $10, seniors and children ages 6-12 $5, children under 6 free.
WEB: www.kenaipeninsulafair.com
Wild Berry Fun Day
Learn to identify wild berries and distinguish between edible and poisonous berries. Also learn how wild animals use berries. With a guide, or self-guided tour.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 25
WHERE: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and Headquarters, Ski Hill Road, Soldotna. Meet in Visitor's Center area.
COST: Free
PHONE: 907-262-7021
WEB: http://kenai.fws.gov
