Explore the Kenai Peninsula With Alaska Wildland Adventures

One million cruise passengers visit Alaska’s Inside Passage each year. Others fly to Anchorage and Fairbanks, and some head into the wilderness of Denali and the Arctic Circle.
But where do resident Alaskans go for relaxation, adventure and breathtaking beauty?

According to Kelsey Clifford, senior marketing coordinator for Alaska Wildland Adventures, it’s the Kenai Peninsula.

Alaska Wildland Adventures’ mission is to share the Kenai Peninsula’s pristine wilderness with visitors while allowing the stress of the modern world to dissipate. The company owns three Kenai properties: Kenai Riverside Lodge, which is an easy drive from Anchorage or Steward; Kenai Backcountry Lodge, which requires a raft ride down the Kenai River; and Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, which is accessible via a boat excursion from Seward. All properties include comfortable cabins and lodges in birch and hemlock forests, delicious meals and chances to enjoy the outdoors, from rafting and hiking to guided salmon fishing.

Located on the glacier-fed, emerald-colored Kenai River, Riverside Lodge contains small, comfortable cabins and a main lodge with space for lounging; a bar for nightly appetizers and drinks; and a dining hall. Visitors may relax by the fire pit overlooking the rushing river or enjoy the wood-fired sauna. Hearty breakfasts and locally sourced dinners are served daily and are family style.

There’s a short wooded trail on property, but most hiking excursions occur on established trails nearby. During my stay, a seasoned guide took lodge guests to Russian River Falls a few days before salmon season started, but we were lucky enough to witness a pool of salmon waiting to jump the rushing waters. Afterward, we ate a gourmet lunch by Lower Russian Lake, with a view of a glacier in the distance.

Back at Riverside Lodge, a moose with a newborn calf sprinted outside the woods beside our cabin, reminding us that Alaska remains wild no matter where you roam.

Alaska Wildland Adventures offers raft trips down the Kenai River from Riverside Lodge, and the all-day excursion includes a stop with a lunch of salmon, bagels, fresh hummus and reindeer sausage. The guided raft trip — easy enough for guests to bring along cameras and not worry about getting wet — takes several hours to reach Skilak Lake, where a motorized boat delivers visitors back to the lodge.

Rafting down the river and to the lake is also the route to access the remote Backcountry Lodge, which includes a 1930s hunting lodge and nine cabins that altogether accommodate 20 to 30 guests at a time. Here, visitors may spot bald eagles, moose and bears, among other wildlife. (Guests at Backcountry Lodge are required to stay their first night at Riverside Lodge.)

For a truly remote experience, the company offers boat trips to Glacier Lodge, which is located on 10 acres of private land surrounded by Pedersen Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary, nearby the base of Pedersen Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. Kayaking, canoeing and guided wildlife viewing are available, as well as all meals. At least a three-day stay is recommended to thoroughly enjoy the experience.

Several packages offered during the summer range from fishing packages at Riverside Lodge to lodge-to-lodge visits.

All three lodges emphasize the environment, and Alaska Wildland Adventures takes great care to leave a small footprint, Clifford says.

“We want people to be immersed in the environment but still keep it pristine,” she said.

The Details
Alaska Wildland Adventures
www.alaskawildland.com