Kenai, AK Road Trips

Kenai is named after the local Dena'ina (Tanaina) word 'ken' or 'kena', which means 'flat, meadow, open area with few trees; base, low ridge' this describes the area along the mouth and portion of the Kenai River near the City of Kenai. Before the arrival of the Russians, Kenai was a Dena'ina village called Shk'ituk't, meaning "where we slide down." When Russian fur traders first arrived in 1741, about 1,000 Dena'ina lived in the village.

The main draw for visitors to this area is the Kenai River, which has spectacular salmon fishing. Visitors should make sure they have an Alaska fishing license and are aware of all current regulations before fishing. Although the river itself is public, much of the land along its banks is private property. There are several public parks and other access points. Make sure you are on public land, or charter a boat if you plan to fish. If fishing isn't your thing, you may want to visit the picturesque Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, a historic Russian Orthodox church, one of the oldest in Alaska and designated as a national historic landmark. Views from the bluffs, the tide flats, or the beach feature amazing views of Cook Inlet and the mountains of the Aleutian Range, including some of the best viewing of Mt. Redoubt, a massive volcano, last fully eruptive in 2009.

Louie's Restaurant, in the front of the Uptown Motel, is a good place for a sit-down lunch. They have a collection of Alaskana throughout the dining room, so it feels more like a hunting lodge or something despite the big screen TVs. The burgers are great. $15-20 per person. If you're in more of a hurry or have kids with you or whatever, there are also several chain food stores including McDonald's, Arby's, and Pizza Hut. Burger Bus, 409 Overland Ave, ☏ +1 907 283-9611. Just what it sounds like, a bus, where burgers are made. Being a bus, it is only open in the summer months. Popular with locals who want a nice fat burger and some fries or onion rings. Call ahead, wait times can be long, seating is a few picnic tables, many people eat in their car or take it to go. $10-$20. (updated Feb 2023) Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant, 10672 Kenai Spur Hwy Ste 108, ☏ +1 907 283-3003. Decent Mexican food in central Kenai. $10-$20. (updated Feb 2023)

The Aspen Suites is in the heart of Kenai. they offer long-term rates if you're planning to stay a while. The Quality Inn is also in the heart of Kenai. If you're flying out early you may want to consider the Kenai Airport Hotel. As the name suggests, it's practically in the airport, you won't even need a ride. As with most of rural Alaska, there are many, many bed and breakfast establishments to choose from. Ask about views or river access if you plan to fish. Although Kenai has several city parks, none of them have camping facilities. If you head another half hour or so down the Kenai Spur highway, it dead-ends at the Discovery Campground at Captian Cook State Recreation Area, a very nice wooded campground on the bluffs above Cook Inlet.

1 Kenai Municipal Airport (ENA IATA). There are daily flights from Anchorage with Grant Aviation or Ravn Alaska. (updated Apr 2020) The main road in is via the Kenai Spur Highway (a 39 mi (63 km) long road from Soldotna to Nikiski), accessible from the Sterling Highway. Most visitors to the Kenai Peninsula arrive by air is Anchorage and drive. If you are coming from Homer, another route is Kalifornsky Beach Road to Bridge Access road, which leads into central Kenai. This allows access to Kenai without having to go through Soldotna. Although many commercial fishing boats are based in Kenai it does not have a formal port and harbor. There are docks for offloading the catch, but commercial fishing boats are generally moored offshore in the Kenai River. The nearest deep water port is in Nikiski, however, its facilities are for the almost exclusive use of industrial vessels. There isn't much in the way of boats for hire or water taxis in Kenai.

Like other towns in this area, Kenai does not have anything resembling a real mass-transit system. However taxis and rental cars are readily available. If you plan to rent a car in the summer months, make sure to make a reservation.