Non-Fishing Activities in the Soldotna Area



A List of Things to do for the Non-Angler Visiting the Soldotna Area.


Whether you have an extra layover day, are looking for something do after a morning of fishing or have members of your party who don't fish, here are a list of some of the cooler things the Soldotna area has to offer.

1) Soldotna Visitor Center: The world record King Salmon, a 97 lb 4 oz monster that was caught by Les Anderson from the Kenai River in 1985 is mounted in the visitor center and worth a look. They also have several other cool mounts as well as a great river walk trail.

2)Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center: Check out the visitor center and go for a short hike through the grounds. A great spot for kids!

3) Soldotna Homestead Museum: This museum located near the Soldotna Visitor Center has some of the original cabins and the old school from when Soldotna was first settled in the 1940s. It is very much worth 30-40 minutes of your time.

4) Bridge Access Observation area: This is a great spot to see harbor seals, caribou, waterfowl and other wildlife. If you are visiting during dipnetting season in July you can watch residents dip net for sockeye salmon here. Please note Non-Residents can not participate in anyway with dip netting.


                                                                             Harbor Seal

5) Grab a drink: Swing by the Bridge lounge at the Kenai River Lodge to have one of their specialty cocktails and look over the Kenai river. If you will be there during the sockeye run it can be fun watching the people salmon fishing below.

6)Issac Walton: A cool little state park on the river where the Moose River joins with the Main Stem Kenai in Sterling is worth a stop when passing by.

7) Hit the Beach. There are a number of places you can access the beach on the Peninsula. The accesses off Cannery road or Spruce street in Kenai are a good place to get onto the beach at the Mouth of the Kenai river as is the access at the mouth of the Kasilof river at the end of N Coho Loop Rd. I advise against swimming in the inlet due to the large currents but they are great for a nice walk. Making a beach campfire (bring your own wood) and watching the sunset over the Cook Inlet is an amazing way to end a day.

8) Grab a coffee. Swing by Kaladi Bros or any of the many small road side coffee stands that are everywhere in the area.

9)Bear viewing: Chartering a plane to view brown bears on the west side of the Cook Inlet is a very popular activity for non-anglers while on the Kenai Peninsula. There are a number of tour operators based out of the Soldotna Area.

10) Music in the Park: Check out Soldotna Creek Park, located right in town for Free live music and food trucks every Wednesday June-August from 6-9 pm.

11) Hike the Russian: Located about 45 minutes from Soldotna the Russian river is not only a popular fishing destination but also a great spot to take a hike. Hit the Upper Falls trail to see the Russian river falls were you may see Jumping and spawning salmon. There is a good chance to see a bear along the river, especially if you take the angling trail on the return hike. 


A Brown Bear at the Russian River


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