Trip IdeasItinerary: Anchorage to the Kenai
2 Days: Hello Anchorage!
Explore the fun and somewhat kitschy downtown shops, head to the outdoor markets on the weekend, take in the sights at Ship Creek, and visit the city's museums. Logistics: Getting to town is a snap (buses, reasonable taxis, and hotel shuttles make the short ride). Car-rental offices are in the South Terminal of the airport.
1 Day: Chugach State Park
Anchorage's ½-million-acre backyard wilderness has glaciers, tundra meadows, forested valleys, and wildlife. In September, this is one of the best places to see moose. Logistics: This is a do-it-yourself park: the only facilities are trailheads, a few basic campgrounds, and picnic areas. A good place to start is 3,350-foot Flattop Mountain, Alaska's most-climbed peak. There's a fantastic viewpoint near the parking lot ($5 parking fee).
2 Days: Seward
Surrounded by lush mountains at the head of Resurrection Bay, Seward is the primary gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. You can join a coastal wildlife tour, explore the Alaska SeaLife Center, and take a stroll along the waterfront trail. Logistics: The spectacular drive south from Anchorage takes about two hours on the Seward Highway. An alternative is to take the Alaska Railroad.
2-4 Days: The Kenai's Wild Country
Option #1: Kenai Fjords National Park
Tidewater glaciers, rugged fjords, Exit Glacier, and ocean life are highlights of this spectacular coastal parkland. Logistics: Take a tour from Seward to spot whales. You can also stay in public-use cabins, hike up to the Harding Icefield from Exit Glacier, and travel by kayak out of Miller's Landing.
Option #2: Chugach National Forest
Sprawling across much of the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound, this 6-million-acre area is the country's second-largest national forest. Girdwood, Seward, Cooper Landing, and Cordova offer convenient access points to trailheads and campgrounds as well as visitor services and outfitters. Logistics: Stop in the Seward Ranger District Headquarters (334 4th Ave. 907/224-3374) for trail and hiking info—they've got plenty.
Option #3: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Covering nearly 2 million acres, the Kenai refuge encompasses part of the vast Harding Icefield as well as rugged peaks and forested lowlands inhabited by moose, black bears, and grizzlies. Logistics: The Kenai refuge is enormous, but road access is limited to a few trailheads and campgrounds. The Skilak Loop Road between Cooper Landing and Sterling is a gravel road that offers a chance to escape traffic. In Soldotna, the visitor center on Ski Hill Road has maps and updates on wildlife and park conditions.
1-2 Days: Kenai & Soldotna
The sportfishing hubs of South Central, these sister cities lie along the world-famous Kenai River. Pacific salmon spawn here each summer, including the mighty king salmon. Be sure to take a stroll through Kenai's old town to see the Russian Orthodox Church.
1-2 Days: Homer
This end-of-the-road coastal town calls itself the halibut capital of the world, but it also has a thriving community of artists and writers. Take a water taxi to nearby Kachemak Bay State Park and visit the Pratt Museum. Logistics: The Sterling Highway ends in Homer; it's a four hour drive from Anchorage. Take the scenic Kalifornsky Beach Road loop from Soldotna, which loops back to the Sterling Highway and offers great views of volcanoes in the Alaska Range.
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