I'm struggling with the same thing. My husband and I love to travel overseas, but each year, we aim to do one national park here in the States.

We've been wanting to go to Alaska for a while now, and I think we've settled on late this August.

We just climbed Kilimanjaro, so we'd love to do some more hiking, however not a necessity.

After doing a bit of research, I thought all hope to do both Kenai and DNP was lost, but now I am reading this..

However, unlike the first poster, seeing DNP through bus windows just wouldn't do it for me. I'd need to see it on my own, get my hiking boots on the trails. I don't think we'd have enough time to do this. Plus, where do we stay? From what I understand, you can stay at the expensive lodges in the park or camp - we don't want luxury, and I don't want to lug our gear over there. But I also don't like the idea of staying outside the park.

So I think for us, we need to concentrate on Kenai.

I know I'm rambling, but this is such a difficult decision to make!

oleg - you mentioned Homer deserves a few days on its own. What do you recommend doing there during our stay? I'll do the search on this board, but since you specifically mentioned it, I was curious as to what you personally would suggest.

Thanks everyone, for your input!

BostonGal,
IMO, Homer is a unique mixture of wonderful scenery, wildlife and culture. You can easily fill in a full week of activity in and around the town.
Some of them cost almost nothing, some are really expensive. Here's my list:
1. Hiking in Kachemak Bay State park (China Poot Lake, Grenwick Glacier, etc.) You are transported there by water taxi from the Spit.
2. Full day whale watching cruise with Rainbow Tours. Lots of wildlife!
3. Kayaking in the glacier lake in the wilderness with St.Augustine (floatplane landing on water or glacier)
4. Full day Bear watching trip with Hallo Bay or Emerald Air to Katmai NP. VERY expensive. You will see bears as close as 25 ft!
5. Day in Homer and vicinity: Spit, Downtown Homer & Pratt Museum, a cruise to Halibut Cove with lunch in the Saultry - probably best seafood in the world. Visit the famous Saulty Dawg Saloon on the Spit! Enjoy beatiful view of Homer and surrounding mountains from Crestwood Hights.
6. Full day fishing trip. Even if you are not a fisherman. Almost anyone there goes!
7. There are wooden Russian Churches not far from Homer (don't remember the name, did not have a chance to visit). People I met said it is well worth paying a visit.
People usually rush thru Homer area, allowing 2-3 days but the thing is if you just let it go and stay there as many days to feel the soul of the local community your experience of Kenai Peninsula will be unforgettable.
My 2005 Alaska trip in pictures:
http://lempert.smugmug.com/gallery/896277

Thanks oleg for your input! I will definitely look into your suggestions.

<If you are going to Denali NP, try to go in early June. The dryest of the summer months> LOL!!!!!
We were in Denali in early June and it rained for three days. Then we left