Play In Kenai

Things to Do with Family in Kenai, Alaska

ALL YEAR FAMILY FUN

Kenai and its surrounding areas are one of the most family-friendly places in Alaska. Here, you’ll be able to find something for everyone.

What Makes Kenai Beach So Unique?

KENAI BEACH

Located at the mouth of the Kenai River in the City of Kenai is a beach unlike any other...

10 Things To Do In Kenai During The Summer

SUMMER IN KENAI

After a long winter and a brisk spring, the urge to get outside and enjoy some fresh Alaskan air is undeniably attractive to locals and visitors alike..

Visiting Kenai

Kenai is conveniently located on the Kenai Peninsula, also known as “Alaska’s Playground”.

Sitting at the junction of the Kenai River and the Cook Inlet, Kenai is a beautiful coastal town with sandy beaches, pristine views of Mount Redoubt, and easy access to the best sights in Alaska.

Kenai is known for its sport fishing, hiking and biking opportunities, and cultural attractions. Known as “The Best Place to ALASKA”, Kenai offers everything that a traveler comes to expect from The Last Frontier. With multiple ways to travel throughout the Kenai Peninsula, adventure is never more than a short distance away.

Kenai's History

Kenai was first settled by the Dena’ina natives around 1000 A.D. They discovered massive salmon migrations, suitable land for homes, and abundant wildlife. In 1741, Russian fur traders arrived to discover the Dena’ina community, which they later named the Kenaitze, or “people of the flats”. The flats along the banks of the Kenai River are one of the more prominent natural features of Kenai, which is home to migratory birds and a variety of wetland wildlife.

The Historic Old Town Kenai district features some of the oldest structures in Alaska. The Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox is a reminder of Kenai’s past. It still offers Russian Orthodox services and stands as the most prominent feature of Old Town Kenai. Other traditional homes and churches exist in the walkable downtown district.

chapel in Kenai
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“Alaska's Playground”

Kenai is located approximately 20 minutes from the city of Soldotna and 90 minutes from Homer. This puts Kenai in the heart of the action. With the Kenai Municipal Airport, Kenai is but a short 20-minute flight from Anchorage. Many travelers use Kenai as their launchpad to enjoy the best that the Kenai Peninsula has to offer.

Kenai has multiple hiking and biking trails, an 18-hole golf course at the Kenai Golf Course, multiple disc golf courses, ice skating, hockey, and cross country skiing. Additionally, people from around the world flock to Kenai to fish during the annual salmon migrations, including sockeye salmon, silver salmon, king salmon, pink salmon, and even rainbow trout. A short drive to Homer or Seward gives people a chance to enjoy saltwater fishing for halibut, cod, salmon, and rockfish.

Fishing the Kenai

With its unique turquoise water and annual salmon migration, the Kenai River is the epicenter for sport fishing in the state of Alaska.

The Kenai River is world renowned for fishing from May through October for red salmon, silver (coho) salmon, rainbow trout, pink salmon, and Dolly Varden. Learn more about the great fishing action you can enjoy in Kenai. 

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close up of guitar player in bar

Kenai Events

Kenai is home to multiple city-sponsored and community events.

The annual Kenai Silver Salmon Derby is an annual fishing tournament that raises funds to support wildlife habitat and restoration along the banks of the Kenai River. The Kenai Kite Festival on Kenai Beach is a special event for the community to enjoy the beauty and wind of our one-of-a-kind beach along the Cook Inlet.

Additional events include the Kenai Fourth of July Parade, the Kenai River Marathon, Kenai’s Fall Pumpkin Festival, and multiple holiday-themed events. During the summer, Kenai is home to the Old Town Marketplace, which features a variety of entertainment, food vendors, and local arts and crafts.