Kenai, AK

Travel Guide

Photo provided by State of Alaska/Chris McLennan
Photo provided by State of Alaska/Chris McLennan
Photo provided by Alaska Travel Industry Association / Brian Adams
Photo provided by Alaska Travel Industry Association / Brian Adams
Photo provided by Alaska Travel Industry Association / Brian Adams

Vacation in one of the world’s best salmon-fishing regions and watch beluga whales from this Alaskan city with a Russian heritage.

Charter a boat or fly-fish in Kenai’s waters for salmon approaching 100 pounds (45 kilograms). This community on the Kenai Peninsula originated with ancient Dena’ina Athabascans, was settled by Russians in the 1700s, became an oil boomtown after 1957 and has evolved to become one of the best sport-fishing regions in the world.

Kenai’s salmon draw many fishermen to the area during the pleasant summer season. Prepare to catch king, red, Coho and pink salmon. In 1985, a 68-year-old fisherman caught a world-record 97-pound (44-kilogram) king salmon on the Kenai River. Even if you don’t fish, watch the antics of spawning salmon and excited fishermen.

Enjoy scenic views of the Kenai Peninsula, with mountains of the Alaska Range reaching toward the sky. Identify the area’s three active volcanoes: Mount Iliamna, Mount Redoubt and Mount Spurr. Bring binoculars to look over the mouth of the Kenai River at the Beluga Whale Lookout. In spring and summer, whales swim up the river to feed on salmon.

Learn about the area’s Russian development at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center. Fort St. Nicholas was established near here as a fortified trading post. See its memorial St. Nicholas Chapel, built on the site in 1906. Inspect the artifacts in the onion-domed 1895 Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church, the oldest Orthodox church on mainland Alaska.

Near Kenai are two large natural reserves. Canoe and hunt for agates in the Captain Cook State Recreation Area. Look for moose, bears and trumpeter swans in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

When you’re not fishing, get exercise at the North Peninsula Recreation Center, with pool and fitness facilities open to the public for a fee. Play golf or disc golf or watch the Peninsula Oilers, a summer college baseball team.

Kenai is about a 3-hour drive from Anchorage. To reach the city from other spots, fly to Kenai Municipal Airport. Charter boats and rent gear in the town for a once-in-a-lifetime Alaska fishing experience.

Aspen Extended Stay Suites Kenai

Aspen Extended Stay Suites Kenai

2.5 out of 5
10431 Kenai Spur Hwy, Kenai, AK
$191 nightly
The price is $203 total per night from Aug 5 to Aug 6
$203 total
Aug 5 - Aug 6
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kenai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (659 reviews)
"Best bang for your buck in the Kenai area. Clean, spacious, great to have a kitchenette in the room. Would definitely return."

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Aspen Extended Stay Suites Kenai
The Kenai Inn

The Kenai Inn

2 out of 5
260 S Willow St, Kenai, AK
$148 nightly
The price is $156 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$156 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Kenai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Leif Hansen Memorial Park and Kenai Public Library are ...
8/10 Very Good! (18 reviews)
"Room was clean, bed comfortable. An older inn with well worn fixtures. I like the secure entry system. I would definitely stay here again"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

The Kenai Inn
Quality Inn Kenai

Quality Inn Kenai

2.5 out of 5
10352 Kenai Spur Hwy, Kenai, AK
$190 nightly
The price is $201 total per night from Aug 12 to Aug 13
$201 total
Aug 12 - Aug 13
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kenai. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (514 reviews)
Great Stay
"We always stay there very clean and comfortable. Great breakfast!"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Quality Inn Kenai
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Creekside Cottage near Daniel's Lake

Creekside Cottage near Daniel's Lake

Nikiski
Stay at this vacation home in Kenai. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and balconies. Popular attractions Georgina Lake and Kivi Lake are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (76 reviews)
"A beautiful little house just off a creek. Quiet, beautiful, and an easy jaunt to Kenai or the ocean."

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Creekside Cottage near Daniel's Lake
Little Cabin in Kenai, Alaska.

Little Cabin in Kenai, Alaska.

2 out of 5
Kenai
Stay at this cabin in Kenai. Enjoy an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Kenai River Flats and Kenai Beach are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
Nice!
"You have what you need for a short stay."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025

Little Cabin in Kenai, Alaska.
The Quiet Spot in the not so quiet city aka Spenard Anchorage

The Quiet Spot in the not so quiet city aka Spenard Anchorage

Anchorage
Stay at this apartment in Anchorage. Enjoy patios and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Port of Anchorage and Pop Carr Park are located nearby.
3.4/10 (9 reviews)
"There was a hair and crumbs in the bed when we arrived. The bathtub didn’t work. There was a man sleeping outside of the room."

Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025

The Quiet Spot in the not so quiet city aka Spenard Anchorage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Kenai

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
42
5 - Excellent 49%
4 - Good
34
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I really like kenai and we love being by the ocean.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Friendly people. Nice breweries and restaurants.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Fires limited our stay but did Make it to Homer which was our goal

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Love Alaska!!!

5/5 - Excellent

Warner

Lovely city

5/5 - Excellent

Discette

Absolutely beautiful. Everyone was so friendly.

Cities near Kenai