Page 189 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

Soldotna
Location: Junction of the Sterling Highway 1
and the Kenai Spur; 9 miles from Cook Inlet.
Population: Approximately 4000. Visitor
Information: Soldotna Visitor Information
Center, 44790 Sterling Hwy (downtown
Soldotna), Soldotna, Alaska 99669; Phone:
(907) 262-9814; Email: info@soldotnachamber.
com; Website: www.visitsoldotna.com
Soldotna is a small modern city that was established
in 1947 after World War II when veterans were given
incentives to set up homesteads. It lies in a picturesque
valley on the Kenai Peninsula bordering portions of
the famed Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, a nearly
two million acre home to moose, caribou, brown
and black bear, wolves, Dall sheep, mountain goats,
eagles, swans, ducks and geese. The Refuge Visitor
Center is located at 1 Ski Hill Road in Soldotna.
July’s big event is the annual Soldotna Progress Sunset over Cook Inlet
Days celebration, which occurs during the fourth
weekend of the month. Activities include a parade,
rodeo, car show, community barbecue/dance, arts is posted at each of the landings. At the bottom there Kenai
and crafts show and the popular chainsaw carving are benches to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of Location: Kenai Spur Highway on the Kenai
competition Sawfest. the river as it journeys from its glacial beginnings to Peninsula, about 65 air miles (160 miles by
The Soldotna Visitor Information Center, located the waters of Cook Inlet. Along the fishwalk you are road) southwest of Anchorage. Population:
downtown on the Sterling Highway south of the Kenai welcome to throw a hook in the river’s chilly waters. 7568. Visitor Information: Kenai Chamber and
River bridge, boasts a world-class photo display of Visitor Center, 11471 Kenai Spur Highway,
the Peninsula. Wildlife mounts and the world-record SPECIAL EVENTS Kenai, AK 99672; Phone: (907) 283-1991;
97-pound King salmon are also on display. Brochures, Peninsula Winter Games: February Website: www.visitkenai.com.
maps and information on the community and area Annual Village Fair: February
Kenai is the largest city on the Kenai Peninsula,
special events are available. Kenai River Festival: June and it is easy to get here. Daily flights to Anchorage
Visitors can stroll along the Kenai on their 250-foot Soldotna Progress Days/Sawfest: July connect with flights to worldwide destinations. The
Classic Fishwalk, an elevated boardwalk accessed Soldotna Creek Celebration: July highway system passes through some of the most
down a set of stairs beside the Center. Along the stairs, Kenai Peninsula State Fair: August beautiful country in the world and is paved.
information on the river, salmon and the environment Soldotna Silver Salmon Derby: Mid-August When you arrive in Kenai, your first stop should

187

Travel Guide PL/WM combo ad, 7.5x10-03.20.24.indd 1 3/21/24 9:23 AM