Popular Activities

• Salmon Fishing

  The Cannery Lodge sits on the edge of the Kenai River which is often referred to as one of the greatest sportfishing rivers in the world. Anglers gather on the shores of the river to reel in king salmon, red (or sockeye) salmon, silver (or coho) salmon and pink salmon. Stroll from The Cannery Lodge to find the perfect spot to cast a line or bring a dipnet (if you’re a resident) and use our boat launch to set out and fill your coolers with fish!

  Interested in fishing but don’t know how or where to start? Please contact us! All of our employees are longtime Kenai residents and we know the best fishing charters and outfitters to set you up with to ensure that you’ll bring home some big fish.

• Halibut Fishing

  You can’t reel in this quintessential, deep-sea fish from our lodge on the river, but there are plenty of accessible locations nearby to set out for a day of halibut fishing. Fresh halibut is some of the best eating around (and reeling one in is an adventure in itself!) Whether you have your own boat (you can keep it in our boat storage when you’re not on the water) or you want to check out charter options, let us know! We want to help you reel in your own massive trophy fish for a memory to last a lifetime. While you might not be lucky enough to catch one of the massive 400- (or more) pounders, it’s more common to set a hook in halibut that are 20 pounds or more.

  We’ll set you up with the best charters around and can even drive you to and from, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

• Hunting

  From big game like moose and caribou to smaller species like duck and ptarmigan, there’s something for every hunter on the Kenai Peninsula. Stay close to home base at the lodge or work with an outfitter to fly to more remote hunting locations in the area. We’d love to work with you to plan your hunt; come talk to us about the best locations and guides. We can also connect you to resources for licenses, permits and regulations at the time of your stay. Plan your hunt while you plan your trip! The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has a ton of great resources online to get you started. Here are some of the species that you can hunt on the Kenai Peninsula at select times of the year:

  • Caribou
  • Goat
  • Moose
  • Dall Sheep
  • Ptarmigan
  • Hare
  • Grouse
  • Ducks
  • And more!

• Hiking

  There are a number of hiking (and biking) trails in and around Kenai that are perfect for a day outdoors to take in the scenic views. Trails range from easy (a number of the local trails are wheelchair and stroller-accessible) to longer hauls like the Kenai-Soldotna Unity Trail (which can be accessed from The Cannery Lodge). Strap on your hiking boots and walk along the Kenai Spur Highway and Kalifornsky Beach Road to go all the way from Kenai to Soldotna. Or check out some of the shorter trails like the Daubenspeck Family Park Trail or the Kenai Lions Club Handicap Trail for nice strolls with inlet views.

• Birding

  Many people don’t realize that so many bird species live in and migrate to Alaska, but the Kenai Peninsula is a birder’s paradise. Plan a stay during the Kenai Peninsula Birding Festival in May to join fellow bird watchers and keep your eye to the sky no matter what time you visit! To set up for a whole day of bird watching, check out the Kenai River Viewing Platform or stay close to the lodge on Cannery Road. The Kenai Peninsula is home to 287 species of birds, so stay sharp and see how many you can identify. Some commonly spotted species include:

  • Parasitic jaegers
  • Hudsonian godwits
  • Rock sandpipers
  • Aleutian and Arctic terns
  • Pacific loons
  • Black-bellied plovers
  • Bonaparte gulls
  • Northern hawk owls
  • Stellar jays
  • Boreal chickadees
  • Dowitchers
  • Crossbills
  • Spruce grouse
  • Bald eagles
  • Mew gulls
  • Siberian snow geese

• Glacier Viewing

  The Kenai Peninsula has a number of accessible glaciers for you to visit during your stay. Plan a day trip to some of the Peninsula’s most notable glaciers. Our staff can provide you with the best viewing opportunities to travel independently or a guided trek to see one of Alaska’s most sought-after sights. Here are some of the Kenai Peninsula’s most popular glaciers:
  • Exit Glacier
  • Harding Icefield
  • Holgate Glacier
  • Aialik Glacier
  • Northwestern Glacier
  • Pedersen Glacier
  • Bear Glacier

• Flightseeing

  Take to the skies to see even more of the area. A flightseeing tour allows for all the mountain, river and volcano views from above. The options for flightseeing are as endless as the wilderness views and activities of Alaska. We can work with you to schedule a flightseeing tour and even help get you where you need to go to take off. Talk to us about options for bear-viewing flightseeing tours, volcano flightseeing tours and more!

• Wildlife Viewing

  Kenai is home to wildlife on both the land and in the water. There are plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities right from your room at The Cannery Lodge! We’ve spotted bears, moose and more roaming in the areas near our grounds, and the Kenai River sees its share of wildlife as well. Watch for salmon swimming upstream to spawn. Other wildlife you might see during you stay includes caribou, bald eagles and more!

• Canoeing/Kayaking

  The community of Kenai sits at the mouth of the Kenai River, meaning there is plenty of water to explore. Stay on the river or venture into Cook Inlet by boat, raft, kayak or canoe. The Cannery Lodge has its own boat ramp that you can use during your stay to take off on your adventure. Talk to us about how to get on the water during your stay. We can connect you with local outfitters who can take you out for a day of exploration.

• Winter activities

  We’re open all year long and even when the snow flies there is still plenty to do on the Kenai! Bring your fat tire bike to explore nearby trails or pack up your snowmachine for a real Peninsula adventure. Looking for something less extreme? Try your hand at cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on Kenai trails. Don’t worry about a thing, we can help store all your gear and point you to the best places to go for your winter activities.