Captain Cook State Recreation Area

Kenai Peninsula


By following the Kenai Spur Hwy north for 36 miles, you’ll first pass the trailer parks and chemical plants of the North Kenai industrial district before reaching this uncrowded state recreation area that encompasses 4000 acres of forests, lakes, rivers and beaches along Cook Inlet.

The area offers swimming, camping and the beauty of the inlet in a setting that is unaffected by the stampede for salmon to the south.

The Kenai Spur Hwy ends in the park after first passing Stormy Lake, where you’ll find a bathhouse and a swimming area along the water’s edge. Discovery Campground has 53 sites on the bluff overlooking Cook Inlet, where some of the world’s greatest tides ebb and flow. The fishing in Swanson River is great, and this is a fine place to end the Swan Lake canoe route.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kenai Peninsula attractions

1. Kenai Visitors & Cultural Center

19.2 MILES

This excellent visitors center is among Kenai’s main attractions. The museum features historical exhibits on the city’s Russian heritage, offshore…

2. Kenai Beach

19.62 MILES

Down below the bluffs is an oddity in Alaska: a sweeping, sandy beach, ideal for picnicking, Frisbee-chucking and other waterfront fun. There are stellar…

3. Soldotna Historical Society Museum

22.79 MILES

This museum includes a wonderful collection of homesteaders’ cabins spread through six wooded acres in Centennial Park. Ask for a free guided tour to…