KACHEMAK BAY STATE PARK

KACHEMAK BAY STATE PARK & STATE WILDERNESS PARK

Alaska’s first state park and only wilderness park together encompass nearly 400,000 breathtaking acres of mountains, glaciers, forest, coastline, and ocean. The park boasts an unmatched variety of habitats, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Come with us to where no road can take you, and adventure in one of the wildest and most remote state parks in the wildest and most remote state

The bay’s twisted rock formations are evidence of the movement of the earth’s crust. Highlighted by constantly changing weather patterns, the park’s outstanding scenery is a backdrop for high quality recreation. Kenai Backcountry Adventures guests will have opportunities for packrafting, hiking, backpacking, photography, skiing/splitboarding, snowshoeing, and climbing.

Kachemak Bay is a critical habitat area, supporting many species of marine life. Our guests frequently observe sea otters, seals, porpoise and whales. Intertidal zones offer natural settings for marine studies. Land mammals include moose, black bear, mountain goats, coyotes and wolves. The many species of birds that inhabit the bay, including eagles, gyrfalcons and puffins, make it a popular area for bird watching.

Hiking and backpacking along the shoreline and in the surrounding forests and mountains are excellent. Above timberline, skiers and hikers will find glaciers and snowfields stretching for miles. Special park attractions include Grewingk Glacier, Poot Peak, China Poot Bay, Halibut Cove Lagoon, Humpy Creek, and China Poot (Leisure) Lake.

Kachemak Bay State Park History
Believed to be descended from the Chugach Eskimo, the indigenous inhabitants of this area harvested sustenance from Kachemak Bay’s diverse riches including fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds.

Archaeological remains show evidence of thriving culture and traditions, but around 500 A.D. these people left the bay; their motives remain undiscovered. However, Kachemak Bay did not remain untapped by humans for long. By the time of European exploration, the area was the territory of the Dena’ina Athabascans.

Before the establishment of the park, the land “across the bay” was a place of natural beauty, solitude, and recreation for the people of Homer. When Kachemak Bay State Park was designated in June 1970, it became Alaska’s very first state park. People quickly took to the park, making it one of Alaska’s most loved backcountry destinations, and over the years legislative actions added acreage and a wilderness park.

Today, there are nearly 400,000 acres of land within the parks, every one of them the result of concerned lawmakers and grassroots citizen action to preserve and protect this marvelous corner of the Alaskan landscape

No matter what adventure package you choose, adventuring with us in Kachemak Bay State Park will provide you with an experience of a lifetime! Feel free to reach out to us any time to inquire about an adventure or package that is best for you.

LOCATION

Feel free to call us any time for assistance with directions, travel information, lodging & dining suggestions, or anything else to help make your trip a great one!