Upper Kenai River

Upper Kenai River Section

The Upper Kenai begins at river mile 82 (upstream from Cook Inlet) at the outflow of Kenai Lake.   Cooper Landing is a small town with a fishing problem and the name of the first boat landing right below the Sterling Highway Bridge (highway mile 48.4).  Motor use is allowed from the landing upstream into Kenai Lake and downstream to the first rapid adjacent to the Kenai Princess Lodge.  The next 15 miles to Skilak Lake are drift only.

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The most popular landing and access point on the Upper Kenai is Sportsman’s Landing / Kenai-Russian River Access at mile 55 of the Sterling Highway.  The landing and parking lot are visible from the highway.  This is also where the Russian River Ferry transports passengers across the Kenai River to access the confluence and the Russian River.  During mid to late June and again for several weeks in late July, this area can be very congested.

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The next landing is adjacent to mile 58 of the Sterling Highway.  Turn left on Skilak Lake Loop Road (East Junction) and take the first left (.1 mile). The access road takes you right to the river. There is a very small signpost for Jim’s Landing. Jim’s landing is the most popular take out spot for anglers floating down from either Cooper Landing or Sportsman’s.

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Once floaters pass Jim’s Landing, they are committed to the Kenai River Canyon as there are no more river take outs available.  The Upper Kenai flows into Skilak Lake at river mile 65.  The next take out access is Upper Skilak Boat Landing.  Reaching Upper Skilak requires approximately 7 miles of open crossing on the often windy and treacherous Skilak Lake.  The rapids in the canyon are of minor concern compared to awareness of Skilak Lake conditions.

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Access to Upper Skilak is via Skilak Road.  Skilak Road is a gravel surface loop off the Sterling Hwy in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.  The East Access is from mile 58 Sterling Hwy and the West Access is from Mile 75.2. Skilak Loop Road also provides access to several campgrounds and lakes including Upper Skilak Landing and the Lower Skilak Landing.