My family and I were able to go down to the Kenai Peninsula and spend a few days exploring the area around Kenai and Soldotna. We took our camper and decided to stay at Morgan's Landing State Recreation Site. If you are into camping this is a beautiful campground. It isn't a parking lot with marked spots but a well maintained campground with individual, slightly secluded spots that encircle large pull through spots and all of them are nestled up against the stunning Kenai River.  We were here in early June and the salmon hadn't started running up the Kenai so we had no trouble getting a camping spot but understand that if the salmon are running the camping spots tend to be harder to come by. The other site we really liked that may be available is called Bings Landing State Recreation site. Both offer great campsites and easy access to the Kenai river.

The Kenai Peninsula is absolutely stunning no matter where you go on it. There are snow covered mountains that tower over breathe taking rivers and massive lakes. And the view gets even better if you get off the main high way, if you get a chance take the small detour onto the Skilak Lake Loop Road from the Sterling Highway. It is about a 20 mile loop that comes back onto the Sterling Highway so you won't end up off course. The road itself is a beautiful one to take, make sure and take the detours onto it to all the hidden lakes.

L261Skilak lake reflections

Kenai and Soldotna are in and of themselves beautiful places to visit and offer the unique opportunities of being thriving urban centers and also beautiful places to view quite an array of wildlife. In the few days we were here we saw: moose, caribou, eagles, cranes, and multiple other birds.

A155Caribou in Kenai

And if the wildlife wasn't enough the landscape of the area is stunning. The picture of caribou above was taken from the wildlife viewing area down by the Kenai River. While the above picture was taken looking one direction, if you did a 180 degree turn the view changed completely to that of the Cook Inlet and Mt. Redoubt.

L263Mt. Redoubt

If your looking for a scenic place to visit the Kenai Peninsula doesn't disappoint. If you have the time make sure and check out places like Captain Cook State Recreation Site at the end of the Kenai Spur Road, which has great access to the Cook Inlet itself. Or check out the Kasiloff River which provides another great place to catch salmon. Or head on down the road to Homer which offers all kinds of fun activities and is its own kind of beauty.