🎣 Welcome to Kenai & Soldotna, Alaska

🏞️🐟 Heart of the Kenai Peninsula
Located along the turquoise waters of the Kenai River and the shores of Cook Inlet, the neighboring communities of Kenai and Soldotna are at the center of one of Alaska’s most iconic regions. With world-class salmon fishing, breathtaking natural beauty, and welcoming small-town charm, these towns offer the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, community, and culture.

📜 A Shared History Rooted in Rich Heritage

Kenai is one of the oldest non-Indigenous settlements in Alaska. Originally home to the Dena’ina Athabascan people, the area was later colonized by Russian fur traders in the late 1700s. In fact, the Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church in Kenai—built in 1895—is one of the oldest standing churches in Alaska and a National Historic Landmark ⛪.

Soldotna, just 10 miles upriver, began developing in the 1940s after World War II when the federal government opened land for homesteading. It quickly grew due to the construction of roads, bridges, and the famous Sterling Highway. Soldotna was incorporated in 1960 and became known as the "King Salmon Capital of the World" due to its access to the Kenai River, where anglers can still catch record-breaking fish 🐟.

🌲 Life on the River – Adventure in Every Season

Kenai and Soldotna offer an unbeatable lifestyle for nature lovers. In the summer, the Kenai River becomes a hotspot for salmon fishing 🎣, rafting, and wildlife watching—bald eagles 🦅, moose 🫎, and even the occasional bear 🐻 are all part of the landscape. In winter, residents enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and peaceful snow-covered trails ❄️.

Cook Inlet, with its views of volcanoes like Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna, offers not just beauty but access to marine fishing, clamming, and scenic beach walks 🌋🌊.

🏘️ Community, Culture & Comfort

Both towns offer the amenities of a growing region—quality schools, medical facilities, local shops, art galleries, and restaurants—while still holding on to a small-town sense of community. Events like the Soldotna Progress Days, Kenai River Festival, and Kenai Peninsula Fair bring neighbors together and celebrate the region’s rich heritage and outdoorsy lifestyle 🎉.

Whether you're visiting to fish, relocating for opportunity, or seeking a peaceful place to retire, Kenai and Soldotna welcome you with friendly faces, open skies, and a deep connection to the land and river.