Kenai River Classic (Fish, Float & Feast)

• Gwin's Lodge & Tavern: https://www.gwinslodge.com/ • Kenai National Wildlife Refuge: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kenai Helpful Links: Estimated drive from Broke‑Ass Mountain: ≈ 2–2.5 hours (Cooper Landing) Why Go:The Kenai is Alaska’s soul river — glacier‑fed, turquoise‑blue, and alive with salmon. If you came north to fish, float, and feel the world slow down, this is the trip.What to Expect:Day 1: Drive south through Girdwood and over Turnagain Pass. Stop at Beluga Point if the tide’s right — you might spot white belugas chasing salmon upriver. Check into Gwin’s Lodge & Tavern, a 1950s log lodge at the Kenai–Russian River junction. Have a burger, a pint, and swap tall tales with anglers who’ve been coming here longer than Alaska’s been a state.Day 2: Wake early for a guided Upper Kenai River float through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. It’s silent, surreal, and stunning — bald eagles, emerald water, and zero cell signal. Spend the afternoon fishing for sockeye or silvers, depending on the season. Dinner and live music back at Gwin’s if you hit the right night.Day 3: Grab a breakfast burrito, then take your time on the scenic drive back. Stop in Girdwood for espresso at The Grind or pizza at Chair 5.Local Tip: Book your float early — June through August sells out fast.Pro Tip: The Kenai is cold, the fish are heavy, and the mosquitoes are relentless — dress for battle, not brunch.

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