Russian River

Russian River Campground is perched between the Russian and Kenai Rivers in south-central Alaska, 110 miles south of Anchorage and 40 miles east of Soldotna, surrounded by the Chugach National Forest and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Each year, this area is visited by over 100,000 people who recreate at the Russian River Campground, Ferry Access Site, Sportsman's Boat Launch, Russian Lakes Trail and K'beq Site. Hiking, biking and fishing are popular pastimes. The Russian River is the most popular sockeye salmon stream in Alaska and a top-rated spot for rainbow trout. Retention of sockeye salmon is legal from June 11th to August 20th, silver salmon from July 1st to September 30th, and trout from June 11th through April 30th. Anglers are required to have a State of Alaska fishing license and obey all regulations and emergency orders. The Kenai Peninsula is a hiker's paradise, boasting hundreds of miles of maintained trails, two of which are accessible from the campground. The Russian Lakes Trail begins in the campground and is the most popular trail on the Chugach National Forest; most hikers travel only 2.3 miles to Russian River Falls, where a viewing platform allows views of leaping salmon, while more ambitious hikers and backpackers can travel another 19 miles past two lakes to the Upper Trailhead on Snug Harbor Rd. Three public use cabins can be reserved along the trail: Barber Cabin, Aspen Flats Cabin and Upper Russian Lake Cabin. The Angler's Trail also begins in the campground and travels 1.25 miles from the Russian River Canyon to the Kenai-Russian River Confluence, with 22 sustainable river access points along the way. At the confluence, hardy anglers can cross the Russian River (hip-waders recommended) and continue along the Kenai River, where another 15 access points are located. Staircases lead to this trail from campground loops as well as day use parking lots. The campground consists of 83 campsites and 130 day-use parking spaces, and is open with full service from May through September with 24-hour operation at the "contact station." Water, vault toilets, tables, fire pits and dumpsters are available, as well as paved roads and parking spurs. It sits at an elevation of 400 feet on the eastern Kenai Peninsula in the Chugach National Forest, which spans more than 5 million acres of jagged mountains, deep fjords and glacier-fed rivers. Nearby, the Resurrection Pass Trail climbs from 500 to 2,600 feet over 38 miles, connecting the towns of Hope and Cooper Landing via a historic route. The Russian River Ferry transports anglers across the Kenai River, and Sportsman's Boat Launch provides boat access to it. At the K'beq Interpretive Site, tribal members share traditions, stories and culture with visitors through interpretive walks featuring archeological sites, traditional plant use, informational signs and artifacts; the gift shop features Native art.