Trail River

Trail River Campground, set between the Trail River and Kenai Lake, provides lake, river and snow-capped mountain scenery among the hemlock and spruce forests of the Chugach National Forest. It lies within driving distance of two main tourism destinations, 24 miles north of Seward and 40 miles east of Cooper Landing. Miles of hiking and biking trails weave throughout the area, and moose, brown and black bear, sheep and goats can be found across large parts of the forest. Kenai Lake marks the headwaters of the Kenai River, and the campground sits on the eastern Kenai Peninsula at an elevation of 450 feet. The day use site at Trail River Campground provides beach access to Kenai Lake, where many people enjoy fishing, collecting driftwood, skipping rocks and walking along the beach. The view of the mountains surrounding the lake is gorgeous, and snow is present in the high peaks and avalanche chutes until the end of August. Trout fishing can be very productive from the beach as well as at many nearby streams; the lake is home to Dolly Varden, rainbow trout and lake trout. Although trout fishing is open year-round in Kenai Lake, special restrictions apply within a quarter mile of inlet streams, and the lake is not open to salmon fishing. Anglers are required to have a State of Alaska fishing license and obey all regulations. Within a one-mile radius of the campground entrance are five trails: Falls Creek Trail, Crown Point Mine Road, Ptarmigan Creek Trail and Vagt Lake Trail. All run roughly east-west and provide access to the Iditarod National Historic Trail, which runs north-south. The Iditarod trail is an ongoing project to build a "southern trek" connecting Seward, Mile 0 of the Iditarod Trail, to Eagle River north of Anchorage; sections are still under construction and several bridges are missing, but links between Falls Creek Trail and Ptarmigan Lake Trail, and between Vagt Lake Trail and Crown Point Mine Road, make loop hikes possible. The Falls Creek OHV Trail is a half mile north of the entrance road; this steep trail provides good views of Kenai and Lower Trail Lakes and is ideal for hikers and experienced OHV enthusiasts. A second option for motorized recreation is the Crown Point Mine Road, located one mile north of the campground entrance road at the end of Mine Road; this historic mining road leads above tree line and provides great views. South of the entrance road is Ptarmigan Creek Campground, also the location of Ptarmigan Creek Trail and a day use area with a fish-viewing platform where you can view spawning salmon in the late summer and fall; the trail steadily gains elevation as it follows Ptarmigan Creek to Ptarmigan Lake, a seven-mile round trip. In the winter the campground is closed and its entrance road and loops are groomed for freestyle and Nordic skiing. The campground is divided into three loops. Spruce Tree Loop has ample shade and stellar views of the mountains, Eagle Point Loop overlooks Kenai Lake, and River Terrace Loop is nearest to the river. The group campsite, which accommodates 70 guests, is part of Trail River Loop; its picnic shelter is a great place for large gatherings, with a beautiful timber-frame pavilion, a large central grill and covered picnic tables. The adjacent volleyball court, horseshoe pit and playground make it fun for all ages, and there is also a large fire ring with seating and plenty of parking. Amenities include vault toilets, trash collection and drinking water, and the day use area includes lake shore access, picnic tables and vault toilets. The Chugach National Forest covers the eastern half of the Kenai Peninsula and extends around Prince William Sound. It covers over 5 million acres and is characterized by jagged mountains, deep fjords, glacier-fed rivers and dense forests, supporting many miles of productive fishing streams as well as wildlife populations. Within the Seward Ranger District, many world-class trailheads and day use areas await discovery, and the newly remodeled Seward Ranger District Information Office is one mile south on Ranger Station Spur, where forest service employees can help gather information, interpret the local ecology, sell area maps and offer advice. Possible day trips include wildlife viewing in Kenai Fjords National Park, rafting down the Kenai River, and a visit to Portage Glacier in Portage Valley, a 14-mile isthmus connecting the Kenai Peninsula to mainland Alaska; glacial remnants visible today are Explorer, Middle, Byron, Burns and Shakespeare glaciers. Portage Valley is also home to the Begich Boggs Visitor Center, with a full-time interpretive staff and exhibits.