Deep Creek State Recreation Area (Kenai Peninsula)

The halibut and king salmon runs at Deep Creek are legendary, making the campsites in the park very much in demand. Bald eagles are visible year-round. In the month of May, sandhill cranes and other shore birds inhabit the saltwater marsh. Whales, seals and otters can be seen offshore.

Deep Creek Beach is located at mile 137.3 of the Sterling Highway near Ninilchik. It is adjacent to the shores of Cook Inlet with excellent scenic views of Mt. Iliamna and Mt. Redoubt. A campground and day use area are located along the beach where Deep Creek enters the ocean. The park also offers fishing access to Deep Creek.

Marine Services, LLC is a private company that provides tractor assisted boat launching services at Deep Creek beach under a permit issued by Alaska State Parks. This service allows recreational boaters and charter operators to launch boats into Cook Inlet. Cost is $45.00 per launch and retrieval. During 2006, Marine Services will provide this service at the following times:

April 29 - May 18 - 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
May 19 - July 23 - 4:00 am - 11:00pm
July 24 - August 6 - 5:00 am - 10:00 pm
August 7 - September 5 - 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Deep Creek North Scenic Overlook is located at mile 137 of the Sterling Hwy. and has access to salmon fishing along Deep Creek.

Deep Creek South Scenic Overlook is located at mile 136.9 of the Sterling Hwy. It is use for day use only.

Razor Clams
The beaches from Clam Gulch to Ninilchik are the most popular areas for digging razor clams in Alaska. The razor clam, a filter feeder, relies on plankton for food. The life cycle of the razor clams is simple and unique. Razor clams usually reproduce first at age four to five, and live about 14 to 18 years. Reproduction is triggered when Cook Inlet waters reach a temperature of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit, usually between late July and early August.

Eggs and sperm are released simultaneously into the surf, where fertilization occurs by chance. Although this method of reproduction is not very efficient, the female clam compensates by releasing an estimated 5 to 15 million eggs. After floating in the larval stage for 4 to 6 weeks, the clams form a small shell and settle into the sandy tidal beach. The clams are ready to harvest in about four years.

Clams may be dug during any minus tide, but a tide of minus two feet or lower is recommended for best results. State law requires that all clams dug be kept regardless of size or condition. Anyone 16 years or older must have a valid Alaska sport fishing license to dig clams. Contact the Department of Fish and Game for the daily limit of clams per person.

WARNING: Each clam tide, clam diggers may be stranded. The incoming tides flood the area between the beach and the sandbar before the sandbar itself is flooded, stranding unwary diggers. Watch the tide levels carefully and return before the rapidly rising tide returns. Rescue assistance is not always available or possible. Stranded diggers risk hypothermia or drowning in the cold waters of Cook Inlet. Stay alert to tide levels, come in early, and be safe!

Source: Alaska State Parks.

For more information on Alaska State Parks, visit the Alaska State Parks web site.

Alaska National Parks
Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Lake Clark National Park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Alaska State Parks by Region
Anchorage, Interior Alaska, Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak,
Mat-Su Valley, Prince William Sound, Southeast Alaska, Southwest Alaska

Alaska State Parks by Name
Anchor River State Recreation Area and Stariski SRS, Birch Lake State Recreation Site, Caines Head State Recreation Area and Resurrection Bay State Marine Parks, Captain Cook State Recreation Area, Chena River State Recreation Area, Chena River State Recreation Site, Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, Chugach State Park, Clam Gulch State Recreation Area, Deep Creek State Recreation Area, Delta Junction Area State Parks, Denali State Park, Haines Area State Parks, Harding Lake State Recreation Area, Independence Mine State Historical Park, Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park, Kasilof Area State Parks, Kenai River Special Management Area, Kodiak Area State Parks, Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, Ninilchik State Recreation Area, Point Bridget State Park, Salcha River State Recreation Site, Sitka Area State Parks, State Marine Parks in Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay, Summit Lake State Recreation Site, Tok Area Parks, Totem Bight State Historical Park, Upper Chatanika State Recreation Site, Wickersham State Historic Site, Wood-Tikchik State Park