Deep Creek State Recreation Area
(Kenai Peninsula)
(Printer
version Deep Creek State Recreation Area)
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
