Kasilof Area State Parks (Kenai Peninsula)

The town of Kasilof is located fifteen miles south of Soldotna along the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula. It is a popular summer recreational destination. Camping, wildlife viewing, scenic views, and fishing at the Kasilof River and at Johnson Lake are some of the reasons why.

History
This area of the Kenai Peninsula has been occupied by people for over 8,000 years. The plentiful wildlife and abundant salmon are some of the lifelines for people of the past and present. It is believed that Eskimo-speaking people inhabited the area, followed by Dena'inas, whose descendents still live in the area. Russian settlers built Ft. George in the Kasilof area in 1786. Today about 1,000 people from a variety of cultures live in the area.

Wildlife in the Area
Moose, black and brown bear, lynx, squirrels, hares and other creatures are plentiful in all of these areas. Enjoy and respect them for this is their home. Please help them by not feeding them and keeping a clean camp.

Crooked Creek State Recreation Site is a short walk from the confluence of Crooked Creek and the Kasilof River. There are 80 campsites and 36 day use parking sites. Crooked Creek SRS is most popular in May and June for king salmon fishing from the bank of the Kasilof River. Additional fisheries include a small steelhead run in the spring and fall, and Dolly Varden, sockeye and silver salmon in the summer.

Johnson Lake State Recreation Area is a nice, wooded, 332 acre area surrounding Johnson Lake. Camping, fishing for rainbow trout, canoeing and walking are popular activities. There are 48 campsites, 16 day use parking sites, and a group picnic area (groups of over 12 people require reservations).

Kasilof River State Recreation Site is located in a wooded setting along the Kasilof River, adjacent to the Sterling Highway bridge. Kasilof River SRS is a popular put-in and take-out spot for drift fishing on the Kasilof River. Bank angling for most species is available both up and down stream from the camping area. There are 10 campsites, 25 day use parking sites, and a boat launch.

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