Russian River Falls is one of those places that you just have to make time for on your visit to the Kenai Peninsula. It’s famous for being one of the best fishing spots on the Kenai and it’s a cool place to bring kids to see wildlife up close. I used to live about ten minutes from the Russian River access area, so this is my stomping ground and I’m happy to share my tips for having a great visit. This spot is most famous for its amazing salmon fishing, but for non-fishermen it’s an incredible day trip activity for photography and wildlife viewing.
Why Visit Russian River if You Aren’t Fishing?
For people who don’t plan on fishing for salmon on the Russian River, there is still plenty to do and see. What I think is the coolest thing about this area is the concentration of wildlife. I love hiking down to the river and watching the salmon swimming upstream, either just one or in schools. At the peak of the sockeye run it’s quite the sight.
With the salmon come the Alaskan brown bears and bald eagles. While the density of Alaskan brown bears isn’t like what you get when you do bear viewing at Lake Clark National Park or Katmai, there are times when it’s incredible. Like the fishermen on the river, the eagles and bears are looking for an easy catch as well. The Russian River is awesome both wildlife and fishing photography. You’ll see that most of the visitors are there for fishing, but that doesn’t mean you’re not welcome too.
There are a few activities that are characteristic of living the Alaska life. Things like riding ATVs, tundra hiking off-trail, or fly fishing in hip-waders are very much the norm when you live here. And Russian River Falls is one of those spots that is perfectly Alaskan, or if you’re just visiting, is a great place to observe the Alaskan way of life.
Being Prepared for Visiting the Russian River
You could spend all day on the river if you wanted to, even if you’re not salmon fishing. For a fun visit plan on bringing a picnic, camera gear, bug spray and sunblock. Think of it like this: the Russian River is a combination National Geographic wildlife setting paired with an OLN fishing special. You can hang out watching fishermen hooking fish, chat with locals or just hike the trails from the confluence of the Kenai and Russian Rivers all the way to the falls and beyond.
While the sunblock might not be needed, the bug spray is VERY helpful. I’m the peak summer months the mosquitoes can be intense. Another option, which is particularly good if you’re staying in one spot for wildlife photography, is to wear a mosquito jacket. It’s lightweight and ideal for preventing bug bites.
Wildlife photography is great both on the lower Russian River (primary fishing areas) or up on the Russian Lakes trail. If you haven’t gotten to see bears or eagles here yet and you have the time, continuing up the Russian Lakes trail (same area, different trailhead) is a great option and is a moderately difficult hike. Bring your camera get for this, as you are likely to see bears, moose, eagles and even porcupines.
Tips for a Day on the Russian River in Cooper Landing
I really love visiting the Russian River… and so does everyone else. When the salmon runs are at three peak and fishing is in full swing, the parking lots can fill up quickly each day. Don’t worry though, if you’re not able to drive to one of the parking areas close to one of the river access points you can always park at the overflow parking and walk over or ride the shuttle if it’s running.
If you have flexibility to visiting and it’s really busy when you first try to go, try to come back at a later time or different day. There is plenty of room for observers asking the Russian River boardwalks, but be mindful of both the fishermen and the wildlife. Fishermen have the right of way to the access platforms and wildlife has the right of way for EVERYWHERE.
BIG TIP: if you’re trying to research anything about the Russian River, you MUST include Kenai in your search query. The internet doesn’t understand that there are multiple rivers in the USA with this name and tends to default to providing information about the Russian River area in Sonoma County, California. That is NOT this place and the information that is autogenerated about it is inaccurate for visiting Russian River in Alaska.
Parking and Fees for the Russian River
As I said, parking can fill up quickly during peak fishing season. This doesn’t mean you’ll strike out and not be able to visit the Russian River, but you may need to be flexible. There are several parking areas and picnic shelters near the river: silver, pink, king, sockeye dolly and dog. If one is full, move into the next. When you arrive the toll booth attendant will make suggestions or may direct you to park in the overflow area (cheaper due to the walk).
The Russian River access areas do have a fee for entry/parking. You do get a discount with your Federal Lands pass or if you’re military, but in general it is $14 per car for a 12 hour period.
If you’ve been talking to locals about fishing on the Russian River, then you may have heard about a ferry that they sometimes take. During peak fishing season, there is a small boat that goes back and forth across the Kenai River from the Sportsman’s parking area to the confluence of the Russian and Kenai. This is for fishermen who are geared up (hip-waders and the like) and looking to access the west side of the Russian River. It’s not for tourists who are hiking or wildlife viewing.
How to Have the Best Russian River Visit
So, here’s how to have a great visit to the Russian River and falls: stay chill and aware.
The trail along the river is located BELOW the parking areas, so you’ll head down to the river and then make a right. Walk all the way to the end of the platform to the confluence with the Kenai River. After watching for fish, eagles and bears head back upstream. Pay attention as you go and pop onto the different platforms. Be aware of the fishermen accessing the river AND the wildlife that may show up.
Wildlife tends to emerge from the woods across the river quite frequently, even when there are lots of people fishing. Continue to the train to the Russian River Falls and watch the salmon jumping through the falls. It’s awesome, especially during peak season. The round trip length of the Russian River trail is about 5 miles. I think between two and four hours is ideal for how much time to spend here.
When to Visit Russian River on the Kenai
As soon as the snow melts, usually in May, the trails at the Russian River open. Often the Forest Service has to make some repairs at the start of the summer, but you should still be able to visit. As the salmon make their way into the Russian from the Kenai River, and fishing opens for reds and silvers, it gets much busier (early August to late September).
The busiest time too visit is during the sockeye salmon run. When the salmon are nearly done and just barely making it into the river, that’s one of the best times for wildlife photography. The eagles and bears love the easy pickings. Autumn in the Russian River is beautiful with the deciduous trees changing color mid-late September. Yes, there are still lots of fishermen, but by the end of the run it’s much less busy.
Russian River Access Operating Info
To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan your visit to Russian River and Falls. It is a part of the Chugach National Forest so is federal land. You can expect to see forest rangers along the trails and Fish and Wildlife officers IN the river and among the fishermen.
- Operating Dates/Season: typically May to October, peak salmon season is early August to late September
- Tour office phone number: 907-743-9500 (Anchorage office)
- National Forest website: Chugach National Forest site
- Russian River access address:
- Tour booking links: Upper Kenai Fishing charter – this is nearby but not ON the Russian River; Alaska Kenai Fishing DOES take guests to the Russian River
More Things to Do on the Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula is my old stomping grounds, so I love to share all about it. Cooper Landing is rather in the middle, set on Kenai Lake and the Kenai River, and then Seward is the Southeast side and Homer the Southwest side. Most people in the Lower 48 hear the word “Kenai” and automatically think salmon fishing, and rightly so. The Kenai, Kasilof and Russian Rivers are amazing for salmon fishing. I pulled my biggest ever king salmon (chinook) on the Kasilof River.
Seward is a beautiful city set on Resurrection Bay. This is the start of Kenai Fjords National Park and the gateway to the Gulf of Alaska. Deep sea fishing and wildlife cruises are the top activities in Seward. Homer is very similar with its fishing culture and guides, but it’s set on Kachemak Bay. The world famous Homer Spit is a must see (oh, Salty Dog…) and you cannot miss the non-sunset from here in the summer months.
Here are some suggestions for more tours and things to do on the Kenai Peninsula.
Where to Stay on the Kenai Peninsula
Where you choose to stay on the Kenai Peninsula depends on what you have planned and how you want to wrap up each day. If you want to be close to your activities and your plans are mostly in Seward and Cooper Landing, any place on the east side of the Kenai should be good for you. If you’re fishing and kayaking in Homer or Kenai (town), then the west side is a better home base.
I like being on the Seward side for shorter trips to the Kenai Peninsula because it’s more than an hour closer to Anchorage so you both get there and return to Anchorage with less driving time. The cost is consistent across the Peninsula, so that likely won’t influence where you want to stay. The other thing to consider is what you do at the end of each day. Seward, Homer and Kenai all have town areas with restaurants and such. Cooper Landing is more rustic and spread out, but it’s got places like Gwin’s Lodge, Cooper Landing Brewing Co and the dining Room at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge.
Check out the map below to find a good option.
I hope you’re excited to experience the famous Russian River. Between the beautiful views and sense of Alaskan adventure, I know you’ll love it. If you have any questions about visiting Cooper Landing, wildlife viewing in AK, or need tips for visiting the Kenai Peninsula please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help with travel planning for an Alaska Trip!
