This charming little town is on the Kenai Peninsula, just 150 miles from Anchorage and at the Kenai Spur Highway/Sterling Highway junction. You’ll find it 10 miles inland from the Cook Inlet, snuggled up against the Kenai River. The town itself is just seven square miles of land and one square mile of water.

Traditionally, the peninsula is home to the Kenaitze Indians. However, non-Natives realized the incredible resources including oil, fish and timber. Named for a local stream, Soldotna means “soldier” in Russian. Some locals think it’s actually named after the Native word for “stream fork.” The first non-Native occupants were World War II veterans, who got filing preference over non-veterans in the 1940s.

A Small, Thriving Community

In 1947, the Sterling Highway project began, stretching from Kenai to Cooper Landing. Soldotna is where the bridge was located, and two years later, in 1949, a post office opened. Soon after, stores and a local community center popped up. Soldotna has continued to develop thanks to its prime location.

In the late 1950s, oil was found in the Swanson River, which further encouraged growth. Soldotna officially became a city in 1960. Today, 4,381 residents call the town home year-round, but it’s also a very popular destination for hunters, fishermen and outdoor adventurers.