A brief drive east will take you to Cooper Landing, a small and quaint town perfect for a day trip from Soldotna. The bravest will take on the waters for stand up paddleboarding (SUP), which often starts in May but with the right equipment, guide and wetsuit can begin as early as April. Many fishing charters and boating expeditions also kick off in May, but depending on the weather you might luck out on an early outing.

Visit the KMTA National Heritage Area while at Cooper Landing. The Kenai Mountains Turnagain Arm region is full of varied history and stunning landscapes. The audio guide gives you background information on the area and a peek into the history. Meet Alaska Nellie, a locally famous figure, and a few ghosts on this Spooktacular tour.

A Great Place to Land

Wildlife viewing spots are peppered around the town, like Trail Lakes Fish Hatchery. At the hatchery, you can learn about the life cycle of the alevin (perfect for frying) and the smolt-sized fish before they’re released into nearby lakes. Fish cycles are constantly shifting, so each time you visit there will be new sights to see. The hatchery also features some of the best viewing spots in town.

At Ptarmigan Creek, you can enjoy sheep viewing and hiking. It’s a fantastic sockeye salmon observation area, particularly heading into the summer months. A stroll to the lake is idyllic any time of year.

Come discover what you’ll find at Cooper Landing.