Russian River

Russian River

About this campsite

Overview

Russian River Campground is perched between the Russian and Kenai Rivers in south-central Alaska. It lies within driving distance of two main population centers, 110 miles south of Anchorage and 40 miles east of Soldotna, surrounded by the Chugach National Forest and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

Each year, this area is visited by over 100,000 people who recreate at the Russian River Campground, Ferry Access Site, Sportsman's Boat Launch, Russian Lakes Trail and K'beq Site. Hiking, biking and fishing are popular pastimes.

Recreation

The Russian River is the most popular sockeye salmon stream in Alaska and a top-rated spot for rainbow trout. Retention of sockeye salmon is legal from June 11th to August 20th. Silver salmon can be retained from July 1st to September 30th. Trout can be retained from June 11th through April 30th. Anglers are required to have a State of Alaska Fishing license and obey all regulations and emergency orders.

Kenai Peninsula is also a hiker's paradise, boasting hundreds of miles of maintained trails. The following two trails are accessible from the campground.

The Russian Lakes Trail begins in the campground, and is the most popular trail on the Chugach National Forest. Most hikers travel only 2.3 miles to Russian River Falls where a viewing platform allows views of leaping salmon. More ambitious hikers and backpackers can travel another 19 miles past two lakes to the Upper Trailhead on Snug Harbor Rd. Along the trail, three public use cabins can be reserved; Barber Cabin, Aspen Flats Cabin and Upper Russian Lake Cabin.

The Angler's Trail also begins in the Russian River Campground and travels 1.25 miles from the Russian River Canyon to the Kenai-Russian River Confluence. Along the way, 22 sustainable river access points allow anglers to enter the Russian River. At the confluence, hardy anglers can cross the Russian River (hip-waders recommended) and continue along the Kenai River, where another 15 access points are located. Staircases lead to this trail from campground loops as well as day use parking lots.

Facilities

The campground consists of 83 campsites and 130 day-use parking spaces. The campground is open with full service from May through September with 24-hour operation at the "contact station." Compliance with all campground rules and regulations is necessary to insure a safe experience for everyone.

Water, vault toilets, tables, fire pits and dumpsters are available, as well as paved roads and parking spurs.

Natural Features

The campground sits at an elevation of 400 feet on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula in the Chugach National Forest. The forest, spanning more than 5 million acres, is comprised of jagged mountains, deep fjords and glacier-fed rivers.

Contact Info

For local information, please call (907) 522-8368 or call (907) 288-3178 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

Resurrection Pass Trail: This trail climbs from 500 to 2,600 feet over 38 miles. It connects the towns Hope and Cooper Landing via a historic route.

Russian River Ferry: The ferry transports anglers across the Kenai River.
Sportsman's Boat Launch: The boat launch provides boat access to the Kenai River.
K'beq Interpretive Site: At this site, tribal members share traditions, stories and culture with visitors through interpretive walks featuring archeological sites, traditional plant use, informational signs, and artifacts. The gift shop features Native art.

Location

RUSSIAN RIVER•AK

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Common questions about RUSSIAN RIVER

Can you book RUSSIAN RIVER online?

We hold no online booking link for RUSSIAN RIVER, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season. If a managing authority takes bookings by phone, their number is the fastest way to confirm a site.

Where is RUSSIAN RIVER?

RUSSIAN RIVER sits in AK. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

5.0 km away

COOPER CREEK SOUTH

Overview Located along Cooper Creek and the Kenai River, Cooper Creek South Campground presents a beautiful wooded area with sweeping mountain views within close proximity to many recreational opportunities. Recreation Sockeye (Red) salmon fishing is a popular activity on the nearby Kenai and Russian Rivers, and both boat and bank fishing offer excellent catches. The nearby Resurrection Pass Trail takes hikers and bikers on a 38-mile scenic adventure that climbs from 500 to 2,600 feet. Facilities Cooper Creek South offers about 20 campsites available for advanced reservation. Amenities include drinking water, vault toilets, picnic tables, campfire rings and dumpsters. Parking aprons are gravel and parking is limited. A dump station is available for a fee at nearby Quartz Creek Campground. Natural Features At an elevation of 400 feet, Cooper Creek South sits among a spruce and cottonwood forest. The Chugach National Forest covers 5 million acres and is comprised of arid tundra wilderness, jagged mountains, deep fjords, glacier-fed rivers and the Prince William Sound. Contact Info For local information, please call (907) 522-8368 or call (907) 288-3178 for general information.

5.2 km away

Barber Cabin (Chugach National Forest, AK)

Overview Barber Cabin offers a remote lodging experience on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula of south-central Alaska. The rustic cabin has few amenities, but provides access to the great outdoors and a scenic mountain lake. There is great fishing in Lower Russian Lake, and hiking and biking trails abound. Wildlife viewing is good in the area as well, though visitors should watch out for bears. The cabin can be accessed by hiking, biking, skiing, horseback or floatplanes. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Visitors enjoy boating and rainbow trout fishing on Lower Russian Lake. A rowboat with oars is provided at the cabin. Fishing equipment is not provided and permits are required to fish in the state ( click here for Alaska Department of Fish & Game regulations). The lake freezes during winter months. A variety of trails and unexplored areas exist near the cabin. Hikers and bikers can explore varying terrain, including muskeg, meadows and high-canopied forest along the 21-mile Russian Lakes Trail, toward the Upper Russian Lake Cabin. There is a high avalanche hazard on Russian Lakes Trail in the winter ( learn about avalanche safety ). Snow can remain on the trail until early June. Hunting is popular along the trail and in the surrounding area. Facilities The accessible log cabin has bunk space for six and a maximum occupancy of eight people. It is equipped with counter space, table, benches and a wood stove for heat. A splitting maul and hand saw are available. An outhouse is also provided. There is no electricity, potable water, mattresses, bedding, cooking utensils or cut firewood at the cabin. Visitors should bring sleeping bags and pads, a cook stove, cooking gear and food. Water taken from the lake should be treated or boiled before consumption. Natural Features The cabin is close to Cooper Landing off the Sterling Highway, in a fairly flat area on the east shore Lower Russian Lake. It is surrounded by a scattered spruce forest, and meadows with shrubs and brush, providing scenic mountain views. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area, including moose, black and brown bears and wolves. The surrounding area has a particularly high concentration of bears. For more information on access and regulations pertaining to this cabin, trail conditions, safety precautions and outdoor safety and ethics , please contact the Seward Ranger District.

8.7 km away

TROUT LAKE CABIN

Overview Trout Lake Cabin is a large, rustic cabin set alongside Trout Lake offering a place for visitors to come and enjoy the forests of south-central Alaska. It provides access to great fishing and canoeing opportunities on the lake, as well as a variety of trails and wildlife viewing in the area. The cabin can be accessed by floatplane, hiking, biking, skiing, horseback and snowmobile. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Visitors enjoy boating and fishing for rainbow trout and whitefish in Trout Lake. A rowboat with oars is provided at the cabin. Fishing equipment is not provided and permits are required to fish or hunt in the state, click here to learn more about Alaska Department of Fish & Game regulations. In season, visitors hunt for moose, black and brown bears and wolves in the surrounding forest. Hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, skijoring, snowshoeing and snowmobiling (during open seasons) are also popular in the area. Facilities The two-story log cabin has bunk space for seven and a maximum occupancy of eight people. It is equipped with counter space table, benches and a wood stove for heat. A splitting maul and hand saw are available. An outhouse is provided. There is no electricity, potable water, mattresses, bedding, cooking utensils or cut firewood at the cabin. Visitors should bring sleeping bags and pads, a cook stove, cooking gear and food. Water taken from the lakes or streams should be treated or boiled before consumption. Natural Features The cabin is located north of Sterling Highway on the eastern shore of the lake. It is surrounded by a willow, spruce and birch forest and open brushy areas. The cabin overlooks the lake and provides views of the nearby mountains. For more information on access and regulations pertaining to this cabin, trail conditions, safety precautions and outdoor safety and ethics ,please contact the Seward Ranger District.