Kachemak Bay State Park Campground - 5 Sites, Maps & Photos

Alaska's first state park, and only wilderness park, contains roughly 400,000 acres of mountains, glaciers, forests and ocean. Kachemak Bay is an arm of the north Pacific Ocean and is subject to severe and unpredictable weather. Visitors should prepare for a cool, wet, windy climate. Bring extra clothing and adequate rain gear. Kachemak Bay's tides are the second largest in the world. The average vertical difference between high and low waters is 15 feet, with an extreme of 28 feet. Tidal currents can be very strong, and rapids are often created in narrow passages, such as the entrances to Halibut Cove and Tutka Bay lagoons. Tide books, available at sporting goods stores, are essential. Use the Seldovia tables. Be sure your boat is secure before you leave it.

Location: The bay's twisted rock formations are evidence of the movement of the earth's crust. Highlighted by constantly changing weather patterns, the park's outstanding scenery is a backdrop for high quality recreation. Kachemak Bay is a critical habitat area, supporting many species of marine life. Visitors frequently observe sea otters, seals, porpoise and whales. Intertidal zones offer natural settings for marine studies. Land mammals include moose, black bear, mountain goats, coyotes and wolves. The many species of birds that inhabit the bay, including eagles, gyrfalcons and puffins, make it a popular area for bird watching.

Recreation: "Park visitors will find opportunities for fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, camping and mountain sports. Hiking and camping along the shoreline and in the surrounding forests and mountains are excellent. Above timberline, skiers and hikers will find glaciers and snowfields stretching for miles. Special park attractions include Grewingk Glacier, Poot Peak, China Poot Bay, Halibut Cove Lagoon, Humpy Creek, and China Poot (Leisure) Lake. "

Phone: 907-262-5581
Address: P.O. Box 1247, Soldotna, AK 99669
Fees: Non-Peak Primitive Site $10.00 Non-Peak Standard Full Hookup $22.00 Non-Peak Standard with Electric Hookup $19.00 Non-Peak Standard with Water and Electric Hookups $21.00 Peak Primitive Site $10-$12 Peak Standard Full Hookup $22.00-$24.00 Peak Standard with Electric Hookup $19.00-$21.00 Peak Standard with Water and Electric Hookups $21.00-$23.00
Facilities: Trails - More than 80 miles of trails provide access into the park's backcountry. Camping - Camping is permitted in most areas of the park. A number of sites have been developed that may include fireplaces, picnic tables, tent platforms, interpretive information, outhouses or food caches. Contact park staff for details. Public Use Cabins are available for rent on a reservation basis. The rustic cabins are located in the Halibut Cove Lagoon, Leisure Lake, Moose Valley, and Tutka Bay areas. Information on cabin rentals in Kachemak Bay State Park. Halibut Cove Lagoon Public Dock is an 80-foot-long floating structure, capable of mooring boats up to 26 feet long. The dock provides access to the Ranger Station, public restrooms, 2 public use cabins, and a major trailhead. Space is limited, and is available on a first come, first served basis.
Directions: Access to the park is by boat or airplane, as there are no roads to the park. Air charters, water taxi services, and boat rentals are available in Homer. Commercial operators must have a permit to operate within park units. If using a private boat, please use the caution necessary for coastal Alaskan waters, with respect to tides, weather, currents and your party's abilities and experience level. Kachemak Bay is often choppy in the afternoons, and can be hazardous to small watercraft. The lagoon offers good protection from these conditions. During winter months, the lagoon may be difficult to access due to wind, heavy seas, and flow ice. Accessing Halibut Cove Lagoon can be hazardous, as the inlet channel is NOT NAVIGABLE at mid to low tides. Park staff recommends accessing the lagoon at HIGH TIDE ONLY, and suggest contacting a ranger about tides and channel conditions if unfamiliar with the area. Water currents entering and leaving the lagoon can be swift and treacherous at mid to low tides. Boats over 30 feet, or with a draft of more than 4 feet generally do not enter the lagoon.

Kachemak Bay State Park

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