Captain Cook State Recreation Area
Captain Cook State
Recreation Area is virtually undiscovered by most visitors to the Kenai
Peninsula. It offers a peaceful setting of forests, lakes, streams and
saltwater beaches. The recreation area can be reached by driving 25 miles
north of Kenai on the North Kenai Road to milepost 36.
Recreational Opportunities
Captain Cook State Recreation Area offers a variety of recreation activities,
from canoeing and boating on Stormy Lake to beach combing on Cook Inlet's
tide-swept shores, bird watching, berry picking, and wildlife observation.
The beaches are popular with agate hunters.
Anglers may enjoy fishing for rainbow trout and silver salmon in Swanson River as well as rainbows and arctic char in Stormy Lake. Current fishing regulations will give complete information on seasons and limits. Winter visitors enjoy ice fishing on Stormy Lake.
Wildlife you may see during your visit includes moose, bear, coyote,
wolves, Beluga whales, harbor seals, beaver, muskrat, bald eagles, sandhill
cranes, trumpeter swans, arctic and common loons, golden-eye ducks,
mergansers, thrushes, warblers, and jays.
History
This state recreation area is named for Captain James Cook, the famous
English mariner, who in 1778 explored what is now known as Cook Inlet.
At that time the area was occupied by Taniana Indians who harvested
seasonal runs of salmon and other wild foods. Remains of Taniana house
pits are evidence of the Indians' earlier presence. In recent years
the beach area has been used for commercial fishing with beach set-nets.
Be careful of...
walking
on the mudflats. The tide can move in four times faster than
you can run.
bears.
Keep a clean camp.
swimming
in the cold water. There is no lifeguard on duty.
boating
too close to swimmers in Stormy Lake. Boating in Cook Inlet is
not recommended.
Please protect our parks
Park rules are set to allow every visitor to enjoy Alaska's State Parks and to protect our parks for future generations. Compliance with these regulations is an expression of your concern for others and for your parks.
Protect
natural features by leaving them for the next person to enjoy.
Cutting green trees, damaging tree bark, and destroying vegetation are
prohibited. Removing bark from trees can kill them.
Discharge
of firearms, fireworks and explosives is prohibited in the entire
recreation area.
Bow
hunting is permitted in the recreation area during open season.
Please check current game regulations.
Motor
vehicles are restricted to roads and parking lots to avoid destruction
of vegetation and wildlife habitat.
All-terrain
vehicles, including three-wheelers, are allowed ONLY in designated
areas (see map). Snow machines are permitted, except on ski trails, when
the snow depth is sufficient to protect vegetation.
All
fires must be confined to fireplaces provided, camp stoves or
saltwater beaches.
Click here to see a map of Captain Cook State Recreation Area.
For more information:
Alaska State Parks
Kenai Area Office
PO Box 1247
Soldotna, AK 99669
(907)262-5581
Emergency
Contacts
State Park Rangers: 262-5581
State Troopers: 262-4453 or 911
To report a fire: 262-5528 or 911
For a copy of this brochure, contact the DNR Public Information Center at dnr.pic@alaska.gov
