The Top Three Choices Offer Opportunities for Clam Digging, Outstanding Fly Fishing, and Spectacular Wildlife Viewing.
Clam Gulch State Recreation Area
Alaskans are well known for their pursuit of recreation year round, but nothing beats the wonderful opportunity to get out in the spring for the first clam digging of the year.
Clam Gulch State Recreation Area, located on the Kenai Peninsula’s Sterling Highway at milepost 118 and south of Soldotna, is one of the prime spring time destinations for Alaskans eager to harvest some of Alaska’s seafood bounty and get into the summer recreation mood. Visitors may choose to camp overnight here or in other State Park campgrounds nearby (Johnson Lake State Recreation Area is popular with spring time clam diggers), or visit for the day only. Armed with a bucket and shovel and dressed warmly in rubber boots and jackets, clam diggers descend on the beaches starting in April during the weeks with the best “minus tides” that permit access to the best digging areas. Fresh razor clams are an annual tradition for kicking off a summer of fun in Alaska!
Kenai River Special Management Area
The
Kenai River Special Management Area includes the 105 mile long Kenai River system of the river as well as Kenai and Skilak Lakes, and is located on the Kenai Peninsula. Springtime fishing for trophy sized rainbow trout and dolly varden char is a popular endeavor for the hardy fly fishermen willing to brave cool spring temperatures. Since the river closes to fishing for these species from mid April to mid June, anglers generally target late March and early April for some of the best early season catch and release fishing. Other popular spring activities (March – May) on the KRSMA include non motorized boating (rafting, canoeing, or kayaking) in the section of river above and below Skilak Lake to enjoy whitewater boating or to watch trumpeter swans and other new waterfowl arrivals.
Chugach State Park
One of Alaska’s premier parks,
Chugach State Park, is huge (over 500,000 acres) and located in the back yard of Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage. Anchorage residents play in Chugach State Park year round, but Alaskans flock to the popular trails especially in the spring when the warm sun melts the snow on south facing slopes and makes the extensive hiking trail system along Turnagain Arm accessible. With the spectacular views of scenery and wildlife watching opportunities, combined with early spring “green up”, the Chugach State Park hiking and biking trails are a magnet for Alaskans eager to shed their winter coats and head for the hills to embrace yet another Alaskan season.
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