Northwestern Kenai Peninsula

The northwestern end of the Kenai Peninsula [1] is accessible via the Sterling Highway, which joins the Seward Highway 37 miles north of Seward [2] and 90 miles south of Anchorage [3]. The mileposts along the Sterling also start counting at 37 from this point. The Sterling Highway heads west through Cooper Landing [4] and Soldotna [5], then south all the way to Homer [6], a total of 143 miles.

Between the junction and Cooper Landing (Mile 49) are two Forest Service campgrounds along Quartz Creek Road. Quartz Creek Campground (www.recreation.gov [7], $18–28) is in a beautiful setting right on Kenai Lake. Crescent Creek Campground ($14) is three miles down Quartz Creek Road. A 6.5-mile trail climbs 1,000 feet from the Crescent Creek parking lot to Crescent Lake.