Photo opportunities in front of Grewingk Glacier.

Kachemak Bay State Park Alaska

From ancient icefields to forests of fern and Sitka spruce, a natural wonderland awaits.

Explore Elephant Rock by kayak with Homer Ocean Charters.

Kachemak Bay State Park Alaska

From ancient icefields to forests of fern and Sitka spruce, a natural wonderland awaits.

Kachemak Bay State Park

Across the water from Homer, the little bayside town at the end of the Sterling Highway, a wall of mountains rises. They are laced with snowfields and glaciers, swaths of bright white beautifully contrasted by green slopes and the water's sparkling blue tint. This is Kachemak Bay State Park.

The park comprises 400,000 acres of true roadless wilderness. Through its acreage about 80 miles of trails roam, ranging from the moderate Grewingk Glacier Lake Trail to the more difficult Grace Ridge traverse. There are some developed camping sites as well as public-use cabins and yurts (available for reservations).

Since there are no roads to Kachemak Bay State Park, visitors access the park by private boat, water taxi, float plane, or guided tour from Homer. Guided tours are an especially enjoyable way to experience Kachemak Bay State Park, whether by trail or by kayak. Along with the beautiful landscapes, these day trips often treat visitors to plentiful wildlife sightings. The park is home to otters, porpoises, seabirds, land mammals like bears and moose, and abundant intertidal sea creatures. Visitors to the park can also enjoy fishing, beachcombing, boating, and camping.

Show More

A unique feature of the park is the Kachemak Bay Water Trail. The 125-mile boating route goes from the Homer Spit to the bay's headwaters and then down through the sub-bays along the north side of the park. The trail highlights many park attractions, including Grewingk Glacier, Tutka Bay, Sadie Peak, China Poot Bay, Halibut Cove Lagoon, Humpy Creek, and Leisure Lake. In Homer, be sure to visit the free Alaska Islands & Oceans Visitor Center to learn more about the area's vibrant wetland habitat.

To visit Kachemak Bay State Park, most visitors drive to Homer from Anchorage or Seward and then catch a tour or water taxi across the bay. Alaska Tour & Travel can coordinate a rental car out of Anchorage as well as Homer lodging and day tours.

Show Less

Kachemak Bay State Park Alaska