cooper Landing

Anglers dot the banks of the Kenai River

Cooper Landing is nestled in the majestic Kenai Mountains beside the beautiful turquoise waters of Kenai Lake, the Upper Kenai and Russian Rivers. This area has been inhabited as far back as 2000 BC when the Kachemak Riverine tribe established fish camps along the rivers. The Dena’ina Athabaskan Indians arrived in approximately 1000 AD and dominated the area until just over a century ago.

Cooper Landing is surrounded by the Chugach National Forest and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The area’s convergence of scenic mountains, rivers, well-maintained hiking trails, spectacular sport fishing and plentiful wildlife make it a favorite outdoor recreation destination for Alaskans and visitors looking for an adventure.

The town was originally called Coopers Landing, named after Joseph Cooper who arrived in 1884 to search for gold on the Russian River and nearby creeks.

The Kenai River served as the principal means of transportation in the area. A road from Seward to Anchorage was built in 1938 but before that, only the railroad connected the towns. It was not until 1950 that the Sterling Highway was completed and it connected the rest of the Kenai Peninsula to Anchorage.

Cooper Landing is home to some of the best sport fishing in the world with easy access to the Russian and Upper Kenai Rivers. These two rivers provide anglers with some of Alaska’s finest yet affordable sport fishing opportunities.

The Russian River Ferry at mile 55, crosses the Kenai River to allow anglers to access the Kenai & Russian Rivers Confluence, which is the most productive sockeye (red) salmon sport fishery on earth.

VIsITOr INfO

Cooper Landing Visitor Info Cabin at Mile 48.6 Sterling Highway.