State Parks and National Parks

Captain Cook State Recreation Area, near Nikiski, is one of Alaska's quieter parks, a land of forests, lakes, streams and saltwater beaches on the Kenai Peninsula, just 25 miles north of Kenai.

There's good canoeing and boating on Stormy Lake, which also has a swimming beach. A boat-in tent site is found on the eastern shore.

Swanson River Canoe Landing is a destination for paddlers on a canoe trail that links 46 miles of the federally managed river with 40 lakes.

Moose, bears, coyotes, wolves, Beluga whales, harbor seals, bald eagles, sandhill cranes and trumpeter swans are some of many animals that inhabit the area.

Anglers fish for rainbow trout and silver salmon in the Swanson River and for rainbows and arctic char in Stormy Lake. Bow hunting is permitted in season.

Captain Cook has trails for cross-country skiing and hiking. There are some designated areas for all-terrain vehicles.

There is one designated campground. Discovery Campground has 52 campsites in a beautiful wooded area and offers a self-guided nature trail.

The 3,466-acre recreation area is named for Captain James Cook, the famous English mariner who explored what is now called Cook Inlet in 1778. It is located at the end of the Kenai Spur Highway, Mile 39.

The park is not staffed in winter, but public use is permitted.