The Kenai Peninsula is a microcosm of Alaska, possessing nearly all of its virtues: Native cultures, abundant wildlife, ocean and coastal settings, Russian and pioneer history, mountain wilderness, urban amenities, and plenty of outdoor activities.

Its diverse attractions include the dramatic Kenai Fjords National Park, noteworthy art galleries, some of the state’s finest canoeing, world-class museums, islands thick with nesting seabirds, intriguing reminders of Russia’s affair with Alaska, an enormous national wildlife refuge, a glacier visitors can stroll up to, luxurious wilderness lodges, hundreds of kilometres of beautiful coastline, and world-renowned fishing for salmon, halibut, and other species.

As in much of the state, the Kenai’s modern growth was boosted by the discovery of gold and oil and gas. Today the oil and gas industry, commercial fishing, and tourism are the economic mainstay.