Cooper Landing sits at the heart of some of the best fishing in the world. It is located at the west end of Kenai Lake and near the world famous Kenai River. It was named for Joseph Cooper, a miner who discovered gold here in the mid-1890's. A school and post office opened in the 1920's to serve the local residents. Roads were built in the late 40's and early 50's to Kenai and Anchorage. The town stretches along several miles of the Sterling Highway and the Kenai River.

Information
Emergency only: 911, ambulance & volunteer fire department.

Internet access: Cooper Landing Community Library.

Cooper Landing Post Office at mile 48.7

Forest Service trails include Resurrection Pass Trail from Cooper Landing to near Hope, about 35 miles, fairly strenuous trail. Lower Russian Lake and the falls on Russian River, where you can watch the salmon jump during the salmon runs. An easy 3 mile trail. The trail to Crescent Lake is a climbing series of switchbacks and beautiful scenery, approximately 6 miles to the lake.

Cooper Landing Grocery. Groceries, produce, newsstand, drugs, sundries, home-made sandwiches.

Accommodations

Gwin’s Lodge Mile 52/km 83.7. 14865 Sterling Hwy. Cooper Landing, AK 99572; 907-595-1266. It seems that Gwin’s has been serving Alaskans and visitors with their own brand of hospitality forever. Long known as the place to stop in the Kenai, Gwin’s can fulfill your every need. Comfortable log cabins, chalets, and cottages. All units have private bath/showers. Restaurant, bar, store and charter booking service. Be sure to make time for the exceptional Salmon Bake & Music Pavilion in a majestic mountain setting. Closest lodge to the Kenai and Russian Rivers Confluence, the best Sockeye Salmon sport fishery on Earth and the finest road accessible Rainbow Trout fishing in Alaska. Open 24 hours/day in summer. Gwin’s is one of Alaska’s few remaining pioneer hand-built log roadhouses. Where Alaskans and visitors alike, stop for homemade “Alaska-sized portions and fast, courteous service. Gwin’s was selected in 2000 by “USA Today” newspaper as a Top 50 “America’s Best Plates” restaurant. In addition to a great selection of tackle for the local fishing areas, the gift shop has quality fleece wear, T-shirts, caps with their special logo and much more. Comfortable log cabins, chalets, and cottages, all units have private bath/showers. Majority of units are new and nicely appointed. Gwin’s exclusive “around-the-clock” menu includes delicious, home-made chili, soups, award-winning chowders, quiches, pies and cinnamon rolls as well as grilled steaks, salmon, halibut and our world-famous burger line-up. Gwin’s Lodge charter booking service has a wide array of outdoor recreation excursions on the Kenai Peninsula.

Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge Mile 47.7 Sterling Highway, Cooper Landing; 907-595-1425. This true Alaskan lodge overlooking the Kenai River is just two hours from Anchorage in the geographic heart of the Kenai Peninsula. Private hillside bungalow-style rooms with wood-stoves, seating areas, porches, telephones and televisions. Lodge amenities include a restaurant, lounge, espresso bar, outdoor deck, exercise room, and gift shop. Reservations suggested. Open mid-May through mid-September. Princess Lodge often runs special summer rates and packages. Call 800-426-0500 for reservations and information.

Camping

Kenai Riverside Campground & RV Park, mile 49.7 Sterling Highway in Cooper Landing. 888-KENAIRV (888-536-2478). 25 partial hookups plus camping on the Kenai River, clean bathrooms and showers, dump station, fish from the bank, fishing licenses sold on site. B&B rooms also available. Discounts on fish and raft trips with overnight stays.

Cooper Creek mile 50.5 USFS campground. Water, tables, fire pits and toilets.

Things to Do

Alaska Wildland Adventures/Kenai River Sportfishing Lodge mile 50.1 Take a rafting or fishing trip with Alaska Wildland Adventures and you’ll enjoy the unique and scenic setting on the Kenai River. Daily-guided raft trips, delicious Alaskan picnic lunch, opportunities to view wildlife and photograph the stunning scenery of one of the world’s most beautiful rivers. This company is well known for its professional guides and deluxe boats. All tackle, rods and reels are furnished. Operating since 1977. 1-800-478-4100

Gwin's Lodge Mile 52/km 83.7. It seems that Gwin’s has been serving Alaskans and visitors with their own brand of hospitality forever. Long known as the place to stop in the Kenai, Gwin’s can fulfill your every need. Comfortable log cabins, chalets, and cottages. All units have private bath/showers. Restaurant, bar, store and charter booking service. Closest lodge to the Kenai and Russian Rivers Confluence, the best Sockeye Salmon sport fishery on Earth and the finest road accessible Rainbow Trout fishing in Alaska. Open 24 hours/day in summer. 14865 Sterling Hwy. Cooper Landing, AK 99572; 907-595-1266.

Alaska River Adventures. Fishing from drift boats on Alaska's Upper Kenai & Kasilof Rivers and inflatable rafts on wilderness river fishing trips. They guide guests staying at the Cooper Landing's most prestigious lodges and independent fishermen who want to fish on premium Alaskan rivers.

K’Beq (Footprints) in 1984 Archaeologists found prehistoric artifacts, Indian and Eskimo graves near Mile 55. Dena’ina Athabascans share their traditions & culture through interpretive walks. Visitors can also learn about traditional plant use. The interpretive site opened near Mile 53 in 1997.