Soldotna Alaska is a rapidly growing community bordering the Kenai River, one of  Alaska's top salmon fishing streams. Soldotna's population is 4,200 however when you include the surrounding area the population jumps to over 10,000.  Located 145 miles from Anchorage, 95 miles from Seward and 80 miles from Homer, Soldotna is an "outdoorsy" sort of place that appeals to residents and visitors alike because of the fine hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities available throughout the year.

Soldotna Alaska nestles along the Sterling and the Kenai Spur highways. However you will notice that the homes extend far beyond these natural borders. Everything  is so woods-oriented that even the town seems to melt into the surrounding forest even before it gets to the back lot markers.

The Kenai River, which winds its way down the Peninsula through Soldotna and joins the sea at the city of Kenai, is one of the better places in Alaska  for you to catch a really big King salmon. This may seem like a surprising  fact, because trophy King salmon fishing is commonly identified with charter bush flights and expensive stays at wilderness lodges. This is not really  so, however, since Soldotna has many top notch fishing guides who have a reputation for consistently helping visitors find and catch trophy Kings as well as smaller  (but scrappy) silver salmon and spirited Dollies and rainbows.

How big is a really big King? Well, a 97 lb. 4 oz., world record on a line,  King salmon was taken from these waters in 1985, and catching Kings of over 60 pounds is not uncommon here.

The Kenai offers top trophy King salmon fishing during June and July. Dolly  Varden are caught all summer, red salmon run heavily in June and July, silvers  run in August and September. Pink salmon are plentiful late July through August (even years only). Handicap accessible fishing is available at Soldotna Creek Park and Centennial Park.

History
In relative terms, Soldotna is young. The name "Soldotna" came either from the Russian term for soldier, or the Indian term for stream fork.  In any case, the name was adopted long after the fact because the present  community did not exist until the 1940's. Selection of the site was natural because the two highways and the Kenai River come together here—an unusual  situation in a state generally starved for transportation routes.

Information/Emergency

Soldotna Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center is on  the Sterling Highway at the south end of the Kenai River bridge, it is open May 1 to September 30, 9am to 7pm daily. The remainder of the year, hours are 9am to 5pm. Mon day to Friday, and noon to 5pm on Saturday. There is a  wide assortment of displays inside the center including the World Record King Salmon caught by Les Anderson in 1985. Soldotna Chamber of Commerce; 44790  Sterling Highway, Soldotna, AK 99669; 907-262-1337 or 262-9814.

Post Office on Binkley St. between Park and Corral Ave.

ATM: National Bank of Alaska on main highway through Soldotna.

Internet access: Public Library

Library is on Binkley St.

Emergency only 911; State Troopers 262-4453; City police 262-4455;  General Hospital 250 General Place, 907-262-4404. Family Medical Clinic, 907-262-7566.

Propane/Water/Dump
AmeriGas, mile 1.5 Kenai Spur Road, 907-262-4683. RV gas, appliance repairs and safety inspections. Motor fuel and cylinder filling.

Soldotna ‘Y’ Chevron on the Sterling Highway and the Kenai Spur Road is a complete vehicle repair center. They also have 24-hour towing.

Laundromat
Soldotna Laundromat on Kenai Spur Highway approximately 1/2 block from junction of Kenai Spur and Sterling Highway.

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Accommodations

Soldotna Inn Standard rooms and fully equipped apartments. WiFi & complimentary internet access available in ur lobby. Complimentary continential breakfast and gift shop. Online reservations. Cable TV, kitchenettes, gift shop, 35041 Kenai Spur Highway, Soldotna, AK 99669, 907-262-9169.

Kenai River Lodge Motor Inn overlooking world famous Kenai River. 393 W. Riverside Drive, Soldotna, AK 99669; 907-262-4292 fax 907-262-7332.

Camping
Soldotna Centennial Park Campground just across the Kenai River Bridge,  has 132 campsites, picnic tables, fire pits, toilets, water, dump station  and boat launch. Fee area.

Soldotna Swiftwater Park has 31 camp sites, some pull-through's, tables,  fire pits, picnic shelter, toilets, water, fishing, and boat launch. There  are day use or overnight fees. Turn left on Mt. Redoubt Avenue, near the junction of the Sterling and Kenai Spur Highways.

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Dining

Mykel's Restaurant & Lounge. 907-262-4305. Mykel's exquisite food, comfortable atmosphere and friendly service will be sure to please you. Daily  specialities include fresh local seafood, choice meats and delicious sauces.

Buckets Sports Grill off the Sterling Highway at the North end of Soldotna offers you great food and full-time sports action on their giant  TV. Nestled off the highway in a wooded grove, you'll find this a great place to enjoy great burgers and dinners. 11am til 11pm. 907-262-7220.

Sal's Klondike Diner, on the Sterling Highway in downtown Soldotna, has been the place to find great food for a long time. Home of the "World Famous" Alaskan sized cinnamon rolls, delicious home-made soups and the  Yukon burger. A full breakfast menu is served all day and you can even get  a lunch packed to go. You'll find everything from snacks to full dinners here, and everything can be taken out Mile 95.5 Sterling Highway, they are open  24 hours every day. 907-262-2220.

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Shopping

Deep Creek Custom Packing at the "Y" in Soldotna. Home of the finest gourmet smoked salmon and halibut in the world.  Free samples and coffee. Seafood display includes locally caught scallops,  razor clams, crab, halibut, and salmon. Sport fishermen take their own catch in to be hand-packed, frozen, canned or smoked to their specifications. PO Box 229, Ninilchik, AK 99639; 907-567 3395 or toll free 1-800-764-0078.

Beemun's Variety Full line of Hallmark cards. Alaskan gifts, household goods, crafts. Fax service, fax 907 262-3525. Mile 1.2 Kenai Spur Road 907-262-1234.

Peninsula Processing & Smokehouse Alaska's finest seafood products direct from the fishing capital Alaska's famed Kenai Peninsula! At Peninsula Processing and Smokehouse we select only  the freshest salmon and bottomfish, then carefully hand fillet, brine and  delicately season each portion. Our state-of-the-art horizontal smoking process  insures consistent alderwood smoked products second to none. Try us and you will discover the difference! 720 Kalifornsky Beach Road, Soldotna, AK 99669; 907-262-8846

Ed's Kasilof Seafoods. We buy wild Alaska salmon and Alaskan seafood and create unique gourmet seafood gifts and deliver them to your door. This wonderful bounty of fresh Alaskan Salmon, King Crab, Smoked Salmon, fresh Halibut and Nova style Salmon Lox is sure to please even the most finicky of seafood lovers. We offer corporate gifts and holiday baskets for any special gift giving occasion. We will custom design any of our great Alaska seafood gifts to fit your individual gift ideas. 1-800-982-2377

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Fishing
Alaskan Fishing Adventures based in Soldotna is one of the state's biggest and best known fishing guide services. Tim Berg, owner of the company,  has many years of successful guiding on the rivers of the Kenai Peninsula. He or one of his guides will supply you with everything you need for a great  fishing trip. In the past couple of years Alaskan Fishing Adventures has expanded  its operation to include fishing for monster halibut in the ocean near Deep Creek, and according to most fishermen this is the ultimate experience. One  outfitter really can take care of all your fishing requirements. Alaskan Fishing Adventures has three guest lodges that offer a variety of accommodations ranging  from condominium style to absolutely deluxe retreats designed with the discriminating angler in mind. Complete packages are available, including accommodation, meals, transportation, and fantastic fishing. Alaskan Fishing Adventures at  Box 2457, Soldotna, AK 99669; 907-262-9683 or toll free 1-800-548-3474.

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Things To Do
Soldotna Historical Society Museum. In 1986 the City of Soldotna leased 6 acres in Centennial Park for a period of 30 years to the Soldotna Historical  Society. In the summer of 1990 the Society opened the area to visitors to  view a "homesteader's village" comprised of several original log buildings used by Soldotna homesteaders in earlier days.

Among the log buildings available for viewing is the community school house, built in 1958. The Slikok Valley School, renamed Damon Hall in 1963, features a mural by local artist Boyd Shaffer and is filled with homesteader's donations. The former tourist information building, used by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, was given to the Society in 1987 and is also within the museum with early-day artifacts and wildlife mounts on display.

The Wildlife Museum and Historic Homestead Village opens May 15, 10 to 4,  Tuesday through Saturday, 12 to 4 on Sunday and closed Monday. On Centennial Park Road the museum is a wonderful stroll through the early days of Soldotna, into a time and a way of life that is not lost to "modern day" living. More information can be obtained at the Soldotna Visitor Information Center.

Soldotna Progress Days which occurs during the fourth weekend of July  includes a parade, rodeo, a street fair, all day entertainment. Vendors, air  show, community barbecue/dance, arts and crafts show and other events.

Nearby Attractions
Scenery, service, accessibility and accommodation make Soldotna one of the leading visitor destinations on the Kenai Peninsula. The area is filled with forests and mountain views that will astound you.

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has campgrounds, fishing, canoeing, hiking, picnicking and boating. Travelers wishing to visit the Refuge Headquarters  and Visitor Center should turn east at the south end of the Kenai River Bridge  and follow the signs.

Mount Redoubt, Mount Iliamna and Mount Spur, are beautiful snowcovered volcanic peaks that have all erupted in the last decade. These volcanoes along with Mt. Augustine, farther south, are part of the world famous "Rim of Fire".

Razor clam beaches, extending 50 miles from Cohoe to Ninilchik, offer the opportunity for you to dig your limit of clams in a single afternoon.

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