Located just a hop, skip and a jump from Homer, Kachemak Bay State Park contains 375,000 acres of mountains, fjords, glaciers, forests and ocean, and is home to China Poot Bay, Halibut Cove, Peterson Bay and Tutka Bay. With the 2-million-acre Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and the 670,000-acre Kenai Fjords National Park right next door, the wilderness appears to go on forever.
Hiking and camping along the shoreline is often rewarded with glimpses of marine life, such as sea otters, seals, porpoises, puffins and whales. Those who venture inland to the forests, mountains and alpine lakes may see moose, black bears, mountain goats, coyotes and wolves. Eagles and gyrfalcons - large arctic falcons - soar overhead.
More than 40 miles of trails offer easy-to-difficult hikes. Cross-country and telemark skiers and ice climbers pursue their sport above the timberline on miles of glaciers and snowfields. Hunting and fishing for salmon and rainbow trout are also popular.
The park has primitive campsites and public-use cabins. Backpackers are encouraged to camp at designated sites because of the potential for bear encounters.
No roads lead to the park, but the area is easily accessible. Several Homer based air taxis provide frequent flight service and there are numerous water taxis available.
