Captain Cook
State Recreation Area

Captain Cook encompasses approximately 4,000 acres of forests, lakes, rivers and saltwater beaches. The area offers swimming, a canoe landing and take-out point for the Swanson River canoe trails, picnic sites and camping.

The parks was named after the famous British explorer, Captain James Cook who came to this part of the world in 1778 in the ship "Discovery."

You can reach the beach with a trail from Bishop Creek, which is now a day-use area due to concerns about bears. On a clear day you can see Mt. McKinley from the beach.

The swimming beach at Stormy Lake can be reached by a road that leads to the right. If it's too cold to swim, you might enjoy walking down to the lake. Look for raspberries in season, and moose tracks.

Back on the park road, Picnic Loop has a number of stoves and tables, some with shelters. The boat launch is further down the road. You can fish for arctic char and rainbow trout year round. Watch for eagles around the lake.

The next road to the right takes you to the take-out point for the Swanson River Canoe Trail and a good place to fish for silver salmon August-September.

Discovery campground near the end of the road has sites for both tents and RV hookups. The fee is $10 a night. Discovery picnic site has several tables. Both the campground and the picnic area are on the bluff overlooking Cook Inlet, which has one of the world's greatest tidal ranges. Observe the sign at the road to the beach and don't let an incoming tide catch you off guard. Look for agates and tiny shells on the beach.

There are several kinds of wild berries you can pick in the late summer. Be sure you avoid the poisonous baneberry. They are often mixed with the highbush cranberries that you might want to pick for jelly, and remember, bears have first rights to the berries.

The Yurick Nature Trail rings the campground with interpretive displays identifying wildflowers. Part of the trail overlooks the inlet
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There is no service for cellular phones in the park except at certain points along the bluff. This includes boat and canoe launch areas.

Rules to follow while in the park: