Soldotna

Soldotna, population 4,140, is the hub of the peninsula. This is because it is built around a highway junction that leads to Kenai and other peninsula communities. It is also the focus of a multitude of recreational activities on the Central Peninsula.

It offers all services and is the seat of the Kenai Peninsula Borough government and the borough school district.

Soldotna has several hotel/motels and numerous bed and breakfast units available. The two city camper parks and several privately operated camper parks are located on the Kenai River.

The city's Swiftwater Park has 40 campsites, is reached by turning south on East Redoubt Avenue just a half mile east of the Sterling Highway intersection (between Holiday and Great Bear Ford). Centennial Park, 180 units, is reached by turning north of Kalifornsky Beach Road at the stop light, then right at the park sign. Both parks are in forested areas and have boat launches, water fill and sanitary dumps. Fees are posted.

A variety of restaurants allow diners to choose from fast food fare, all the way to complete gourmet meals. Large chain stores plus independent merchants - some clustered in malls, other in various settings, make shopping easy and pleasurable.

You can rent a car, van or other vehicle. Taxi service is also available. Soldotna Airport has charters and tie downs for private aircraft.

911 reaches a dispatcher who can contact police, troopers, fire department or ambulance. The Central Peninsula General Hospital on Hospital Circle off Marydale Drive, has 24 hour emergency service with a physician on duty at all times. Soldotna has several doctors covering most specialties as well as dentists, eye doctors, chiropractors, and veterinarians.

A state-of-the-art Visitor Information Center sits in a wooded setting on the banks of the Kenai river. The entrance is on the Sterling Highway right after you cross the Kenai River going toward Homer. Visitors have the opportunely to view an extensive photo display of pictures from around the Kenai Peninsula. Wildlife displays that include a black bear, wolverine, bald eagle, mountain goat, King crab and several species of birds and the world record King Salmon. Brochures, visitor guides, maps , information on Peninsula communities, activities and events are available.

Soldotna's strategic location at the junction of the Sterling Highway and the Kenai Spur Road has ensured a steady growth since the area was opened to homsteading in 1947.

The first homesteaders were World War II veterans who had a 90-day preference right over non-veterans in choosing and filing for land. There was no easy way to get here. Some flew or took a barge to Kenai, then hiked the 11 miles to Soldotna. Others took a train to Moose Pass and sloshed 70 or 80 miles through the mud.

The existing Soldotna Creek lent the city its name. Some say "Soldotna" came from the Russian word meaning "soldier." Others say it is from an Athabascan Indian word meaning the "stream fork."

Kenai Peninsula College, part of the University of Alaska system, is situated about 5 miles from downtown Soldotna within the city limits.

What to see and do:
Kenai River Fish Walk
Located just down the steps from the Soldotna Visitors Center. Drop a line and try your luck, you may catch a fish. Or pack a picnic lunch and eat on the sun deck.
The First Post Office
Located in downtown Soldotna, it is still standing where it was first homesteaded. The first postmaster, Maxine Lee, was paid a salary of $14 a month. With no electricity, Maxine had to learn to add large amounts of numbers in her head.
Soldotna Senior Center
Stop in for lunch and join in some fun activities. Who knows you may meet an elder and learn some fascinating facts about Alaska.
Old Town Kenai Walking Tour
Take a walk down memory lane, with this self-guided tour, maps are provided at the Kenai Visitors Center. All you history buffs will love Old Town Kenai.
Wildlife Museum and Historic Village
Where original homesteader cabins and artifacts are displayed allowing a glimpse into the early days of Soldotna life. Located on Centennial Drive in Soldotna.
National Wildlife Refuge Center
Take a guided or unguided walk along the marked trails to Headquarters Lake. Bring your camera, there is usually some Alaskan wildlife. In the Center, movies play hourly about Alaska and its wildlife.
City Parks
Swiftwater and Centennial Parks are listed above. These are both fee use areas.
Rotary Park is located near the Soldotna Municipal Airport. There is a small parking area at the head of the 3/4 mile trail that leads to the river. The trail is handicapped-accessible with assistance. This is the place for catching sockeye, silver or pink salmon. This is a fee use area.
Soldotna Creek Park
To reach this park, going toward Homer on Sterling Highway, turn left on States Ave. by Pioneer Gardens. Picnic areas with barbecues are scattered through the trees an overlook the Kenai River. There's playground equipment for the kids and a volleyball net, as well as benches set to face the river. A wide trail that is handicap accessible with assistance, leads to the mouth of Soldotna Creek and over 500 feet of elevated boardwalk.
Soldotna Visitor Center Classic Fishwalk
The 250-foot Classic Fishwalk can be accessed by a set of stairs to the left of the center. At the bottom of the stairs, benches are provided where you can sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the river . Along the fishwalk, you are welcome to throw a hook in he river's waters. This area is known for sockeye, silver and pink salmon.

Soldotna also has several day use parks where you can go to give the kids a chance to let off steam while you sit and enjoy the scenic surroundings. Be sure to stop and enjoy the Pioneer Gardens on the Sterling Highway, maintained by the Soldotna Master Gardeners.

Soldotna's proximity to the Kenai River and that river's reputation for yielding huge king salmon makes sport fishing a major attraction for tourists. You can have your catch custom smoked or canned, frozen or exchanged. Many visitors hire one of the active registered guides to take them out in boats. Since king salmon generally do not hug the bank, boat traffic is considerable during the season.

The Central Peninsula Sports Center, on Kalifornsky Beach Road has an olymic-sized ice rink, racquetball courts, exercise rooms etc. This same area boasts the baseball fields and the rodeo arena.

Soldotna has a golf course and the high school swimming pool is open to the public certain hours.

The well-equipped high school auditorium hosts a variety of musical and drama productions.

Events:
Jan.: Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race
Feb.:Peninsula Winter Games. Just the right thing to cure cabin fever, they include ice sculpture, ice bowling, sled rides, Alaska State Sled Dog Weight Pulling Contest, and others.
Ty-Clark sled Dog Races
Skijoring Races
March
St. Patrick's Day Celebration complete with a parade, a day full of activities and an Irish banquet with fireworks at the end of the day.
July:
Progress Days. Held the third weekend in July, starts with a parade and continues the full weekend with lots of activities.
Soldotna Creek Celebration. Celebrate our beautiful area with FREE food, music, and kids activities, plus Alaskan artisans selling their wares. Come enjoy an afternoon of fun for the whole family on the bank of the Kenai River. Call 260-5449.