Three Backwoods Retreats
On the Kenai Peninsula

When: Anytime.

Length: Any.

Fee Charged: Varies with the location and extra services needed from Dennis. The following lodging costs apply:

• Kenai River Trappers Cabin: $75 per day double occupancy
• Hesketh Island Wall Tent Retreat: $45 per day per tent, double occupancy
• Clam Gulch Homestead Log Cabin: $45 per day double occupancy
• Optional canoe rental is an extra $25 per day
• Optional Kenai river canoe trip to river cabin is $125 per day

Relax on the front porch and watch the river flow by and enjoy the peace and beauty of the Kenai river at your door step. The Kenai River is the spawning ground of several species of salmon, Coho, Sockeye and silvers. If fishing is your goal try catching the big one from the bank, or from a guide which can be arranged.

The rustic flavor is intact to keep the impact down to a minimum. Septic is chemical toilet, because of the high water table due to being on a island in the river. Due to the damage that could occur by having many modern facilities the cabin has been kept rustic. The river is a Alaska treasure and development along it's banks have been regulated to slow degradation due to development

Keep an eye out for bears! In the summer bears feed off of salmon that float back after spawning. Bears can be spotted at the tip of Dow Island and it's not rare to find feeding spots just off the porch of the cabin on the rivers edge.

The Trappers River cabin is only accessible by boat, canoe, or float plane. A canoe is furnished to get to the cabin with a map on how to get to the river cabin. The River Cabin is close to the road system, so getting there will not take a lot of time, but the feeling of being remote is kept intact.

Guided fishing can be arranged to pick up clients right at the cabin upon request.

Hesketh Island Wall Tent Retreat

Hesketh Island is the least developed of the three locations, because of the remote nature and unspoiled beauty of the location. The objective is to keep the beauty and have minimal impact by offering accommodations that are the least intrusive and damaging which is wall tents.

Hesketh Island is located in a Marine preserve and offers the opportunity to view Whales which sometimes breach in Eldred Passage and can be seen from the hill top looking down Tutka bay pictured above. Sea otters, and several species of marine birds can be observed feeding off the island. The real treat is to go tide pooling at low tide were you will find many invertebrates and limu that tantalize the senses. The wall tent accommodations represent the era when gold miners and explorers were transversing Alaska's vast terrain. Transportation to the island is by water taxi from Homer's Spit.

The Wall tents will have two cots. You will have to bring all other gear, sleeping bags cooking gear, food, Drinking Water etc. Kayaking is availabel unpon request and local kayak guides can be contacted to offer tours and lessons. Cooking on open fires is prohibited, because of the danger of fire and the use of fire wood would slowly deforest the island.

The Homestead Cabin at Clam Gulch

The Homestead Cabin was built in the 1940's when this area of Alaska was settled and sets on a hill over looking cook Inlet and the Aleutian Range across Cook Inlet which is part of the pacific Ring of Fire with several active volcanoes along it's length. From the cabin you can see three active volcanoes, two of which have gone off in the last fifteen years.

Activities Clam Gulch is a winter and summer playground for the out door enthusiast, because it is located near some of the best ocean and river fishing spots in South Central Alaska. Halibut are the major ocean catch here. The rivers of Kenai, Kasilof, deep creek and Ninilchik rivers offer all species of Salmon in the summer starting in May. Clamming is a stones throw away from the Home stead cabin, just a short walk from the door step. The limit is 60/day.

In the winter the Caribou Hills Recreation Area has hundreds of miles of groomed ski and snow machine trails awaiting You. Start right from the Homestead Cabins front door and go for miles on ten foot wide groomed trails up into the high country with vistas of the ocean and mountains. Alaska's maritime climate is tempered by the ocean and you'll find the temperatures quit mild by Alaskan standards in the winter. Cross Country Skiing, or skijoring, skiing with dogs, is a real treat for for anyone looking for miles of trail to explore and hidden valleys to discover. Pets are welcome and Dog Sled tours can be arranged through the local mushers.