Kachemak Bay State Park

Overview

Brochure InfoAlaska's first state park, and only wilderness park, contains roughly 400,000 acres of mountains, glaciers, forests and ocean. Kachemak Bay is an arm of the north Pacific Ocean and is subject to severe and unpredictable weather. Visitors should prepare for a cool, wet, windy climate. Bring extra clothing and adequate rain gear. Kachemak Bay's tides are the second largest in the world. The average vertical difference between high and low waters is 15 feet, with an extreme of 28 feet. Tidal currents can be very strong, and rapids are often created in narrow passages, such as the entrances to Halibut Cove and Tutka Bay lagoons. Tide books, available at sporting goods stores, are essential. Use the Seldovia tables. Be sure your boat is secure before you leave it.Brochure Info - OrientationThe bay's twisted rock formations are evidence of the movement of the earth's crust. Highlighted by constantly changing weather patterns, the park's outstanding scenery is a backdrop for high quality recreation. Kachemak Bay is a critical habitat area, supporting many species of marine life. Visitors frequently observe sea otters, seals, porpoise and whales. Intertidal zones offer natural settings for marine studies. Land mammals include moose, black bear, mountain goats, coyotes and wolves. The many species of birds that inhabit the bay, including eagles, gyrfalcons and puffins, make it a popular area for bird watching.Brochure Info - Recreation"Park visitors will find opportunities for fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, camping and mountain sports. Hiking and camping along the shoreline and in the surrounding forests and mountains are excellent. Above timberline, skiers and hikers will find glaciers and snowfields stretching for miles. Special park attractions include Grewingk Glacier, Poot Peak, China Poot Bay, Halibut Cove Lagoon, Humpy Creek, and China Poot (Leisure) Lake. "Brochure Info - Facilities and RestrictionsTrails - More than 80 miles of trails provide access into the park's backcountry. Camping - Camping is permitted in most areas of the park. A number of sites have been developed that may include fireplaces, picnic tables, tent platforms, interpretive information, outhouses or food caches. Contact park staff for details. Public Use Cabins are available for rent on a reservation basis. The rustic cabins are located in the Halibut Cove Lagoon, Leisure Lake, Moose Valley, and Tutka Bay areas. Information on cabin rentals in Kachemak Bay State Park. Halibut Cove Lagoon Public Dock is an 80-foot-long floating structure, capable of mooring boats up to 26 feet long. The dock provides access to the Ranger Station, public restrooms, 2 public use cabins, and a major trailhead. Space is limited, and is available on a first come, first served basis.Key InfoRespect private property. Many of the most inviting beaches and camping sites are privately owned, but not all are posted. Please obey "No Trespassing" signs. Practice Minimum Impact. Pack out what you pack in. Where latrines are not available, bury human waste a minimum of 200 feet from trails, campsites, streams, and beaches, and pack out tissue. Please do not discharge waste water into streams. Fires are allowed only on beaches and gravel bars, in metal fireplaces provided, or with portable stoves. Use only dead and down wood for fires. No open fires above timberline. Hunting and fishing are allowed in the park. Consult regulations, Rangers, or the Alaska Department of Fish & Game for information. Pets must be leashed at developed facilities, and under control at all times. Fireworks and explosives are prohibited. Discharge of firearms is prohibited except for legal hunting, and not within a half-mile of a developed facility, such as a campsite or trailhead. Permits are required for any activity or assembly of more than 20 people. Equipment left unattended for three days may be impounded unless prior arrangements are made with a ranger. Selling of any goods or providing services, without a permit, is prohibited. Aircraft landings are allowed in Kachemak Bay State Park on gravel bars, salt water, and designated lakes, except for practice landings. Permits are required for other landing sites. Helicopters may not land without a permit. Vehicle use. The use of power boats and aircraft is allowed in certain locations, however, the park is closed to all other vehicles, including bicycles, all-terrain vehicles, and snow vehicles. Protect Cultural Artifacts. Removing or disturbing artifacts is illegal and is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.Important Information for Daily EntranceDirectionAccess to the park is by boat or airplane, as there are no roads to the park. Air charters, water taxi services, and boat rentals are available in Homer. Commercial operators must have a permit to operate within park units. If using a private boat, please use the caution necessary for coastal Alaskan waters, with respect to tides, weather, currents and your party's abilities and experience level. Kachemak Bay is often choppy in the afternoons, and can be hazardous to small watercraft. The lagoon offers good protection from these conditions. During winter months, the lagoon may be difficult to access due to wind, heavy seas, and flow ice. Accessing Halibut Cove Lagoon can be hazardous, as the inlet channel is NOT NAVIGABLE at mid to low tides. Park staff recommends accessing the lagoon at HIGH TIDE ONLY, and suggest contacting a ranger about tides and channel conditions if unfamiliar with the area. Water currents entering and leaving the lagoon can be swift and treacherous at mid to low tides. Boats over 30 feet, or with a draft of more than 4 feet generally do not enter the lagoon.Booking Window Product InfoFee Cancellation DescCancellations: Cancellations must be made at least 3 calendar days prior to arrival date for a full refund (does not include transaction/cancellation fees). Cancellations must be made through www.reserveamerica.com . You must cancel your reservations online, from your account. If you fail to cancel in a timely manner, or fail to use the facility for reasons other than the exceptions listed below, a refund is not available. Changes/Transfers: Changes/Transfers must be made 2 calendar days prior to your scheduled arrival date and incur a $3 change/transfer fee. Changes where the reservation is extended will not have an additional change fee. Refunds: Park Staff are not authorized to give cash refunds. Refunds for canceled reservations online will be made by issuing a credit to the card used for payment. Exceptions: If you were unable to use the facility due to events beyond your control, such as extreme weather/hazardous conditions (as determined by Alaska State Parks), or closure of a road, trail, or facility by the State, you may request a refund. Requests for refunds must be made within three (3) business days of the last date of your reservation to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Public Information Center at 907-269-8400. Please provide your reservation number when you call. Extreme weather in the Northern Region is defined as Minus 30 F for the "Hunt Memorial", "North Fork", and "Chena River" Cabins; Minus 20 F for all other cabins and ice huts. In the event of a natural emergency or sudden campground/site closure, a full refund will be issued. The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation reserves the right to make the final determination of whether a refund will be issued.