Kenai & Kasilof Boat Launches
The complete master encyclopedia of all 16 Kenai and Kasilof River boat ramps—featuring Alaska DNR & municipal launch fees, KRSMA 50 HP motor statutes, parking permit requirements, and verified WGS84 GPS coordinates.
Legend
All 16 Kenai & Kasilof Boat Launches
Bing's Landing Boat Launch
Middle river launch near Sterling. Paved ramp, parking, restrooms. Key access for sockeye, coho, and rainbow trout.
Izaak Walton Boat Launch
Quieter launch at the confluence of the Moose and Kenai rivers. Excellent trout and sockeye access.
Keystone Boat Launch
Middle river launch point. Popular for early-season sockeye and powerboat access near Soldotna.
Swiftwater Park Access & Launch
Central Soldotna park with boat launch, camping, elevated boardwalks, and active middle river fishing.
Centennial Park Boat Launch
City-maintained launch in downtown Soldotna. Extensive boardwalks, boat launch, camping, and restrooms.
The Pillars Boat Launch
Major lower river launch site. Essential access for tidal sockeye and silver salmon fishing.
Eagle Rock Boat Launch
Lower river launch. Access to chrome silver salmon and lower river tidal stretches.
Lower Skilak Lake Boat Launch
Remote launch at the outlet of Skilak Lake. Starting point for middle river floats and lake trout access.
Jim's Landing
Upper river drift boat launch below Skilak Canyon. Turquoise drift water for trout and salmon.
Sportsman's Landing / Russian River Ferry
Major upper river hub for the Russian River ferry, bank fishing, and drift boat put-in. Distinct from Russian River Campground (2.2 mi east).
Kasilof River SRS Boat Ramp
Primary lower Kasilof drift boat launch and take-out near the Sterling Highway bridge.
Tustumena Lake Boat Launch / Upper Kasilof Put-In
Primitive launch at Tustumena Lake outlet (upstream end of Kasilof River). Put-in for 15-mile wilderness drift float.
Cooper Landing Boat Launch
Upper river drift launch below Kenai Lake. Convenient access point in Cooper Landing.
Kenai Lake Bridge Launch
Primitive launch at the outlet of Kenai Lake, where the river officially starts.
Upper Skilak Lake Boat Launch
Paved launch on the north shore of Skilak Lake, popular for lake fishing and camping.
City of Kenai Dock & Launch
Massive paved launch facility near the mouth of the Kenai River. Primary lower river ramp.
Kenai River Special Management Area (KRSMA) Boating Laws
Before launching a private powerboat, raft, or drift boat on the Kenai or Kasilof rivers, operators must comply with Alaska Administrative Code (11 AAC 20.850–20.890) and ADF&G sport fishing vessel restrictions.
50 HP Maximum Outboard & 4-Stroke Mandate
On all motorized sections of the Kenai River, outboard motors may not exceed 50 horsepower (propeller or jet rating). Motors must be 4-stroke or EPA-certified direct-injection 2-stroke; carbureted 2-stroke engines are strictly prohibited.
20-Foot Hull Length & 6-Passenger Limit
Boats operating in the Kenai River Special Management Area may not exceed 20 feet in overall hull length (22 feet for non-motorized clout/drift hulls by special permit). During July on the Lower/Middle River, no more than 6 people (including the guide/operator) may be aboard.
Year-Round Non-Motorized Drift Sanctuaries
The entire Upper Kenai River from the Kenai Lake Bridge (RM 82) downstream to Skilak Lake (RM 65)—and the Kasilof River upstream of the Sterling Highway bridge (RM 8)—are permanently closed to motorized vessels. Only oar-powered drift boats, rafts, and canoes may operate.
Lower River Drift-Only Mondays (Summer Season)
From July 1 through August 15 (excluding July 4th when it falls on a Monday), the Lower and Middle Kenai River below Skilak Lake is restricted to non-motorized drift boats only every Monday, creating quiet weekly drift windows.
Boat Launch Fees & Parking Permits by Agency
Because five different federal, state, and municipal agencies manage ramps along the Kenai Peninsula, no single pass covers every launch. Review the jurisdiction breakdown below to avoid parking citations.
| Managing Agency | Covered Boat Launches | Ramp Launch Fee | Parking Fee / Pass | Important Compliance Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska State Parks (DNR — KRSMA) | Bing's Landing (MP 80.5), Izaak Walton (MP 81), The Pillars (Spur MP 12.5), Cooper Landing SRS (MP 48) | $15 – $20 Daily Boat Launch Fee (or Annual Alaska State Parks Boat Launch Decal) | $5 – $10 Daily Day-Use Parking (covered by Annual Alaska State Parks Parking Pass for AK residents) | Eagle Rock (RM 11.5) and Kasilof SRS (RM 8) ramps carry closure/restriction notices. Verify current State Parks postings before trailering. |
| City of Soldotna Parks & Recreation | Centennial Park Boat Launch (RM 20.5), Swiftwater Park Boat Launch (RM 23) | $20 Daily Launch & Retrieval Fee (Pay station at ramp entrance) | Day-use parking included with launch receipt; separate nightly fee for RV/tent campsites | City of Soldotna passes are separate from Alaska State Parks decals. Centennial Park experiences peak congestion between 5:30 AM and 10:00 AM in July. |
| City of Kenai | City of Kenai Dock & Boat Launch (RM 1.5 off Bridge Access Rd / Kenai Spur) | Standard seasonal launch fee; elevated Personal Use Dipnet Season fee (July 10 – July 31) | Multi-acre paved trailer lot with pay kiosks and attendant booth during July dipnet window | Multi-lane paved ramp capable of handling high-volume tidal boat traffic. |
| USFWS Kenai National Wildlife Refuge & USFS | Jim's Landing (MP 58), Upper Skilak (Loop Rd), Lower Skilak (Loop Rd), Tustumena Outlet, Sportsman's Landing (MP 55) | Free public boat launching at Refuge ramps (Jim's, Upper/Lower Skilak, Tustumena); concessionaire fee applies at Sportsman's Landing / Ferry | Free at USFWS Refuge gravel lots; $12–$15 day-use parking fee at Sportsman's Landing (MP 55) | Strict USFS/USFWS bear-proof food and fish storage regulations enforced at Sportsman's and Russian River. |
Fish the Kenai & Kasilof Without Trailering a Boat
Skip KRSMA motor inspections, ramp launch fees, vehicle shuttles, and boulder-garden navigation. Book a fully outfitted charter with licensed Kenai Peninsula guides—all boats, tackle, waders, and fish filleting included.