Soldotna

Soldotna is located 150 miles south of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula. With a population of 4,000, it serves as the central hub of the Kenai Peninsula. The world famous Kenai River cuts right through the center of town. The Kenai River is the home of the world record 97 pound king salmon caught in 1985.

The town was first inhabited by World War II veterans who were granted homestead rights in 1947 with a 90 day preference over non-veterans to choose their land. The townsite was chosen as the location for the bridge over the Kenai River for the Sterling Highway. This highway, completed in 1950, provided a much needed link to the rest of the state. Oil was discovered in the region in 1957 but sport fishing and tourism are the anchors of the Soldotna economy.

Soldotna offers a plethora of bed-and-breakfasts, fishing lodges and sport fishing charter operations. The Soldotna Aspen offers quality accommodations right on the banks of the Kenai River.