Kachemak Bay State Park
Alaska's first state park, accessible only by boat or plane, offering glaciers, wildlife, and stunning wilderness hikes.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Best light for photos & wildlife
Kachemak Bay State Park
Best Time
Best light for photos & wildlife
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Alaska's first state park, accessible only by boat or plane, offering glaciers, wildlife, and stunning wilderness hikes.
"A hike to remember with stunning glacial lakes and beautiful trails."
🎯 Book Water Taxi Early
Water taxis are essential for park access; book well in advance, especially for specific drop-off/pick-up points.
🐻 Bear Safety is Crucial
Always carry bear spray and know how to use it. Make noise on trails to avoid surprising wildlife.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Grewingk Glacier Lake
Kachemak Bay State Park
Hike to a stunning glacial lake dotted with icebergs, with dramatic views of the glacier itself.
Grace Ridge Trail
Kachemak Bay State Park
A challenging hike offering panoramic vistas of the bay and surrounding volcanoes across Cook Inlet.
Halibut Cove Lagoon
Kachemak Bay State Park
Explore this picturesque, remote community accessible only by boat, featuring unique boardwalks and coastal scenes.
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Planning Your Visit
Accessing Kachemak Bay State Park
+1Trail Conditions & Wildlife Safety
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Water Taxi Early
Water taxis are essential for park access; book well in advance, especially for specific drop-off/pick-up points.
🐻 Bear Safety is Crucial
Always carry bear spray and know how to use it. Make noise on trails to avoid surprising wildlife.
🥾 Choose Trails Wisely
Stick to well-maintained trails like Saddle Trail or Halibut Cove Lagoon for safety and better experience.
📸 Pack Your Camera
Incredible photo opportunities of glaciers, wildlife, and stunning landscapes await.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Water Taxi Early
Water taxis are essential for park access; book well in advance, especially for specific drop-off/pick-up points.
🐻 Bear Safety is Crucial
Always carry bear spray and know how to use it. Make noise on trails to avoid surprising wildlife.
🥾 Choose Trails Wisely
Stick to well-maintained trails like Saddle Trail or Halibut Cove Lagoon for safety and better experience.
📸 Pack Your Camera
Incredible photo opportunities of glaciers, wildlife, and stunning landscapes await.
🛶 Kayak for Serenity
Kayaking offers a peaceful way to explore the bay and its hidden coves.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Kachemak Bay State Park for its stunning natural beauty, particularly the Grewingk Glacier Lake and Grace Ridge Trail. The unique access via water taxi adds to the adventure, and wildlife sightings are a major highlight. However, some reviewers note that certain trails are poorly maintained, suggesting a focus on tourist-centric paths over broader park stewardship.
"Top experience if in the Homer area. We did the glacier view trail to teach the Grewingk glacier lake and returned to teh shore via the saddle trail. The lake is stunning with floating icebegs. The saddle trail was particularly beautiful with berries and wildflowers all around. It was a hike to remember. Beware of Bears in the area!"
Amit Ghosh
"400,000 acres of beautiful Alaska, just a 15 minute water taxi ride from the Homer Spit. The hike to Grewingk glacier lake makes for a nice day hike, and you can exit via the Saddle Trail and get picked up there. For a more challenging hike with stunning views from a high ridgeline, try the Grace Ridge trail. Start at the south trailhead to get the hard part out of the way early (3000’ of strenuous climbing), and then enjoy the vista of the volcanos across Cook Inlet on your descent to Kayak Beach."
Rob Suminsby
"Kachemak Bay State Park is beautiful and incredible to hike in, but only if you stay on the 2-3 well-maintained trails. The Saddle Trial to Grewingk Glacier and the Halibut Cove Lagoon Trails are well maintained, but clearly curated for tourist appeal and access to paid cabins. Meanwhile, exceptional trails like Goat Rope, Alpine Ridge, and others have been neglected for years. They’re overgrown, poorly marked, and increasingly unsafe. If left untouched, many will soon be lost altogether. Alpine Ridge was only recently cut back due to community volunteers going in themselves.
The park’s selective maintenance suggests a focus on optics over true stewardship. These lesser-traveled trails matter to the community and tourism. I'm not sure why the park decides to spent vast amount of resources on trails that are already 5-feet wide (saddle trail) when other trails are soon to be lost to vegetation."
Shane Hayes
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Kachemak Bay State Park is accessible only by boat or plane from Homer, Alaska. Water taxis are a popular and convenient option for day trips or multi-day adventures, offering drop-off and pick-up services at various trailheads.
From Homer Spit, you can arrange water taxi services that will take you across Kachemak Bay to different points within the park. Companies like Alaska Sundog LLC and others offer these services.
No, there is no direct road access or parking within Kachemak Bay State Park. All access is via water or air. You'll need to arrange your transport from Homer to reach any trailheads or points of interest within the park.
While there isn't a direct ferry service into the park itself, you can take a ferry to Halibut Cove, which is located within Kachemak Bay State Park. From Halibut Cove, you can explore the boardwalks and access some park areas.
The water taxi ride from Homer to various points in Kachemak Bay State Park typically takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your destination within the park.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Kachemak Bay State Park does not have an entrance fee. However, you will incur costs for transportation (water taxi or flight) to access the park.
Yes, it is highly recommended to book your water taxi reservations in advance, especially during peak season (summer). This ensures availability and allows you to secure your preferred drop-off and pick-up times and locations.
Kachemak Bay State Park is open year-round. However, access is dependent on weather conditions and the operating schedules of water taxi and flight services, which are typically seasonal.
Yes, camping is permitted in Kachemak Bay State Park. There are designated campgrounds and opportunities for backcountry camping. Reservations may be required for some developed campgrounds.
Generally, no special permits are required for day hiking, wildlife viewing, or kayaking within the park. However, if you plan on activities like commercial fishing or large group events, you may need to inquire about specific permits.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Popular hikes include the Grewingk Glacier Lake Trail (moderate, 4 miles roundtrip) for glacier views, and the Grace Ridge Trail (strenuous) for panoramic vistas. The Saddle Trail offers a beautiful route with berries and wildflowers. +2
The park is rich in wildlife, including sea otters, harbor seals, humpback whales, black bears, moose, puffins, and eagles. Keep a safe distance and enjoy observing them in their natural habitat.
Yes, families can enjoy the park, especially on easier trails like the Saddle Trail or exploring Halibut Cove Lagoon. Ensure children are supervised and aware of wildlife safety.
Popular activities include hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and photography. The park offers a true Alaskan wilderness experience.
The park is considered remote, as it's only accessible by boat or plane. This remoteness contributes to its pristine wilderness and offers a unique escape from civilization.
📸 📸 Photography
The Grewingk Glacier Lake offers dramatic shots of icebergs and the glacier. Grace Ridge provides sweeping panoramic views. Halibut Cove Lagoon is excellent for coastal scenes and light play. Wildlife photography opportunities are abundant throughout the park.
You have chances to photograph marine mammals like sea otters and seals, various bird species including puffins and eagles, and land animals such as black bears and moose.
Early mornings and late afternoons often provide the best light for photography, with softer shadows and warmer tones. This is also when wildlife is often most active.
A telephoto lens is highly recommended for wildlife photography to capture animals from a safe distance without disturbing them.
While not always advertised as dedicated photography tours, many water taxi and tour operators can tailor trips to maximize wildlife viewing and scenic opportunities, which are ideal for photographers.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
+1When visiting with children, prioritize safety. Stick to well-marked trails, keep a close eye on them, and ensure they understand wildlife safety protocols, especially regarding bears. Carrying bear spray and making noise on trails is crucial.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Wildlife photography is also a major draw. Be prepared with a telephoto lens to capture sea otters, seals, whales, bears, and various bird species from a safe distance.
🌲 Nature & Adventure Seekers
+1Activities like kayaking offer a serene way to explore the bay's coves and coastline, while fishing opportunities abound for those looking to cast a line.
Be prepared for variable weather and always practice Leave No Trace principles to help preserve this incredible natural environment. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring Kachemak Bay State Park Trails
For a more strenuous challenge, the Grace Ridge Trail provides breathtaking panoramic views of the bay and surrounding mountains, including distant volcanoes. This trail involves significant elevation gain, rewarding hikers with unparalleled vistas.
Wildlife safety is paramount. Always carry bear spray and make noise to alert animals of your presence. Observing wildlife from a safe distance is key to a positive and secure experience in this wild Alaskan environment.
Wildlife Encounters in Kachemak Bay
On land, the park is home to black bears and moose. While sightings are not guaranteed, being aware of your surroundings and carrying bear spray is essential for safety.
Remember to always maintain a respectful distance from all wildlife. Never feed animals, and store food properly to avoid attracting them. These encounters are most rewarding when they occur naturally and safely for both you and the animals.
The Unique Access of Kachemak Bay
+1 This remoteness is a significant part of its allure, preserving its pristine wilderness and offering a true escape into nature. From Homer, visitors typically arrange water taxi services, which can drop them off at various trailheads and pick them up at designated points, often at different locations. This unique access means that planning your transportation is a critical part of your visit. Water taxis are the most common method, providing a scenic journey across the bay.
For those seeking a quicker or more adventurous arrival, charter flights are also an option. 
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