Captain Cook State Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Captain Cook State Recreation Area |
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View from the bluff of a rocky portion of the beach, and the mudflats that can be seen at low tide. Mount Spurr is visible in the distance.
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 Captain Cook State Recreation Area
Location in Alaska
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| Nearest city | Nikiski |
| Area | 3,466 acres (1,403 ha) |
| Authorized | 1971 |
| Governing body | Alaska Department of Natural Resources |
The Captain Cook State Recreation Area is a cool park located in Alaska. You can find it on the Kenai Peninsula, right by the water of Cook Inlet. It's about 25 miles (40 km) north of Kenai and 14 miles (23 km) north of Nikiski.
This park, and the nearby Cook Inlet, are both named after Captain James Cook. He was a famous explorer who sailed through this area way back in 1778.
Park History
Long ago, the Dena'ina people lived in this area. They used to gather salmon here. This is known from old tools and things found in the ground. Captain Cook also wrote about seeing them when he explored the area.
People have also used the beaches here for commercial fishing, which means catching fish to sell. The Captain Cook State Recreation Area is one of the oldest parks in Alaska's state park system. It was officially created in 1971. Over the years, new things like campgrounds and trails have been added.
What to Do and See
One of the main spots in the park is the Discovery Campground. This camping area has 53 campsites hidden among the trees. It sits high up on cliffs overlooking Cook Inlet. The campground is named after one of Captain Cook's ships, the Discovery.
If you go camping, remember to keep your food and trash put away! Black bears sometimes visit the area. There's also a nice nature trail that goes all around the campground.
The Beach and Lake
Below the campground, you'll find a beach along Cook Inlet. Some parts are rocky, while others are sandy, especially near the river. If you like looking for cool rocks, you might find agates here.
Be careful at low tide! The water goes out very far, showing large, muddy areas called mud flats. These can be dangerous to walk on. On a clear day, you can see the distant Aleutian Range mountains from the bluff and beach. You might even spot the volcano Mount Spurr and some offshore oil rigs in the water.
The park is also where the Swanson River ends. This river is famous for its canoe trail, which is a long path for canoeing.
Inside the park, there's a lake called Stormy Lake. It's a big lake, about 400 acres (162 hectares). It has a place to launch boats and picnic areas. There's even a small, simple campground that you can only reach by boat.
Sometimes, unwanted plants or animals, called invasive species, can get into lakes. Stormy Lake has had two projects to remove these harmful species and keep the lake healthy.
Winter Fun
When winter comes, the park doesn't close! You can go ice fishing on Stormy Lake. There are also trails for cross-country skiing, which is a fun way to explore the park in the snow.
