Kasilof River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kasilof River |
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The silty glacial content of the river produces the milky blue coloration
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Tustumena Lake |
| River mouth | Cook Inlet, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska sea level |
| Length | 17 miles (27 km) |
The Kasilof River (pronounced kə-SEE-lof) is a beautiful river located on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula in southern Alaska. Its name comes from "Reka Kasilova," which was given by early Russian settlers. The local Dena'ina people call it Ggasilatnu.
The Kasilof River starts at Tustumena Lake and flows about 17 miles (27 km) northwest until it reaches Cook Inlet near the town of Kasilof.
Contents
River Features
The upper part of the river flows very quickly. Some sections are even considered "Class II whitewater," which means the water is fast with small waves and clear paths for boats. However, it can be tricky to see dangers underwater because the river water is very silty. This "silt" is like fine mud from glaciers melting, which gives the water a milky blue color.
The entire river has strong currents and is very cold. Even with these challenges, it's a popular spot for outdoor fun!
Fun Activities Along the Kasilof River
You can easily reach the lower part of the Kasilof River from the Sterling Highway. Many people enjoy fishing for salmon here, either from the riverbanks or from small boats called drift boats.
Parks to Explore
There are three Alaska State Parks units located on or near the Kasilof River, offering great places to visit and enjoy nature.
Kasilof River State Recreation Site
At mile 109 of the Sterling Highway, right next to the bridge that crosses the river, you'll find the Kasilof River State Recreation Site. This park is perfect for a day trip. It has nice picnic areas where you can eat lunch and a boat launch if you want to put your boat in the water.
Crooked Creek State Recreation Site
The Crooked Creek State Recreation Site is a great place for camping. It has a large campground where you can set up your tent or park your RV. From here, you can walk to where Crooked Creek meets the Kasilof River. This spot is known as a fantastic place to catch salmon.
Johnson Lake State Recreation Area
Johnson Lake State Recreation Area covers 332 acres (134 hectares) of wooded land right on the shores of Johnson Lake. This park also has a big campground and picnic areas. It offers access to the Tustumena Lake road, which leads to the "Slackwater boat launch" on the Kasilof River. There's even a small, free campground at the Slackwater launch.
