Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge
Bungalow-style rooms with wood stoves above the turquoise Kenai River, and the Princess base for Kenai Fjords and Seward. Here’s what to know.
A cabin above the river
This is the cozy one. Rooms are in small bungalow-style buildings tucked into the trees, each with vaulted wood ceilings, a sitting area with a wood-burning stove and a private porch. The main lodge has a fireplace lobby and a big deck looking down on the blue-green Kenai River with Mount Cecil behind.
The Kenai River is famous for salmon and trout, and the peninsula is full of things to do: fishing and rafting right from Cooper Landing, and day trips to Seward for a wildlife cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. With two nights here, you get a full day to do one of them.
Inside the stay
Where to eat
Rod & Reel is the restaurant, with a stone fireplace, river and mountain views, and Alaska seafood for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rafter’s Lounge & Deck serves casual food, craft cocktails and Alaska beers all day, inside or out on the deck. The espresso bar in the main lodge does coffee and grab-and-go breakfast. If you catch salmon with a local guide on a Princess tour, the chefs can cook it for you.
The rooms & grounds
Every room has a wood-burning stove (instructions, fire starters and wood are provided) and a private porch. A free shuttle runs around the property on request from morning until late evening. A steep trail behind the main lodge leads down to three decks over the river, with a courtesy phone at the bottom if you’d like a ride back up, and a gentler nature trail loops through the forest.
Kenai Fjords & the river
The headline trip is a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise out of Seward to see glaciers, whales, sea otters and puffins. Closer to the lodge, there’s half- or full-day fishing on the upper Kenai River, scenic floats, canyon rafting, kayaking and gold panning with a prospector, plus a tour of historic Seward and Exit Glacier. Book with Princess or your advisor before you travel, and buy your fishing license online in advance; the lodge can’t sell them.
Tours that stay here
- Princess 2027 and 2028 cruisetours
- How long. 2 to 3 nights here, most often 2 nights.
- Want more time here? Some tours add an extra night. Tell your advisor and we’ll find the version that fits.
Before you go
- Wi-Fi is in the main lodge. Rooms are in separate buildings, and Wi-Fi is only available in the main lodge. Plan to check messages over coffee.
- Pack for the boat. Kenai Fjords cruises are cold and windy on deck even in July. Bring a warm layer, a rain jacket, a hat and binoculars.
- Your ship packages stay on the ship. Ship dining and beverage packages don’t apply on the land portion of any cruisetour, with any cruise line. Lodge meals and drinks are pay as you go unless your tour includes them, and Princess sells pre-paid land meal plans you can add up to 14 days before departure.
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