Kenai River Drifters Lodge

Kenai River Drifters Lodge Kenai River Drifters Lodge is nestled in the mountains of Cooper Landing, Alaska! Come join us!
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We offer customizable fishing packages, day trips, scenic rafting and nightly lodging on the world-class Kenai River. Drifters Lodge is built in the heart of Cooper Landing, Alaska right on the banks of the world-famous Kenai River. The small hamlet of Cooper Landing, initially settled as a frontier gold and trapping town, has transformed into the place to stay and fish on the Kenai Peninsula. Drifters Lodge boasts remarkable riverside cabins —each with their own river views—as well as guided fishing for new and experienced anglers alike. If you are looking for wildlife be sure to book one of our scenic float trips, where a knowledgeable rafting guide will row you and your group along the glacial waters of the Kenai River looking for eagles, moose, bears, and spectacular views around every bend.

End of season recap! Of course, we have to thank all of our amazing guests for making this summer one for the books. You...
09/30/2026

End of season recap! Of course, we have to thank all of our amazing guests for making this summer one for the books. Your smiles and excitement is what our lodge runs on! Let's do it again next year??😝

GUIDE SPOTLIGHT!! ❄️🧗🛶Say hello to B-RAD (Brad) Alton. Brad is from Mendota Heights, Minnesota and grew up fishing, ice ...
09/27/2026

GUIDE SPOTLIGHT!! ❄️🧗🛶

Say hello to B-RAD (Brad) Alton.
Brad is from Mendota Heights, Minnesota and grew up fishing, ice fishing, hunting, skiing, and finding any excuse to get outside and explore. Brad fell in love with Alaska when he did a research seminar on the Kenai River salmon migration in the spring of 2023. After that, Brad found Drifters and spent two summers with us as a raft guide before taking the summer of 2025 to work as a fisheries observer in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. Brad worked as a rafting and walk-in fishing guide this season, but he is excited about taking up a primary fishing guide position next summer. Aside from nerding out about fish, Brad is passionate about backcountry skiing and climbing, especially in the Tetons.

Fish Fact Friday!! Did you know....?1. Coho salmon, also known as silvers, leave the ocean and enter spawning streams an...
09/25/2026

Fish Fact Friday!!
Did you know....?
1. Coho salmon, also known as silvers, leave the ocean and enter spawning streams anywhere from July to November.
2. They can be distinguished from sockeye and chinook salmon by black spots on their back and on the upper lobe of the tail, and by their white gums.
3. Spawning coho males develop a prominent hooked snout called a kype.
4. Silvers are more aggressive than sockeye and will aggression bite lures or flies, which makes them very fun to target!
5. While most silver salmon spend 1.5 years in the ocean before returning to freshwater to spawn, but some fast-maturing males return to freshwater after only 6-12 months. These males are called jacks.
Silver salmon are amazing!

As our season winds down, we want to take a moment to share some Drifters Lodge staff highlights from the summer! From h...
09/22/2026

As our season winds down, we want to take a moment to share some Drifters Lodge staff highlights from the summer! From halibut hauls to crew hangouts to boat launch yoga, we've really made the most of these four short months! A huge thank you to all of our amazing employees, including office staff, drivers, housekeepers, maintenance, fishing and raft guides. We couldn't do it without your endless enthusiasm and hard work!

GUIDE SPOTLIGHT!! ☀️🐟⚓Say hello to the jubilant Jon Hulcher! Jon grew up in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, fishi...
09/20/2026

GUIDE SPOTLIGHT!! ☀️🐟⚓

Say hello to the jubilant Jon Hulcher! Jon grew up in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, fishing for bass and warm-water species until he was introduced to fly fishing by a fifth-grade teacher. He immediately fell in love with the sport, fishing for everything from trout to tarpon. He started guiding for Drifters in 2015 and never left! In his 11 years at the lodge, Jon has learned how to put clients on to any fish they would like to target, from mighty King salmon to the Kenai’s famous rainbow trout! When he isn’t fishing the Kenai, Jon owns and operates a light tackle and fly fishing charter at Cape Lookout, North Carolina. You can also find him tying flies and planning his next off-season fishing destination.

Fall comes and goes quickly on the peninsula. The last of the fireweed blooms and dies, the aspen and birch turn yellow...
09/16/2026

Fall comes and goes quickly on the peninsula. The last of the fireweed blooms and dies, the aspen and birch turn yellow and orange, and before you know it, its winter! That's why we make the most of these beautiful colors while they last!

GUIDE SPOTLIGHT!!🎏🐲🌊 Introducing Killer Kail! Kail joined the Drifters team in 2019 after spending eight years as a deck...
09/13/2026

GUIDE SPOTLIGHT!!🎏🐲🌊

Introducing Killer Kail! Kail joined the Drifters team in 2019 after spending eight years as a deckhand on sport fishing vessels out of San Diego. If there’s a fish out there, Kail will summon it like a true Pokémon trainer (minus the Poké Balls, of course). He’s so dedicated to putting clients on fish that he once plunged into the water in his waders like a hero diving into battle in an anime! Kail is also our resident lodge artist. He likes drawing, making fish prints and even designed a graphic on some of our limited edition merch. When Kail is not casting lines or creating artistic masterpieces, he can be found exploring Japan during the off-season. If you ask him about his adventures, be prepared for a wild ride—complete with dramatic flair and possibly a few exaggerated sound effects!

Fish Fact Friday!!Have you ever wondered how rainbow trout in the Kenai River can get so big? The answer is right here i...
09/11/2026

Fish Fact Friday!!

Have you ever wondered how rainbow trout in the Kenai River can get so big? The answer is right here in these photos! Inside this fish's mouth are salmon eggs, or roe, which act as a primary food source for these fish during the summer months. They also spend all season chowing on the flesh of salmon carcasses left in the river system after they spawn. This abundant food source, plus careful monitoring and protection of the fishery, is what allows us to catch up to 30" trophy trout right in our backyard!

Crisp, clear mornings on the water, late season bear cubs, and spotty 'bows—this is September on the Kenai!
09/09/2026

Crisp, clear mornings on the water, late season bear cubs, and spotty 'bows—this is September on the Kenai!

09/04/2026

The silvers are in full swing on the Kenai and we couldn’t be more excited!! These are some of our guests’ hauls over the past few weeks….

Address

18404 Sterling Highway
Cooper Landing, AK
99572

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 9pm
Tuesday 7am - 9pm
Wednesday 7am - 9pm
Thursday 7am - 9pm
Friday 7am - 9pm
Saturday 7am - 9pm
Sunday 7am - 9pm

Telephone

+19075955555

Website

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