Beach · Kenai Fjords National Park
A tight kayak camp beneath Coleman Bay’s red cliffs and waterfalls.
Overview
Steep, bare red-rock cliffs and waterfalls are the striking part of Coleman Bay from the water. From the back of the bay, a talus slope climbs to a ridge notch with a view toward Resurrection Bay; a rough goat trail continues farther north for a glimpse of the Harding Icefield. Those routes are described for the bay area, not as a marked trail from this beach.
Parkwolf’s verdictThe paddle is the payoffMap
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Kenai Fjords Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Kenai Fjords National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Coleman Bay Landing Beach is a small pocket beach and backcountry campsite in the cove just north of the Aialik Bay Ranger Station. The National Park Service describes it as a good but tight camp, so plan for limited room. The coastal coves are reached by kayak or water taxi; there is no road approach. The nearby station is also a ranger residence, not a public visitor center.
The beach has a reliable water source, but its potability isn't specified, so bring a way to treat water. There is no food-storage facility; the park notes large trees for hanging food, so plan your food storage before setting out. Black oystercatchers often nest here and the beach may close in early summer. Check current coastal closures before planning a landing or overnight.
Wildlife
31 sightingsOrcaMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
47 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around noonSighting map
42 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
41 sightingsMooseMost seen around 9 PMSighting map
225 sightingsSea OtterMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
59 sightingsHorned PuffinMost seen around 10 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Kenai Fjords. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
Lodging · 2.2 mi awayAialik Public Use CabinA glacier-facing cabin with a mile of low-tide beach to explore.
Beach · 2.6 mi awayTooth CoveA boat-access Aialik Bay cove with limited backcountry camping.
Beach · 2.7 mi awayAbra CovePaddle the cliffs for waterfalls; most of the cove is private.
Sight · 3.3 mi awaySpire CoveSharp sea stacks from the water, when the tour route lines up.
Lodging · 3.5 mi awayKenai Fjords Glacier LodgeA boat-only lodge for glacier views, guided outings, and quiet nights.
Beach · 3.5 mi awayPedersen LagoonPaddle through a tidal entrance to a one-acre public campsite.
Lodging · 4.5 mi awayHolgate Public Use CabinA remote cabin with a porch facing Holgate Glacier
Beach · 4.5 mi awayHolgate Arm Landing BeachA backcountry camp beach with launches to two nearby coves.Parkwolf’s Kenai Fjords ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
