Activities & Events
Hiking • Kayaking • Kayak Eco-Adventures •
Mountain Biking
Beaches
& Tidepooling • Wildlife Viewing • Fishing
• Winter Sports
Museums
& Art Galleries • Day Spa • Homer Events
Denali National Park
Activities
In Homer, there are many exciting things to do, right in town and in the surrounding wild playground that we call home.
Hiking
The Homestead Trail
Hiking the Homestead Trail system can be started right outside the door of the Inn, just off Diamond Ridge. Follow the ridge for views of the Kenai Mountains, Cook Inlet and Mt. Redoubt. You can choose to make your way down to the Demonstration Forest Loop or hike to the Bridge Creek Resevoir.
The Homestead Trail begins on Rogers Loop (now Sterling Loop) just off the Sterling Highway at the Baycrest Hill near Overlook Park and runs 6.7 miles to the City Reservoir on Crossman Ridge Road. Shorter hikes may start at Rucksack Drive where the trail crosses Diamond Ridge Road. This moderately strenuous hike offers splendid views of the mountains, bays, and inlets, and a close look at songbirds and wildflowers. The Reuben Call Memorial, honoring one of Homer's best known walkers, provides an ideal site for lunch and relaxation along the trail. The Kachemak Heritage Land Trust has more information about all of the trails in our area.
Across the Bay
Kachemak Bay State Park across the bay offers many hiking and wildlife viewing adventures as well. Looking for a water taxi to get you across the bay to the mountains? Try Mako's Water Taxi. There are several locally owned and operated water taxi services available. We are always glad to help you make a reservation.
Kayaking
Kayaking in Kachemak Bay is an amazing adventure - you may see otters, whales, seals, sea lions, and shorebirds galore. We recommend True North Kayak. We can always help you find the best guides or rentals to meet your needs.
Kayak Eco-Adventures
Our Kayak Eco-Adventure Tour Packages are a wonderful way to combine a variety of kayaking and hiking opportunities with your stay at Alaska Ridgetop Inn.
Mountain Biking
There are rides of various skills levels around the area. We will be happy to help you find the best rides for you!
Beaches and Tide Pooling
We are the Cosmic Hamlet by the Sea. You can walk uninterrupted for miles on some of the most beautiful beaches you can find. Keep an eye on the tide - we have some of the most dramatic tides in North America: 25+ feet! These dramatic tides allow you to view all sort of sea life at low tide. Go beach walking or tide pooling on your own or with the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge's guided beach walks and talks throughout the summer. Interpretive exhibits and talks are available at the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center.
Wildlife Viewing
Kachemak Bay teems with life! You can find moose, eagles, brown bears, lynx, seals, sea lions, humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, sandhill cranes, ptarmigan, pheasants, and hundreds of shorebirds. Many guides are available to interpret the surrounding areas and help you spot wildlife. Check out the Center for the Alaskan Coastal Studies for information on natural history tours (on land and via kayak) in Homer and across Kachemak Bay.
Fishing
There are many options from charter fishing for halibut and salmon in Kachemak Bay to fly fishing for trout and salmon on the Anchor and Kenai Rivers. Up the road is some of the best clamming you can find. Don't forget that we are the Halibut Capitol fo the World! There are many charter boats and guides for saltwater and freshwater fishing. We like Captain Pete's halibut fishing charters. Whatever kind of fishing adventure you are looking for, we can help you find it!
Winter Sports
There are several excellent cross-country skiing trails in Homer, accessible for all levels of skiers. Be prepared to experience world class views and to come across diverse wildlife. Kachemak Nordic Ski Club maintains trails, including the Sunset Loop right outside our door. There are also many wonderful hills for sledding in addition to the Ohlson Mountain rope-tow with downhill skiing and extreme innertubing. Backcountry telemark skiing and snowboarding are world class across the bay in the Kenai mountains. You can hike up or be dropped off from a plane. A top notch ice rink has opened up in town for the 2006 Arctic Winter games, offering regular ice-skating lessons and open skating as well.
Museums and Art Galleries
Besides being known as the Halibut capital of the world Homer is known for its large artists community. Homer's galleries are many showing a wide variety of talents. Visit the Pratt Museum, a 2005 recipient of the National Award for Museum Service, and home to Darkened Waters, the Exxon Valdez oil spill exhibit.
Day Spa
Homer's Wilderness Garden Day Spa is uniquely Alaskan. Nurture your soul and your body!
Homer Events
Homer is full of happenings, from art openings to fishing tournaments and everything in between. Check out the Homer Chamber of Commerce's Calendar of Events to keep updated! Here is a smattering of seasonal activities to whet your appetite.
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| February | Winter Carnival |
| March | Winter King Salmon Tournament |
| May to September | Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby |
| May | Kachemak Shorebird Festival |
| June | Kachemak Bay Writers Conference |
| June | Homer Yacht Club Regatta |
| July | 4th of July Halibut Tournament |
| July | KBBI Concert on the Lawn |
| August | Kenai Peninsula State Fair |
| September | Documentary Film Festival |
| November | Puttin' on the Ritz Art Auction & Extravaganza |
Denali National Park
If you are planning on visiting Denali and need a place to stay, check out Aspen Haus Bed and Breakfast. For flight excursions and lodging inside Denali National Park, visit Kantishna Air.