The Most Criminally Overlooked Town In Alaska And Why You Need To Visit
By Courtney|Published February 12, 2017
×
Courtney
Author
Living and loving life in Alaska, Courtney enjoys living a happy life based on simple principles; work hard, be kind, stay humble. She is an avid dog lover with hobbies that include running, fly fishing, hiking & snowboarding.
When it comes to hidden gems in Alaska, one thing that you need to remember is to never let size fool you. In the case of Hope, a tiny drive-by town on the Kenai Peninsula, it’s one of those places where if you blink – you’re guaranteed to miss the turn off. But we are here to tell you to keep your eyes peeled at all costs. There is no place in the Last Frontier quite like this charming, historic town filled with more outdoor activities that you can even imagine. You never know, it just might become your new favorite place to enjoy a weekend getaway!
About 80 miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway will lead you to the turn off where you'll cross a bridge to head to the charming town of Hope.
If you're heading south, follow the signs and turn right where you'll then have an extra 15 miles of windy driving before reaching your final destination.
Along the curvy, narrow two lane road leading up into Hope you'll notice that the views along the way are absolutely spectacular. Basically you're overlooking the opposite side of Turnagain Arm.
The mountains and inlet views are equally as breathtaking from this side of the spectrum.
Advertisement
The idyllic town of Hope, which boasts a year-round population under 200 residents, offers simple structures along with a wide variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.
Formerly a Gold Rush town, Hope is now a popular spot for 'weekend warriors' that come to retreat for short getaways from more heavily populated areas such as Anchorage, Kenai, Soldotna and Homer.
This special area in town is dedicated to preserving photographs, documents, and artifacts related to the communities of Hope and neighboring Sunrise. You will be amazed by the old log buildings that still remain in good condition today.
Hope is also a great place for families and hikers alike. You can enjoy a casual (muddy) beach stroll with the kiddos or log some heavy miles by hiking up to Gull Rock.
While many enjoy the extreme outdoor options, Hope is also a great place for nature photographers who just want to casually stroll around and soak in the breathtaking views.
There are some very charming lodging options in town that offer a quintessential Alaskan experience. This is a great way to have a glamping experience without giving up your beloved creature comforts.
The idyllic town of Hope on The Kenai, Alaska's Playground is the perfect place to enjoy an Aurora Borealis show in the clear night sky. Photo Credit: Flickr - Heike Neumann
No post about Hope would be complete without mentioning one of the most popular activities in the area – whitewater rafting Six Mile Creek. This awesome, adrenaline packed excursion offers more thrills, shrieks and screams that anything else you’ll ever do in Alaska. And you know what? It’s a total blast!
