Crooked Creek Riverside Walk

The feel

The walk sits at Crooked Creek State Recreation Site, a short stroll from the confluence of Crooked Creek and the Kasilof River. It is flat and easy, with 79 campsites and 36 day use parking sites close by.

This is salmon country. The site is most popular in May and June, when anglers fish for king salmon from the bank of the Kasilof River. Dolly Varden, sockeye and silver salmon run in summer, and a small steelhead run comes in spring and fall. Moose, black and brown bear and lynx are plentiful here.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Out and back, 1 mile total, flat, with about 30 ft of gain.

Time

About 0.5 hour.

Crowds and best time

Busiest in May and June during the king salmon run; the best salmon viewing at the nearby weir is between mid-June and mid-July.

Parking

36 day use parking sites. The site is on Cohoe Loop Road, 1.8 miles north of mile 111 of the Sterling Highway.

Fees and passes

Parking is $5 per day.

Kids

Rated easy.

Hazards

Moose, black and brown bear and lynx are plentiful; do not feed them.

Bathrooms and water

Toilets and water at the site.

Mingo says

Time your visit for mid-June to mid-July if you want to see salmon at the weir platforms. Come in May or June to watch the king fishing on the river.

Before you go

• Carry $5 for the daily parking fee.
• Anglers need an Alaska fishing license plus a king salmon stamp to fish for kings.
• Remember Crooked Creek itself is closed to all fishing until August 1; fishing is allowed in the Kasilof River.
• Keep a clean camp and never feed the wildlife.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.