Diamond Creek Trail

The feel

The upper half of the trail is mostly switchbacks on crushed rock, and then the footing changes. Areas of blue clay turn slick when wet, and the last half is fairly steep and narrow, with abrupt edges. Mud slides reshape the trail each year, and it is sometimes closed after a large one.

At the bottom is a quiet Cook Inlet beach. Low tide opens tide pools in both directions, with sea stars, anemones and crabs, and on a clear day the view across the inlet takes in Mount Augustine, Iliamna and Redoubt. Coming back up is the steep part again.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Out and back, 3 miles total, with about 300 ft of gain; 0.6 mile one way from the trailhead to the beach. Switchbacks on crushed rock above, then steep, narrow, clay footing with abrupt edges.

Time

About 1.5 hours.

Parking

Turn off the Sterling Highway across from Diamond Ridge Road, before milepost 167. Park 500 feet off the highway before the gate, or drive down to the trailhead at the end of the road. The lower lot is one mile down a very bumpy dirt road, and 4 wheel drive or high clearance is recommended.

Dogs

Allowed.

Hazards

Slick blue clay when wet, abrupt edges, mud slides, stream crossings on the beach, and a high tide that cuts off the beach. Not recommended in wet or icy conditions.

Season and access

The road to the lower lot is closed in winter, and the trail can be closed after mud slides.

Mingo says

Check the tide table before you go down, because high tide will cut off the beach. Pick a dry day, since rain raises the odds of a slide.

Before you go

• The trail is slippery when wet or frozen, so skip it in wet or icy conditions.
• Plan on stream crossings if you walk the beach.
• Take the lower parking lot only with 4 wheel drive or high clearance.

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