Homestead Trail

The feel

From the Roger's Loop trailhead the trail winds uphill through forest, meadows and muskeg. A quarter mile in there is a 180 ft boardwalk, and a later boardwalk winds through a bog abundant with wildflowers all summer.

Reuben's Bench is the high point at 1000 ft, with a huge view of Kachemak Bay and the Kenai Mountains. Mud is part of the walk, with some muddy spots along the way. Bears are uncommon, but be bear aware.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Point-to-point, 6.7 miles, with about 700 ft of gain through forest, meadows and muskeg, with boardwalks over the wet stretches.

Time

About 3 hours.

Crowds and best time

The most popular route is a 3-mile round trip to Reuben's Bench from the Roger's Loop trailhead.

Parking

Trailheads at Roger's Loop Road, one mile northwest of town off the Sterling Highway, and at the Diamond Ridge Rucksack trailhead at Rucksack Drive and Diamond Ridge Road.

Dogs

Allowed.

Hazards

Some muddy spots, many trail intersections, and the wooden Nordic ski trails are very wet and can be impassable in summer. Bears are uncommon.

Season and access

A summer hiking trail. The section between Diamond Ridge Road and the reservoir is overgrown and not marked.

Mingo says

Hike it in summer, when the bog boardwalk is full of wildflowers. The trail climbs from 800 feet to 1155 feet.

Before you go

• Follow the blue and green Homestead Trail signs, not the wooden Nordic ski trail signs.
• Note the signs at each of the many trail intersections.
• Expect the walk to take about 3 hours.

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