Resurrection Pass Trail Map +
5-Day Kenai Backpacking Itinerary
5-day Resurrection Pass Trail backpacking itinerary. 39 miles point-to-point across the Kenai Peninsula from Hope to Cooper Landing, through spruce forest, alpine tundra, and salmon streams, with four nights in rustic US Forest Service cabins.
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Build your own Resurrection Pass trip, drag, reorder & map it.
Drag stops between days, swap cabins, and add your own campsites and side trails with the place search. The live map and trail legs recalculate as you go, so you can tune the 39-mile Hope-to-Cooper-Landing traverse to your pace before you head into the Chugach backcountry.
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A classic Alaska traverse, cabin to cabin, across the Kenai.
The Resurrection Pass Trail runs 39 miles through the heart of the Kenai Peninsula, linking historic gold-mining country near Hope with a southern trailhead on the Sterling Highway near Cooper Landing. It delivers a full Alaska backpacking experience, spruce forest, salmon streams, and open alpine tundra, without any expensive fly-in access.
This 5-day, 4-night plan strings together four of the eight rustic US Forest Service cabins on the trail: Fox Creek, Devils Pass (near the 2,600 ft Resurrection Pass high point), Swan Lake, and Juneau Lake. Each is a log cabin with bunks, a table, and a wood stove, but no electricity, potable water, or bedding.
No permit is required to hike the trail, but every cabin stay must be reserved in advance on recreation.gov, and the summer dates go fast. This is bear country: carry bear spray, filter all water, and store food in the bear-resistant lockers at each cabin. June through early September brings the long daylight and the best trail conditions.
The eight trail cabins are reserved through recreation.gov and open about six months (180 days) in advance; summer weekends are usually gone the day they release, so plan to book in December or January for a summer trip. There is no public transportation to either trailhead, so arrange a shuttle between the Hope (north) and Cooper Landing (south) trailheads before you go.
Hope to Fox Creek Cabin · 11.5 miles
Drive about 2 hours south from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm to the northern trailhead near Hope, four miles up Resurrection Creek Road from Mile 15 of the Hope Highway. Organize your gear, confirm your shuttle, and start up an old wagon road that climbs steadily through spruce forest.
The first night is Fox Creek Cabin (GPS 60.73109, -149.70988), 11.5 miles in and just up from Fox Creek. The log cabin has bunk space for six, a table, and a wood stove, but no potable water, so filter from the creek. Store all food and scented items in the bear-resistant locker, never inside the cabin.
- Drive Anchorage to Hope North Trailhead~2 hr along Turnagain Arm · 4 mi up Resurrection Creek Rd
- 11.5 mi · ~1,000 ft gain · old wagon road through spruce
- GPS 60.73109, -149.70988 · reserve on recreation.gov
- Arrive early at the Hope trailhead to secure parking and top off supplies, this is your last chance for services before the trail.
- Confirm your trailhead shuttle between Hope and Cooper Landing before you start, there is no public transportation at either end.
- Store all food and scented items in the cabin bear-resistant locker or on the bear pole. Never keep food inside the cabin.
Turnagain Arm driveSpruce forest climbOver Resurrection Pass to Devils Pass Cabin · 10.1 miles
Devils Pass CabinKenai MountainsToday is the big alpine day. The trail keeps climbing through forest before breaking out into open alpine tundra and cresting Resurrection Pass at 2,600 feet, the high point of the trail, with sweeping views of the Kenai Mountains. Watch for Dall sheep, marmots, and moose, and be ready for wind and fast-moving weather above treeline.
Drop a short way to Devils Pass Cabin (GPS 60.62071, -149.75413) at 2,400 feet, where the Devils Creek Trail meets the Resurrection Pass Trail. It is one of the most scenic cabins on the route. Expect cool temperatures and stellar stargazing on a clear night.
- Resurrection Pass summit (2,600 ft)Trail high point · exposed alpine tundra · big Kenai Mtns views
- Climb through the alpine to the pass10.1 mi · ~1,100 ft gain · exposed above treeline
- 2,400 ft · GPS 60.62071, -149.75413 · reserve on recreation.gov
- The pass is fully exposed, so pack a wind shell and warm layers even in July, weather can turn cold and foggy fast at 2,600 feet.
- Fill and filter water before the final climb, sources thin out on the exposed alpine section.
- Devils Pass Cabin sits at a trail junction and is popular, so have your reservation confirmation handy and arrive with daylight to spare.
Descend to Swan Lake Cabin · 4.6 miles
A short, relaxed day. The trail descends off the alpine, re-entering spruce and hemlock forest as it drops toward Swan Lake. Some sections can be wet and boggy after rain, and the marshy pockets are prime moose habitat, so keep your eyes up.
Reach Swan Lake Cabin (GPS 60.61248, -149.84008) on the lake's shore by early afternoon. This is the trip's built-in rest day: relax by the water, dry out gear, and, if you carried a packable rod and an Alaska fishing license, try for Arctic char and trout. Filter your water from the lake.
- Descend from the alpine to Swan Lake4.6 mi · ~1,000 ft loss · forest & boggy sections
- Fish or relax at Swan LakeArctic char & trout · Alaska fishing license required
- Lakefront · GPS 60.61248, -149.84008 · reserve on recreation.gov
- This is a deliberately short day, so take advantage: dry gear, rest, and enjoy the lake after the big alpine push.
- Mosquitoes can be fierce near the water in July and August, so pack head nets and strong repellent.
- Deadfall firewood can be scarce near popular cabins, so gather responsibly and do not count on a fire for cooking.
Swan LakeForest descentSwan Lake to Juneau Lake Cabin · 3.1 miles
Juneau LakeSalmon streamsAnother short, easy day through mature forest and along the meandering trail, passing lakes and streams where salmon spawn in late summer. With so little distance to cover, there is time for birdwatching and a slow start.
Settle into Juneau Lake Cabin (GPS 60.57619, -149.87203) at 1,300 feet, overlooking Juneau Lake, your last night on the trail. This is the launch point for tomorrow's visit to Juneau Creek Falls. Filter water from the lake and pack scented items into the bear locker.
- Easy forest miles to Juneau Lake3.1 mi · minimal elevation change · lakes & salmon streams
- Evening on Juneau LakeLakeside cabin at 1,300 ft · fishing & birdwatching
- GPS 60.57619, -149.87203 · reserve on recreation.gov
- Late-summer hikers can watch for spawning salmon in the streams, which also means more bear activity, so stay bear-aware.
- Juneau Lake Cabin is a popular, easily reached cabin, so expect company on summer weekends.
- Top off and filter water at the lake tonight; tomorrow you finish the trail and exit near Cooper Landing.
Juneau Falls to Cooper Landing Trailhead · 9.7 miles
The final day is a mostly downhill hike out to the southern trailhead. About four miles from the end you reach Juneau Creek Falls, the trail's premier cataract, a short spur off the main trail and a perfect last-day highlight. Take the detour, then continue down through forest as day hikers appear.
Finish at the Resurrection Pass South Trailhead (GPS 60.48376, -149.95314) at Mile 53.2 of the Sterling Highway near Cooper Landing. Meet your pre-arranged shuttle, then celebrate with a meal in town before the drive back to Anchorage.
- Hike out to the south trailhead9.7 mi · mostly downhill · Sterling Hwy Mile 53.2
- Juneau Creek Falls spur~4 mi from the south trailhead · short detour off the main trail
- Shuttle from Cooper LandingPre-arranged pickup · ~2.5 hr back to Anchorage
- Do not skip the Juneau Creek Falls spur, it is about 50 yards off the trail and the scenic highlight of the south end.
- Cell service may return near the south trailhead, but keep your satellite messenger handy until you are out.
- Cooper Landing sits on the Kenai River, so it is an easy add-on for a rest day of rafting or fishing before you head back.
Cooper LandingKenai MountainsNow build your Resurrection Pass trip.
You've seen all five days. Open the free drag-and-drop planner and tune it for your dates, your pace, and which of the eight trail cabins you can actually reserve on recreation.gov.
Essential wilderness rules & planning.
Reserve cabins on recreation.gov
No permit is needed to hike, but every cabin night must be reserved in advance on recreation.gov (or 1-877-444-6777). The eight trail cabins open about six months (180 days) ahead and summer dates sell out fast, so book in December or January for a summer trip. Cabins run roughly $75 to $90 per night.
This is bear country
Both black and brown (grizzly) bears live on the Kenai. Carry bear spray and know how to use it, make noise on the trail, and store all food and scented items in the bear-resistant lockers at each cabin, never inside the cabin.
Arrange a trailhead shuttle
The trail is point-to-point with no public transportation at either end. Arrange a shuttle between the Hope (north) trailhead and the Cooper Landing (south) trailhead in advance; budget roughly $150 to $300. Both trailhead lots may charge a parking fee.
Filter water & pack a satellite messenger
Cabins have no potable water, so filter or treat everything from creeks, lakes, and snowmelt. Cell service is unreliable to nonexistent, so carry a Garmin inReach, Spot, or similar satellite device for emergencies.
Carry a backup shelter
Even with cabin reservations, carry a lightweight tent or tarp. Trail delays, injuries, or a mix-up could leave you overnight between cabins, and there are 19 designated campsites along the route if you need them.
Go June through early September
Late June through August brings the warmest temperatures and the long Alaska daylight, but also peak mosquitoes. Early June can still hold snow at the pass. September means cooler days, fewer bugs, and fall color, but shorter days and a higher chance of rain or early snow.
Everything you'll actually want to know.
Ready to go? Get your
Resurrection Pass Trail route.
Cabin reservations and recreation.gov timing, the Hope and Cooper Landing trailhead shuttle, bear-safety and water rules, the Juneau Falls side trip, and the day-by-day mileage you need to cross the Kenai in five days.
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