On The Land Adventures
Hiking, Clam Digging, Beach Combing
Info Coming Soon!
Hiking
While the town of Homer offers charming coastal walks, the true heart of Alaskan wilderness hiking lies just across the water. A quick 30-minute water taxi ride transports you from the bustling Homer Spit into the quiet majesty of Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska’s first state park. Here, the road system ends and the adventure begins, offering over 80 miles of trails that wind through temperate rainforests, climb above the treeline to alpine tundra, and lead you to the foot of massive, iceberg-dotted glacial lakes. Most of the epic hiking, from easy to difficult is across the bay by water taxi.
Grewingk Glacier Trail
Grewingk Glacier Lake Trail (Easy): This is the most famous hike in the region and a “must-do” for any visitor. The trail is relatively flat and leads you through lush forests of Sitka spruce and massive cottonwoods before opening onto a glacial outwash plain. The reward is a spectacular view of Grewingk Glacier and a lake filled with floating blue icebergs.
Cannon-Like Thunder: You will often hear loud, booming cracks echoing across the lake; this is the sound of “calving,”
Turquoise “Glacial Flour”: The lake’s milky blue color comes from “rock flour”—fine silt ground into a powder by the glacier’s weight.
Iceberg Alley: Because the lake is over 350 feet deep, massive icebergs—some the size of houses—float right up to the shore
A Receding Giant: The glacier is roughly 13 miles long. Where you stand on the beach today was once covered by hundreds of feet of solid ice
The Saddle Trail
The Saddle Trail (Moderate): Often combined with the Glacier Lake hike to create a loop, the Saddle Trail provides a steeper but shorter route back to the water. It offers beautiful switchback views of Halibut Cove and is a favorite for those looking to maximize their scenery in a few hours. Pro Tip: Planned correctly as a “loop” you can start at Grewingk Glacier Trailhead then come out for your pickup at Saddle Trail Trailhead. This way your descending the vertical rather than climbing it on the way in.
Epic Panoramic Views: The trail’s steep switchbacks quickly lift you above the treeline, offering a breathtaking “birds-eye” vantage point of Halibut Cove and the sprawling Grewingk Glacier valley.
The Efficient Gateway: As a shorter, steeper alternative to the main glacier flats, it is the most popular “pick-up” point for water taxis, allowing hikers to complete a stunning 5-mile loop from the glacier back to the beach.
Alpine Ridge Trail
Alpine Ridge Trail (Moderate to Difficult): If you want to get above the trees quickly, this spur off the Saddle Trail climbs steeply into the alpine tundra. At the top, you’ll find yourself on a treeless knoll with a bird’s-eye view of the Grewingk Glacier valley—a perfect spot for berry picking in late summer.
Sky-High Views: This trail quickly elevates you above the treeline, offering a dramatic bird’s-eye perspective of the entire Grewingk Glacier valley and the turquoise expanse of Kachemak Bay.
Berry Picker’s Paradise: In late summer, the alpine tundra along the ridge is carpeted in wild blueberries and crowberries, making it a favorite spot for hikers to snack while taking in the 360-degree mountain views.
Clam Digging
Uncover the hidden treasures of the Cook Inlet with a Clam Digging Adventure—a quintessential Alaskan pastime that combines a scenic boat journey with the thrill of the hunt. Based out of Homer, these excursions take you across the shimmering waters to the remote, wild beaches of the west side, where the world’s most dramatic tidal shifts reveal miles of pristine sand teeming with life.
Whether you are a seasoned “clammer” or a first-timer, there is a unique magic to standing on a beach that was underwater just hours before, surrounded by towering volcanoes and the quiet salt air.
Across The Inlet Clam Digging
The Adventure Highlights
The “Tide-Stander” Experience: Our custom vessels navigate the massive 25-foot tidal swings, often resting right on the sand as the water recedes, giving you a stable “base camp” in the middle of the clam flats.
The Hunt for Giants: We primarily target the legendary Pacific Razor Clam—highly prized for its sweet, tender meat—along with flavorful Steamers (Littlenecks) and Butter Clams found tucked away in the gravelly pockets of Kachemak Bay.
Family-Friendly Bounty: This is an adventure for all ages. There is nothing quite like the “treasure hunt” feel of spotting a clam “show” (a small dimple in the wet sand) and successfully out-digging a fast-moving Razor clam.
2026 Dates: Clamming is only available on particularly low tides
May 1,2,3,15,16,17,18,19,20,30,31
June 1,13,15,16,17,18,19,30
July 1,12,13,14,16,17,29,30,31
Beach Combing - Anytime & Free!
In Homer, the beach isn’t just a place to relax—it’s a dynamic gateway to the sea that changes with every tide. Whether you are wandering the iconic shores of the Homer Spit or exploring the remote, roadless coastlines across the bay, beachcombing here is a true Alaskan treasure hunt.
Coastal Treasures: The massive tidal swings of Kachemak Bay frequently wash up intricate sea glass, sun-bleached driftwood, and polished stones. Keep a sharp eye out for the ultimate prize: elusive Japanese glass fishing floats, relics of a bygone era that still occasionally find their way to our rocky shores.
Marine Life Encounters: Low tide transforms the shoreline into a living classroom. Explore vibrant tide pools teeming with bright sea stars, anemones, and scurrying hermit crabs, all while eagles circle overhead and sea otters bob just offshore.
The Best Vantage Points: From the sandy stretches of Bishop’s Beach to the hidden coves of the State Park, you’ll find the perfect backdrop of towering glaciers and snow-capped volcanoes for your seaside stroll.
Ready to Book Your Stay & Adventures
Fill out our online inquiry form. It only takes a moment, will give us all the details we need to put together an initial plan for you, and our staff will usually get back to you within 24 hours after we’ve had a chance to initially plan out your trip so that we can put you in the perfect lodge with the right trips and options. It is helpful if you check out our lodging page where you can see the different sized options (rooms, beds) and real-time availability with our up-to-date calendars available directly on our lodging page.
From June 16 to Oct 1, we strongly encourage you to consider a split stay at our Kenai Riverside Resort property located 1/2-way between Anchorage and Homer to experience some world-class salmon fishing on the Kenai River and Kasilof River either on the front-end or back-end of your vacation in addition to your Luxury Homer Adventures & lodging portion of your trip – you won’t be disappointed!