Updated July 2026
Russian River Falls
Russian River Falls is a series of cascades on the Kenai Peninsula with a viewing platform popular for watching sockeye salmon and brown bears, reached by an easy hike of roughly 4.8 miles round trip from the Russian Lakes trailhead near Cooper Landing. The trail begins off the Russian River Campground access road near milepost 52 of the Sterling Highway.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Chugach National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
No measured height is on record for Russian River Falls in the land-manager and survey sources this inventory draws on. We list it without a height rather than estimating one.
The Russian Lakes Trail (Russian River Falls spur) reaches it about 4.8 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 580 feet of elevation gain, rated easy. The nearest town is Cooper Landing. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Chugach National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions.
summer. Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More Alaska waterfalls
- Barbara Falls · 25 ft
- Beaver Falls · 40 ft
- Bridal Veil Falls · 600 ft
- Brooks Falls · 6 ft
- Ebner Falls
- Falls Creek Falls
- Horsetail Falls · 328 ft
- Indian River Falls · 70 ft
Sources
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