| Ninilchik River | |
| Map Size: | 300 |
| Pushpin Map: | USA Alaska |
| Pushpin Map Size: | 300 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the mouth of the Ninilchik River in Alaska |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | United States |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Alaska |
| Subdivision Type4: | Borough |
| Subdivision Name4: | Kenai Peninsula |
| Length: | 21miles[1] |
| Source1: | Kenai Peninsula |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 60.2006°N -151.3094°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 275feet[2] |
| Mouth: | Cook Inlet |
| Mouth Location: | Ninilchik, 38miles southwest of Kenai |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 60.0575°N -151.66°W[3] |
| Mouth Elevation: | 23feet |
The Ninilchik River (Dena'ina: Niqnalchintnu) is a 21-mile-long (34 km) stream on the Kenai Peninsula of the U.S. state of Alaska.[1] From headwaters near the west coast of the peninsula, the river flows south, parallel to the coast, then turns sharply west near Ninilchik.[4] Ninilchik Road runs parallel to the lower river along its left bank to near the road's intersection with the Sterling Highway.[4] At Ninilchik, the river passes under the highway, flows through Ninilchik State Recreation Area, and empties into Cook Inlet.[4]
A small boat harbor, used mainly by fishing boats, is dredged out of the river mouth near the town.[5] The river is a popular fishing location for king salmon in May and June, silver salmon and Dolly Varden in late summer and early fall, and steelhead in late fall.[6] Digging for razor clams along the beaches near Ninilchik is also popular.[6]