Alaska's Glacial Grandeur: Exploring Kenai Fjords National Park

Of the 63 national parks in the United States, eight are in Alaska, the second-highest count, following California’s nine. And while Kenai Fjords National Park may be Alaska’s smallest, it’s still quite large compared to the national parks in most other states. Located in south-central Alaska, Kenai Fjords covers more than 600,000 acres and encompasses three main areas: Exit Glacier, Harding Icefield and the coastline. Exit Glacier is the easiest section of the park to access. The icefield—one of the four largest in the United States—is a remnant of the ice age that ended 11,500 years ago.

The rugged coastline features tidewater glaciers and is home to marine wildlife. Whether you choose to engage with the land by hiking, kayaking or fishing, or you simply want to take in the spectacular sights of mountains, ice and ocean, your trip to Kenai Fjords National Park is sure to deliver an unforgettable experience.

When was Kenai Fjords National Park Established?

Glacial ice created the Kenai Fjords some 23,000 years ago. In 1980, the area was designated a national park to preserve the Harding Icefield, its 40 outflowing glaciers, and the coastal fjords and islands. There’s a diversity of wildlife throughout Kenai Fjords, but what you see will depend on how you travel. Daily boat tours depart Seward during the summer months and make it easy to travel deeper into the park.

A boat excursion could have you spotting humpback whales, otters, seals, Stellar sea lions, porpoises or any of the other 23 marine mammal species that inhabit the coastal waters, including some of the approximately 250 orcas that cruise Prince William Sound during the summer. While on land, you’re likely to see some of the 4,000 mountain goats that range across the peninsula, but you should also be on the lookout for moose and brown and black bears that can be found in the park’s vegetated areas in the summer.

Activities at Kenai Fjords

Although much of the park is rugged wilderness, there are opportunities for people of all interests and abilities to experience the park.

• Kayaking. There are several commercial outfitters that can take kayakers by boat to Bear Glacier Lagoon, Northwestern Lagoon or Aialik Bay for an exploration of the remote waterways, beaches and coves. Alternatively, kayakers can choose to be dropped by plane at Nuka Bay.
• Hiking and snow trekking. April is the best time for experienced mountaineers to ascend 1,000 feet over 4 miles as they trek the strenuous Harding Icefield Trail, whereas the Exit Glacier area can be enjoyed by anyone year-round. Spring and summer are ideal times to travel the Exit Glacier trails on your own or with a ranger-led walk; fall and winter are when Exit Glacier Road is closed to cars but open to cross-country skiers, snowshoers, fat-tire bikers and snowmobilers.
• Flightseeing. For a dramatic view of the park’s glaciers, fjords and wildlife, there’s nothing quite like a flightseeing excursion. You’ll travel by helicopter or small fixed-wing plane for an unforgettable experience. Want a one-of-a-kind combination of impressive scenery and exciting activity? Try taking a flightseeing jaunt to a fishing, kayaking or hiking adventure in Lake Clark, Katmai or Prince William Sound.
• Fishing. Whether you fish the park’s backcountry or the fjords, or even if you drop your line right from the shore in and around Seward, there are outstanding opportunities for both fresh and saltwater fishing. Just be sure to obtain an Alaska State fishing license and review the regulations at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.  

How to Get to Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park is near the town of Seward, 126 miles south of Anchorage. Although air travel directly to Seward is possible, most visitors arrive by car or rail from Anchorage via the Seward Highway, or by one of the cruise ships that begins or ends its voyage in Seward. Also available is an Anchorage-to-Seward rail option via Alaska Railroad from May through September.

When to Go (and When to Book)

Kenai Fjords is open year-round, with limited services and accessibility in winter. The best time to go depends on which is more important to you—ideal weather or smaller crowds. Approximately 80 percent of the national park’s visitors arrive by cruise ship in June, July and August. September can be a good time to visit since boat tours are still running and the weather is mild. Keep in mind that the days get shorter as the seasons advance to fall and winter. 

Motorists should note that although the Seward Highway allows year-round access to Seward from Anchorage, winter weather often prevents travel from Seward to Kenai Fjords. In seasons when the park is reachable by car, road travel is limited to the Exit Glacier area.

If you’re pairing your Kenai Fjords National Park adventure with a cruise to or from Seward during the peak June-to-August season, plan to have your AAA Travel Agent book your trip at least 6 to 12 months in advance to get the best selection of sailing dates and cabins. If you’re more flexible with cabin selections and travel dates (and don’t mind the possibility of missing a cruise completely), waiting to book might yield a lower price. 

Where to Stay at Kenai Fjords

Seward’s AAA-Approved Hotel Edgewater has seasonal availability and was designated a 2021 AAA Inspector’s “Best Of” Location. More Seward hotel options can be discovered by visiting AAA’s Trip Canvas.

Although there are no RV campsites within Kenai Fjords National Park, tent-only camping is possible. RV campsites in nearby Seward can be found through the Seward Parks and Recreation Department.

Located in the heart of the park, the remote Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is reached via a marine wildlife and glacier cruise from Seward. Two other lodging options within the park are Aialik Cabin and Holgate Cabin, each reached by a two-hour boat ride or a 30-minute float plane flight from Seward. Either of these rustic coastal cabins can be reserved for up to three nights from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend.