Is Kenai Fjords National Park Worth Visiting?

Kenai Fjords National Park is located on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, close to the town of Seward. To get to the park, you’ll need to travel to Seward first.

Seward is a a small yet touristy coastal town situated on the coast of Resurrection Bay, a deep, magnificent fjord often called “the gateway to the Kenai Fjords.”. You can find a well-established tourist infrastructure in Seward, including hotels, restaurants, shops, grocery stores, and gas stations. Therefore, it is the best homebase to explore the park from. Seward is also a popular cruise ship port.

The forces of ice and water shape Kenai Fjords National Park’s unique geology:
From one direction, the Harding Icefield, one of the largest icefields in the United States, covers the high mountains around the park and feeds a system of glaciers flowing to the sea and creating stunning fjords along the coastline.
From the other direction, the powerful waves of the Gulf of Alaska crash against the rocky cliffs, constantly reshaping the land.
Kenai Fjords National Park area has a moderate climate with a significant amount of precipitation. Winters are chilly, snowy, and windy. Summers are mild and are relatively dry. The average temperatures vary from 30 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 1 degree Celsius) in winter to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) in summer.

Here are some of the wildlife you might be able to spot in the park:

Like many other national parks around the world, Kenai Fjords National Park is also impacted by the effects of climate change. The park’s glaciers, which have sculpted the park’s landscape for thousands of years, are experiencing significant retreats. As these glaciers shrink, they contribute to rising sea levels, which affect the coastal ecosystems. Exit Glacier is an extreme evidence of a retreating glacier within the park.
The park’s marine life is also at risk due to climate change. Ocean acidification, a consequence of increased carbon dioxide absorption, can degrade the shells and skeletons of marine organisms and impact the delicate balance of the marine food chain. Therefore, conservation efforts and more research are needed to understand and reduce the effects of climate change on the park’s natural beauty.

With an area of 1,046.9 square miles (or 2,711.3 square kilometers) and a diverse range of ecosystems, the park spans three main areas:
The coastline area – with rugged cliffs, deep fjords, lush forests, abundant marine wildlife, and tidewater glaciers. To fully appreciate the majestic beauty of this coastline, you must take a boat tour or a kayak excursion.
Exit Glacier area – an easily accessible glacier and an interesting visitor center. This area of the park is the most easily accessed, as it is where the park’s only road passes through.
Harding Icefield area – a mile-thick icefield that covers over 700 square miles (1813 square kilometers) and feeds dozens of glaciers. Harding Icefield is accessible by a strenuous hike or by helicopter.

Taking a boat tour is a wonderful way to experience the magnificent coastline of Kenai Fjords National Park. This is also a fabulous way to spot the abundant marine life in the area.
If your time in the area is limited to only one activity, then this is the activity you should be doing!
Seward serves as the starting point for boat tours in Kenai Fjords National Park.

Seward resides on the coast of Resurrection Bay, and Kenai Fjords National Park is just southwest of the bay. In order to get to Kenai Fjords from Seward, you must sail through the sheltered waters of Resurrection Bay first.
Resurrection Bay offers magnificent views of lush emerald forests, rocky cliffs, and abundant wildlife. You can see glaciers hanging on the mountains far away. Furthermore, you can also see Bear Glacier — the larger glacier in the park — from a distance.
But there are no tidewater glaciers in the bay. You cannot get close to the glaciers, and you will not see a dramatic glacier calving if you stay in the Resurrection Bay area only.

To experience the breathtaking beauty of a mighty tidewater glacier, you must go into Kenai Fjord National Park.
But – please note that when sailing out of Resurrection Bay to Kenai Fjords National Park, a short part of the journey goes through the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska, which might be rough.

In general, a cruise focusing on the bay is comparatively shorter and, therefore, costs less than a tour that goes into the national park (however, there are a few exceptions).

For more information about boat tours in Seward, tour operators, and how to choose the perfect boat tour for you, please see our post about the 7.5-Hour Kenai Fjord National Park cruise.

The area of Seward is a prime location for whale watching in Alaska! Every summer, a large number of migratory whales come to feed in the nutrient-rich waters near Seward. The best time for whale-watching tours is from May through September when the whales are most abundant.
Humpback whales – can be seen between April and October, with the best viewing time being between May and August.
Orcas (mostly resident Orcas) – can be seen year-round, with the best viewing time between May and June.
Grey whales – can be seen between March to May.
Fin whales – are rarely seen between May and September.
Both the Resurrection Bay and National Park cruises described above offer passengers the opportunity to spot whales.
Both Major Marine Tours and Kenai Fjord Tours offer specific spring cruises that focus on whale watching.
In addition to larger tour companies, the small-scale local operators also offer whale-watching experiences aboard smaller vessels. For example:
Northern Latitude Adventures
Seward Ocean Excursions

Seward is the perfect place for kayaking. You can paddle close to the shoreline, explore the hidden coves of the bay, and enjoy spectacular views of rugged cliffs, lush forests, and stunning scenery. You may be able to spot whales, sea lions, and other wildlife up close.
Going further into Kenai Fjords National Park, you can drift by a spectacular glacier surrounded by breathtaking icebergs.
Tour companies provide all necessary equipment such as life jackets and paddles. There are several options for tours, ranging from a few hours to multiple days.
If you’re an experienced kayaker, you can also rent a kayak and explore the bay independently.
Here are some examples of guided kayak tours:
Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure
Kayak and Hike to Historic WW2 Army Fort

Exit Glacier is the only glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park accessible by road. It’s located just outside Seward and can be reached by car or by a short shuttle ride.
This Glacier is evidence of glacier receding. It has retreated by about 2300 feet (700 m) in the last 13 years due to climate change. As you walk along the path toward the glacier, you will see markers illustrating where this glacier was in various years past. It is sad to see how fast the glacier was receding.

There are several trails of different lengths and difficulty levels, which lead to various viewpoints and up to the glacier’s edge:
Exit Glacier View Loop is an easy trail of 1 mile (1.6 km) that is wheelchair accessible. The trail takes you through a forest in an area that was once covered by the glacier. Along the trail, there are several viewpoints of the outwash plain and the glacier from a distance. It is a very popular trail, so you may encounter many people hiking along.

Exit Glacier Overlook Trail is considered an easy to moderate trail, with a length of 2.2 miles (3.54 km) and an elevation gain of 330 feet (100 m). This trail will take you closer to the glacier, with better views of it.

The nearby Exit Glacier Nature Center offers educational programs, guided hikes, and ranger-led activities. Here you can take a guided tour and learn about the area’s history, flora and fauna, and geological features.

If you have the time, we highly recommend that you visit this interesting glacier during your stay in Seward!

For the more adventurous, the entry point to the strenuous Harding Icefield trail is also located in the Exit Glacier area.
Harding Icefield is the largest ice field contained entirely within the United States, covering over 700 square miles (1813 square km). It feeds over 30 glaciers from Kenai Fjords National Park to Prince William Sound.
This trail is the main way to access the icefield. The hike starts at Exit Glacier and offers stunning views of Exit Glacier, alpine meadows, wildflowers, and the surrounding mountains. Once you reach the top of the trail, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of the ice field.
The strenuous hike is an 8.2 mile (13.2 km) long round trip, with an elevation gain of 1,110 feet (338 m). It can take 6-8 hours to finish the journey, so make sure you come prepared if you plan on taking this hike.
For more information about the Harding Icefield trail please visit the official website.

Hiking on the glacier itself can be very dangerous, do not attempt to do it on your own!

There are several companies that offer guided tours on the glacier, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. You will be provided with the necessary equipment, such as helmets and crampons.
Here is an example of Ice Hiking Tour

The visitor center of the park is located in the small boat harbor of Seward. The center provides information and assistance from rangers about the area.

The visitor center of the park is located in the small boat harbor of Seward. The center provides information and assistance from rangers about the area.

A scenic flight is a great way to take in the breathtaking beauty of the park. From high above, you can see glaciers, mountains, and pristine wilderness stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s an incredible experience, but please note that it is not cheap.
Several scenic flight options are available, varying in duration and cost. Be sure to book ahead of time, as availability can be limited.
Here are some examples of scenic flights around Seward:
Glacier and Mountain Viewing Tour
Bear Glacier Scenic Flight
Extended Bear Glacier Scenic Flight
Grand View Tour

In the summer months, you can take advantage of Seward’s location and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as boat tours, kayaking, and hiking. Fishing is also popular in summer – you can find halibut and salmon in the local waters. In June and July, you can expect less rain than in August, although you should be prepared for rain at any time in Alaska.
A vacation in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall (mid-May and early September) can be a great way to avoid tourist crowds for a more relaxed experience. And on top of that, prices may even be more affordable then! Just make sure that all of your desired attractions are open during the planned times of your visit.
The 4th of July celebrations in Seward are one of Alaska’s biggest celebrations. The celebrations and the renowned annual Mt. Marathon Race attract thousands of visitors to Seward.

The town of Seward serves as a convenient base for exploring Kenai Fjords National Park. Seward offers a range of accommodations, dining options, shops, and other amenities.
Please see our article about Seward for more information.

Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is the only lodge within the park boundaries. This lodge offers luxury cabins, gourmet meals, and activities like sea kayaking and hiking in nature.

Kenai Lodge Wilderness Lodge is located on Fox Islands, technically not within the park but in Resurrection Bay. This wilderness lodge offers a secluded and serene experience surrounded by the stunning beauty of nature.

Orca Island Cabins offers unique yurt accommodations on a private island in Resurrection Bay.

Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the three national parks accessible by road in Alaska. (the other parks are Denali and Wrangell-St. Elias).
The park is located near the town of Seward, which can be easily reached from Anchorage by road or rail.
Please See more details about getting to Seward in our article about Seward.

The coastline area of the park is accessible via a boat only.

Exit Glacier is the only part of the park that is accessible by road. It’s located just outside Seward and can be reached by car or by a short shuttle ride from Seward.
Exit Glacier Nature Center is the starting point of all the trails in the area (including the Harding Icefield trail).
There is a small parking lot near the Nature Center, which can fill up quickly on busy summer days. Try to arrive in the morning or the afternoon if possible.

When you’re exploring this area, it’s important to remember that this is a bear country. To stay safe while on a hike, be aware of your surroundings and make noise to avoid surprising bears. For extra safety measures, think about bringing along bear spray or bear bells with you.

During the summer, the boat tours are very popular and can fill up quickly. It is recommended to book your spot ahead!
If you plan to stay in Seward for several days, make sure to arrange the most important tour, such as a scenic flight or boat tour, for the first full day of your stay. This way, if the weather does not cooperate, you may be able to reschedule that tour for another day of your visit.

It’s important to note that the park has limited cell service, especially in remote areas. Be prepared for intermittent or no cellular reception during your visit. It is advisable to download Google Maps, AllTrails Maps, or any other offline navigation tool in advance.

• When making reservations on black Friday, cyber Monday, and on US national holidays, you may get significant discounts for many of the attractions.

• You may find interesting deals and discounts on the Alaska coupon books/apps:
Toursaver Coupon Book
Northern Lights Coupon Book

Kenai Fjords National Park is a very popular park and for a good reason. While the park does get busy during peak season, there are ways to experience the beauty of Kenai Fjords with fewer crowds:

Overall, Kenai Fjords National Park is definitely a tourist destination, but its size and variety of activities allow you to find a level of “touristy” that suits your preferences.

In conclusion, visiting Kenai Fjords National Park can be an exciting and memorable experience. However, it’s crucial to prioritize safety while exploring this bear country. Remember to stay aware of your surroundings, make noise to avoid surprising bears, and consider bringing bear spray or bear bells for extra precaution. Additionally, booking tours in advance is highly recommended, especially during the summer when they fill up quickly. Be prepared for limited cell phone service in remote areas and download offline navigation tools prior to your visit. Lastly, if you’re looking to save money on tourist activities, take advantage of special discounts on holidays and consider booking package deals that combine accommodations and boat tours. Don’t forget to check out the Alaska coupon books/apps for additional savings opportunities.
With proper planning and precautions, you can make the most of your time at Kenai Fjords National Park without breaking the bank. So pack your bags, embrace the wilderness, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in this stunning Alaskan gem.