The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park is a uniquely wild place and definitely a must-visit destination in Alaska. It was one of our favorite national parks from our trip to visit all of them in 2017. In fact, Kenai Fjords ended up ranking at number 2 when we rated all the national parks from best to worst!

Not only is Kenai Fjords famous for its glaciers and abundant wildlife, but it’s also popular for being so accessible. The park is only a 2.5-hour drive south of Anchorage and the town of Seward serves as the perfect base for sightseeing. The Harding Icefield is one of the biggest reasons people visit Kenai Fjords National Park, but keep reading to find out all the best things to do in the park, where to stay, when to visit, where to take photos, and more!

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Kenai Fjords National Park is best known for its dramatic glaciers. Over 40 of them make their way down from the Harding Icefield, many cascading down to meet pacific ocean in a jaw-dropping display of beauty. This part of Alaska is also famous for its wildlife. Seals, bears, whales, birds, and many other animal species are abundant, which is part of what makes Kenai Fjords National Park so unique.

Maybe my favorite thing about Kenai Fjords National Park is the wide variety of ways you can choose to explore. You can take a boat tour to see the glaciers and wildlife, explore on smaller watercraft such as kayaks, hike some of the most beautiful terrain in the world, or see it all from the air.

This tour is a great way to take the view from the air, cruising around the canopy on a ziplining tour, explore across multiple ziplines and suspension bridges.

Location: Kenai Peninsula, Alaksa
Native Land: Sugpiaq
Size: 601,839 acres (2435 sq km)
Annual Visitors: 356,601 million (2019)
Established: National Park (1980)
Visitor Centers: Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center 
Entrance Fee: Free

Get directions to Kenai Fjords National Park

While the park is technically open year-round, Kenai Fjords National Park is best visited in the summer months of June, July and August. Many of the park’s main attractions are closed during winter months due to rough seas and heavy snow. Services are still open during the shoulder months of May and September, but may be limited depending on the conditions.

Getting to Kenai Fjords requires a simple, and absolutely beautiful 2.5 hour drive from Anchorage. Most people choose to rent a car in Anchorage and make the drive themselves, but there is also the option to catch a scenic train ride. If you want something more luxurious then consider booking an Anchorage Airport to Seward round-trip private transfer.

There are numerous incredible things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park and along the Kenai Peninsula, including hiking, boat cruises, kayaking, fishing, scenic flights, and more! Keep reading for in-depth details on each activity and tour recommendations.

The jewel of Kenai Fjords National Park is the magnificent Harding Icefield. From this massive 700-square-mile icefield, countless tidewater glaciers pour down, carving fjords and icebergs. Over 30 glaciers of different size and type flow from the Harding Icefield, with some terminating in lakes (e.g. Skilak Glacier), some ending on land (e.g. Exit Glacier), some ending in lagoons (e.g. Bear Glacier), and some being tidewater (e.g. Aialik Glacier).

The Icefield may be a remnant of the Pleistocene ice masses that once covered half of Alaska. Visitors can witness the Harding Icefield itself via a steep hike from the Exit Glacier area of the park, via aircraft, or numerous of its glaciers can be viewed from a boat tour or watercraft. I think the most epic has to be via a scenic flight, but keep reading for more suggestions on how to best see the Harding Icefield.

This is probably the biggest attraction in the park, and for good reason. Taking a boat tour out to see the giant glaciers entering the ocean is something you are sure to remember forever. You might also be lucky enough to spot wildlife while on the boat, including whales, harbor seals, bald eagles, sea lions, sea otters, and other marine mammals. Suggested tour: Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise from Seward.

Exit Glacier is another of the most popular spots in Kenai National Park. In the summer months you can drive right up to the base of the glacier… well, kind of. Due to our warming climate and the recession of the glacier, you will now need to walk a short distance to the base from the parking lot, but it’s not very far and the views are incredible! Suggested tour: Exit Glacier Ice Hiking Adventure.

Kenai Fjords doesn’t have a lot of “maintained” hiking trails.. in fact there are only two official trails listed by the National Park Service: 

• Exit Glacier Trail: 2.2-mile roundtrip walk from the Exit Glacier Nature Center parking lot. Hike it on your own or get adventurous and book this hiking tour on the actual glacier!
• Harding Icefield Trail: 8.2 mile round-trip adventure with 3800 feet of elevation gain. Leaves from the Exit Glacier parking lot. Hike it on your own or take this guided tour.

Despite there only being two official trails, there are many “pick your own adventure” style hiking options for those with more experience in navigation and back-country travel. Many travel from all over the world for Alaska’s rugged wilderness, and exploring off the beaten path offers views that are hard to beat. Do note this is not for your average hiker and extra precaution and knowledge is required, remember to bring hiking poles and decent hiking shoes. If in doubt stop by the visitors center and ask for help. Looking for a unique hiking day trip? Check out these guided hiking tours: Hiking Tour in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge with Scenic Boat Ride; Seward Wilderness Hiking Tour.

There are many companies that offer kayak trips within Kenai Fjords National Park. These range from leisurely paddles to more extreme kayak/backpacking trips. Shop around to find something that suits your needs. Suggested tours: Bear Glacier Kayaking Adventure; Aialik Northwestern Fjords Explorer Glacier Kayaking; Kenai Fjords National Park Wildlife Cruise & Glacier Kayak Combo Adventure.

One unique way to experience Kenai Fjords National Park is by air! This is the only way to see the whole of the Harding Icefield, so if you have the spare cash (this is quite pricey) it’s an incredible experience. There isn’t many things more Alaskan than taking a ride in a small plane or wilderness helicopter!

There is also a shorter cheaper helicopter flight available with a landing on the Knik Glacier. The flights are definitely a pricey activity, but well worth treating yourself to this unforgettable experience. This 60 minute scenic flight is another great splurge that flies over Kenai Fjords and Chugach National Forest.

Kenai Fjords National Park and its surrounding areas are home to some incredible fishing. You can fish right from the shoreline at Seward, or take a boat tour out to some of the captain’s favorite locations. There are even fresh water options at some of the lakes in the area. Don’t forget your Alaska state fishing license! Suggested tour: Guided Ice Fishing Tour.

During our visit to Kenai Fjords National Park, my husband and I chose to do an overnight backpacking trip on the Harding Icefield trail. It’s a steep, 8.2 mile round-trip hike that takes you along a ridge overlooking the famous Exit Glacier. The trail ends at a flatter area of the mountainside where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Harding Icefield below you (and probably some mountain goats!) Do note that the terrain here is very rocky, and it can be difficult to find a flat spot for a tent. Be prepared with proper grizzly and black bear safety precautions + food storage, and always leave no trace!

Read next: Must Know Bear Safety for Hiking and Camping

While there aren’t a lot of “iconic” Kenai Fjords photography spots, there’s plenty to photograph in the park… you just might have to be a little more creative. Below you will find some suggestions on the best places to take photos in Kenai Fjords National Park.

The Harding Icefield is obviously stunning, and I recommend you hike the Harding Icefield Trail if you are wanting to take some photos of the icefield and Exit Glacier from above. My husband and I camped overnight so that we could capture photos at both sunset and sunrise, but it’s beautiful even during the day. You can’t fly drones in national parks but consider taking a scenic flight for some aerial photography! Suggested tour: 60 Minute Scenic Flight over Kenai Fjords and Chugach National Forest.

Another way you will be able to capture some great photos in Kenai Fjords National Park is by boat. If you take one of the sightseeing boat tours, you will be brought right up close to the glaciers, providing some epic photography opportunities. On the boat tours you may also be lucky enough to spot some wildlife such as whales, seals and bald eagles, which adds another great photography element. The dream is combining both the wildlife and glaciers in one photo, let’s see if you can get lucky! Suggested tours: Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay Half-Day Wildlife Cruise; 4 Hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise.

Want to see more Alaskan wildlife, including puffins, sea lions, and other marine mammals? Check out the Alaska SeaLife Center. Suggested: Skip the Line: Alaska SeaLife Center Admission Ticket.

The National Park itself only has one campground (Exit Glacier) and a couple of public use wilderness cabins as options for accommodation, but thankfully there are other options. As mentioned earlier, Kenai Fjords National Park has the advantage of being situated right next to Seward, a large Alaskan town known for its fishing and tourism industries. This gives visitors an abundant choice of accommodations ranging from campgrounds, vacation rentals, camper/RV parking, and even some nice lodges. Below are a few options of different price points to get you started.

There are so many cute cabins and unique vacation rentals close to Kenai Fjords National Park! Here are my top picks:

• Swedish Dollhouse: Charming secluded forest cabin 10 mins from Seward. Click here to book.
• Ocean View A Frame Cabins: two options (red door cabin; blue door cabin), beautiful brand new A frame cabins in Lowell Point. Click here to book.
• The Gatehouse Cabin at Angels Rest: Beachfront cabin on the shores of Resurrection Bay. Click here to book.
• Retro Studio: 1950s style studio near the Sealife Centre. Click here to book.
• Fox Den Cabin: off-grid remote cabin located in Resurrection Bay, ten miles by water from Seward. Click here to book.
• The Pepper Creek Cabin: Secluded cabin with its own private beach. Click here to book.
• Wolf Ridge Cabin: Featured on Building Alaska, this remote cabin is nestled in the forest. Click here to book.
• Granite Point Mountain Lodge: Luxury lodge for larger groups with beautiful mountain views. Click here to book.

There are various hotel style accomodation options in downtown Seward as well as lodges located a little further out of town. Here are my top picks:

• Best Western Plus Edgewater Hotel: standard Best Western hotel right in the middle of town. Click here to book.
• Seward Windsong Retreat: lodge style accommodation with a killer view and dining options. Click here to book. Click here to book.
• Breeze Inn Motel: motel-style accommodation just outside of town. Click here to book.
• Resurrection Lodge on the Bay: beachfront lodge in Seward offering a variety of room sizes and types. Click here to book.
• Sauerdough Lodging: apartments in the heart of Seward, close to the action. Click here to book.
• Trailhead Lodging: affordable lodging within Seward, walking distance to everything you need. Click here to book.

Booking.com

• Seward Campgrounds: campgrounds right in the heart of Seward, including waterfront tent and RV parking options.
• Forest Acres Campground: campground just outside of town. Much smaller and quieter than the one in town.
• Twin Peaks Lodge and RV Park: small RV park and basic lodging.

Book via The Dyrt for campground reviews and comparisions, use my code reneeroaming for a free 30 day trial.

Packing for your trip to Kenai Fjords National Park will depend on what time of year you visit and what activities you plan to undertake. Some must-pack items for every visitor no matter what time of year are:

• Binoculars
• Rain jacket
• Insulated jacket
• Waterproof hiking boots / walking shoes (read next: The Best Hiking Shoes in 2020)
• Camera (find out what’s in my camera bag)

There’s only one road into Kenai Fjords National Park itself, and that’s the road out to Exit Glacier. At times, the Exit Glacier parking lot may get overcrowded, so there is a shuttle service that runs the 12 mile stretch of road between Seward and Exit Glacier to help with overflow and people without vehicles.

Other than that one road, you will be exploring the Kenai Fjords Peninsula by watercraft, the air, or on foot. As mentioned above, I recommend you check out some of the boat tours, scenic flights and hiking trails to make the best of your time in Kenai Fjords National Park. There are many online resources for researching these activities, or you can drop into the visitors center on arrival and pick up some pamphlets to help with your decision making.

Kenai Fjords National Park is out on its own peninsula, and doesn’t have a whole lot around it that is easily accessible. With that being said, you will pass through Chugach State Park on your drive from Anchorage. The Chugach mountains have endless recreation activities, and if you’re still craving more after your visit to Kenai, this is a great area. Below are a few more places worth checking out if you have the time. I also have some hiking and backpacking suggestions in this Alaska blog post.

• Chugach State Park
• Portage Glacier
• Girdwood
• Skilak Lake
• Lost Lake Trail

It’s important when traveling and exploring the outdoors to be respectful and responsible with your actions. Alaska has very fragile ecosystems and we need to take care of them for future generations to also be able to enjoy the state’s natural wonders. Read my guide on 12 Ways To Be a Responsible Traveler and How To Follow Leave No Trace Principles.

• Roughly 50% of Kenai Fjords National Park is covered in ice.
• The highest point in Kenai Fjords National Park is Mt Truuli at 6,612 feet.
• Kenai Fjords is one of the few National Parks with no entrance fee.
• Kenai Fjords is quite famous in the birding community, and many flock (pun intended) to this region for the sole purpose bird viewing.
• At the time Kenai Fjords was first designated a national momument, only one ranger was assigned to protect its lands.
• The name ‘Kenai’ originated from the word ‘kena’ which means ‘open area with few trees, flat, meadow’.