Kenai Fjords National Park
Hike to one of the largest icefields in North America, kayak in front of glaciers, spot humpback whales and orcas on a wildlife cruise, go ice climbing or glacier hiking, and soar over the fjords in a helicopterโฆthese are all things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park.
This is one of the few national parks in Alaska that you can drive to, but to really experience this park, you will need to hike, kayak, cruise, or see it from the sky. Most of this park is ice and water, so it is not the type of place where you drive from viewpoint to viewpoint.
But that is what makes this park such a wonderful place to visit. If you are seeking adventure, you can find it here. With kayaking, ice climbing, and glacier hiking, many wonderful adventures await. And if you prefer to sit back, relax, and view this park from a boat, you can do that too.
Kenai Fjords Stats
Founded: December 2, 1980
Annual Visitors: 390,000 in 2023, making Kenai Fjords the 18th least visited park that year
Size: 670,000 acres
Location: Alaska
Top Experiences in Kenai Fjords
Take a wildlife cruise. Cruising the fjords is one of the best things to do in Kenai Fjords. Cruises last a half day to a full day and the farther you go from Seward, the better the experience. Not only do you get to see glaciers and dramatic coastal scenery, but you also have the chance to spot orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, bald eagles, seals and sea lions, and puffins.
Drive Exit Glacier Road. Exit Glacier Road is the only road in Kenai Fjords National Park. Itโs only 8.5 miles long and it connects Seward to the Exit Glacier.
Hike the short trails at the base of the Exit Glacier. The Glacier Loop Trail and Glacier Overlook Trail take you to viewpoints of the Exit Glacier and is perfect for those with limited time or those who donโt want to do a long, challenging hike.
Hike or ice climb on the Exit Glacier. Another great thing to do in Kenai Fjords National Park is to go hiking or ice climbing on the Exit Glacier.
Hike the Harding Icefield Trail. The Harding Icefield Trail is an 8-mile strenuous hike that takes you to a stunning viewpoing of the Harding Icefield. For hikers, it is a must-do in the park.
Go glacier kayaking. If you want to see Kenai Fjords National Park from the water and want to do something more adventurous than a wildlife cruise, adding on glacier kayaking is a great option. We went glacier kayaking in Aialik Bay and it was an awesome experience.
Take a flightseeing tour. If you want to see Kenai Fjords National Park from the sky, you can take a scenic helicopter flight or even a backcountry helicopter hiking trip.
Go fishing. In Kenai Fjords National Park, you can go both freshwater and saltwater fishing. You can fish for salmon and Dolly Varden in the rivers and streams. In Seward and Resurrection Bay, you can fish for salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod.
Did You Know?
Kenai Fjords National Park preserves and protects the Harding Icefield, which is the largest icefield that is located entirely within the United States. This icefield is what โfeedsโ the glaciers on the Kenai Peninsula and there are at least 38 glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park.
The Exit Glacier is the most accessible of these glaciers. Itโs the only glacier that you can drive to. You can hike several trails to viewpoints of this glacier, as well as hike on it or go ice climbing, with an experienced guide.
About 50% of this park is covered in ice. The Harding Icefield gets 60 feet of snow a year!
Learn More About Kenai Fjords
Harding Icefield Trail: The Ultimate Hiking Guide
Hiking the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park is a challenging, rewarding, and unique experience all rolled into one. This memorable hike takes you past the Exit Glacier and ends with sweeping views across the Harding Icefield, the largest icefield that is located entirely in the United States. In this guide, we provide […]
9 Amazing Things to Do in Kenai Fjords National Park
Hike to one of the largest icefields in North America, spot humpback whales and orcas on a wildlife cruise, kayak in front of glaciers, go ice climbing or glacier hiking, and soar over the fjords in a helicopterโฆthese are all things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park. This is one of the few national […]
Ice Climbing on the Exit Glacier | Kenai Fjords National Park
Are you looking for an adventure to add to your Alaskan itinerary? How about ice climbing on the Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park? This experience, from start to finish, is a blast. The day starts off with a short but tough hike up a portion of the Harding Icefield Trail. Once at the […]
Aialik Glacier Kayaking: Beauty & Adventure in Kenai Fjords
One of the best things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park is to cruise through the fjords, to see the glaciers that carved out this beautiful landscape. And if you are looking for adventure, kayak to Aialik Glacier, one of the more remote glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska. This experience combines a […]
Northwestern Fjord Cruise in Kenai Fjords: Photos, Map & Is It Worth It?
The Northwestern Fjord Cruise is one of the best ways to experience Kenai Fjords National Park. You will venture further into Kenai Fjords National Park than any other cruise. By doing so you will maximize your chances of seeing a variety of marine and other wildlife, witness the allure and power of glaciers, and observe […]
Anchorage to Seward: Best Things to Do on the Seward Highway
The drive from Anchorage to Seward on Seward Highway is beautiful, an attraction in itself. Along the way you can gaze across the Turnagain Arm, ride a cable car up into the Chugach Mountains, admire beautiful turquoise lakes with mountain reflections in them, hike to a waterfall in a picturesque setting, and so much more. […]
How Many Days Should You Spend in Kenai Fjords National Park?
We recommend spending at least two full days in Kenai Fjords National Park. This gives you enough time to take a fjord cruise and hike the trails near Exit Glacier or go ice climbing or glacier hiking.
With more time, you can also hike the Mount Marathon trail or Lost Lake Trail, spend some time in Seward, go fishing, glacier kayaking, or go flightseeing.
4 Day Kenai Fjords National Park Itinerary:
Day 1: Scenic drive on the Seward Highway to Seward/Kenai Fjords National Park
Day 2: Kenai Fjords cruise
Day 3: Hike the Exit Glacier trails, the Harding Icefield Trail, and/or go ice climbing or glacier hiking on the Exit Glacier
Day 4: Flightseeing, Lost Lake Trail, Mount Marathon, or a cruise + kayaking combo
Best Time to Visit Kenai Fjords National Park
The best time to visit Kenai Fjords National Park is in the summer (June, July and August). This is when fjord cruises, glacier hiking, and ice climbing tours are offered.
You can visit Seward all year but Exit Glacier Road closes to vehicles once it gets snow covered. And many tours are not offered between October and mid-May.
Kenai Fjords National Park appears in our Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in July and August.
15 Best National Parks to Visit in July 2024 (USA)
Which are the best national parks to visit in July? In this guide, we list 15 great parks to visit in the USA. Go hiking in Mount Rainier and Glacier National Parks, go whale watching in the Channel Islands, and venture into Alaska for some amazing adventures. About this National Park Series This article is […]
15 Best National Parks to Visit in August 2024 (USA)
Planning a trip to the US national parks in August and donโt know which ones to visit? August is a busy time to visit the national parks, but crowd levels arenโt quite at their peak (that typically happens in July for many parks). In this guide, we list some popular summertime parks to visit plus […]
Where to Stay in Kenai Fjords
Seward is the best place to stay when visiting Kenai Fjords National Park. This small town has a variety of lodges, hotels, and bed & breakfasts to choose from. There are also restaurants and a grocery store in town.
Alaska Road Trip Itinerary
In this Alaska Road Trip Itinerary, we lay out three different ways to plan a 10-day road trip through Alaska. Each itinerary includes Kenai Fjords National Park. The best time to do these itineraries is from June through August, when the tours are offered at Kenai Fjords National Park.
10 Day Alaska Itinerary: 3 Ways to Plan an Epic Alaska Road Trip
Places to Visit Near Kenai Fjords
16 Best Things to Do in Denali National Park
Denali National Park, one of the largest national parks in the USA, is home to millions of acres of remote, rugged wilderness. It is named for Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, and catching a view of this mountain peak is one of the best things to do in Denali National Park. There are […]
10 Best Things to Do in Wrangell โ St. Elias National Park & Preserve
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve is one of our favorite US National Parks. Its remote location, countless mountains and glaciers, and sheer beauty is simply astounding. It feels like an adventure to drive in on McCarthy Road, pull your belongings across the footbridge, and get shuttled to your lodge or campground. From […]
Complete Guide to Brooks Falls Trail & Viewing Platforms | Katmai National Park
Brooks Falls is one of the best places in Katmai National Park to view brown bears. Every July, when the salmon make their annual run, this part of the Brooks River is packed with bears, making it one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in the US national parks. In this guide, learn how to […]
Kenai Fjords National Park in Photos
US National Parks List
In our US National Parks List, get information on all of the US national parks, including interesting facts, the most and least visited national parks, and a FREE printable national parks checklist with map.
Ultimate US National Parks List for 2024 (+ Printable Checklist)
