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There are several places to see the world's most eye-watering fjords, including Norway, Iceland, Patagonia, New Zealand, and Alaska. The fjords of Alaska are mind-bending and utterly stunning. Some of the best of the fjords are protected in the Kenai Fjords National Park. This is a place where visitors can still see the ice age lingering.
Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Alaska - in part because it is accessible by road. Many of the Alaskan national parks, like Gates of the Arctic, are so remote they can only be accessed by air. The most popular national park in the state is Denali.
Why Kenai Is One Of Alaska's Most Popular National Parks
The Kenai Fjords National Park is home to the massive Harding Icefield. The ice field has outflowing glaciers and is the source of around 38 glaciers. It is located on the Kenai Peninsula west of the town of Seward in south-central Alaska. The only glacier that is reachable by the park's only road is Exit Glacier. The other glaciers visitors can only reach the other glaciers by hiking, boating, or flying.
- Size: 669,984 acres (1,046.9 sq mi; 2,711.3 km2)
- Largest Glacier: Bear Glacier
- Exit Glacier: One Of The Most Accessible Glaciers
The Harding Icefield is one of the largest ice fields in the United States. Over 60% of the park is covered in snow and ice. See why Kenai Fjord National Park is so spectacular with its ice field, a fringe of forested land, dramatic coastlines, and towering mountains.
Animals in the park include brown (grizzly) bears, moose, black bears, sea otters, killer whales, humpback whales, and harbor seals. The nutrient-rich glacial waters support a large population of marine wildlife - including some of the largest animals on the planet.
How To Get To Kenai Fjords National Park
The park is accessible by the Seward Highway all through the year and by the Alaska Railroad during the summer months. Seward is one of the oldest and most picturesque communities in Alaska, with its historic district filled with restaurants and quaint shops.
- Train Season: Mid-May to Mid-September
During the warmer months of the year, hop on Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic train in Anchorage and travel down to Seward, arriving just after 11.00 am.
- Anchorage: Approx. 127 Miles To Seward
Visitors can stay in Anchorage (it's a 2.5-hour drive) and have a very long day out, or they can stay in Seward. The best option may be to make use of the several public-use cabins and lodges accessible by boat during the summer months.
Glaciers around the world are receding with climate change, and Kenai is no exception. Take the time and see its nearly 40 glaciers flowing down the mountains before they recede back further or disappear altogether.
What To Do In Kenai Fjords National Park
There is no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy in Kenai. Activities include boat tours, camping, fishing, biking, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, kayaking, mountaineering, and much more. Kenai is a place where visitors get to see tidewater glaciers.
By Kayak:
One of the most adventurous places to explore the park is by kayak. There are water taxis offering drop-off services and guided tours. Experience the thrill of spending days paddling among icebergs in the fjords.
By Hiking:
Hike opportunities are present but limited in Kenai (including multi-day hikes). There are a few trails at the end of Exit Glacier Road and leading from the Exit Glacier Nature Center including:
- The Harding Icefield Trail: 8.2 Round Trip Trail
- Glacier View Loop Trail: One-Mile Trail
- Resurrection River Trail: 17 Mile Long Trail Heading To Chugach National Forest
By Boating Tours:
One of the main ways to explore Kenai is with boating tours. Full-day and half-day boating tours depart from the nearby town of Seward. These tours are perhaps the easiest way to explore the Kenai Fjords.
Kenai Fjords Tour With Dinner On Fox Island:
- Duration: 8.5 Hours
- Departure: 10.00 am
- Cost: From $197.00
- Included: Lunch & Dinner
The rugged coastlines that include the Northwestern Fjord and Aialik Bay make the experience very much worth it. There are possible sightings of whales, porpoises, otters, sea lions, orcas, and, of course, lots of sea birds.