The Kenai Fjords reflect scenic icebound landscapes in which salt spray mixes with mountain mist. Located on the southeastern Kenai Peninsula, the national park is a pristine and rugged land supporting many unaltered natural environments and ecosystems. The fjords are long, steep-sided, glacier-carved valleys that are now filled with ocean waters. A mountain platform, one mile high, rises above this dramatic coastline. The mountains are mantled by the 300-square mile Harding Icefield, 35 miles long and 20 miles wide. Only isolated mountain peaks interrupt its nearly flat, snowclad surface. Exit Glacier spills off the massive Harding icefield and is accessible by road.
The park’s wildlife includes mountain goats, moose, bears, wolverines, marmots and other land mammals who have established themselves on a thin life zone between marine waters and the icefield’s frozen edges. Bald eagles nest in the tops of spruce and hemlock trees. Thousands of seabirds, including puffins, kittiwakes and murres seasonally inhabit the steep cliffs and rocky shores. Kayakers, fishermen and visitors on tour boats share the park’s waters with stellar sea lions, harbor seals, Dall porpoises, sea otters, humpback, killer and minke whales.
Introduction
Sweeping from rocky coastline to glacier-crowned peaks, Kenai Fjords National Park encompasses 607,805 acres of unspoiled wilderness on the southeast coast of Alaska‘s Kenai Peninsula. The park is capped by the Harding Icefield, a relic from past ice-ages and the largest icefield entirely within U. S. borders. Visitors witness a landscape continuously shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and storms. Orcas, otters, puffins, bear, moose and mountain goats are just a few of the numerous animals that make their home in this ever-changing place where mountains, ice and ocean meet.
The Park offers a range of opportunities for visitors, students and scientists to explore, study and enjoy this special piece of our nation’s natural and cultural heritage.
Recreation
Authorized commercial guides provide camping, fishing and kayaking services. Air charters fly over the coast for flight seeing and access to the fjords. Boat tours and charters are available from Seward. In summer, boat tours ply the coast, observing calving glaciers, sea birds and marine mammals. Boat charters offer overnight fjord trips and fishing trips to the fjords and Resurrection Bay (saltwater fish include halibut, lingcod cod and a variety of rock fish; freshwater fish include Dolly Varden and silver, red, chum and pink salmon).
Interpretive talks, exhibits, videos at the visitor center and Exit Glacier Nature Center.
Hiking
The only maintained trails in Kenai Fjords National Park are those in the Exit Glacier area. These include several short trails on the valley floor and the Harding Icefield trail.
Most of the backcountry is trail-less wilderness. Off-trail hiking is not recommended. The terrain is steep and rugged and often requires scrambling through dense vegetation.
Getting There
By Car
The park lies 130 road miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway. The park’s visitor center is located in Seward’s small boat harbor.
Bus
Bus service is available year round between Anchorage and Seward.
Public Transportation
The Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) System connects Seward with Homer and Seldovia via Kodiak, providing service to Valdez and Cordova. The Alaska Railroad serves Seward from Anchorage during the summer months.
Traveler Facts
Contact Information
Kenai Fjords National Park
PO Box 1727
Seward, AK 99664
Phone: 907-224-2132
Phone: 907-224-7500 (Headquarters)
Fax: 907-224-7505
Operating Hours & Seasons
The visitor center in Seward offers information, videos, maps, publications and exhibits. It is open daily from mid-April through September and weekdays in October. The Exit Glacier Nature Center is open daily in the summer months. It offers exhibits and information about the glacier and the Harding Icefield, interpretive programs and talks.
Weather/Climate
Overcast and cool days are frequent in this maritime climate of abundant rain. May is the driest month; successive months see increasing precipitation. Summer daytime temperatures range from the mid-40′s to low 70′s F. The wet, stormy fall begins in September. Wool or synthetic clothing and sturdy rain gear pants, coat and hat are essential.
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