Wondering where to eat and sleep during your stay? Abundant marine wildlife. My husband and I camped overnight so that we could capture photos at both sunset and sunrise, but its beautiful even during the day. This hike starts near the Exit Glacier Nature Center. Kenai Fjords has something for everyone. In Kenai Fjords National Park, you can go both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Exit Glacier (Kenai Fjords National Park) - Tripadvisor I juI am 15 years old and have been to 50 national parks. Most tours are offered from June through mid-September. Learn more about weather in this area. Related Topics Amateur photography Photography Art comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment More posts you may like. 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. The captain was excellent, both with his commentary and pointing out wildlife throughout the day. Each has a fully equipped kitchen and there is an onsite laundry facility. Yellowstone has Old Faithful, Yosemite has El Cap, Denali haswell, Denali. This is very dangerous and there are ropes and signs discouraging this. A Family Vacation to Alaskas National Parks, Kenai Fjords National Park About 50% of this park is covered in ice. Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park, Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center. Flightseeing. Northwestern Fjord Cruise in Kenai Fjords: Photos, Map & Is It Worth It? Hi, Elopement Photographer (@outshinedelopements) on Instagram: "! It is home to a vast array of wildlife: whales, puffins, orcas, seals, otters, eagles, moutain goats, bears and much more. Kenai Fjords National Park - Wikipedia Hipcamp staff. Out of the three, Kenai Fjords National Park is the easiest to get to. one of only three road-accessible national parks in Alaska, Kenai Fjords Northwestern Fjord Explorer Cruise, Northwestern Fjord - Aialik Bay Kayaking Day Trip, Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center, Duration - 4.5 Hours | Tickets - $105 to $243 depending on date and service class. Below are the best things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park. We cruised both the Northwestern Fjord and Aialik Bay to Aialik Glacier and the Northwestern Fjord was our favorite. View past newsletters here. These range from leisurely paddles to more extreme kayak/backpacking trips. The Ultimate Guide to Kenai Fjords National Park - The Postcard Traveler Kenai Fjords National Park is located on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. In the sky, look for bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and tufted and horned puffins. Hike the Harding Icefield Trail. Plus, you can bundle a stay here and a cruise on Kenai Fjords Tours for a discount. Seward is the best place to stay when visiting Kenai Fjords National Park. Glacier kayaking tours range in price from $325 to $550 per person, depending on the tour. , Finishing the three day paddle trip strong :jon.laroya, Remember, good things take time. Also along the road isExit Glacier Campground, the only formal campground in the park, and the southern trailhead for theResurrection River Trailthat heads 16 miles north intoChugach National Forest. At the end of this 8 mile-long road is the impressive Exit Glacier, along with theExit Glacier Nature Centerand trails that offer views of the glacier and the impressive Harding Icefield. The Aialik Glacier Wildlife Cruise and Kayaking tour that we took costs $425 per person in 2021. Many of the parks main attractions are closed during winter months due to rough seas and heavy snow. This gives you enough time to take a fjord cruise and hike the trails near Exit Glacier or go ice climbing or glacier hiking. experience Exit Glacier One of the most amazing natural places in Southcentral Alaska, Kenai Fjords National Park is the perfect place to explore marine life, fish for salmon and halibut, and watch glacier ice tumble into the waters below. There are no hotels or lodges within the park itself. The nature center is also the start of the Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield hiking trails. Kenai Fjords National Park is most popularly accessed by day cruises from nearby Seward. Route: Out and Back We chose Exit Glacier Guides for their impeccable reviews and emphasis on safety. 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. Alaska has very fragile ecosystems and we need to take care of them for future generations to also be able to enjoy the states natural wonders. Most of this park is ice and water, so it is not the type of place where you drive from viewpoint to viewpoint. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park, with essential tips so you can have the best experience. The park is also a welcome habitat for migratory and resident birds. From this road, you also get a great view of the Exit Glacier. Getting up close to the Northwestern Glacier was awesome. Elopement Photographer on Instagram: "! ' , Kenai Fjords is the closest national park to Anchorage, making the area easy to access by both road and rail. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. My name is Eric. From the terrace, you can look out over Resurrection Bay, for one of the best views from the properties on this list. Major Marine Kenai Fjords Cruise 1 Map Website $89+ 3.5 hrs - Full Day Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords are great places to see wildlife and glaciers. From our experience, the farther you go from Seward, the better the experience. Plus, to cruise up a fjord to see a glacier is awesome. Its one of the ways I can keep producing free guides and resources for my readers. Not only is Kenai Fjords famous for its glaciers and abundant wildlife, but its also popular for being so accessible. Everything you might need to know as you start planning your trip to the park. Day 1: Scenic drive on the Seward Highway to Seward/Kenai Fjords National Park, 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. Plan to spend at least two nights in the Seward area so that you can take your time exploring Kenai Fjords National Park by both land and sea. For more information, visit theKenai Fjords National Park website. All against the backdrop of incredible landscapes such as jagged cliffs, tumbling glaciers and lush forest. Find out how to find different locations to visit at Kenai Fjords and how to get there. Exit Glacier, a half-mile wide river of ice, is the easiest section of the park to access. Our Exit Glacier guides raved about this hike. Biking along thundering waterfalls on the Johnson Trail There is limited cell service at Exit Glacier, so be sure to coordinate your return trip in advance. North then takes . It is located just outside of Seward, on Exit Glacier Road. PDF Demand and Revenue Forecasts for Shuttle Service to Exit Glacier, Kenai The trip covers similar territory as the tour vessels that travel from Seward into the Park but we also include fishing - the best of both worlds. Kenai Fjords National Park and its surrounding areas are home to some incredible fishing. Tips for Your Visit Kenai Fjords National Park Address Alaska, USA Phone +1 907-422-0500 Web Visit website Alaska is home to eight national parks in total, and each is incredibly beautiful and wild in its own right. Seward, a small coastal town nearest the park, will be your destination. On the Water: Kenai Fjords. All excellent photos, Renee! I also would appreciate if you saw some of my videos and told me what you think. Exit Glacier), some ending in lagoons (e.g. Aialik Glacier). Can you please tell about the backcountry camping experience at Harding Icefield trail? WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS: Top experiences in Wrangell-St. Elias include hiking the Root Glacier Trail, taking a flightseeing tour, and hiking to Bonanza Mine. This is probably the biggest attraction in the park, and for good reason. Experienced mountaineers equipped with skis, ice axes, and crampons can continue on to explore the icefield. Exit Glacier Tours by Exit Glacier Guides: Kenai Riverside Resort and Kenai Backcountry Adventures also offer ice climbing and glacier hiking tours. Coaches depart from downtown Anchorage and drop off near the park visitor center in the Seward Small Boat Harbor. Steller sea lions are just now starting to arrive to their rookeries! The park service puts it well: This is where mountains, ice, and ocean meet. A Guide to Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Park It is in Seward and has double rooms and suites that can accommodate up to six people. With two daily departures to Seward in the summer, the Park Connection Motorcoach is an efficient, affordable way to get to Kenai Fjords National Park. 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. momofmamony The good news is that Kenai Fjords is free to enter and open 24/7/365 (although the Visitor Center and the Exit Glacier Nature Center close in the winter). Exit Glacier Road, which is also called Herman Leirer Road, connects Seward with the Exit Glacier. Before we did this, I was a little bit worried7 hours seems like a long time on a boat. For the next few hours, you will hike on the glacier, get a lesson on ice climbing (if you are a newbie, like we were), and then test out your new skills on the ice. Its touted as the toughest 5K in the world. Read my guide on 12 Ways To Be a Responsible Traveler and How To Follow Leave No Trace Principles. With that being said, you will pass through Chugach State Park on your drive from Anchorage. James + Courtney Forte / Getty Images. The Icefield may be a remnant of the Pleistocene ice masses that once covered half of Alaska. The road to Exit Glacier is closed from about October through mid-May, and coastal backcountry can be difficult to reach due to sea conditions. This icefield is what feeds the glaciers on the Kenai Peninsula and there are at least 38 glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park. The park can best be seen by boat or on foot. This gives visitors an abundant choice of accommodations ranging from campgrounds, vacation rentals, camper/RV parking, and even some nice lodges. Get out on the water and see the park's icy waterways up close. This relatively new bed and breakfast is in Seward. This is the only way to see the whole of the Harding Icefield, so if you have the spare cash (this is quite pricey) its an incredible experience. But the ship is large, roomy, and has a small restaurant and bar (I sipped on coffee with Baileys for the first few hours). Once you get to the far end of the Glacier View Loop Trail, you can either walk back to the Exit Glacier Nature Center (completing the loop) or continue to the Glacier Overlook Trail. kayak in the Fjords 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. If you love the idea of kayaking, but don't to be out so long, check out kayak trips closer to Seward in Resurrection Bay. I now call the U.S. home but you can usually find me wandering the globe with a camera in hand. Take the ranger-led boat ride. This list starts with the Exit Glacier and things you can do on land, followed by boat and flightseeing tours. The trail ends at the Harding Icefield. It's easy to visit Kenai Fjords National Park as a day trip from Anchorage. Hike the short trails at the base of the Exit Glacier. Kenai Fjords National Park | Visit Anchorage Sewards Guest House. If you are seeking adventure, you can find it here. 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. 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. Yes, you can stay in Kenai Fjords National Park, but lodging options are limited. We visited Kenai Fjords National Park in early July. Plan Your Visit Things To Do Kayaking Bear Glacier Lagoon Bear Glacier Lagoon The longest glacier in the park, Bear Glacier, and its iceberg filled lagoon. Thanks, Renee. Full-day tours in Kenai Fjords National Park visit one to three tidewater glaciers. Trips include white water Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is the only lodge located within Kenai Fjords National Park. We did see bear warnings the day we did this hike, and a hiker warned us of a bear not far off trail (we didnt end up seeing the bear). From Seward, the Exit Glacier Road (aka Herman Leirer Road) dead-ends at the Exit Glacier Nature Center and the hiking trails for the Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Trail. Such an amazing part of the world! The Executive Chef coordinates activities and directs training of Sous Chefs, Line Cooks and other kitchen staff who engage in preparing and cooking food to ensure an efficient and profitable food service. How to Take a Virtual Tour of Kenai Fjords National Park - Travel The scenic train ride from Anchorage aboard the famous Alaska Railroad Be prepared with proper grizzly and black bear safety precautions + food storage, and always leave no trace! Cruising the fjords is one of the best things to do in Kenai Fjords. The important things in life take the most time and usually seem like the hardest to achieve. And, did we mention kids go free and adults save 10% on our gray whale watch tour? This is where we stayed and highly recommend it. View all 15 experiences No Photo No Photo Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise from Seward 527 Reviews Taking a Denali flight seeing trip is also a great thing to do, as are hiking one of the many trails in the park. Take as much time as you have and experience your park. Your email address will not be published. Most of the development is in theExit Glacier Area, home to theExit Glacier Nature Center, hiking trails, and theExit Glacier Campground. #arch #naturalarch #seaarch #kenaifjordsnationalpark #kenaifjords #mountains #ocean #oceanphotography #dramaticsky #moodysky #pacificocean #pacificnorthwest #alaska #nationalpark #nationalparks #nationalparkgeek #nationalparkservice #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #nature_perfection #outdoors #adventure #explore #tree #mountain #glacier #alaskalife #alaskaphotography #alaskaadventure, Astrid deGruchy catching_astrid pulls in a nice halibut on the Thomasea!