Visiting Kenai Fjords National Park - The Shadrian Chronicles

There are a number of national parks in Alaska, but Kenai Fjords is one you shouldn’t skip. With easy access from Anchorage, the park offers great activities for families, couples, or even individuals. Check out our guide below to exploring Kenai Fjords.

When to go?

While the park is open year round, the best time to visit is definitely in the summer months (June through August). The temperatures in the summer can still be cool, but very pleasant. You likely will need a jacket if you take a boat tour though, so come prepared. During the summer you can also take the hikes into the Exit Glacier area, however there could still be snow on the trails in June or even July.

Landscape views on the way to Kenai Fjords.

From late fall to mid spring, parts of the park are inaccessible by vehicle. You can still tour the fjords on a boat, but many of the tour operators do not offer operate in the winter. During the winter, the area is ideal for activities like skiing and snowmobiling.

How do you get to the park?

Kenai Fjords are located south of Anchorage along the Alaskan coastline. The visitors center in Seward is located just over 2.5 hours south of Anchorage. From Seward you can take a number of tours into the Kenai Fjords park area.

The docks in Seward are full of boats and tour guides.

The Exit Glacier nature center, located in the northeast corner of the park is also around 2.5 hours from Anchorage. The Exit Glacier nature center is located less than half an hour from the Kenai Fjords visitors center in Seward, so visiting both parts of the park is possible in one day.

Where to stay in and around the park?

There are no National Park lodges within Kenai Fjords, however there are a two public use cabins, that can be reserved here. The cabins do not have running water or electricity. You can also camp in the Exit Glacier area, but there are no reservations, so the campground can fill up quickly in the summer. There is also camping available in the nearby Chugach National Forest.

There are a number of lodges and hotels that surround the park as well. You can easily make the Kenai Fjords a day trip from Anchorage, however it will be an all day ordeal. The drive from Anchorage is beautiful though and worth a few stops along the way.

Things to Do in the Park

There are a number of activities in and around Kenai Fjords National Park. The following activities are available during the summer months.

Wildlife and Fjord Tours – Our favorite thing to do and the most popular option in Kenai Fjords. A number of operators offer wildlife viewing tours out of Seward. Major Marine Tours offers a number of options and include park rangers as guides. If you plan to take a wildlife or national park tour, we highly recommend using Major Marine Tours. There are tour options for a short 3 hour wildlife tours or up to 8 hours of national park cruising.
Kayaking – For those outdoor enthusiasts, consider kayaking through the fjords to experience them first hand. Kayaking through the park can be difficult in the open seas, especially on windy days, so it is not recommended for beginners. Guides are also available for kayak tours.
Fishing Expeditions – Fishing in Alaska is one of the more popular things to do. The fjords offer both freshwater and saltwater fishing options. There are numerous fishing outfitters in and around Seward that can help you plan your fishing adventure. Before fishing in Alaska you need to get a State Fishing License.
Hiking in Exit Glacier – There are a few maintained trails in the Exit Glacier area. Trails to the glacier overlook are wheelchair accessible. The trails that go up closer to the glacier are more strenuous. Guided hikes are also available, check the rangers stations or visitors center for program activities.
Flightseeing – From the skies, the views of the fjords and the ice field are stunning. Flightseeing is an expensive activity though.