9 Best Things to Do in Kenai Fjords National Park

Planning an upcoming trip to Kenai Fjords National Park? Known for its dramatic glaciers, rugged mountains, and abundance of Alaskan wildlife, Kenai Fjords isn’t your average national park. To make trip planning easy on you, we’ve rounded up the 9 best things to do in Kenai Fjords! Stay tuned to the end for even more helpful trip-planning info like where to stay, when to visit, and more!

ℹ️ About Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park is one of Alaska’s most stunning destinations, famous for the massive Harding Icefield, over 38 flowing glaciers, and abundant marine wildlife along its coastline. Before we get into all the fun things to do in Kenai Fjords, here are a few things to know before you go:

• Limited Road Access: The Exit Glacier Area is the only part of Kenai Fjords National Park accessible by car, and only during the summer months, at that. The vast majority of the park, including its fjords and glaciers, is only viewable by boat or air tour.
• Practice Bear Safety: Kenai Fjords National Park is in the thick of bear country. Practicing proper bear safety, like carrying bear spray, hiking in groups, and keeping food secured, is essential. Brush up on the best bear safety practices here.
• Make Reservations in Advance: We strongly recommend booking boat tours, kayaking excursions, and any accommodations that require booking well ahead of your visit, especially for travel in July and August.
• Plan for Your Pets: Dogs aren’t allowed on trails in the park, and leashed pets are only permitted on the paved Exit Glacier Road and in the parking lot. Local kennels are available in Seward if you need, like Turning Heads Kennel.
• Plan for Limited Cell Service: Expect to have extremely limited or no cell service once you leave Seward. Be sure to download maps, trail guides, and reservations before heading into the park.
• Enjoy No Entrance Fee: Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the few national parks that does not charge an entrance fee; it is completely free to enter!

1. Hike the Harding Icefield Trail

The Harding Icefield Trail was our absolute favorite hike we’ve ever done to date! You get a chance to see the largest icefield fully located in the United States, and one of the only four icefields remaining in the US. Stretching 8.6 miles (13.8 km) and climbing 3,235 feet (986 meters), this is the longest and hardest hike in Seward, Alaska, but really worth it if you have the time and ability.

While the beginning of the hike takes you through lush fields and forests, by the end of the hike, you’ve been transported back to the ice age. The final lookout offers views of the vast Harding Icefield, a seemingly endless field of snow and ice with mountains rising from it. The views are incredible throughout this 6- to 7-hour hike—we regularly stopped to take photos!

If you keep an eye out, you might be able to enjoy some wildlife spotting, like mountain goats or marmots enjoying the high alpine meadows near the cliffs as well.

Be prepared for a serious workout with this trail as it climbs 3,235 feet (986 m) in elevation. We completed this trail after the Exit Glacier Overlook trail, and we recommend starting early since it is a long and challenging hike! Our hiking poles really came in handy on this trail, especially on the snowy parts of the trail. We visited in early July, so we recommend the latest trail conditions in May or early June to see if microspikes are needed.

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2. Hike to Exit Glacier

The other main hike in Kenai Fjords National Park takes you out to Exit Glacier, one of the many glaciers that shoot off from the Harding Icefield. You have two options when it comes to seeing this glacier, both sharing the same trailhead:

• Exit Glacier View Loop (1.1 miles, 1.8 km): Shorter version that can be finished in as little as 30 minutes. Doesn’t bring you as close to Exit Glacier, but you can still see it from an overlook.
• Exit Glacier Overlook Trail (2.2 miles, 3.5 km): A 1 to 1.5-hour trail that brings you closer to Exit Glacier. You can no longer hike right up to the glacier due to how much it has receded, but this trail brings you as close as you can currently get to it.

As you drive towards the trailhead, you’ll see small signs along the side of the road indicating the year that Exit Glacier passed through there. Then, once on the trail, you’re brought even closer to Exit Glacier, following its retreating path, a stark reminder of climate change.

If you’re interested in going on a guided hike of this trail, park rangers lead Exit Glacier walks from late May through early September. These walks typically occur twice daily and last around 90 minutes. More information on NPS’s Ranger Programs Page.

3. Go on a Kenai Fjords Boat Tour

Going on a wildlife cruise is practically a must-do activity when visiting Kenai Fjords National Park. Lucky for you, your options boil down to two main tour companies—Major Marine Tours and Kenai Fjord Tours. Both offer a variety of tours tailored to budgets, time, and interests.

We went with Major Marine Tours, mainly because they are a local company, and opted for their full-day boat tour. This tour attracted us because it takes place on a smaller boat, with fewer people, and takes us further away from Seward (which means more wildlife sightings).

We had the time of our lives out on the water, discovering animal after animal throughout the entire day. In total, we saw about 15 different species—humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, you name it! We highly recommend bringing along a pair of binoculars to see the animals even better.

To top off this experience, we were provided with lunch on board, which was a nice touch since we were out on the water all day.

These tours are one of the best things to do when visiting Kenai Fjords in our opinion! They 100% live up to the hype and are well worth the money. That being said, if you easily get seasick, it’s something to consider, as these boats aren’t the largest, so you do feel the waves a bit.

4. Go on a Kayaking Tour

Kayaking is a memorable way to get up close and personal with the waters surrounding Kenai Fjords National Park. We decided to go kayaking with Sunny Cove Kayaking on their 1/2 Day Resurrection Bay Tour, and we can’t recommend it enough! Their staff was super friendly and helpful in getting us the proper gear and refreshing our kayaking skills. If you’re interested in seeing the glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park, we recommend their Glacier Kayak and Wildlife Cruise Combo! This trip, visitors typically kayak to Holgate Glacier, one of the three glaciers in Aialik Bay. We didn’t get to kayak a glacier during this most recent trip to Alaska, but we hope to when we return in the future.

We launched our sea kayaks from Miller’s Landing and enjoyed 2-2.5 hours out on the water. Beyond enjoying the time away from shore, expect to experience some wildlife encounters—everything from sea otters to puffins to whales call these waters home. This ended up being one of our favorite experiences in all of Alaska! Book your kayaking experience here!

5. Take a Scenic Helicopter Tour

For the ultimate bird’s-eye view of the Alaskan coast, consider investing in a helicopter tour! Although pricey, these tours are a great alternative if you’re prone to seasickness, as they offer spectacular coastal views without the waves. Seward’s operators offer a variety of options, from scenic flights over the fjords to once-in-a-lifetime experiences like being dropped off to explore icebergs at Bear Glacier.

6. Go Camping in Kenai Fjords

Kenai Fjords National Park offers a few opportunities for camping within the park’s boundaries. If you’re interested in camping outside of the park, check out our complete Guide to RVing and Camping in Seward, Alaska, for a longer list of options. Here are your options for camping in the park:

• Exit Glacier Campground: A small 12-site, tent-only, first-come, first-served facility near the parking area. As you can imagine, this campground fills up quickly, so we didn’t place our bets on getting a spot, but it’s worth it to check.
• Boondocking Riverbed in Exit Glacier: Here, you’re alongside 25-50 other tent and van campers. The views from here are absolutely breathtaking, and there are even a few fire pits for public use and one porta-potty. This spot ended up being our favorite campsite in all of Alaska!
• Backcountry camping: Backcountry camping is permitted throughout the park; refer to the NPS linked page for more details. There are also two public-use cabins that can be reserved here for $75 per night. We saw a group hiking up the Harding Icefield Trail to backpack for the night. Since the conditions were so beautiful, we wish we had done the same.

7. Go Ice Hiking, Climbing, or Snowshoeing

If you’re looking for a memorable alternative to hiking, consider booking a guided ice hiking trip, ice climbing adventure, or even a snowshoeing adventure with a local outfitter! We found several companies offering half and full-day, guided treks into the thick of Kenai Fjords National Park.

8. Stop in the Visitor & Nature Centers

The Kenai Fjords Visitor Center (located in downtown Seward) and Exit Glacier Nature Center (located on Exit Glacier road, just outside of Seward) are the park’s two centers. Both are open from Memorial Day Weekend (the last Monday of May) through Labor Day (the first Monday in September), weather permitting. Between the two, you can watch the park film, visit the bookstore, get your park stamp, and chat with park rangers.

You can also inquire about any free ranger-led walks that might be happening. These informational walks are usually held at Exit Glacier and the Seward waterfront and run from late May to early September.

There’s also the Junior Ranger Program, which you can participate in by filling out one or two worksheets during your visit, earning a special badge with the park’s name on it upon completion. Although designed for kids, all ages are welcome to participate.

9. Explore Downtown Seward

No trip to Kenai Fjords National Park is complete without exploring a bit of downtown Seward. From its stunning waterfront trail to its historic downtown full of colorful murals, Seward is a destination in and of itself.

• Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center: Located right in downtown Seward, the Alaska SeaLife Center is an excellent way to see Alaskan wildlife, especially if you aren’t going on a boat tour or are traveling with kids. They are the only entity in Alaska to conduct marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, so funds raised from entry tickets go to a much-needed cause!
• Stroll the Sea Otter Trail: This trail is an easy, family-friendly 1.9-mile (3.1-km) walk in downtown Seward that takes you along Resurrection Bay. There’s plenty of parking available and you have a good chance to see sea lions, sea otters, seals, and, if you’re lucky, the occasional whale!
• Visit Resurrect Art Coffeehouse: This funky work-friendly café and art gallery is located inside an old church in downtown Seward. A local favorite, Resurrect is open daily from 7 AM to 5 PM and is a great place to start your day, get some work done, or relax with a book. We ordered iced coffees and some of their baked goods, and they were both delicious!

🌤️ Best Time to Visit Kenai Fjords National Park

The most popular time to visit Kenai Fjords National Park is during the summer season (June through August), as this is when the weather is mildest and access to Exit Glacier is open. For many visitors, timing their trip comes down to weighing crowds against access:

• Summer (June–Aug): Peak season with the warmest weather and full road access to Exit Glacier.
• Shoulder Seasons (May & Sept): Fewer crowds and mild weather, but some services may be reduced.
• Winter (Oct–Apr): Low crowds but very cold temperatures, highly reduced services, and extremely limited park access.

📅 How Many Days in Kenai Fjords National Park?

We’d suggest a minimum of 2 days and a maximum of 4-5 days in Kenai Fjords National Park for the average visitor. An extra third or fourth day will make exploring Seward and the surrounding areas a bit more doable, and won’t have you feeling as rushed, especially if you’re trying to fit in a few all-day activities like an 8-hour boat tour or the Harding Icefield Trail. Plus, the extra days give you flexibility in case of weather delays that may cause cancellations.

🚗 How to Get to Kenai Fjords National Park

Located in southern Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula, the larger region of Kenai Fjords National Park is surprisingly accessible, reachable by car, train, bus, or even air taxi. Whether you’re coming from near or far, here’s a breakdown of your options to get to Seward, the park’s closest town:

• Car—The Seward Highway is kept clear year-round, connecting Anchorage to Seward in just over 2 hours. If you’re interested in driving but don’t have your own vehicle, consider renting a car for the journey.
• Plane—Seward Airport is a private airport located just next to downtown Seward, servicing private air taxis for quick journeys. There are no major commercial flight services that travel to Seward at the moment.
• Public Transport—Choose between the 4-hour Coastal Classic Train connecting Anchorage to Seward, or a faster, more budget-friendly bus service.

🏨 Where to Stay Near Kenai Fjords National Park

Whether you’re looking to camp under the stars or cozy up in a log cabin, Seward, Alaska, has a variety of accommodations. If visiting during Seward’s peak season (June, July, and August), be sure to reserve several months in advance if you have your eye on a specific accommodation.

• Hotels & Inns— Stay in a spacious guest house like Seward’s Guest Home, a cozy downtown inn like Sea Treasures Inn, or a cozy cabin like A Cabin on the Cliff.
• Camping—Camp in Kenai Fjords at their free first-come, first-serve Exit Glacier campground, go backcountry camping (allowed throughout the park), or reserve a public-use cabin here for $75 per night. For a full list of camping options in Seward, check out our recent article, Guide to RVing & Camping in Seward, Alaska.
• BLM Camping—You can also check for BLM Land via iOverlander, which we always refer to when looking for public land to stay on for free. We stayed at this free camping spot on the Exit Glacier river bed with about 50 other rigs while we visited Seward.

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🥾 Packing Essentials for Kenai Fjords National Park

Below, we’ve outlined all the hiking gear we recommend if you plan on hitting the trails in Kenai Fjords National Park. In this first section, we’ve highlighted specific pieces that you might need to purchase or rent if it’s your first time visiting the area.

Alaskan Hiking Essentials

• Bear Spray – Park officials recommend hiking with bear spray for emergency use, as well as becoming familiar with bear safety practices. You can find bear spray for rent or to purchase in downtown Seward. 
• Microspikes – Microspikes can be attached to the bottom of your hiking shoes to improve traction when hiking over snow and/or ice. If you’re planning to hike in areas with ice and snow in the summer or at any point in the winter, microspikes will become your best friend.
• Hiking poles – Especially on long, high-elevation hikes like the Harding Icefield Trail, a solid pair of hiking poles really helps take the pressure off of joints.

Sun Protection

• Sunscreen – No matter the time of year you visit, sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from the sun.
• Sunglasses – Protect your eyes with your favorite pair of sunglasses.
• Wide-brimmed hat – As part of sun safety, we love pairing sunscreen with wide-brimmed hats.
• Sun Shirts – Light, sunshirts are great for protecting against the sun! Here is Elliot’s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt and Jen’s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt.
• Refillable Water Bottle – Staying hydrated is a key part of sun safety. We love this water bottle featuring all of the US National Parks with stickers to check off your visits.
• Water Bladders – A water bladder is super helpful to pack in more water without adding extra weight.

Hiking Essentials

• Hiking pants – We recommend hiking pants to protect against the sun, provide extra warmth, and/or protect your legs from ticks on trails with higher grasses. Elliot’s favorite hiking pants and Jen’s favorite hiking pants.
• Hiking shorts – If hiking during the warm summer months, Jen loves these hiking shorts and Elliot loves these shorts.
• Layers – As the weather can vary, come prepared with layers of fleece jackets, long sleeves, and even coats if you’re coming in the middle of winter.
• Rainjacket – You never know what weather awaits you when hiking. If you’re looking for a new rain jacket fit for hiking, this is Elliot’s favorite rain jacket and Jen’s favorite rain jacket.
• Hiking Boots – Solid footwear with good traction is a must when hiking. Here are Elliot’s favorite trail runners and Jen’s favorite hiking boots.
• Lightweight backpack – Elliot carries this backpack with the included rain cover, while Jen carries this backpack.
• Hat and Gloves – Depending on the time of year you visit, packing a warm hat and warm gloves for extra warmth is a must.
• Snacks – We always make sure to pack protein-rich, lightweight snacks with us while hiking.
• Electrolytes – No matter how long the hike, we always bring our favorite electrolyte powder with us to properly rehydrate while hiking.

Safety Essentials

• Trail Maps – We love using AllTrails+ to download maps ahead of time.
• GPS – We carry the Garmin InReach Mini 2 with us on all trails for safety.
• First Aid Kit – This first aid kit is one of those items we hope to never have to use but always carry, just in case.
• Headlamp – A headlamp is especially useful when going on sunrise, sunset, or night hikes.