The Kenai Fjords National Park is at the base of 40 glaciers of the Harding Ice Field on the rim of the Kenai Peninsula. Outside of its majestic glaciers and ice fields, the fjords also encompass, ice cold waters and verdant forests.
Kenai Park has three major regions that attract tourists: the Harding Ice Field, the coastal fjords, and Exit Glacier. Each region offers a different viewpoint of the park. The Harding Ice Field’s are viewed from the Harding Ice Field Trail, or from one of the available flight tours. The coast and its marine wildlife, backcountry, and tidewater glaciers can be reached via boat tours, or for the more adventurous, a self-guided kayak excursion. Exit Glacier is the most accessible location within the park through short hiking trails that extend to the end of the glacier. Informational exhibits and rangers programs at the station add to the popularity of this site.
Info Center
For a break from the frozen wilderness and a hot cup of coffee or cocoa, the Kenai Fjords National Park Information Center is at the boat harbor in Seward, one of Alaska’s oldest towns. The office shows films and exhibits about the park, and has rangers on hand to provide guidance and further information to tourists.
Camping
If you’re looking to do a little cold weather camping, Exit Glacier has a campground with 12 camping sites. The campground does not require fees or reservations, but does have a two-week limit. It offers a place for storing food, cooking, and dining, as well as drinking water and toilets. Camping can also be found at nearby Chugach National Forest.
Tours
Kenai Fjords National Park offers multiple boating tours and plenty of hiking. Boats sail from Seward’s harbor every day during the summer, with excursions that include all-day tours that cruise out to the tidewater glaciers and half-day outings that remain within Resurrection Bay. Park ranger narrations are presented on Major Marine Tours and at the Kenai Fjord Tours Lodge on Fox Island. During the off season, some charter boats continue to tour Resurrection Bay.
Hiking
Hikers will find maintained trails in the park at Exit Glacier. There are also short tracks in the valley and the Harding Ice Field Trail. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of Alaska’s famed puffins amongst the burgeoning population of nesting seabirds. However, most of the park does not have trails, and the park does not support hiking off trail. This is in order to maintain the pristine, rugged wilderness, and as a safety measure for all visitors.
Related articles: Camper’s Guide: Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado also Camper’s Guide: Tallulah Gorge, Georgia
Featured Image from Jenni Kowal/Unsplash
