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Accessibility
The park visitor center and the exhibit area of the Russian is wheelchair accessible. The first .25 mile of the Exit Glacier Trail is fully accessible. Contact the park for details.
Backcountry Travel
This rugged wilderness requires good physical condition, proper equipment, and reasonable precautions. If planning a backcountry trip without a guide, get current specific information from the park staff before starting out. To challenge the Harding Icefield, be prepared to face sudden storms, high winds, blinding sunlight, and extreme temperature changes.
See the Hiking Page for more information.
Basic Recommendations
I recommend that you plan your trip and the areas you would like to see and then go and relax and make a day of it. Go and see all that is in the area and enjoy it. You spend more quality time and learn and see more than you could ever imagine.
Kenai Fjords National Park encompasses nearly 65% of the Harding Icefield, plus the fjords, islands and peninsulas of the Kenai coast. The icefield is a remnant of the Ice Age - a surviving expanse of Pleistocene glaciation. Numerous valley glaciers flow outward from the icefield, some reaching the sea, others ending in lakes or on bare ground. Along the coast glaciers have cut deep bays into the mountainous shoreline, creating a series of deep fjords. Heavy vegetation of almost rain forest proportions covers the tops of cliffs rising a hundred feet or more above the ocean. The coastal area has abundant aquatic life, including seals sea lions, sea otters and migrating whales. Sea birds in large numbers occupy the coastal cliffs in summer. Seasonally, littoral resources such a shellfish are easily accessible. Salmon runs are also abundant.
Boating
Camping
There is a campground, Exit Glacier that has 10 walk in summer camping sites and four backcountry cabins. Visitors must obtain reservations and permits in advance.
See the Camping Page for more information.
Entrance Fees
| Private Non-commercial Vehicle | $ 5.00 (7 days) or $ 15.00 (annual) |
| Single Entry (Foot, bike, ski, etc.) | $ 2.00 (user fee) |
| Gold Access Pass (Blind or permanently disabled individuals) | Free (Lifetime - good in all natl parks) |
| Golden Age Pass (1 time fee - for those 62+ years) | $ 10.00 (Lifetime - good in all natl parks) |
| National Park Pass (good 1 year from date of purchase) | $ 50.00 (good in all natl parks) |
Fishing
An Alaska fishing license is required and all state rules apply.
Fish provide food for bears, bald eagles, gulls and other creatures that forage the stream during the annual run. They have also been important to Kenai Fjords people for several thousand years.
Fish are one of Alaska's greatest renewable resources. By practicing proper catch and release fishing, today's anglers preserve quality fishing for the anglers of tomorrow. Use artificial flies and lures to catch fish that you plan to release. Use barbless hooks and an appropriate hook size. Pliers can be used to pinch down barbs on conventional hooks.
See the Fishing Guide for details.
Food and Supplies
Food and supplies can be obtained at local restaurants and grocery stores. When going backcountry bring your food, equipment and other supplies with you. Avoid food such as bacon or smoked fish, soaps, and cosmetics with strong odors as they attract bears. Bottles and cans are hard to dispose of. If you take them in, you are expected to carry them out. Without some sort of bear proof storage, you should be prepared to hang your food as high as possible. Federal Aviation Administration regulations prohibit carrying fuel in containers such as stoves on commercial airlines. Use white gas.
Hiking
Kenai Fjords is truly a wilderness park with very few trails and lots of room to explore. A network of short trails begins at the ranger station at Exit Glacier.
See the Hiking Page for more information.
Kayaking
Kayak travel in the fjords is recommended for experienced paddlers. The area is subject to rough seas and strong tidal currents. Glaciers calve without warning, posing extreme danger from falling ice and cresting waves. Never approach within 0.25 mile of a tidewater glacier. Although the most experienced paddlers can travel to the fjords from Seward, most kayakers arrange drop-off and pick-ups with charter boats.
See Kayaking page for more information.
Lodging
There is no lodging in the park. There is a campground, Exit Glacier that has 10 walk-in summer camping sites and four backcountry cabins. Visitors must obtain reservations and permits in advance.
Seward provides full tourist services, including campgrounds.
See the Lodging Page for more information.
Pet Information
At Exit Glacier, dogs are allowed in the parking lot. They are not permitted on any of the areas trails. In the rest of the park, dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Programs & Activities
Regularly scheduled tours, guided walks and educational programs by rangers at major sites in season.
See the Activities Page for more information.
Reservation and Permits
Reservations for school groups or other educational groups should be made prior to the visit. Reasonable notice and application for Special Use Permits is required. For additional information concerning reservations or permits call: 907-224-3175.
Visitor Center
The two major sites are the main visitor center, located on Seward's small boat harbor, and the Exit Glacier Ranger Station.
See the Calendar Page for more information.
Water Taxi Service
Weather
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.
See the Weather Page for current conditions, forecasts and other weather data.
Wildlife Watching
The Chiswell Islands are located at the mouth of Aialak Bay in the Gulf of Alaska and offer superb marine wildlife viewing opportunities. See the Sights Page for more information.
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This site is in no way associated with the United States Government, the Department of the Interior or the National Park Service
