To get to Seward, take the Seward Highway (Alas. The race is open to less than 800 people and so popular that there is a lottery selection process. [8] A lodge was developed by the Port Graham community on Aialik Bay. Incredible scenery abounds, from Alaska's rugged . Glacier hiking or ice climbing is one of the best things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park. #travelalaska #explorealaska #visitalaska #kenaipeninsula #kenaifjordsnationalpark #alaska #fog #mountains #trees, A sea arch at Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. Exit Glacier, the only part of the park accessible by road, offers short trails, viewpoints, and a nature center. Things to Do in Kenai Fjords National Park - Tripadvisor Sail through Resurrection Bay, into the Gulf of Alaska, and then into Aialik Bay to Holgate Glacier or Aialik Glacier. Biking along thundering waterfalls on the Johnson Trail We are the original Kenai Fjords wildlife and glacier cruise operator, since 1974. The park has two coastal public use cabins available in summer and one cabin near Exit Glacier in winter. The closest major city to this national park is Anchorage, which is about 126 miles away. 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. Extreme 'ghostly' particles detected in our galaxy, Heres where to travel in the U.S. this July. We even saw a black bear walking along the shoreline! Learn how to see in our Guide to the Columbia Glacier. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Unauthorized use is prohibited. This is a 10-hour tour, so it is a long day, but it was one of our favorite things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park. Most of the development is in theExit Glacier Area, home to theExit Glacier Nature Center, hiking trails, and theExit Glacier Campground. Plus, you can bundle a stay here and a cruise on Kenai Fjords Tours for a discount. This 10-hour tour includes the cruise through Resurrection Bay and past the sea stacks, into Aialik Bay. _______________________________ . In Seward and Resurrection Bay, you can fish for salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. The small campground is the only established campground in the park, with 12 walk-in tent-only campsites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Experienced kayakers often travel in and around Resurrection Bay. Take as much time as you have and experience your park. Alpine Air Alaska runs flightseeing tours from Seward with views of Resurrection Bay, the Kenai Mountains and Harding Icefield. On the map below, you can see the Glacier View Loop Trail and the Glacier Overlook Trail. It feeds nearly three dozen glaciers flowing out of the mountains, six of them to tidewater. The park is also a welcome habitat for migratory and resident birds. In 1973 the Nixon administration proposed the Harding IcefieldKenai Fjords National Monument as part of the ANILCA legislation. 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. The landscapes are extraordinary, to get up close to glaciers is an unforgettable experience, and this is one of the best national parks for wildlife viewing. The rugged coastline and stunning fjords are home to a diverse array of plants and animals. A single ranger was assigned to Seward as a local liaison. A Guide to Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Park Aialik Cabin is on a beach perfect for whale watching while Holgate Arm Cabin has a spectacular view of Holgate Glacier. [35], The grounding of the oil tanker Exxon Valdez in Prince William Sound on March 24, 1989, produced extensive contamination of the Kenai Fjords coastline. Save post to remember this insane location! Kenai Fjords National Park - Search - Travel - Bing A stunningly beautiful park, Kenai Fjords consists of a group of fjords and inlets that border the Gulf of Alaska. Kenai Fjords National Park is located on the Kenai Peninsula. The 130-mile drive is spectacular. Today, nearly 51 percent of the park is covered by ice, but all of this land was once buried beneath the ice and still bears its influence. Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords' crowning feature. [37], Kenai Fjords is extensively glaciated, with 51% of the park covered by ice. The most popular tour, perhaps because it is a pretty full day, but still flexible. Kenai Fjords National Park See all things to do Kenai Fjords National Park 5 1,770 reviews #3 of 24 things to do in Seward National Parks Visit website Call Write a review About Features animals Learn more about animal welfare in tourism Suggest edits to improve what we show. #surf #surfalaska #sewardalaska #ocean #explore #kenaipeninsula #visitthekenai #wildlife #alaska #spring #getout #boatlife #fjordssurfadventures #surf #adventure #northtoalaska #snow #glaciers #surfline #surfing #surfphotography #gopro #hero9 #dji #surflife #surfclub #surfporn #kenaifjordsnationalpark #kenaifjords #alaskaplayground thekenai, Travelling around Alaska was incredibly beautiful, this has to be one of my favourite places the Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward. In the summer, cruise ships visit Seward, and you can also get here by bus or shuttle. All rights reserved, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. There are two things our guides with Exit Glacier Guides recommend that we do while in Seward. Distill the essence of coastal Alaska into one placewild, dynamic, and scenic, rich with the signatures of glaciers, light with the marks of people, unforgiving in stormy seas, unforgettable in warm sunshineand you have Kenai Fjords, the smallest national park in Alaska. From Seward or Homer you can book a breathtaking one-hour flight over the Harding Icefield and Kenai coast. COLUMBIA GLACIER: The Columbia Glacier is one of the most active glaciers in the world and can be visited from Valdez. experience Exit Glacier Kayaking in Kenai Fjords can be an exciting way to explore the fjords, see glaciers, and view wildlife. The fjords are glacial valleys that have been submerged below sea level by a combination of rising sea levels and land subsidence. Approximately 27 land mammals and 10 marine mammals, including harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and sea otters, live here. After arriving in Anchorage, you'll drive about 2 and a half hours south along the Seward Highway (Alaska 1) towards Seward. Resurrection Lodge on the Bay. Find out how to access various locations in your National Park depending on your needs. For the truly adventurous, the coastal fjords are a kayaker's dream, and many visitors utilize drop-off services from water taxis or join guided tours to spend days paddling among icebergs in protected fjords. We want the best of everything right now, and I think we often forget that good things take time. Kenai Fjords National Park is an American national park that maintains the Harding Icefield, its outflowing glaciers, and coastal fjords and islands. We never take more than six guests per tour so you always get Leave the crowds behind, small group adventure is what we do. [31], The park lies on the southeastern side of the Kenai Peninsula, about 130 miles (210km) south of Anchorage. The road to Exit Glacier generally opens in May and closes with the first snowfall, usually in October. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. You will rappel into deep, blue crevasses, feel a sense of achievement as you climb back up onto the glacier, and all the while, enjoy magnificent views of the Exit Glacier and Kenai Fjords National Park. Willows and alders are followed by black cottonwoods, then Sitka spruce. Completing the strenuous Harding Icefield Trail represents quite an accomplishment. Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park, Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center. Welcome to Kenai Fjords National Park [18] Alaskan opposition to ANILCA prompted President Jimmy Carter to proclaim Kenai Fjords National Monument under the provisions of the Antiquities Act on December 1, 1978, pending final passage of an Alaskan lands bill. You can also get here on the Alaska Railroad from May to September. Kenai Fjords National Park This property offers a variety of cabins that can accommodate between three and seven people. We went ice climbing with Exit Glacier Guides and it was a blast! Hikers can ascend 1,000 feet over 4 miles along theHarding Icefield Trailfor breathtaking views alongside and above the icefield. Join us to soak up spring! The floors of the fjords can be from 600 to 1,000 feet (180 to 300m) below the present sea level. For most of the hike, you are in a forest, but it leads to viewpoints of the Exit Glacier outwash plain. About 50% of this park is covered in ice. Ice Climbing on the Exit Glacier | Kenai Fjords National Park. Kenai Fjords officially became a national park on December 2, 1980. The 8.2-mile round trip provides a spectacular day hike. [11], Early studies of possible new Park Service units in Alaska took place in the 1930s and 1940s. Many winter visitors ski the road into Exit Glacier, or snowmobile in. We live in a world of instant gratification. Kenai Fjords National Park was established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). Only one road heads into the park. Find out how to find different locations to visit at Kenai Fjords and how to get there. Controversial oil drilling paused in Namibian wilderness, Dolphin moms use 'baby talk' with their calves, Nevada is crawling with swarms of smelly 'Mormon crickets'. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. A few people on board got seasick but the staff was great, keeping everyone comfortable. The most popular and accessible area in the park is Exit Glacier, 13 miles northwest of Seward. [35] The motion of the North Pacific Plate has accreted a variety of terranes against the shoreline, so that the coastal region is a mixture of rocks that originated elsewhere, together with local igneous rock. Kenai Fjords National Park Lodging Ancient bone may be earliest evidence of hominin cannibalism. The park is capped by the Harding Icefield, a relic from past ice-ages and the largest icefield entirely within U.S. borders. Hours of Operation: Open all year. The 8.2-mile round trip provides a spectacular day hike. It is home to a vast array of wildlife: whales, puffins, orcas, seals, otters, eagles, moutain goats, bears and much more. ALASKA ITINERARY: Take the guesswork out of planning your trip to Alaska with our Alaska road trip itineraries. Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge - Alaska Wildland Adventures And if you prefer to sit back, relax, and view this park from a boat, you can do that too. momofmamony.com The park covers an area of 669,984 acres (1,046.9sqmi; 2,711.3km2)[1] on the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska, west of the town of Seward. Detected by studying rapidly spinning dead stars, these giant ripples of spacetime likely came from merging supermassive black holesand they may reveal clues about the nature of the universe. Created in 1980 to protect some of the most incredible and impenetrable wilderness in Alaska, Kenai Fjords National Park spans over 600,000 acres outside ofSeward. On the Water: Kenai Fjords. Sugpiaq people relied on these resources to nurture a life entwined with the sea. Aboard a warm and spacious vessel customized for comfort, cruise past alpine and tidewater glaciers among the fjords and take in a bounty of wildlife sightings, including whales, sea lions and birds. Kenai Fjords National Park - Tripadvisor Be bear aware, but dont let that stop you from enjoying the great outdoors! Its a very challenging run, on a steep incline on a gravelly, rocky trail. We were so excited to see a pod of 12+ orcas (a dream come true!!) At the edge of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age lingers. From our experience, the farther you go from Seward, the better the experience. 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. Kenai Fjords National Park is an American national park that maintains the Harding Icefield, its outflowing glaciers, and coastal fjords and islands. [71], Archeological sites were also affected by the oil. From here, you have a great view of one of the largest icefields in the United States, the massive chunk of ice that feeds all of the glaciers in Kenai Fjords. Are the Kenai Fjords on your bucket list?? Much of the interior is covered by the Harding Icefield. [12] Another study, funded as part of the Alaska Highway in the 1940s drew similar conclusions to the first study's majority opinion. kayak in the Fjords [39] The park's largest glacier is Bear Glacier. The park protects the icefield, a narrow fringe of forested land between the mountains and the sea, and the deeply indented coastline. Wildlife thrives in icy waters and lush forests around this vast expanse of ice. Heres how you can help. IMPORTANT: Do not leave the Glacier Overlook Trail to hike on the Exit Glacier moraine. Birdwatching: Kenai Fjords National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 190 species of birds inhabiting the area, including puffins, eagles, and seabirds. These take a half to a full day, depending on the tour. Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the most popular of Alaska's national parks and provides both leisurely and adventurous activities for visitors, including boat tours, kayaking, camping, public use cabins, fishing, beach combing, biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, ranger programs, flightseeing, and mountaineering. Whether it is through the park's services or through a commercial service, there are many ways to explore your National Park. Establishment as a national park followed the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980. The first oil arrived on April 10. #Seward #SewardAlaska #visitseward #Alaska #alaskastartshere #Kenaifjords #Kayakalaska #SharingAlaska #kayakadventures #Oceankayaking #TheKenai #resurrectionbay #millerslanding #vacation #kayaktolive #paddle #waterfall #whalewatching #camping #cabins #kayak #destinationwedding #exploreearth #adventures #kayaking #familyrunbusiness #wanderandroam #thenextcorner #kenaifjords #kenaifjordsnationalpark, Early morning sea otter straight out of the gate today ! This is one of three national parks in Alaska that you can drive to (Denali and Wrangell St. Elias also make the list). Not only are the landscapes better, but we saw tons of wildlife on this cruise. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska | Travel Alaska And many tours are not offered between October and mid-May. This hike starts near the Exit Glacier Nature Center. This is an exciting time of birth, nursing, and mating. Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords' crowning feature. Our guides said that the views from up here are incredible. Once you cross the Kenai Fjords National Park boundary, you will see road signs with four-digit numbers on them. Check the Current Conditions and Alerts in the Park. 30,295 acres (47.3sqmi; 122.6km2) were repurchased by the Park Service in the 1990s, retaining subsistence rights on about 9,000 acres (14.1sqmi; 36.4km2). It is truly a birder's paradise! You can drive to it or take a tour bus. This is where several hiking trails start, which are listed next. The fun starts next Friday! The dramatic coastal fjords and valleys of the park reveal a long history of glaciation. We saw several pods of orcas, a few humpback whales, fin whales, sea lions, seals, tufted and horned puffins, sea otters, and numerous species of birds. Info Alerts Maps Calendar Fees Where Mountains, Ice, and Ocean Meet At the edge of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age lingers. For more information, visit theKenai Fjords National Park website. #Seward #SewardAlaska #visitseward #Alaska #alaskastartshere #Fishalaska #Kenaifjords #tightlines #SharingAlaska #organic #liquidadventures #TheKenai #resurrectionbay #millerslanding #vacation #family #saltlife #fishing #freerange #cabins #kayak #alaskafishing #halibut #salmon #adventures #charter #familyrunbusiness #Thomasea #FoxWillie #fishon SeekerRods AccurateFishing Yeti, Kenai fjords national park #2021 #july #usa #alaska #alaskarailroad #summer #nationalpark #gracier #globalwarming # # # # # #, Kayak adventures start here! The mature forest features Sitka spruce and mountain hemlocks, with an understory of devil's club, Alaska blueberry, elderberry, baneberry, watermelon berry and lady fern in the coniferous forest understory. Elevation: 3,812 ft. Taking a Denali flight seeing trip is also a great thing to do, as are hiking one of the many trails in the park. In more recent times, hunters, fishermen, fox farmers, and miners have made use of the fjords. Also, we got a discount through the Alaska Collection by bundling together this fjord cruise with our stay at the Seward Windsong Lodge. [27] Cruise tours originating from Seward provide access to the park via Resurrection Bay. The park's highest point is an unnamed peak of 6,450 feet (1,970m) in the Kenai Mountains. Visit Exit Glacier | The Lower Trail & Harding Icefield Trail I set up my camera on a tripod, at a very low shuttle speed and used a trigger to take this photo Travel Alaska is a registered trademark of Alaska Travel Industry Association. 37 from $188.37 Seward, Alaska Kennel Tour and Dog Sled Ride Plus, this town has many great hotels and restaurants, making this the best place to stay when you visit the park. Many cruise ships also useSewardas a port-of-call. Harding Icefield Trail: The Ultimate Hiking Guide, Aialik Glacier Kayaking: Beauty & Adventure in Kenai Fjords. It is a 4-mile round-trip hike, with 3,000 feet of elevation gain, to get to the top of this mountain. Work resumed the next year and continued in 1991. A similar succession pattern is seen at the park's nunataks, exposed rock outcroppings in the Harding Icefield. Interested in an electric car? In addition to simply cruising the fjords, you can also take a cruise + kayaking combo tour. Please be respectful of copyright. Get up close to the Alaskan glaciers and wildlife you came to experience by taking a cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park on a custom-built catamaran out of Seward. This is how you get out into the fjords. You can hike several trails to viewpoints of this glacier, as well as hike on it or go ice climbing, with an experienced guide. Exit Glacier Tours by Exit Glacier Guides: Kenai Riverside Resort and Kenai Backcountry Adventures also offer ice climbing and glacier hiking tours. [10], Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, List of birds of Kenai Fjords National Park, List of national parks of the United States, "U.S. This is the most popular cruise. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. For the safety of all, pets are only allowed in select areas. Exit Glacier, a half-mile wide river of ice, is the easiest section of the park to access. One of the most visited glaciers in the world, Exit Glacier earned its name from grateful backcountry travelers. Buses and small commuter planes also connect Anchorage and Seward. We never take more than six guests per tour so you always get the VIP treatment Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is the only lodge located within Kenai Fjords National Park. Get the full list in our article Best Things to Do in Denali. camp in public use cabins No matter your age, we've got a program for you, including our new Explorer App. That year Exxon settled with the federal and Alaskan governments, paying about $870 million into a restoration fund, some of which was earmarked for Kenai Fjords. You can fish for salmon and Dolly Varden in the rivers and streams. Learn more Exclusive stops at the secluded, lush and mountainous Fox Island for gourmet beachfront meals. , Kenai Fjords National Park 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. Bald eagles swoop along the towering cliffs, and peregrine falcons hunt over the outer islands. [20], On December 2, 1980, the ANILCA bill was signed into law by Jimmy Carter, converting Kenai Fjords to a national park. Exit Glacier Road, which is also called Herman Leirer Road, connects Seward with the Exit Glacier. This glacial wonderland features stunning scenery, incredible wildlife, and ocean adventures. Once the road to Exit Glacier is snow-covered and closed to cars, it is accessible by cross-country skis, fat bikes, snowmobiles, and more. Climate Normals Quick Access (19812010)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kenai_Fjords_National_Park&oldid=1152936626, Source 1: NOAA (average snowfall/snow days 19812010), This page was last edited on 3 May 2023, at 06:31. Another site was used from 1785 to 1820. Distance: 8.2 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Strenuous | Total Ascent: 3,500 feet | Time: 6 to 8 hours, Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield | Best Things to Do in Kenai Fjords, Top of the Harding Icefield Trail | Best Things to Do in Kenai Fjords. The Real Alaska Adventure Company provides all inclusive, fully immersive trips primarily on the Kenai Peninsula. These gigantic rivers of ice have shaped the terrain and are now receding to reveal their work. And I highly recommend taking the cruise with Kenai Fjords Tours. Kenai Fjords National Park is located on the southern edge of the Kenai Peninsula in Southcentral, Alaska. Learn more on the Alaska Fish and Game website. Learn more Learn more about what to expect, how much it costs, and see more photos in our article Ice Climbing on the Exit Glacier. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. If you want to see Kenai Fjords National Park from the sky, you have several options. Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise from Seward 2023 - Viator #kenaifjordsnationalpark#kenaifjords#nationalparkgeek#goatworthy#mountaingirls#andshesdopetoo#liveyouradventure#outdoorwomen#womenwhohike#radgirlslife#wildernessvibes#choosemountains#exitglacier#sewardalaska#akliving#optoutside#alaskaliving#visitseward#alaska#alaskalove#glacier#travelalaska#thealaskalife#explorealaska#kenaipeninsula#sharingalaska#alaskanadventures#mountains, Let's continue with the parks recap Our 14th was also in #Alaska, with the impressive glaciers, wonderful landscapes, and wildlife of #KenaiFjords national park. Reserve Now & Pay Later Secure your spot while staying flexible Free cancellation Up to 24 hours in advance. Kenai Fjords National Park | Wildlife & Glacier Cruiess | AlaskaTravel.com Northwestern Fjord Cruise: 7 to 8 hours. The first study, entitled Alaska - Its Resources and Development was centered on the development of tourism, despite a dissent from co-author Bob Marshall, who advocated strict preservation. [10], Several gold mines from historical times have been documented in the park. We visited Kenai Fjords National Park in early July. 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. What good things are you working on and have you been patient with yourself? You can really get a good idea of how much this glacier has shrunk in the last 100 years. About 20 species of seabirds nest along the rocky coastline; the most charismatic of the birds are clown-faced puffins. In addition to accessibility by road via the Seward Highway, bus and commuter flight service link Seward and Anchorage. 2023 Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise from Seward - Tripadvisor 309 81K views 10 years ago Kenai Fjords, Alaska -- Forty flowing glaciers, wildlife thriving in icy waters and lush forests home to Native Alutiiq people. Most tours operate May through September. From this trail, you get the best view of the Exit Glacier, unless you plan to go glacier hiking or ice climbing. [21] The first park improvements focused on improving access to Exit Glacier. This region has been home to Alaska Natives for thousands of years. Monthly travel tips, highlights, and savings! Exit Glacier | Best Things to Do in Kenai Fjords, The view from the Exit Glacier | Best Things to Do in Kenai Fjords. This is the shortest tour, which stays in Resurrection Bay and goes as far as Fox Island. The first season's work stopped in September. There are two primary ways to access the park. If you combine the Glacier View Loop Trail and the Glacier Overlook Trail, it is a 2.2-mile round-trip hike with roughly 300 feet of elevation gain. With over 100,000 glaciers in Alaska (over 600 named), getting up close to these spectacular formations is more than just possible its, Alaskas national parks are nothing short of awe-inspiring and breathtaking. In Seward, visitors can access the park on tour boats, water taxis, air taxis, and on foot from the Exit Glacier area. Forested portions of the park are dominated by conifers, with deciduous forests confined to areas recently vacated by glaciers. Read all of our articles about Alaska in our Alaska Travel Guide. Alaska blogs will be coming, but until then our adventures are saved in our Alaska highlight on our profile lovehardtraveloften, Great summer swell inbound how big will they be this weekend? If you do not have a car (for example, you arrived by train), once you are in the area, you can get around by a shuttle or taxi service. In 1971 the Seward National Recreation Area was proposed for the area between the head of Resurrection Bay and Turnagain Arm, extending east to Whittier and west to Exit Glacier. Heres what science recommends. Land mammals such as black and brown bears, lynx, mountain goats, moose, porcupines, wolverines, and marmots can be found in the area. It is the fifth most-visited park in Alaska, but the 11th of 13 Alaska parks in area, and is the closest national park to Anchorage. Alongside the above opportunities, you may want to consider looking into experiencing Kenai Fjords (the park and surrounding area) through such experiences as, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. The Ultimate Guide to Kenai Fjords National Park [2023] - Upgraded Points The town of Seward sits just outside of the park, and it makes a great home base for exploring Kenai Fjords.
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