Kenai Fjords National Park Custom Search The Kenai Fjords reflect scenic icebound landscapes in which salt spray mixes with mountain mist. Located on the southeastern Kenai Peninsula, the national park is a pristine and rugged land supporting many unaltered natural environments and ecosystems. The fjords are long, steep-sided, glacier-carved valleys that are now filled with ocean waters. A mountain platform, one mile high, rises above this dramatic coastline. The mountains are mantled by the 300-square mile Harding Icefield, 35 miles long and 20 miles wide. Only isolated mountain peaks interrupt its nearly flat, snowclad surface. Exit Glacier spills off the massive Harding icefield and is accessible by road. The park's wildlife includes mountain goats, moose, bears, wolverines, marmots and other land mammals who have established themselves on a thin life zone between marine waters and the icefield's frozen edges. Bald eagles nest in the tops of spruce and hemlock trees. Thousands of seabirds, including puffins, kittiwakes, and murres seasonally inhabit the steep cliffs and rocky shores. Kayakers, fishermen, and visitors on tour boats share the park's waters with stellar sea lions, harbor seals, Dall porpoises, sea otters, humpback, killer and minke whales.    CONTACTS Email - KEFJ_Superintendent@nps.gov Fax- 907-224-2144 Write to National Park Service PO Box 1727 Seward, AK 99664 Phone Visitor Information Recorded Message - 907-224-2132 Headquarters - 907-224-3175 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons The visitor center in Seward offers exhibits, slide programs, maps, publications and information. It is open Monday through Friday year round, and Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with extended hours. There is a ranger station at Exit Glacier which offers exhibits and information about the glacier and the Harding Icefield, interpretive programs and talks. Rangers provide information daily during the summer months. Getting There PLANE - Commuter flight services link Seward and Anchorage. CAR - The park lies 130 road miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway. The park's headquarters and visitor center is located on Seward's small boat harbor. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - The Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) System connects Seward with Homer and Seldovia via Kodiak, providing service to Valdez and Cordova. Bus services are available between Anchorage and Seward. The Alaska Railroad serves Seward from Anchorage during the summer months. Weather & Climate 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-40s to low 70s (F). The wet, stormy fall begins in September. Wool or synthetic clothing and sturdy rain gear - pants, coat and hat - are essential Accessibility The park visitor center and the exhibit area near the Exit Glacier Ranger Station is wheelchair accessible. The first 1/4 mile of the Exit Glacier Trail is fully accessible. Contact the park for details. Getting Around In summer, Exit Glacier can be reached by car on a gravel road (approximately 9 miles), and a short trail. Exit Glacier is the only portion of the park accessible by trail. A gravel road at mile 3.7 of the Seward Highway leads 9 miles to the Exit Glacier Ranger Station. An easy 1/2 mile walk will take you to the glacier's terminus. The first 1/4 mile of this trail is completely accessible. A steeper trail continues across moraines and bedrock. Visitors may return to the Ranger Station via a nature trail. The Harding Icefield can be reached by air or trail. Air and boat charters provide access to the fjords. CAMPING Exit Glacier Campground and Back Country Cabins Open All Year Exit Glacier has 12 walk-in summer camping sites. Three back country cabins for summer visits along the park's coastline are located in the fjords of Holgate Arm, Aialik Bay, and North Arm. The cabins are accessible by boat, kayak or small plane. In winter, a public use cabin is available at Exit Glacier. Cabin stays are limited to three days. Visitors must obtain reservations and permits in advance. Seward provides full tourist services, including campgrounds. FACILITIES Ranger Stations EXIT GLACIER RANGER STATION Location - 9 miles down Exit Glacier Road off the Seward Highway. Special Programs - There is a ranger station at Exit Glacier which offers exhibits and information about the glacier and the Harding Icefield, interpretive programs and talks. Rangers provide information daily during the summer months. Visitor Centers KENAI FJORDS VISITOR CENTER Open All Year Location - The center is located on Seward's small boat harbor. Special Programs - The visitor center in Seward offers exhibits, slide programs, maps, publications and information. It is open Monday through Friday year round, and Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with extended hours.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Kenai Fjords National Park.   Campgrounds Near Kenai Fjords National Park: Three Bears Alaska, Seward, 1 miles away Major Marine Tours, Seward, 1 miles away Kenai Fjords RV Park, Seward, 1 miles away Waterfront Park, Seward, 1 miles away Bear Creek RV Park, Seward, 1 miles away Exit Glacier RV and Camping, Seward, 1 miles away Miller's Landing, Seward, 1 miles away   Marinas Near Kenai Fjords National Park: Seward Marina, Seward , 1 miles away   Hotels Near Kenai Fjords National Park: Harborview Inn Seward Alaska, Seward , 1 miles away Van Gilder Hotel, Seward , 1 miles away Best Western Plus Edgewater Hotel, Seward , 1 miles away Gwins Lodge, Cooper Landing , 35 miles away The Hotel Alyeska, Girdwood , 37 miles away The Hotel Alyeska, Girdwood , 37 miles away Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham Eagle River/Anchorage Are, Eagle River , 42 miles away   Trails Near Kenai Fjords National Park: Lost Lake Trail, Kenai Peninsula Borough , 3 miles away Carter Lake Trail, Kenai Peninsula Borough , 12 miles away Grant Lake Trail, Kenai Peninsula Borough , 14 miles away Paradise Valley Trail, Kenai Peninsula Borough , 16 miles away   Ski Areas Near Kenai Fjords National Park: Alyeska, Alaska , 36 miles away, 2500 foot drop, 9 lifts, 68 runs Hilltop, Alaska , 40 miles away, 294 foot drop, 3 lifts, 10 runs Alpenglow At Arctic Valley, Alaska , 41 miles away, 1400 foot drop, 4 lifts, 25 runs   Whitewater Near Kenai Fjords National Park: Whitewater Outfitter - Backcountry Safaris, Kenai Peninsula Borough , 1 miles away, Whitewater outfitter Canyon Creek, Kenai Peninsula Borough , 18 miles away, Class IV - 6.5 miles long (Seward HigHighway at outlet of Lower Summit Lake to Seward Highway at Hope Junction) Sixmile River, Kenai Penninsula Borough , 22 miles away, Class V - 9.3 miles long (East Fork of Six Mile to Sunshine) Whitewater Outfitter - Chugach Outdoor Center, Kenai Peninsula Borough , 26 miles away, Whitewater outfitter Kenai River, Kenai Peninsula Borough , 27 miles away, Class II-III - 18 miles long (Kenai Lake to Skilak Lake)   Public Lands Near Kenai Fjords National Park: Katmai National Park & Preserve, King Salmon - AK , 45 miles away Chugach National Forest, Alaska , 37 miles away   Lakes Near Kenai Fjords National Park Crescent Lake, Kenai Peninsula Borough , 12 miles away