Kenai Fjords National Park

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.

National Park Service
PO Box 1727
Seward, AK 99664
907-224-2132 - Visitor Information
907-224-3175 - Headquarters

By Plane
Commuter flight services link Seward and Anchorage.

By 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.

By Plane
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.

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.

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

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Boating
• Camping
• Educational Programs
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Wilderness Area
• Wildlife Viewing
• Backpacking
• Nature Walks
• Kayaking
• Cross Country Skiing

Recommended Activities
Authorized commercial guides provides camping, fishing and
kayaking services. Air charters fly over the coast for flight seeing and
access to the fjords. Boat tours and charters are available from Seward.
In summer, boat tours ply the coast, observing calving glaciers, sea
birds, and marine mammals.

Boat charters offer overnight fjord trips and fishing trips to the fjords and Resurrection Bay (saltwater fish include halibut, lingcod cod, and a variety of rock fish; freshwater fish include Dolly Varden and silver, red, chum and pink salmon).

Interpretive talks, exhibits, slide program at the visitor center and Exit Glacier Ranger Station.