The Kenai Fjords National Park tour is just an hour longer than the Resurrection Bay tour, and that extra hour makes a big difference in just how much better the experience is, in my opinion. It is only one of three national parks in Alaska that can be reached by road, via the Exit Glacier Nature Center. 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. Over 190 species have been found in the area, including puffins, cormorants, common murres, pigeon guillemots, kittiwakes, and eagles. Various companies offer tours, many guided by National Park Rangers. Negotiations between the Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and the Chugach Alaska Corporation resulted in a decision by the Department of the Interior to make the Park Service the lead agency for the Kenai Fjords area. Bald eagles swoop along the towering cliffs, and peregrine falcons hunt over the outer islands. For an easier, more accessible hike, take the one-mileGlacier View Loop Trailfrom the Exit Glacier Nature Center to view Exit Glacier from the valley floor. We cruised both the Northwestern Fjord and Aialik Bay to Aialik Glacier and the Northwestern Fjord was our favorite. Wildlife thrives in icy waters and lush forests around this vast expanse of ice. Plus, you can bundle a stay here and a cruise on Kenai Fjords Tours for a discount. We want the best of everything right now, and I think we often forget that good things take time. Experienced mountaineers equipped with skis, ice axes, and crampons can continue on to explore the icefield. Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park, Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center. Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the most popular of Alaskas national parks and provides both leisurely and adventurousactivities 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. This is where we stayed and highly recommend it. momofmamony.com 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. Send us a DM for more information. Kenai Fjords National Park - Tripadvisor We were so excited to see a pod of 12+ orcas (a dream come true!!) WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS: Top experiences in Wrangell-St. Elias include hiking the Root Glacier Trail, taking a flightseeing tour, and hiking to Bonanza Mine. It feeds nearly three dozen glaciers flowing out of the mountains, six of them to tidewater. As always carry bear spray and hike in a group if possible. On the Water: Kenai Fjords. The park is also a welcome habitat for migratory and resident birds. Getting up close to the Northwestern Glacier was awesome. From Seward, the Exit Glacier Road (aka Herman Leirer Road) dead-ends at the Exit Glacier Nature Center and the hiking trails for the Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Trail. [21] The first park improvements focused on improving access to Exit Glacier. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska | Travel Alaska From half day trips across the bay to all day tours in Kenai Fjords National Park. For extended adventures, skiplanes drop off and pick up skiers on the icefield, and floatplanes do the same for kayakers in the fjords, weather permitting. Plus, this town has many great hotels and restaurants, making this the best place to stay when you visit the park. 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. We did see bear warnings the day we did this hike, and a hiker warned us of a bear not far off trail (we didnt end up seeing the bear). In more recent times, hunters, fishermen, fox farmers, and miners have made use of the fjords. [15] Internal Park Service documents envisioned an 800,000-acre (1,250.0sqmi; 3,237.5km2) park protecting the coast and the icefield, but this conflicted with the Seward National Recreation Area and a proposed expansion of the Kenai National Moose Range. For the next few hours, you will hike on the glacier, get a lesson on ice climbing (if you are a newbie, like we were), and then test out your new skills on the ice. [41], Kenai Fjords National Park is dominated by a glaciated landscape. camp in public use cabins ALASKA ITINERARY: Take the guesswork out of planning your trip to Alaska with our Alaska road trip itineraries. All against the backdrop of incredible landscapes such as jagged cliffs, tumbling glaciers and lush forest. Kayaking in Kenai Fjords can be an exciting way to explore the fjords, see glaciers, and view wildlife. From Seward or Homer you can book a breathtaking one-hour flight over the Harding Icefield and Kenai coast. Kenai Fjords National Park was established as a national monument in 1978. Learn how to see in our Guide to the Columbia Glacier. [32], The park can be reached from Seward, 130mi (210km) south of Anchorage at the southern terminus of the Seward Highway. So keep following that dream, and remember to be patient. Kenai Fjords National Park | Lodging Kenai Fjords National Park: Tours, Accommodation & Transportation You can get exact dates and pricing by clicking on the links to the tour companies above. 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. The nutrient-rich glacial waters are home to abundant marine wildlife including orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, minke whales, fin whales, Dalls porpoises, sea otters, Steller sea lions, and harbor seals. Everything you might need to know as you start planning your trip to the park. Glacier Loop Trail | Best Things to Do in Kenai Fjords. momofmamony On land, you can see moose, black bears, brown bears and wolves. About 50% of this park is covered in ice. Exit Glacier, a half-mile wide river of ice, is the easiest section of the park to access. Its touted as the toughest 5K in the world. The Harding Icefield sits at the top of the glacier. Today, shrinking glaciers bear witness to the effects of our changing climate. Harding Ice Field Trail Heres why. 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. Every night I was wake until 12 am watching the sky, even if I was exhausted after a very busy day of exploration. DRIVING IN ALASKA: The Seward Highway connects Anchorage and Seward is one of the most popular scenic drives in Alaska. . Wondering where to eat and sleep during your stay? . The tours provide views of land and marine wildlife, particularly Steller sea lions, puffins, Dall's porpoises, American black bear, snowshoe hares, Mountain goats, and humpback and orca whales, as well as natural sights such as the fjords and tidewater glaciers. More about Kenai Fjords. We are the original Kenai Fjords wildlife and glacier cruise operator, since 1974. We also have a detailed guide to driving from Anchorage to Valdez, yet another amazing road trip. [30], The park has established a cooperative relationship with the Alaska SeaLife Center, exchanging interpretive services. This property offers a variety of cabins that can accommodate between three and seven people. Tours Cruises of Kenai Fjords National Park | Kenai Fjords Tours [10], Several gold mines from historical times have been documented in the park. Learn more Topping this list of the best national parks worldwide and boasting over 660,000 square miles of incredible landscape,, Learn about Alaskas eleven vibrant, distinct indigenous cultures and get a taste of local history with this eight-day tour through Southcentral Alaska. 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. TheKenai Fjords National Park Visitor Centeris located near theSewardSmall Boat Harbor and has interactive exhibits, maps and books, and rangers who are happy to discuss the best ways to explore the park. Seward, Alaska is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park! The site showed that contrary to earlier beliefs, portions of the park had been used over a long term by native peoples. This is very dangerous and there are ropes and signs discouraging this. The park is bordered on the west by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and on the south by Kachemak Bay State Park. Your gut health can affect the rest of your body. 37 from $188.37 Seward, Alaska Stoney Creek Canopy Adventure Kenai Fjords National Park is a great place to see and learn about the birds of coastal Alaska. Kenai Fjords National Park is located on the Kenai Peninsula. I set up my camera on a tripod, at a very low shuttle speed and used a trigger to take this photo Are the Kenai Fjords on your bucket list?? Mount Marathon looms over Seward. To get to Seward, take the Seward Highway (Alas. Icefield coverage has declined, with a 3% reduction in coverage over a 16-year study period. One of the more unique and stunning of those parks is Kenai Fjords, a place where the mountains and ocean meet in spectacular fashion. #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. Seabirds, by the tens of thousands, migrate or congregate here. This 10-hour tour includes the cruise through Resurrection Bay and past the sea stacks, into Aialik Bay. On this 2 hour boat cruise we saw puffins, seals, otters, whales and so much more. Here the south-central part of the state tumbles into the Gulf of Alaska; here the land challenges the sea with talonlike peninsulas and rocky headlands, while the sea itself reaches inland with long fjords and hundreds of quiet bays and coves. Much of the interior is covered by the Harding Icefield. #travelalaska #explorealaska #visitalaska #kenaipeninsula #kenaifjordsnationalpark #alaska #fog #mountains #trees, A sea arch at Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. These Gettysburg maps reveal how Lee lost the fight, Who is Oppenheimer? Hours of Operation: Open all year. In summer, the Alaska Railroad serves Seward from Anchorage (with connections to Fairbanks and Whittier). watch wildlife You can fish for salmon and Dolly Varden in the rivers and streams. Box Canyon Cabins. Dont quit, dont give up and be patient with yourself in the process. 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. Plus, to cruise up a fjord to see a glacier is awesome. . Not only are the landscapes breathtaking but the diversity of wildlife was even better. [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. Tectonic plates smashed together. Whale watching on a Kenai fjords tour by private cruise The Harding Icefield is a vestige of the massive ice sheet that covered much of Alaska in the Pleistocene era. Kenai Fjords National Park is an American national park that maintains the Harding Icefield, its outflowing glaciers, and coastal fjords and islands. Would you visit this park? [71], Archeological sites were also affected by the oil. But its possible! How Much Time Do You Need in Kenai Fjords National Park? Exit Glacier Road dead-ends at a parking lot and the Exit Glacier Nature Center. Ask the park for a list. This is largely believed to be a result of climate change. #kenaifjords #kenaifjordsnationalpark #findyourpark #parkroamers #nationalparkgeek #americasbestidea #outdoorfamily #hikingfamily #havekidswilltravel #diversifyoutdoors #diversityinadventure #optoutside #teampixel #visittheusa #familyadventures #familytravel #travelalaska #explorealaska #alaskaadventure #alaska, Witness the amazing annual migration of California Gray Whales, traveling 5,000 miles to Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska. Another site was used from 1785 to 1820. And many tours are not offered between October and mid-May. Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise from Seward 2023 - Viator But the Aurora Burealis is just like anything else in life. This list starts with the Exit Glacier and things you can do on land, followed by boat and flightseeing tours. 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. This lodge is part of the Alaska Collection. 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. The Harding Icefield crowns the park and is the source of at least 38 glaciers that flow over the land, sculpting as they go. No matter your age, we've got a program for you, including our Explorer App. Forested portions of the park are dominated by conifers, with deciduous forests confined to areas recently vacated by glaciers. 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. Kayaking in Kenai Fjords Kayaking in Kenai Fjords can be an exciting way to explore the fjords, see glaciers, and view wildlife. 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. It is in Seward and has double rooms and suites that can accommodate up to six people. [70] Cleanup was difficult, as the oil became a tarry emulsion that could not be skimmed, and had to be dredged. And I highly recommend taking the cruise with Kenai Fjords Tours. [6] It is the only Alaska national park that did not originally allow subsistence use by Native Americans, but native village corporations continue to have interests in inholdings within the park,[7] and have since established subsistence rights on those properties. And the landscapes are breathtaking. A network of trails from the Nature Center provide access to the glacier, and the 7.4-mile (11.9km) Harding Icefield Trail. Kenai Fjords National Park | Alaska Cruises | Alaska Vacations Kenai Fjords National Park The Ultimate Guide to Kenai Fjords National Park Interesting Facts about Kenai Fjords National Park, Overview and Map of Kenai Fjords National Park, Best Things to Do in Kenai Fjords National Park, Learn more about what to expect, how much it costs, and see more photos in our article, Our Experience on the Northwestern Fjord Cruise. The park protects the icefield, a narrow fringe of forested land between the mountains and the sea, and the deeply indented coastline. Sail through Resurrection Bay, into the Gulf of Alaska, and then into Aialik Bay to Holgate Glacier or Aialik Glacier. [45], Large terrestrial mammal species in the park include timber wolf, porcupine, Canadian lynx, brown bear,[46] black bears,[47] moose[48] and mountain goat. But the ship is large, roomy, and has a small restaurant and bar (I sipped on coffee with Baileys for the first few hours). Resurrection Bay: 5 hours. Whether it is through the park's services or through a commercial service, there are many ways to explore your National Park. 9) south from Anchorage. Many winter visitors ski the road into Exit Glacier, or snowmobile in. Controversial oil drilling paused in Namibian wilderness, Dolphin moms use 'baby talk' with their calves, Nevada is crawling with swarms of smelly 'Mormon crickets'. Harding Icefield Trail: The Ultimate Hiking Guide, Aialik Glacier Kayaking: Beauty & Adventure in Kenai Fjords. Kenai Fjords National Park is located on the Kenai Peninsula. AlthoughSewardserves as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, the park has only a few designated trails. Moose, black bears, wolverines, and coyotes roam narrow bands of forest between the coast and icefield. kayak in the Fjords To see the Harding Icefield, you can either hike to it (over 8 miles round trip) or see it on a flightseeing tour. Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords' crowning feature. Who said it would be easy, or impossible? The park is inhabited by a variety of terrestrial and marine mammals, including brown and black bears, moose, sea otters, harbor seals, humpback and killer whales. [9] Mining activity centered on Nuka Bay. This ancient society tried to stop El Niowith child sacrifice. Our guides said that the views from up here are incredible. [22] In 1982, a general management plan for the park was finalized, designating Exit Glacier as "front-country," the fjords as "back-country," and the icefield as wilderness. Its a very challenging run, on a steep incline on a gravelly, rocky trail. #OurWholeVillage #familytravel #familytime #familytrip #familyfun #plannowtravellater #summervacation #planahead #lxuryfamilytravel #sustainabletravel #sustainablefamilytravel #takethekids #showthemtheworld #adventuretravel #travelalaska #alaskatravel #alaskatravels #alaskatraveladventures #alaskatraveler #alaskatravelers #alaskatravelmoments #alaskatravelgram #alaska #lifeofadventures #outdoorenthusiast #alaskanadventures #wildalaska #visitalaska #alaskadaily #traintravelalaska, Astrid deGruchy catching_astrid pulls in a nice halibut on the Thomasea! If you want to see the wide expanse of the Harding Icefield without hopping into an airplane or helicopter, this is the best way to do it. The strange saga of Hvaldimir the Russian spy whale. The remainder of the park is accessible by boat,[3] airplane,[4] and hiking. Many visitors are short on time, so the quickest, easiest way to gain access to the park is a day cruise. [53][54] Cetaceans seen in park waters include orca,[55] fin whale,[56] humpback whale,[57] minke whales,[58] Dall's porpoise[59] and Pacific white-sided dolphin. The oil did not reach the fjords, repelled by heavy spring water flows from the land. Kenai Fjords National Park sits at the edge of the North Pacific Ocean, where storm patterns develop and feed a land of ice. Sugpiaq people relied on these resources to nurture a life entwined with the sea. A beach site near MacArthur Pass was discovered during cleanup operations. Length: 8.2 miles The 130-mile drive is spectacular. 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. #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. [10] A 1993 Park Service survey documented several village sites dated between 1200 AD and 1920. These gigantic rivers of ice have shaped the terrain and are now receding to reveal their work. In the summer, cruise ships visit Seward, and you can also get here by bus or shuttle. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. The first season's work stopped in September. Your email address will not be published. It became a national park in 1980 to preserve the fjord and rainforest ecosystems, Harding Icefield, abundant wildlife, and historical and archeological remains. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. In particular, Sitka alder is capable of fixing nitrogen, supporting itself and enriching the soil.
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