Visitors come to Seward, Alaska each year for a multitude of reasons, but the top draw to the area is the Kenai Fjords National Park. For good reason, too. Kenai Fjords National Park lies at the end of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. This stunning national parkland was established in 1980, and it encompasses an incredible 669,984 area of Alasak’s vast wilderness.
Kenai Fjords National part is nothing short of breathtaking. All the wonderful sightseeing and attractions within the park are easily accessible from Seward, Alaska. We own and operate 3 downtown hotels, a small RV park just outside of Seward, and 6 restaurants in the area. Choose to lodge with us, and experience the best Seward Alaska and the Kenai Fjords National Park have to offer this summer. Book your adventure today!
Things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park, famously known as the place where the ice and mountains meet the sea, lies at the edge of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula near Seward. It’s one of the top attractions in the Seward area, and draws tens of thousands of visitors every year. The biggest attraction in the park is the Harding Icefield.
Beyond just experience the Harding Icefield before it’s too late and global climate changes affect this landscape forever, there are a number of great things to do in the Kenai Fjords National Park. Here are 5 of our favorites:
- Experience Exit Glacier. Your journey will start at the Exit Glacier Nature Center, which houses exhibits about the glacier and the area itself. It also serves as the trailhead for all who want to explore the area, including the Harding Icefield Trail. The network of trails in the area lead to a variety of overlooks and viewpoints of Exit Glacier itself
- If you’re looking for a more strenuous hike and even more exceptional views, then you don’t want to miss the Harding Icefield Trail. The round-trip hike will take 8.2 miles, and will lead you through cottonwood and alder forests and mountain meadows before climbing above the tree line and providing you with an exceptional view of the icefield. The ice and snow below stretches as far as your eye can see, giving you a glimpse into what the world must have looked like during the ice ages. Allow yourself at least 6- 8 hours for the hike, and be well prepared for strenuous activity.
- Much of the Kenai Fjords National Park is only accessible via water, so it’s no wonder that boat tours in the park are one of the most popular activities. It’s your perfect opportunity to see how glaciers have shaped these lands, get up-close views that can’t be seen any other way, and even see plenty of birds and marine wildlife. Both full and half-day tours of the national park are available and depart daily during the busy summer months.
- If you want the same scenery offered by these boat tours without the crowds, then kayaking in the Kenai Fjords is for you. Kayaking next to these breathtaking glaciers and getting up close and personal with Alaskan wildlife will no doubt be a highlight in your life. These waters aren’t for beginnings, though, so we highly recommend you take a guided kayak tour.
- If you’re only in the area for a short period of time and want to maximize what you see, there’s only one thing that allows you to see as much of the park in as little time as possible, and that is flightseeing. Take a scenic flight via helicopter or small plane, and explore the landscapes to your heart’s content.
The Best Hotels in Seward Alaska
There’s so much more to explore in Seward Alaska than most people realize. A lot of visitors come only to see Exit Glacier, the Harding IceField, and the Alaska SeaLife Center, often staying here for no more than 1 – 2 nights. But, if you open yourself up to all the possibilities of things to see and do in Seward, you could easily spend 3 – 5 days here, and still not see it all.
Seward is an incredible place, and at the heart of your visit to this wild Alaskan town is a stay at one of our Seward hotels. We offer 3 unique hotels for you to choose from, along with an RV park that puts you in the heart of nature. From a more traditional hotel across the street from the marina to historic Victorian-style accommodations, you can’t go wrong with one of the properties owned and operated by the Seward Hospitality Group. Book your vacation to the incredible town of Seward Alaska today!