Kenai Fjords National Park

Home
United States
Seward, AK
Kenai Fjords National Park

Welcome to the official page for Kenai Fjords National Park. Follow link in bio for website and accessible versions of social media videos.
(1636)

Kenai Fjords National Park is a glacial landscape of ice, tidewater glaciers, deeply chiseled fjords, and jagged peninsulas formed by the forces of the Harding & Grewingk-Yalik icefields as they plunge into the sea.

08/23/2026

It's National Park Week! It's the perfect time to come see our two visitor centers before they close for the season.

In fact, the Exit Glacier Nature Center will be extending its days open through Friday, September 11th.

The Kenai Fjords Visitor Center in the Seward small boat harbor will close after September 7th as originally scheduled.

Want the full run down of our visitor center operating hours? Check out go.nps.gov/kefjvc

NPS Photo

08/15/2026

Watch where you step!

Snow bridges still exist along the upper sections of the Harding Icefield Trail. A snow bridge is an arch of snow that can often look like a solid path from above. However, as the snow melts, it can leave a fragile bridge over sometimes dangerous terrain.

On the traverse section before the End of Trail, there can be multiple paths to follow. Follow orange flagging when present. Always take a close look at where you are stepping, even if a trail looks well-established.

Learn more about the Harding Icefield Trail at: go.nps.gov/kefjhit

NPS Video

Alt Text: A video with no sound shows water rushing underneath a snow bridge with a path over it and leading up to it.

08/08/2026

Considering backcountry camping at Kenai Fjords National Park?

Much of Kenai Fjords National Park's 600,000 acres is remote, trail-less backcountry. One of the only areas accessible by trail lies on rocky terrain past the end of the Harding Icefield Trail as pictured. Otherwise, the majority of backcountry users kayak and camp along the coastal fjords.

If you are backcountry camping from the Harding Icefield Trail, you must be at least 1/8 mile from the road or trail. However, the steep and varied terrain make it difficult to find a proper camping spot until going past the end of the trail.

Make proper food storage a priority upon arriving, and keep a clean camp. Bears can show up at any time. There are no food storage lockers on the trail so carrying bear-resistant food canisters (BRFCs) is required. A limited number of canisters are available to borrow from Kenai Fjords National Park visitor centers.

Make sure to read thoroughly and plan ahead to be prepared for a spectacular adventure!
go.nps.gov/kefjbackcountryhiking
go.nps.gov/kefjfoodstorage

NPS Photo

08/01/2026

Help keep wildlife wild by leaving close-ups to photos!

While many picture-perfect photos allow you to see amazing wildlife details, photographers use high-zoom cameras to obtain them.

When possible, stay 300 yards (300 meters) away from bears and maintain a minimum 25 yards (25 meters) distance from all other animals, dens, and nests. Do not approach or follow wildlife. Bring binoculars to enjoy viewing animals from a distance.

Importantly, do not feed or allow wildlife to obtain human foods. Learning to beg for and/or rely on human foods is extremely harmful for all wild animals, big or small. Be careful not to leave wrappers, crumbs, or other food trash after picnicking or snacking on the trails.

Learn more about wildlife safety at go.nps.gov/kefjwildlifesafety

NPS Photo

07/25/2026

Wait, is that blue sky above the Harding Icefield Trail?

Enjoy your beautiful views, but don't underestimate sunnier weather. Much of the trail past Marmot Meadows (1.5 miles from trailhead) is completely exposed, which can mean being in the sun for multiple hours. Hikers should be prepared for a wide range of conditions, including changing weather plus mud and snow on trail. Temperatures can also vary quite a bit from bottom to top. Be prepared by bringing:

• At least 2 liters of water per person
• Hiking poles are highly recommended
• Layers for warmth and rain
• Sunscreen
• Sturdy footwear

Learn more about the Harding Icefield Trail at go.nps.gov/kefjhit

NPS Photo

07/18/2026

Not every day is sunny in the fjords.

Though summer in Alaska produces many blue-sky picturesque days, Kenai Fjords National Park is still a temperate rainforest.

If you bring proper gear like rainproof jackets and pants, you can still have a wonderful time. There's something magical about misty fjords and cloudy icefield peaks.

Interested in weathering the Harding Icefield Trail during a rainy July? Learn more about how to prepare at: go.nps.gov/kefjhit

NPS Photo

07/11/2026

The wildflowers are blooming at Exit Glacier!

Please help us preserve fragile vegetation for everyone to enjoy by staying on trail. The Harding Icefield and Exit Glacier trails see thousands of visitors per year. Not walking off trail in these busy corridors means beautiful plant life can thrive again and again.

Learn more about how to best prepare for the Harding Icefield Trail hike at: go.nps.gov/kefjhit

NPS Photo

Alt Text: Purple lupine and red/yellow columbine flowers in foreground with blue glacier in background

07/04/2026

Kenai Fjords National Park has the honor of preserving one of 433 sites across the National Park Service. These sites cover the history and beauty that is the United States of America. We wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July and 250th anniversary.

NPS Photo

Alt Text: Flags of the United States and Alaska fly from a boat with a view of a glacier

07/03/2026

Plan ahead for parking!

There is limited parking at Exit Glacier during peak summer visitation, especially during the hours of 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Do not block traffic. Large-size vehicles such as buses need to be able to exit the parking lot. Please be respectful to park grounds and follow any signage restricting parking.

Please do not park cars and trucks in designated RV spots. There are additional diagonal gravel car spots in the RV section of the parking lot (pictured on right).

NPS Photo

Alt Text: Vehicles in parking lot

06/29/2026

Learn with a ranger this summer at daily Pavilion Talks in the Exit Glacier Area.

Lasting about 20 minutes, the ranger will give an interactive presentation on a topic important to Kenai Fjords National Park. Join to learn and connect before your walk, or maybe just get out of the rain.

For summer 2026, pavilion talks are scheduled once daily:
June 6 - August 15, 2026
1:30 PM

Please meet the ranger at the Pavilion, which is about 40 yards from the Exit Glacier Nature Center. To reach the Pavilion, take the first left at the Exit Glacier trailhead along the Glacier View Loop. No reservations are required.

Learn more about ranger programs at Kenai Fjords at go.nps.gov/kefjrangerprograms

NPS Photo

Alt Text: A ranger and young visitor put up photos on a native versus invasive plant board

Address

1212 4TH Ave
Seward, AK
99664

Telephone

+19074220500

Website

https://hootbio.com/kenaifjordsnps

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Kenai Fjords National Park posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Kenai Fjords National Park:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Seward?