How to Visit Kenai Fjords National Park in 1, 2, or 3 Days

Whether you have an entire weekend or just one day, we’ve broken down the top ways to experience Kenai Fjords National Park, based on trip length. In this article, you’ll find three flexible itineraries that include all of the park’s must-see spots, while still penciling in breaks for lunch, dinner, and downtime. Stick to the end for essential Alaska travel info like the best time to visit, where to stay, and more!

ℹ️ About Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park, established in 1980, spans 607,805 acres and is one of Alaska’s top destinations. It is most known for the massive Harding Icefield (the largest icefield completely located within the United States) and its 38 outflowing glaciers. These same glaciers carved the deep fjords that give the park its name, now providing the perfect habitat for Alaskan marine wildlife, like sea otters, puffins, and orcas.

One key thing to know before you go is that the vast majority of the Kenai Fjords is only accessible by boat or air. The Exit Glacier Area is the only section you can drive to and hike within, and only during the summer at that. Lucky for you, during the summer season, boat tours run daily from Seward’s piers, allowing you to explore the park’s rugged coastline, discover distant glaciers, and spot marine wildlife in their natural habitat.

📅 How Many Days in Kenai Fjords National Park?

If you’re debating how many days to spend in Kenai Fjords National Park, a trip can be tailored anywhere from one day to one week. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from different trip lengths. Click on any # of days for its respective itinerary.

• 1 Day: A single day in Kenai Fjords gives you enough time to go on a half-day boat tour, hike to Exit Glacier, and enjoy dinner in downtown Seward.
• 2 Days: Two days allow you to also fit in a longer hike like the Harding Icefield Trail—our favorite hiking trail to date!
• 3+ Days: Three days or more allows you to go on even more memorable adventures like kayaking in Resurrection Bay, visiting the Alaska SeaLife Center, or going on a full-day boat tour.

1 Day in Kenai Fjords National Park

1. Get breakfast at Resurrect Art Coffeehouse
2. Go on a 4-hour boat tour
3. Stop into the Kenai Fjords Visitor Center
4. Hike to Exit Glacier
5. Enjoy dinner in downtown Seward

We’ve designed this one-day trip to Kenai Fjords National Park to include a half-day marine tour and a hike out to Exit Glacier. We recommend arriving in Seward in the morning to catch a morning half-day wildlife cruise, which we recommend booking in advance. Here are the two main companies running half-day tours:

• Major Marine Tours: Local tour company with summer prices hovering around $166 per adult for their 4-hour tour. This is the company we went with and had a great time!
• Kenai Fjord Tours: Non-local company at a similar price point in the summer, around $145 per adult for a 4.5-hour tour.

Start your day by grabbing coffee and pastries at a local favorite—Resurrect Art Coffeehouse. We can’t recommend this coffee shop enough! We visited twice during our visit we liked it so much. Then make your way over to the pier for a boat tour.

Please arrive early for your cruise, checking in at the designated time (usually an hour prior). Once on board, keep your eyes peeled for orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, eagles, and more. Usually, the crew even has binoculars on board that you can use to see animals even better!

Exit Glacier is the only area of the park reachable by car, and there are only a handful of hikes to do there at that. Thus, we can’t recommend investing in one of these boat tours enough to really feel like you’ve seen Kenai Fjords National Park.

Upon returning to the harbor, refuel over lunch at one of Seward’s restaurants, or enjoy a picnic by the waterfront if you packed lunch. After lunch, head over to the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center by the pier to look at their exhibits, pick up a souvenir, and chat with a park ranger. Then, drive 20 minutes over to the Exit Glacier area of the park, the only part of Kenai Fjords accessible by road.

If you arrive in Seward without a car, you can catch the Exit Glacier Shuttle from downtown to Exit Glacier Nature Center, leaving you right at the trailheads.

Here, you have two hiking options to see this receding glacier in person—the 100% accessible and slightly shorter Glacier View Loop Trail or the longer, partially unpaved, Glacier Overlook Trail, which brings you closer to Exit Glacier. Feel free to stop into the Exit Glacier Nature Center at the trailhead to fill up on water, chat with rangers, or check out their bookshop.

After your hike, enjoy dinner in downtown Seward, back at your campground or hotel, or make your way back to Anchorage if you are coming from there. And that concludes Day 1! Feel free to do the Exit Glacier hike in the morning and the boat tour in the afternoon if that order works out better for you.

2 Days in Kenai Fjords National Park

Day 1

For Day 1, we suggest following the above one-day itinerary. However, since you have two days, consider upgrading your boat tour to a full-day wildlife and glacier cruise with one of the two main companies in Seward:

• Major Marine Tours: This is the 8.5-hour tour we went on, and we can’t recommend it enough! Adult prices are about $309 per person plus tax.
• Kenai Fjords Tours: Kenai Fjords Tours also offers an 8-hour tour for $277 plus tax per person.

This longer option ventures deeper into the park, significantly increasing your chances of finding marine wildlife, and typically allows you to view two glaciers instead of just one. Even if you choose the 8 to 8.5-hour tour, you should return well before sundown to still have time to hike to Exit Glacier. Alternatively, you can combine the Exit Glacier hike on Day 2 with the Harding Icefield trail, like we did.

Day 2

1. Hike the 6 to 8-hour Harding Icefield Trail
2. Enjoy Dinner in Seward
3. Relax in the evening

Day 2 is dedicated to the challenging but rewarding Harding Icefield Trail—our favorite hiking trail to date! We suggest an early start, aiming to be on the trail around 8:00 AM, to ensure you have enough time for the full journey. This strenuous hike is located in the Exit Glacier area, just like the other trail. It is an 8.2-mile (13.2-km) climb with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain, taking most people between 6 and 8 hours.

The trail begins with an ascent through the green valley forest before emerging into the beautiful alpine meadows of Marmot Meadows. The final, steepest sections ascend above the treeline to the ultimate destination: the panoramic overlook of the immense Harding Icefield, a breathtaking, otherworldly view of ice that stretches to the horizon!

Given the all-day nature of the hike, you will want to have a picnic lunch packed to enjoy at the top, near the emergency shelter. Upon descending and completing the hike in the late afternoon, you’ll be ready for a well-deserved evening of rest. We recommend a hearty meal at one of Seward’s local restaurants, then relaxing at your campground or at a local bar, such as Yukon Bar, to unwind after such a big day of hiking.

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3 Days in Kenai Fjords National Park

Days 1 & 2

If you have three days to spend in Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park, follow the above 2 Day Itinerary for your first two days. Feel free to switch the order of the days if you prefer. For example, if you are eager to start with the Harding Icefield Trail, tackle that on Day 1, and save the more relaxing Kenai Fjords Cruise for Day 2. We recommend checking the weather and planning the boat tour on a day with better weather.

Day 3

1. Go Kayaking on Resurrection Bay
2. Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center
3. Stroll along the Sea Otter Trail

Kick off Day 3 with a guided sea kayaking tour on Resurrection Bay! We decided to go kayaking with Sunny Cove Kayaking on their 1/2 Day Resurrection Bay Tour, and we can’t recommend it enough! Their staff was super friendly and helpful in getting us the proper gear and refreshing our kayaking skills.

If you’re interested in seeing the glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park, we recommend their Glacier Kayak and Wildlife Cruise Combo! This trip, visitors typically kayak to Holgate Glacier, one of the three glaciers in Aialik Bay. We didn’t get to kayak on a glacier during this most recent trip to Alaska, but we hope to do so when we return in the future.

After your time on the water, spend your afternoon at the Alaska SeaLife Center if you haven’t visited already. Located in downtown Seward, it is a public aquarium and research center specializing in Alaska’s marine life. They are the only entity in Alaska to conduct marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, so funds raised from entry tickets support a much-needed cause.

If you go on an all-day boat tour, you’ll likely have seen most of the animals in the SeaLife Center. That being said, it’s still a great place to visit with kids, or to see the animals up close yourself. If you prefer something different, head to our Optional Activities Section to swap this with something else, like a helicopter tour or another hiking trail.

Conclude your three-day adventure by taking a stroll along the Sea Otter Trail that runs along the length of Seward’s waterfront. Enjoy the final views of the mountains meeting the bay, browse the local shops for any last-minute souvenirs, and savor a farewell meal at one of Seward’s restaurants before you depart, having experienced the best of Kenai Fjords National Park by land, cruise, and kayak!

🔄 Optional Activities (Swap These In!)

If you’ve already done any of the activities mentioned above, or are looking for something different, here are some extra things to do in and around Kenai Fjords National Park!

• Become a Junior Ranger: This is our favorite thing to do, no matter which park we go to. To become a Junior Ranger, pick up a free booklet at the Visitor’s Center, which you can then complete throughout the day. Return it before you leave to be sworn in and receive a special badge!
• Join a Ranger-Led Program: Check Kenai Fjord National Park’s Ranger Programs page to see if any special talks, walks, or events are happening during your visit.
• Book a Helicopter Tour: For the ultimate bird’s-eye view of the Alaskan coast, consider investing in a helicopter tour! Although pricey, these tours are a great alternative if you’re prone to seasickness, as they offer spectacular coastal views without the waves.
• Grab Food in Seward: Seward is full of delicious restaurants and bustling coffee shops. Check out our 5 Favorite Spots to Eat in Seward, Alaska, for some recs!
• Go on Another Hike: Tackle another hike outside of Kenai Fjords National Park, like the Tonsina Creek Trail or Mount Marathon. Discover more hiking inspo in our article, 9 Absolute Best Hikes in Seward, Alaska.
• Explore More of Seward: Discover a full list of everything there is to do in the town of Seward in our article 21 Best Things to Do in Seward, Alaska.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit Kenai Fjords National Park

The most popular time to visit Kenai Fjords National Park is during the summer season (June through August), as this is when the weather is mildest and access to Exit Glacier is open. For many visitors, timing their trip comes down to weighing crowds against access:

• Summer (June–Aug): Peak season with the warmest weather and full road access to Exit Glacier.
• Shoulder Seasons (May & Sept): Fewer crowds and mild weather, but some services may be reduced.
• Winter (Oct–Apr): Low crowds but very cold temperatures, highly reduced services, and extremely limited park access.

🚗 How to Get to Kenai Fjords National Park

Located in southern Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula, the larger region of Kenai Fjords National Park is surprisingly accessible, reachable by car, train, bus, or even air taxi. Whether you’re coming from near or far, here’s a breakdown of your options to get to Seward, the park’s closest town:

• Car—The Seward Highway is kept clear year-round, connecting Anchorage to Seward in just over 2 hours. If you’re interested in driving but don’t have your own vehicle, consider renting a car for the journey.
• Plane—Seward Airport is a private airport located just next to downtown Seward, servicing private air taxis for quick journeys. There are no major commercial flight services that travel to Seward at the moment.
• Public Transport—Choose between the 4-hour Coastal Classic Train connecting Anchorage to Seward, or a faster, more budget-friendly bus service. If you arrive in Seward without a car, you can catch the Exit Glacier Shuttle from downtown to Exit Glacier Nature Center, leaving you right at the trailheads.

🏨 Where to Stay Near Kenai Fjords National Park

Whether you’re looking to camp under the stars or cozy up in a log cabin, Seward, Alaska, has a variety of accommodations. If you plan to visit during Seward’s peak season (June, July, and August), be sure to reserve your accommodation several months in advance if you have your heart set on a specific one.

• Hotels & Inns— Stay in a spacious guest house like Seward’s Guest Home, a cozy downtown inn like Sea Treasures Inn, or a cozy cabin like A Cabin on the Cliff.
• Camping—Camp in Kenai Fjords at their free first-come, first-serve Exit Glacier campground, go backcountry camping (allowed throughout the park), or reserve a public-use cabin here for $75 per night. For a full list of camping options in Seward, check out our recent article, Guide to Campgrounds and RV Parks in Seward, Alaska.
• BLM Camping—You can also check for BLM Land via iOverlander, which we always refer to when looking for public land to stay on for free. We stayed at this free camping spot on the Exit Glacier river bed with about 50 other rigs while we visited Seward.

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💰 How Much Does Kenai Fjords National Park Cost?

Depending on your travel style, the cost of a trip to Kenai Fjords National Park can vary. The biggest costs are going to be any tours you go on and, if you aren’t camping, your lodging. Here’s a breakdown of the typical costs so you know what to expect.

🎫 Consider investing in the America the Beautiful pass for $80 like we did if you’re planning on travelling to several parks within the year.

🥾 Packing Essentials for Kenai Fjords National Park

Below, we’ve outlined all the hiking gear we recommend if you plan on hitting the trails in Kenai Fjords National Park. In this first section, we’ve highlighted specific pieces that you might need to purchase or rent if it’s your first time visiting the area.

Alaskan Hiking Essentials

• Bear Spray – Park officials recommend hiking with bear spray for emergency use, as well as becoming familiar with bear safety practices. You can find bear spray for rent or to purchase in downtown Seward. 
• Microspikes – Microspikes can be attached to the bottom of your hiking shoes to improve traction when hiking over snow and/or ice. If you’re planning to hike in areas with ice and snow in the summer or at any point in the winter, microspikes will become your best friend.
• Hiking poles – Especially on long, high-elevation hikes like the Harding Icefield Trail, a solid pair of hiking poles really helps take the pressure off of joints.

Sun Protection

• Sunscreen – No matter the time of year you visit, sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from the sun.
• Sunglasses – Protect your eyes with your favorite pair of sunglasses.
• Wide-brimmed hat – As part of sun safety, we love pairing sunscreen with wide-brimmed hats.
• Sun Shirts – Light, sunshirts are great for protecting against the sun! Here is Elliot’s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt and Jen’s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt.
• Refillable Water Bottle – Staying hydrated is a key part of sun safety. We love this water bottle featuring all of the US National Parks with stickers to check off your visits.
• Water Bladders – A water bladder is super helpful to pack in more water without adding extra weight.

Hiking Essentials

• Hiking pants – We recommend hiking pants to protect against the sun, provide extra warmth, and/or protect your legs from ticks on trails with higher grasses. Elliot’s favorite hiking pants and Jen’s favorite hiking pants.
• Hiking shorts – If hiking during the warm summer months, Jen loves these hiking shorts and Elliot loves these shorts.
• Layers – As the weather can vary, come prepared with layers of fleece jackets, long sleeves, and even coats if you’re coming in the middle of winter.
• Rainjacket – You never know what weather awaits you when hiking. If you’re looking for a new rain jacket fit for hiking, this is Elliot’s favorite rain jacket and Jen’s favorite rain jacket.
• Hiking Boots – Solid footwear with good traction is a must when hiking. Here are Elliot’s favorite trail runners and Jen’s favorite hiking boots.
• Lightweight backpack – Elliot carries this backpack with the included rain cover, while Jen carries this backpack.
• Hat and Gloves – Depending on the time of year you visit, packing a warm hat and warm gloves for extra warmth is a must.
• Snacks – We always make sure to pack protein-rich, lightweight snacks with us while hiking.
• Electrolytes – No matter how long the hike, we always bring our favorite electrolyte powder with us to properly rehydrate while hiking.

Safety Essentials

• Trail Maps – We love using AllTrails+ to download maps ahead of time.
• GPS – We carry the Garmin InReach Mini 2 with us on all trails for safety.
• First Aid Kit – This first aid kit is one of those items we hope to never have to use but always carry, just in case.
• Headlamp – A headlamp is especially useful when going on sunrise, sunset, or night hikes.

🪧 Learn More: How to Help Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park is a spectacular region of glaciers, fjords, and unique marine habitat. As visitors, the best way to help conserve this park during your visit is by following Leave No Trace Guidelines, maintaining distance from all wildlife, and packing out all trash from the coastline and trails.

If you wish to financially support the park, consider donating directly at a visitor center, to their primary non-profit partner, Alaska Geographic, or to the National Parks Conservation Association, who help fund conservation efforts throughout the entire US National Park system. 💚