100% of travelers recommend this experience. 542. Dont quit, dont give up and be patient with yourself in the process. Connect with the parks you love. A similar succession pattern is seen at the park's nunataks, exposed rock outcroppings in the Harding Icefield. Kenai Fjords National Park sits at the edge of the North Pacific Ocean, where storm patterns develop and feed a land of ice. Twenty thousand years ago, during the last ice age, enormous glaciers carved U-shaped valleys that eventually filled with seawater. The most popular and accessible area in the park is Exit Glacier, 13 miles northwest of Seward. Kenai Fjords National Park I have researched alot of companies that offer either service but not many that combine the two. Others come and go aboard cruise ships, many of which begin and end their voyages in Seward. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. From Seward or Homer you can book a breathtaking one-hour flight over the Harding Icefield and Kenai coast. You can reach most places you'll want to visit by road, rail, or motorcoach. Aboard a warm and spacious vessel customized for comfort, cruise past alpine and tidewater glaciers among the fjords and take in a bounty of wildlife sightings, including whales, sea lions and birds. The park is home to only a few trails found at the end of Exit Glacier Road, which spurs off the Seward Highway just outside ofSeward. Find out how to access various locations in your National Park depending on your needs. Today, shrinking glaciers bear witness to the effects of our changing climate. Many cruise ships also useSewardas a port-of-call. Sherry was a terrific captain pointing out every creature she saw in the water, land and air. Be bear aware, but dont let that stop you from enjoying the great outdoors! Alaska blogs will be coming, but until then our adventures are saved in our Alaska highlight on our profile lovehardtraveloften, Spend six unforgettable days exploring the Kenai Peninsula at a comfortable pace on our Alaska family vacation, including expert private guides, luxury hotel accommodations, and all meals: [20], On December 2, 1980, the ANILCA bill was signed into law by Jimmy Carter, converting Kenai Fjords to a national park. We could see the breaking glacier and hear the crackling sounds. We were so excited to see a pod of 12+ orcas (a dream come true!!) Kenai Fjords National Parks Conservation Association Kayaking in Kenai Fjords Kayaking in Kenai Fjords can be an exciting way to explore the fjords, see glaciers, and view wildlife. It causes a booming, crashing sound I will never forget. We took Major marine tours both the times. But the Aurora Burealis is just like anything else in life. Glaciers, earthquakes, and ocean storms have shaped Alaska's Kenai Fjords for centuries, resulting in constantly changing terrain. At Marmot Meadows sign, take the little trail left and you pop out at a very nice large flat rock with views of the glacier and valley. Located on Alaska's Kenai Peninsulanear the town of Sewardthe park spreads out across 669,984 acres. The enormous blue ice towering over the boat is unforgettable. Visitors can get supplies in Seward, although that isn't always quick and convenient. [10] A 1993 Park Service survey documented several village sites dated between 1200 AD and 1920. And as a bonus the area looked like a blend of two of our favorite places - Antarctica and the Oregon Coast I believe it is still on the honor system so going into Kenai Fjords would probably be the better choice for a quarantine activity as long as you were able to properly social distance and mask when needed. The park contains the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United States, and is named for the numerous fjords carved by glaciers moving down the mountains from the ice field. [68][69], Harsh conditions at higher altitudes limit tree growth above the tree line, creating an alpine ecosystem. Some sites had been active into the 1980s. Located: Alaska - Established: December 2, 1980. Experienced mountaineers equipped with skis, ice axes, and crampons can continue on to explore the icefield. . Trails offer half-hour hikes to the glacier and a full-day roundtrip hike to the Harding Icefield. Charter boats take kayakers and campers to any fjord they wish (most often Aialik Bay) and pick them up the same day or days later. Question: If I'm flying to Alaska for a 3-4 day trip hiking/camping, can I go directly to my booked lodge and hike into the national park the next morning? The drive into and out of Kenai Fjords is worth the visit alone, as the scenery is utterly spectacular around every bend. Climate Normals Quick Access (19812010)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kenai_Fjords_National_Park&oldid=1152936626, Source 1: NOAA (average snowfall/snow days 19812010), This page was last edited on 3 May 2023, at 06:31. Sugpiaq people relied on these resources to nurture a life entwined with the sea. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board, and visit the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife . Usually summer. You can drive to it or take a tour bus. Check out our many photo galleries. Work resumed the next year and continued in 1991. It is also a place where humans can step foot on a glacier and spot some of Alaska's famous wildlife at the same time. Kayaking in Kenai Fjords can be an exciting way to explore the fjords, see glaciers, and view wildlife. We get seasick in waves in the regular oceans but these look pretty calm. Land mammals such as black and brown bears, lynx, mountain goats, moose, porcupines, wolverines, and marmots can be found in the area. Nature really is good medicine. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Another proposal placed the Aialik Peninsula under US Fish and Wildlife Service jurisdiction. . The Real Alaska Adventure Company provides all inclusive, fully immersive trips primarily on the Kenai Peninsula. We are an Alaskan-family owned & operated Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge is located on beautiful and remote Fox Island, a world away from the ordinary. The park has two coastal public use cabins available in summer and one cabin near Exit Glacier in winter. Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the most popular of Alaska's national parks and provides both leisurely and adventurous activities 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. Kenai Fjords National Park has a name that comes from two very different places: Kenai is adapted from the name of the Athabaskan indigenous group that historically lived in the area, and fjord is an Old Norse word for a long, glacier-carved inlet. What do you all think? Kenai Fjords National Park is an American national park that maintains the Harding Icefield, its outflowing glaciers, and coastal fjords and islands. Learn more 6 hours (approx.) The first plants to appear in recently glaciated areas are lichens and mosses, with a few hardy plants such as dwarf fireweed and yellow dryas. New evidence of decapitations point to this predators fatal flaw. and mountain goats are just a few of the numerous animals that make their home in this ever-changing place where Kenai Fjords National Park is an Alaskan park located on the Kenai Peninsula. Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge - Alaska Wildland Adventures We are going on the Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier Cruise Tour (6 hours). Coastal Rainforest Your goals, dreams, side hustle, school, relationships, whatever it may be will take time. Kenai Fjords National Park encompasses three main areas: Exit Glacier, Harding Icefield, and the coastline. Kenai Fjords has something for everyone. The only maintained trails at Kenai Fjords National Park are in the Exit Glacier Area. During the busier times of the year, the sites fill up quickly, so visitors planning on camping will want to get there early. Plan Your Visit - Kenai Fjords National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Amazing experience, do not miss it! momofmamony.com Take bear spray as black bears frequent the area, but ones I've encountered always run away. [37], Kenai Fjords is extensively glaciated, with 51% of the park covered by ice. 9) south from Anchorage. Kenai Fjords National Monument was initially designated by President Jimmy Carter on December 1, 1978, using the Antiquities Act, pending final legislation to resolve the allotment of public lands in Alaska. Route: Out and Back 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. Speaking of guides, any visitor who plans on wandering into the park's backcountry, either on foot or by kayak, is advised to hire a commercial guide service. There are multiple small creeks to cross. . Visitors They had small shops, restaurants, and an aquarium in town. Watch the Alaskan wilderness awaken on this 6-hour morning cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Sweeping from rocky coastline to glacier-crowned peaks, Kenai Fjords National Park encompasses 607,805 acres of unspoiled wilderness on the southeast coast of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. This altered the original intent of the park to include subsistence claims, previously unrecognized. 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. The crew was wonderful, and the boat was comfortable and safe. For those interested an overnight wilderness adventure, Kenai Fjords National Park is home to severalpublic use cabinsand lodges accessible by boat during the summer months. Read our. I envy Paul's 'job'. Kenai Fjords National Park is located on the Kenai Peninsula. Colossal gravitational waves found for the first time. There are helicopter tours that take you to a glacier. Things To Do - Kenai Fjords National Park (U.S. National Park Service) I also love cooking my own healthy meals while I travel, and an RV trip also offers you that option The 8.2-mile route tends to be quieter than the Resurrection River Trail and offers even better views of Exit Glacier and the surrounding area. Still, the National Park Service has done its best to accommodate as many guests as possible. It is quite a strenuous endeavor, however, requiring six to eight hours to walk the entire path. . The Kenai Fjords region was designated Study Area 11. . The cruise did provide us with freshly baked cookies and a nice lunch of wraps. Kenai Fjords National Park - Tripadvisor 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. The survey also found evidence that an earthquake dating to about 1170 AD lowered the shoreline by at least 1.8 metres (5.9ft), potentially inundating earlier sites. The best locations for this type of journey are Aialik Bay,Northwestern Lagoon, andBear Glacier Lagoon, none of which are directly accessible from Seward. Hiked Harding Ice trail and Glacier Overlook. Have you traveled with a RV before? (Currently waiting on a reply from major marine tours) Over 190 species have been found in the area, including puffins, cormorants, common murres, pigeon guillemots, kittiwakes, and eagles. The scenic train ride from Anchorage aboard the famous Alaska Railroad Kenai Fjords National Park Fast Facts - National Parked Its incredible how camouflaged they can be. Kenai Fjords National Park is a land dominated by glaciers, massive rivers of ice that flow out from the Harding Icefield. Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise - Viator I would book with this company any time and wish I had had time for all of their tours. Are electric bikes the future of green transportation? Kenai Fjords National Park Visit Seward Alaska 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. The fun starts next Friday! Wildlife thrives in icy waters and lush forests around this vast expanse of ice. The National Park Service protects this dynamic ecosystem for you to enjoy today and for others to appreciate tomorrow. [9] Mining activity centered on Nuka Bay. From dehumidifiers to electrolyte water, heres what you need to know to protect yourself from deadly heat. #SpringInAlaska, The Fourth is right around the corner, join us millerslanding for our very special Fourth of July Paddle and enjoy fireworks on the water. The Harding Icefield receives 60 feet (18m) of snowfall per year. We can help. [27] Cruise tours originating from Seward provide access to the park via Resurrection Bay. Kenai Fjords National Park was established as a national monument in 1978. Located on a wildlife preserve owned by Native Americans, this eco-lodge is only open during the summer and only accessible by boat. ------------------------------- Bus tours from Seward visit Exit Glacier and boat tours visit other parts of the park[29], The park maintains public-use cabins and shelters in coastal areas and at the edge of the Harding Icefield. . For visits during the peak summer season, you'll want to book a room well in advance and expect to wait at the area restaurants. Alaska Mileage Chart | Distance & Travel Times Between | ALASKA.ORG explore the Fjords on a boat tour Many visitors are short on time, so the quickest, easiest way to gain access to the park is a day cruise.