Kenai Fjords National Park Review

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Kenai Fjords National Park

  • Mailing: Box 1727, Seward, AK, USA, 99664
  • Phone: 907/224-7500
  • www.nps.gov/kefj

Fodor's Review:

125 mi south of Anchorage.

Photogenic Seward is the gateway to the 670,000-acre Kenai Fjords National Park. This is spectacular coastal parkland incised with sheer, dark slate cliffs rising from the sea, ribboned with white waterfalls, and tufted with deep-green spruce. Kenai Fjords presents a rare opportunity for an up-close view of blue tidewater glaciers as well as some remarkable ocean wildlife, but access is limited unless you charter a boat or airplane, or arrange for a tour with one of the local companies. If you take a day trip on a tour boat out of Seward, you can be pretty sure of seeing sea otters, crowds of Steller's sea lions lazing on the rocky shelves along the shore, a porpoise or two, bald eagles soaring overhead, and tens of thousands of seabirds. Humpback whales and orcas are sighted occasionally, and mountain goats mull about the seaside cliffs. Tours range from four hours to 10 hours. The park's coastal fjords are a favorite of sea kayakers, who can camp or stay in reserved public-use cabins.

Before venturing out into the far reaches of the park, gather as much data as possible from the locals concerning the weather, tides, and dangerous beaches. Once you leave Seward, you're a long way from help. Backcountry travelers should also be aware that some of the park's coastline has been claimed by local native organizations and is now private property. Check with park headquarters to avoid trespassing on native property.

One of the park's chief attractions is Exit Glacier, which can be reached only by the one road that passes into Kenai Fjords. Trails inside the park lead to an overlook of the vast Harding Icefield.

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