Kenai Fjords National Park is comprised of 669,983 acres on the southeast coast of the Kenai Peninsula, near the town of Seward in Southcentral Alaska. Kenai Fjords includes three main areas - Exit Glacier, Harding Icefield and the coast. Exit Glacier, a half-mile wide river of ice, is the easiest section of the park to access. The 700-square-mile Harding Icefield is one of only four remaining icefields in the U.S. It is also the largest icefield entirely within U.S. borders. The park's rugged coastline includes beautiful tidewater glaciers and abundant marine wildlife.
Snow and ice cover 60 percent of the park. As the ice recedes, it uncovers glacially carved valleys that fill with seawater to form the stunning fjords. House-sized ice masses crash from tidewater glaciers into the sea. Glacier and wildlife cruises are a popular way to experience the tidewater glaciers within the park. Seward, located on Resurrection Bay, is one of Alaska's most popular towns for scenery, wildlife and fishing. With a nice selection of restaurants and lodging, visitors can choose from a wide variety of options.
Activities and Attractions
Both the roadside and backcountry visitor can find enjoyable activities in Kenai Fjords National Park including wildlife viewing, nature walks, kayaking, hiking, interpretive activities, fishing, camping, mountaineering, flightseeing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Public use cabins are available along the coast in the summer and at Exit Glacier in winter. Authorized commercial guides provide camping, fishing and kayaking services. Air charters fly over the coast for sightseeing and access to the fjords. Boat tours and charters are available from Seward where they ply the coast, observing calving glaciers, sea birds and marine mammals. Boat charters also offer overnight excursions and fishing trips to the fjords and Resurrection Bay.
Accessibility
The park lies 130 road miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway, a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road. The Alaska Railroad serves Seward from Anchorage during the summer months and the Alaska Marine Highway provides year-round service.
Fees and Visitor Count
There are no fees for entrance to Kenai Fjords National Park and park visitors average approximately 244,000 each year.
Weather and Climate
In general the area enjoys a relatively temperate maritime climate. Summer daytime temperatures range between 40°F and 70°F. However, the weather at Kenai Fjords is difficult to predict and can change rapidly. Since this is a temperate rainforest it's a good idea to be prepared for cool, rainy weather. But don't forget your sunglasses and sunscreen either. The sunlight reflected off the water or the ice can be very intense. It's best to dress in layers and always carry raingear - no matter how nice the weather looks when you're starting out. Winter temperatures range from the low 30s to -20°F.
Facilities
Exit Glacier Nature Center - 907-224-7600 - summer (9 miles down Exit Glacier Road from turn-off at mile 3 of Seward Highway - 3 miles before you reach Seward)
Seward Information Center - 907-224-3374 - summer (1212 4th Avenue, next to Seward's small boat harbor)
History
Kenai Fjords National Park was established as a national monument in 1978. It became a national park in 1980 to preserve the fjord and rainforest ecosystems, Harding Icefield, abundant wildlife, and historical and archeological remains, as well as provide visitor access.
http://www.nps.gov/kefj