Photo: NPS Photo, S. Rainone
At the edge of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age lingers.
Weather now37°F Patchy rain nearby
Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords' crowning feature. Wildlife thrives in icy waters and lush forests along the fjords once carved by the vast expanse of ice.
Today, shrinking glaciers bear witness to the effects of our changing climate.
Entering an ice fall hazard zone is prohibited in Kenai Fjords National Park. The terminus of Aialik Glacier is a high-risk area, where unstable ice can fall in blocks or columns. This can generate localized tsunami waves that wash over newly deglaciated and nearby beaches. Rapidly collapsing ice and breakage can cause severe injury or death.
The canyon from the toe of Exit Glacier to where Exit Creek opens into the Outwash Plain is susceptible to sudden outburst flood events. These events produce sudden surges of water, ice and rock. For your safety please stick to designated park trails.
On August 7, 2024, a landslide triggered tsunami washed over portions of Pedersen Lagoon near Aialik Bay (59.8842N, -149.7309W). We recommend caution for those visiting the area in and around Pedersen Lagoon. Click more for additional information.
31 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
1 campground listed on Recreation.gov. Check availability and current conditions before you go.
Reservable Campground
Holgate and Aialik Bay Cabins are rustic public use cabins. The cabins are accessible only by a two-hour boat ride or a 30-minute float plane flight from Seward; there…
Reserve on Recreation.govFees: Kenai Fjords National Park does not add on a reservation fee for our cabins
Overview
Holgate and Aialik Bay Cabins are rustic public use cabins. The cabins are accessible only by a two-hour boat ride or a 30-minute float plane flight from Seward; there are no roads to the cabins. The cabins are open from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend and booking starts January 1st.
Holgate Cabin is located on the northeastern shore of Holgate Arm in Aialik Bay. The cabin sits on a small bluff above a cobble beach. There are spectacular views of Holgate Glacier from the cabin's front porch.
Aialik Bay Cabin is located on a five-acre lease on Port Graham Corporation land, at the upper end of Aialik Bay. It is within the heart of the coastal backcountry of Kenai Fjords National Park. You will be able to enjoy views of tidewater glaciers.
Reservations are limited to a maximum of three nights per group per cabin within the calendar year. Groups are limited to a maximum of six people per cabin.
Occupancy begins and ends at noon.
Recreation
Both cabins are ideal locations for kayaking, boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. It is possible to see black bears, seabirds, sea otters, mountain goats, and other marine mammals. There can be excellent berry picking in the open spruce forest that surrounds the cabins. Please refer to Alaska Department of Fish and Game for fishing regulations and license requirements.Facilities
Holgate Cabin contains three wooden bunk beds that sleep up to six people, a work counter, table with chairs, propane heater (propane provided), fire extinguisher, and smoke detector.
Aialik Bay Cabin contains two wooden bunk beds that sleep up to six people, a work counter, table with four chairs, propane heater (propane provided), fire extinguisher, and smoke detector.
It is important to note:
The cabins are rustic, approximately 16' x 20' (5m x 6 m).
There is no electricity or running water at the cabins. Fresh water is not always accessible and must be treated.
There are toilet structures where disposable toilet kits must be used (environmentally- friendly human waste disposal system). Toilet kits are provided and must be packed out.
There is no cell phone coverage in the backcountry.
There are no mooring buoys at the beach.
Natural Features
Both cabins are situated just above sea level and are surrounded by alder trees, blueberry, and salmonberry bushes.Nearby Attractions
Both cabins are in Aialik Bay.Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Facility
Exit Glacier has a 12-site, walk-in, tent-campground. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no reservations or camping fees. There is a…
Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, AK (907) 422-0500 Directions
Facility
The Exit Glacier Nature Center is the trailhead for all that the Exit Glacier area has to offer, including the Harding Icefield trail. The building includes exhibits…
Exit Glacier Nature Center, Seward, AK (907) 318-2040 Directions
Facility
The main park visitor center is located in the Seward small boat harbor. The visitor center provides opportunities to view the park film, an Alaska Geographic bookstore…
Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center, Seward, AK (907) 318-2064 Directions
Open 24 hours, daily · Open Year-Round
The park is open year-round. The primary months to visit are June, July, and August. There are reduced services in the area during the months of May and September. The road to the Exit Glacier area is not plowed during the winter months, and is closed to vehicle traffic once it is covered in snow and ice. The park's coastal backcountry in also largely inaccessible late fall through the early spring due to rough seas.
No entrance fees listed.
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Updated 3 hr ago
Small Craft Advisory issued October 1 at 2:45AM AKDT until October 2 at 5:00PM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK
Coastal Waters Forecast for the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast
up to 100 nm out including Kodiak Island and Cook Inlet.
Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest
one-third of the combined wind wave and swell height.
.TODAY...W wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...W wind 15 kt in the evening becoming variable 10 kt.
Seas 4 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 kt increasing to 25 kt in the afternoon. Seas
3 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.SUN...SE wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.MON...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 8 ft.
The weather in Kenai Fjords is difficult to predict and can change rapidly. The area generally enjoys a relatively temperate maritime climate, primarily due to the influence of warmer ocean currents that flows through the Gulf of Alaska. Summer daytime temperatures range from the mid 40s°F to the low 70s°F. Overcast and cool rainy days are frequent. Winter temperatures can range from the low 30s°F to -20°F.
Kenai Fjords National Park is located just outside the town of Seward in south-central Alaska, 126 miles south of Anchorage. Even though the park is often inaccessible during the winter months, Seward is accessible year-round via the Seward Highway, a National Scenic Byway.
Follow the Seward Highway (AK-1) south from Anchorage. It will become AK-9 around mile 35 (87 miles from Anchorage) with AK-1 heading to Homer and Kenai. Continue on AK-9 to Seward.
Mailing address: PO Box 1727, Seward, AK 99664
Ask about trails, fees, weather, events, or planning your visit.
AI answers can be wrong. Check official NPS info before you go.
