Alaska Glacier Tours In Seward

No vacation to Northern Alaska would be complete without a side trip to the Harding Icefield! This expansive icefield is located in the Kenai Mountains of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. It is also partially located in Kenai Fjords National Park.

This magnificent natural formation measures more than 1,100 square miles all around and has spawned at least 40 glaciers, including the Tustumena Glacier, Exit Glacier, and McCarty Glacier. The Exit Glacier is by far the most popular one with tourists and is easily accessible if you book one of the Kenai Fjords National Park Tours that are offered by local tour operators.

The Harding Icefield is one of only four remaining icefields in the United States. It is also the largest and is the only one located entirely within the United States. The icefield itself receives more than 400 inches of snow each year. Located near Seward, Alaska, this icefield is a popular destination for many Alaska Glacier Tours. In fact, it is so popular that many shuttle and taxi services run between Seward and the icefield daily!

Kenai Fjords National Park Tours

Kenai Fjords National Park was established as a national monument in 1978. It was declared a national park in 1980, with the sole mission of preserving the fjord and rainforest ecosystems, the Harding Icefield, the abundant wildlife found in the area, and the historical and archeological remains of the region. The only area of the park that is accessible by car is Exit Glacier. However, touring Kenai Fjords National Park Tours is easy to do if an experienced tour operator is doing the planning.

The park’s glacial wonderland features stunning scenery, incredible wildlife, and plenty of ocean adventures. It spans more than 600,000 acres but only has a few designated trails. There is only one established campsite in the park, with tent sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Still, the park is one of Alaska’s most popular national parks and visitors flock to the area for Alaska Glacier Tours. If you’re interested in exploring the rugged majesty of this area, read on to learn more.

How To Get To Kenai Fjords National Park

Seward is the closest city to Kenai Fjords National Park and can serve as your base camp for the duration of your stay. Located 130 miles South of Anchorage, Seward can be reached via the Seward Highway year-round by the Alaska Railroad during the summer months. It’s common for many cruise ships to use Seward as a port-of-call, too. Visitors can easily reserve one of the Kenai Fjords National Park Tours out of Seward. Tour boats, water taxis, and air taxis are all popular modes of transportation for visitors wanting to explore the park.

Can You Camp At Kenai Fjords National Park?

Yes, you can camp at Kenai Fjords National Park! However, there is only one small campground in the park near Exit Glacier, and the tent sites are only available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are three public-use cabins along the fjords, but they are only available in the summer months. Aialik Cabin is located on a beach and is a favorite location for whale watching; Holgate Arm Cabin gives campers a spectacular view of Holgate Glacier; and the Willow Cabin is located near Exit Glacier and the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center.

For guests who are looking for a more luxurious environment, the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge is available. The lodge is located on the remote Fox Island and is situated on a narrow peninsula facing Resurrection Bay. Although it is close to Seward, the lodge is nestled in the Alaskan Wilderness and is a great place for visitors to get a feel for the real Alaska during one of the many Alaska Glacier Tours offered by local tour operators or to simply enjoy the solitude of the wilderness.

Planning Your Trip To Kenai Fjords National Park And The Harding Icefield

The Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center is located near the Seward Small Boat Harbor. This Center has interactive exhibits, maps, and books for tourists, as well as rangers who are happy to discuss the best ways to explore the park. With all of these resources at your fingertips, let’s get started!

• Wildlife viewing – the park’s rugged coastline is home to a diverse array of plants and animals. Join a Kenai Fjords National Park Tour to take a hiking tour, and you will have the opportunity to see black and brown bears, lynx, mountain goats, moose, porcupines, wolverines, and marmots.
• Marine adventures – the park’s many bays and fjords are home to a myriad of marine species, including orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, minke whales, fin whales, Dall’s porpoises, sea otters, Steller sea lions, and harbor seals.
• Bird watching – over the years, Kenai Fjords National Park has become a haven for bird-watching enthusiasts. More than 190 species of both migratory and resident birds have been found in the area, including puffins, cormorants, common murres, pigeon guillemots, kittiwakes, and eagles.
• Kenai Fjords National Park Tours and guided adventures – the park is teeming with activities for the solo adventurer or the person who would be more comfortable during an organized, guided activity. Choose your adventure level and explore the park by boat tour, kayaking, camping, fishing, beach combing, biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, flightseeing, mountaineering, or participating in a program with park rangers.
• Take a boat cruise – to see tidewater glaciers and the park’s marine wildlife up close, book one of the Alaska Glacier Tours departing from Seward. Tour operators offer full-day or half-day tours departing from Seward that explore the rugged coastline, islands, towering mountains, and stunning fjords of this region. Cruise the waters of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park to see an active glacier or get off the boat and explore the glacier close up in a kayak.
• Visit a glacier – join one of the many tour operators leaving from Seward for a trip to the Harding Icefield! Just take the Seward Highway to Exit Glacier Road, then ascend 1,000 feet along the four-mile Harding Icefield Trail up the glacier for a stunning view of the Icefield! And, if you’re feeling adventurous, many Alaska Glacier Tours will provide guests with skis, ice axes, and crampons to continue on and explore the icefield itself. Don’t worry – if you’re not up to an extreme adventure, tour guides can lead you on an easier, more accessible hike along the Glacier View Loop Trail to view Exit Glacier from the valley floor.

No matter what type of tour you book, the Kenai Fjords National Park Tours and Alaska Glacier Tours will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. See stunning views like the Harding Icefield up close and witness majestic wildlife like humpback whales breaching, sea otters lounging on icebergs, and bald eagles soaring overhead. To enjoy all the scenery, wildlife, and adventure of Northern Alaska, book your trip today.