Kenai fjords national park is an american national park established in 1980 by the alaska national interest lands conservation act. For recommendations on getting around the park, visit the kenai fjords national park information center near the small boat harbor. Here you will find all you need to know about the natural history of the park. Kenai fjords national park cruise with salmon and prime. Kenai fjords national park fast facts national parked. Folgefonna is known for its dramatic and beautiful scenery. On the southeast side of the kenai peninsula, along the gulf of alaska, nearly 670,000 acres were designated as the kenai fjords national park in 1980 as part of the alaska national interest lands. Welcome to the kenai fjords national park information page. Pdf files and external links will open in a new window. Apr 27, 2016 welcome to the kenai fjords national park information page. Within five years, tourists visits had become a crucial part of sewards economy. The complete guide to kenai fjords national park 9780936425269. From seward or homer you can book a breathtaking onehour flight over the harding icefield and kenai coast. Kenai fjords national parks conservation association.
The lowest elevation found in kenai fjords is 0 feet at the pacific ocean. If youre looking for a kenai fjords map, youve come to the right place. The following year, hartzog sent a briefing book about the nps program in. The complete guide to kenai fjords national park paperback. Stop at the mighty holgate or aialik glacier and float among the icebergs as you watch for calving, where giant chunks of. Kenai fjords national park was established as a national monument in 1978. As the park s official nonprofit education partner and bookstore, alaska geographic offers an extensive collection of titles on kenai fjord s natural and cultural heritage, provides financial support for the park s interpretive programs and other educational offerings, and works to connect visitors with alaskas magnificent wildlands. Kenai fjords national park lies south and west of seward, alaska, road miles south of anchorage, on the seward. The most popular and accessible area in the park is exit glacier, miles northwest of seward. This 6hour cruise explores kenai fjords national park and visits an actively calving tidewater glacier in beautiful aialik bay. In addition to being a mustsee tourist destination, locals regularly visit to go fishing, hiking, exploring a glacier, even discovering some wwii relics. Alaskas kenai fjords national park is the states smallest, but offers outsized. Kenai fjords national park visitor information howstuffworks.
It became a national park in 1980 to preserve the fjord and rainforest. Kenai fjords national park, 669,983 acres 271,248 hectares, s alaska. Theres a lot to discover in some of the most incredible, protected wilderness in alaska at kenai fjords national park. Comprising an edge of the kenai peninsula in southcentral alaska near the town of seward, the park is home to the harding icefield, one of the four major ice caps in the united. Kenai fjords museum collections serve as scientific and historical documentation for the park s resources. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. Kenai fjords national park national park in alaska. Boat access to kenai fjords glacier lodge departs from the seward harbor. Top 10 hotels closest to kenai fjords national park in.
They provide baseline information for park planning, management activities, research and interpretive and educational programs. Exploring the kenai fjords the inlets, coves, fjords, islands, and even glaciers of kenai fjords offer hikers and boaters many opportunities for exploring and seeing wildlife in a spectacular natural setting the barren chiswell islands, serviced by ferry boat, are an excellent place to see giant steller sea lions basking, playing, and fighting on the rocks. High quality kenai fjords national park gifts and merchandise. With the nearby town of seward being accessible by train, boat, car, bus or float plane, the area around kenai fjords national park is one of the most accessible in alaska. Learn about the geology, trees, mammals, birds, or other plants and wildlife of the area. Videos, photos, and hundreds of expert advice articles. Exit glacier, a halfmile wide river of ice, is the easiest section of the park to access. Glaciers, rainforests, marine animals, the harding icefield and more can all be found here. The wpa posters were originally constructed as a government initiative to generate interest in the national parks and improve park attendance. Kenai fjords national park forum, travel discussion for kenai. Before visiting a park, please check the park website to determine its. Fun facts of the park the park size is around 670,000 acres which is roughly the size of 1,050,000,000 potatoes lain from one end to the other. Kenai fjords national park was established in 1980 by the alaska national interest lands conservation act. The act directs that the park be managed for the following purposes, among others.
The cruise is narrated by a national park ranger and features an allyoucaneat salmon and prime rib buffet and dessert bar. On november 16, 1978, kenai fjords national monument was created along with 15 others. Kenai fjords national park glaciers and kenai fjords. An administrative history of kenai fjords national. There are 10 sites and 4 cabins in kenai fjords only campground, which is a walkin, tentsonly campground. Kenai fjords national park national geographic trails illustrated map. Experienced and engaging captains narrate the trip, so you walk away knowing a whole lot more about kenai fjords national park and its wonders. It is the fifth mostvisited park in alaska, but the 11th of alaska parks in area, and is the closest national park to anchorage. Indigenous to the pacific ocean, tufted and horned puffins mate for life, breed in large colonies, and, in my mind, chirp, welcome to alaskas kenai fjords national park.
Kenai national park is the smallest national park in alaska. Easily accessible by road from anchorage, kenai fjords national park attracts all sorts of outdoors enthusiasts, including kayakers and hikers. The park features the great harding icefield and its radiating glaciers, many of which descend to tidewater, and a magnificent series of fjords along the coast of kenai peninsula, with rain forest, sea lions, sea otters, seals, and varied bird life. In 2005 folgefonna national park was opened, which at the time was norways twenty fifth national park. Aboard a warm and spacious vessel customized for comfort, cruise past alpine and tidewater glaciers among the fjords and take in a bounty of. Exploring alaskas kenai fjords and millions of other books are available for amazon. Kenai fjords national park was established in 1980 by the alaska national interest lands conservation act anilca.
There is no entrance fee for kenai fjords national park. Choose from 39 hotels and other accommodations within a mile of kenai fjords national park, including these options. Kenai fjords national park discover kenai fjords national park, one of alaskas rare treasures. Proclaimed a national monument in 1978, it became a national park in 1980. A guide to alaskas kenai fjords national park national geographic. Kenai fjords national park history and recreation tourism. Both living at the entrance to this geographic wonder along with an extensive assignment with the park service have largely contributed to our increased coverage of kenai fjords national park. Kenai fjords national park seward 2020 all you need to. The 700squaremile harding ice field is one of only four remaining ice fields in u. Kenai fjords national park covers a total area of 699,983 acres. This kenai fjords national park print is a unique tribute to the wpa posters that were created in the 1930s and 1940s. Kenai fjords national park is located just outside of seward in southcentral alaska, 126 miles 203 kilometers south of anchorage. Enjoy skipping rocks and a guided nature walk with a national park ranger.
Kenai fjords national park the greatest american road trip. Look to alaska geographic for the most comprehensive selection of books, maps, and films about kenai fjords national park. Established in 1980, by the alaska national interest lands conservation act, this book explores the administrative history of kenai fjords national park. Traveling further into kenai fjords than any other tour, this is a journey to the remote northwest. To maintain unimpaired the scenic and environmental integrity of the harding icefield, its outflowing glaciers, and coastal fjords and islands in their natural. 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. A visit to kenai fjords national park is a summer treat, with glaciers dipping into the sea, whales diving into the water outside your boat excursion, and bears crossing a glacier path. Of the many must see destinations in alaska, kenai fjords national park is certainly at or near the top of the list.
Renowned for jagged cliffs and pristine pebble beaches, they are a mustsee for alaska visitors. Box 1727 seward, ak 99664 visitor center late may mid september 9074220535 park headquarters 9074220500. Kenai fjords national park was established in 1980 by the alaska national. We are the original kenai fjords wildlife and glacier cruise operator, since 1974. The land of sewards folly, just west of his namesake town. The 600,000 acre park features dramatic fjords, calving glaciers, and the massive 300 square mile harding ice field. Home to three tidewater glaciers, the northwestern fjord is unlike anywhere else on earth. Kenai fjords national park tour cruise kenai fjords tours. Trails offer halfhour hikes to the glacier and a fullday roundtrip hike to. It will become ak9 around mile 35 87 miles140 kilometers from anchorage, with ak1 heading to homer and kenai. It is a relatively small and accessible park by alaskan national park standards, about 88% as big as yosemite national park. Kenai fjords national park just might be one of the most fun places in all of alaska.
An administrative history of kenai fjords national park. On december 2, 1980, the monument was changed to a national park, along with all other alaskan national parks. Experience the rich wildness of kenai fjords national park. Kenai fjords national park is a geological wonderland where glaciers and ice caps meet the ocean. It is the fifth mostvisited park in alaska, but the 11th of alaska parks in area, and is the. Kenai fjords national park cultural resources the alaska national interest lands conservation act anilca of 1980 created kenai fjords national park. The number of people visiting kenai fjords in 2017 was 303,598.
The dramatic coastal fjords and valleys of the park reveal a long history of. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Kenai fjords national park kenai fords glacier lodge. If you have any additional questions about our refund or cancellation policies, please call us at 907 2747300. Just 12 miles by boat from seward, fox island and kenai fjords wilderness lodge are a world away from all you know. Here you will find fjords, mountains, lakes, rivers. Departing from seward, this cruise glides past seals, whales and puffins as we explore coastal rainforests, tidewater glaciers and remote alaskan islands. Kenai fjords national park, the kenai peninsula and. Tours cruises of kenai fjords national park kenai fjords. Since kenai fjords is only 1,047 square miles in area, it is the smallest of alaskas national parkdesignated nps units. Kenai fjords national park forum, travel discussion for. Top 10 hotels closest to kenai fjords national park in seward. Kenai fjords national park, one of alaskas few roadaccessible national parks, is a wonderland of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife.
Kenai fjords national park offers hiking, kayaking, and the opportunity to see a glacier up close. By car, take seward highway ak1 south from anchorage. As the parks official nonprofit education partner and bookstore, alaska geographic offers an extensive collection of titles on kenai fjords natural and cultural heritage, provides financial support for the parks interpretive programs and other educational. The park is capped by the harding icefield, a relic from past iceages and the largest icefield entirely within u. Comprising 587,000 acres of mountains, the park is home to tidewater glaciers, a massive ice field and unparalleled opportunity for adventure. Sweeping from rocky coastline to glaciercrowned peaks, kenai fjords national park encompasses 607,805 acres of unspoiled wilderness on the southeast coast of alaskas kenai peninsula. Watch the alaskan wilderness awaken on this 6hour morning cruise through kenai fjords national park from seward.
Rocky fjords and peninsulas define the coastline of this park. It was designated a national monument in 1978 and a national park in 1980. Stretching more than 100 miles from seward, alaska, very nearly to point graham, kenai fjords national park is distinguished by its many rocky narrow inlets or fjords, much like the fabled coasts of norway and sweden. Kenai fjords museum collections serve as scientific and historical documentation for the parks resources. Enjoy a sixhour cruise in kenai fjords national park, allowing ample time to watch for tidewater glaciers and wildlife such as humpback whales, sea lions, porpoise, harbor seals, bald eagles and many types of marine birds. Kenai fjords national park, close to seward in southern alaska, gives visitors a glimpse of the rough landscape carved by receding glaciers. Since kenai fjords is only 1,047 square miles in area, it is the smallest of alaskas national park designated nps units.
A national park ranger will be on board to narrate your cruise and point out wildlife such as whales, sea otters, sea lions, puffins, and more. Today, shrinking glaciers bear witness to the effects of our changing climate. Kenai fjords national park photos, stock photos of kenai. Apr 26, 2016 experience the rich wildness of kenai fjords national park. Kenai fjords national park national park, alaska, united. One of the 17 national monuments he created was kenai fjords, located on the kenai peninsula in the south central part of the state. His writing and photographs have appeared in earth magazine, sea kayaker, and bird watchers digest. A journey to the puffins of kenai fjords national park, alaska.
For research requests, questions and other inquiries, please email the park s cultural resources manager. Kenai fjords national park includes three main areas exit glacier, harding icefield and the coast. The national monument at kenai fjords had become alaskas seventh new national park. Sightseeing at kenai fjords national park howstuffworks. Watch for wildlife at every turn, and get so close to the glaciers you can almost touch them on this fullynarrated fullday cruise. Today, nearly 51 percent of the park is covered by ice, but all of this land was once buried beneath the ice and still bears its influence.
Discuss kenai fjords national park travel with tripadvisor travelers. Kenai fjords national park, rugged wilderness area in southern alaska, u. Travel deep into kenai fjords with the northwestern fjord tour. Jim pfeiffenberger has explored the kenai fjords extensively on foot, on skiis and by kayak. Alaskas kenai fjords national park is the states smallest, but offers outsized opportunities to explore the rich glacial landscape. Kenai fjords national park is a land dominated by glaciers, massive rivers of ice that flow out from the harding icefield.
At the edge of the kenai peninsula and the north pacific ocean, the park offers over 600,000 acres of glaciated paradise to explore, and is home to an abundance of marine wildlife and unique tidewater glaciers. The park is capped by the harding icefield, a relic from past iceages. Kenai fjords national park lies in the alaska time zone. It became a national park in 1980 to preserve the fjord and rainforest ecosystems, harding icefield, abundant wildlife and historical and archeological remains, and to provide visitor access. Kenai fjords national park usa attractions lonely planet. For research requests, questions and other inquiries, please email the parks cultural resources manager.
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