Camping Near Kenai Fjords National Park
Alaska | Established 1980
About Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park encompasses 602,000 acres on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula where nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield into tidewater fjords and the Gulf of Alaska. Exit Glacier is the only area accessible by road, reached via the 8.2-mile Herman Leirer Road from Seward. The Harding Icefield Trail climbs 3,500 feet over 4.1 miles to panoramic views of the 700-square-mile ice field that feeds the park's glaciers.
Exit Glacier Campground offers 12 free walk-in tent sites on a first-come, first-served basis with a central cooking shelter and bear-proof food storage. No reservations are accepted. Seward (8.2 miles) serves as the gateway town with commercial campgrounds including Seward KOA (72 sites, $52 and up per night) and city-operated campgrounds along Resurrection Bay ($25 to $45 per night). Boat tours from Seward access tidewater glaciers, whale habitat, and remote coastal camping areas.
Camping Tips for Kenai Fjords
- Arrive at Exit Glacier Campground by early morning in July and August to secure one of 12 free sites. No reservations are accepted, and the campground fills by early afternoon on summer days. Two sites are ADA accessible. A 14-day stay limit applies.
- Store all food in the central cooking shelter at Exit Glacier Campground. Individual campsites have no bear-proof storage. Cook and eat only in the shelter area. Carry bear spray on all hikes. Brown bears and black bears are active throughout the park.
- Book Seward commercial campgrounds as backup. Seward KOA (72 sites, $52 and up per night) and city-operated parks along Resurrection Bay ($25 to $45 per night) provide RV hookups and amenities not available at Exit Glacier. Reserve by January for July dates.
- Commit a full day for Harding Icefield Trail. The 8.2-mile roundtrip hike gains 3,500 feet and takes six to eight hours. Start by 7 a.m. to finish before afternoon weather changes. Bring layers since the summit is 20 to 30 degrees colder than Seward.
- Herman Leirer Road to Exit Glacier closes October through May due to snow. Winter visitors can ski or snowshoe the closed road to reach the glacier. Call 907-318-2040 for current road status before planning your trip.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Kenai Fjords National Park
11.Alaska Canoe & Campgrounds
Alaska Canoe & Campground is a full-service camping and lodging destination located in Sterling, Alaska, on the Kenai Peninsula, approximately 140 miles from Anchorage. The...
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12.Edgewater Lodge & RV Park
Edgewater Lodge and RV Resort is located in Soldotna, Alaska on the banks of the Kenai River, home to the world-record King Salmon weighing in at just over 97 lbs. Soldotna is...
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13.Seward KOA Holiday
Settled along the Resurrection River and only minutes from the city of Seward, downtown, the Exit Glacier area, or Lowell Point, our family campground puts you in the ideal...
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14.Howling Wolf Resort
Enjoy our glamping cottage experience, where we offer camping with modern amenities (hot tubs, outdoor showers, saunas, cold plunge). This glamping experience is perfect for...
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15.Millers Landing North Campground & RV Park
Located on the shores of Resurrection Bay, Miller's Landing has been a family-run basecamp for exploring the Kenai Fjords and the wild coastline since 1982. The park offers guided...
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16.Real Alaskan Cabins & RV Park
Real Alaskan Cabins & RV Park is a beautiful RV park and cabin rentals located in Sterling, Alaska, on the Kenai Peninsula. The park offers 34 spaces in a wooded setting with full...
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17.Fishermans Cove RV Park Alaska
Fishermans Cove RV Park is located on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, offering a unique camping experience amidst the state's natural beauty and wildlife. The park provides 60...
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18.Moose River Resort RV Park
Moose River Resort is a scenic riverfront chalet and RV park located in a secluded area. The resort offers 4 exclusive RV sites with full and partial hookups, including 50 and...
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19.River Terrace RV Park
The River Terrace RV Park site is located on the banks of the Kenai River in downtown Soldotna. It operated as a dry cleaning facility from the 1960s to the 1980s and is currently...
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20.Centennial Campground and Boat Launch
Centennial Campground and Boat Launch is located in Soldotna, AK. Unfortunately, there is no description of the park available on the website. However, based on the website's...
Show moreShowing 11–20 of 62 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring an RV to Exit Glacier Campground?
No. Exit Glacier Campground is walk-in tent sites only with parking in a separate lot. RVs and trailers must use commercial campgrounds in Seward. The gravel Herman Leirer Road (8.2 miles) can accommodate standard vehicles but has no turnaround for large rigs at the campground.
Seward KOA, RipTide RV Resort, and city-operated campgrounds along Resurrection Bay welcome RVs with full hookups and dump stations. Most RV visitors base in Seward and day-trip to Exit Glacier via personal vehicle. The parking lot at Exit Glacier accommodates cars, vans, and smaller motorhomes but not vehicles towing trailers. Check with Seward visitor center for current RV campground availability.
Do I need reservations for Exit Glacier Campground?
No. Exit Glacier Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system and no camping fee. The 12 sites fill between early and mid-afternoon in July and August. Mid-week visits offer better availability than weekends. The 14-day maximum stay limit applies year-round.
The campground typically opens when Herman Leirer Road is cleared of snow, usually late May or early June, and closes when snow blocks access again in October. Park staff do not hold sites. Arrive early and have a backup plan. Seward city campgrounds and the KOA accept reservations starting in mid-January for summer dates. Contact the park at 907-318-2040 for current road status and campground conditions.
What is the Harding Icefield Trail like?
The Harding Icefield Trail is a strenuous 8.2-mile roundtrip hike gaining 3,500 feet from the Exit Glacier parking area to views of the 700-square-mile ice field. Most hikers need six to eight hours. The trail climbs through forest, subalpine meadow, and rocky scree above tree line.
Start early to avoid afternoon weather and allow adequate time. The trail opens in late June or July depending on snow conditions. Microspikes are recommended through early July for icy sections. Bring at least two liters of water, rain gear, and warm layers since temperatures at the viewpoint can be 30 degrees colder than the trailhead. Wind is common above tree line. The final mile crosses exposed rock with cairn markers. Snow lingers on the upper trail well into summer.
Are bears common near Exit Glacier Campground?
Brown bears and black bears inhabit the park year-round and occasionally pass through the Exit Glacier area. Mandatory central food storage at the campground cooking shelter reduces bear encounters significantly. Carry bear spray on all hikes and make noise on trails to avoid surprising bears.
Most bear encounters occur along trails during berry season in late July and August. Bears are attracted to food odors, so all meals, trash, toiletries, and scented items must be stored in the central shelter at Exit Glacier. Never leave food at individual campsites. Maintain at least 100 yards distance if you see a bear. Report any bear sighting or aggressive behavior to park staff immediately. Bear spray is legal and strongly recommended throughout Alaska.
What boat tours access the park's glaciers and wildlife?
Multiple outfitters in Seward operate daily boat tours from May through September to tidewater glaciers including Aialik Glacier, Holgate Glacier, and Northwestern Glacier. Half-day tours run four to five hours and full-day tours run eight to nine hours, with whale, sea otter, puffin, and sea lion sightings common.
Major Kenai Fjords tour operators include Kenai Fjords Tours and Major Marine Tours, departing from Seward Small Boat Harbor. Half-day trips to Holgate Glacier cost approximately $200 per person. Full-day trips reaching Northwestern Fjord and Aialik Bay cost $250 to $350 per person. Kayak drop-off services allow multi-day camping trips in remote coastal areas. Rough seas and cold water make guided tours the safest option for most visitors. Book summer tours months in advance.
Can I visit Kenai Fjords in winter?
Yes, but access is limited. Herman Leirer Road closes to vehicles from October through May, so reaching Exit Glacier requires skiing, snowshoeing, or fat biking the 8.2-mile road. The Seward Boat Harbor visitor center operates mid-May through September. No boat tours run in winter months.
Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing along the closed road to Exit Glacier with views of the glacier face. The approach takes four to six hours roundtrip on skis. No campground facilities operate in winter. Seward remains open year-round with hotels and restaurants. May and September are shoulder seasons with variable conditions and reduced but available boat tour schedules. Contact the park at 907-318-2040 for current winter access conditions.
How far is Seward from Anchorage?
Seward is 120 miles south of Anchorage, approximately a 2.5-hour drive via the Seward Highway. The scenic drive follows Turnagain Arm and crosses the Kenai Peninsula through Chugach National Forest. Seward has grocery stores, fuel stations, restaurants, outfitter offices, and a hospital.
The Seward Highway is one of Alaska's most scenic drives but requires attention due to winding mountain roads and variable weather. Cooper Landing (35 miles north of Seward) offers basic services and fishing access on the Kenai River. Kenai and Soldotna (45 miles northwest) are larger towns with additional supplies. All visitors should stock provisions in Seward before driving to Exit Glacier since no services exist along Herman Leirer Road.
Is kayaking available in the fjords?
Yes. Guided kayak tours operate from Seward from June through August, with water taxi access to Aialik Bay and other protected coves. Multi-day kayak camping trips cost approximately $1,200 per person including gear and meals. Solo paddling from Seward into open ocean is dangerous and not recommended.
Outfitters like Sunny Cove Kayaking and Kayak Adventures Worldwide offer day trips ($275 to $515 per person) and multi-day expeditions in the fjords. Water taxis drop kayakers at glaciers and sheltered bays where they paddle through protected waters. The open Gulf of Alaska produces rough seas and cold water temperatures that make unguided paddling hazardous. Guided trips provide dry suits, safety gear, and experienced navigation through tidal currents and ice.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- Free (no entrance fee)
- Best Time to Visit
- June – August
- Nearest Town
- Seward, AK, Cooper Landing, AK, Kenai, AK
- Elevation
- 0 – 6,450 ft
- Park Size
- 602,000 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~0.5 million