This realistic Guide to Exit Glacier Kenai Fjords Hike helps you plan your next adventure in this national park.

Kenai Fjords is a fascinating park in Alaska. It spreads for miles and miles over the coast of Kenai Peninsula.

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Sights & Places of Interest

Kenai Fjords has a few places of interest. You could take a wildlife cruise in the park. In this case, you will board a boat in Seward and cruise through the waters of Resurrection Bay.

There are also options if you prefer to stay on land while exploring Kenai Fjords. The park is home to 35 named glaciers.

They all connect to the Harding Icefield. It is the largest field of ice in the United States. Not surprisingly, it is also the main land attraction in Kenai Fjords.

Exit Glacier Hiking Trails

Kenai Fjords is hardly a hiker’s park. Most areas of the park are so remote that you cannot reach them by car. But there is one exception to this rule.

Exit Glacier area of the park is very friendly to hikers. There are four trails you could hike in Exit Glacier area of Kenai Fjords National Park.

• Glacier View Trail: 1-mi (1.6-km) accessible loop hike to a viewpoint. It is best for distant views of the glacier.
• Glacier Overlook Trail: 1.6-mi (2.6-km) easy out-and-back trail. An overlook has closer views of Exit Glacier.
• Harding Icefield Trail: 8.2-mi (13.2-km) strenuous out-and-back trail. You need to climb 3,300 ft (1,000 m) to see the largest ice field in the United States.
• Resurrection River Trail: about 14-mi (22-km) strenuous out-and-back or through hike. The trail goes through Chugach National Forest. Most creek crossings do not have bridges.

A few factors play a role in deciding what trails to hike in Exit Glacier area of Kenai Fjords. But time in the park and your fitness level are the most important ones.

It is up to you to access your fitness level accurately. But you can follow these guidelines for picking a trail based on the time you have the park.

• Less than 1 hour: take the Exit Glacier Overlook Trail for the best views.
• A couple of hours: enjoy both the Exit Glacier Overlook and View Loop trails.
• Over 6 hours: venture on the Harding Icefield Trail if you can handle the its strenuous climb.

Exit Glacier Overlook Trail

This section of the Guide to Exit Glacier Kenai Fjords Hike will walk you through the Overlook Trail. The Exit Glacier Overlook Trail is the best choice if you need to explore the park quickly.

The first 0.25 miles (0.4 km) of this trail go through a forest. The path is quite flat. There is almost no elevation gain. You should enjoy this easy walk.

This forest section is a great place to spot wildlife. Look out for black bears and moose. Both are often present in this area. Even if you do not see any of the Alaska’s Big Five, you can still spot birds.

The trail will pass the information hut and two trail intersections. It will then start gaining elevation. This is the first time when the Exit Glacier Hike in Kenai Fjords will feel like a real hike.

You will be hiking below the tree line for a bit. As a result, you will not see much at first. Boulders and canyon will be only the things to look for at a viewpoint.

Give it some time. You will catch a glimpse of the glacier soon.

There are two paths you could take to reach the Glacier Overlook.

• The first path runs closer to the boulders and Harding Icefield trail.
• The second path is closer to the Outwash Plain.

These paths form a loop. They reconnect right before the viewpoint. Hike the entire loop if time is not an issue. You will see more of the park even if it is your only trail there.

Turn right at the trail intersection when hiking uphill. You will get another view of the glacier about 15 minutes into the hike. This view is better than the first one. But the boulders will still be in the way.

Glacier Overlook

When you reach a trail spur, turn right again. This path will lead you to the Exit Glacier Overlook in about 0.2 miles (0.3 km).

This viewpoint is the closest you can hike to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords. You cannot hike on Exit Glacier like on Root Glacier in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

This glacier is rapidly melting. As it retreats, it creates an ice fall hazard. Do not approach the toe of the glacier for your safety. Keep a safe distance and enjoy the views of the glacier from afar.

You can enjoy the views of the Exit Creek. The creek flows from underneath the glacier. It brings the melting water to the Resurrection River and Pacific Ocean.

Harding Icefield Trail

The return leg of the Overlook trail is a great opportunity to scout other trails in the park. You get a clear view of the Glacier View Loop and Harding Icefield trails.

The latter trail quickly gains elevation. Just take a look at its path several hundred feet (meters) above the Overlook Trail. You really need to be in a good shape to venture on this strenuous trail.

It is tempting to see an ice field that stretches to the horizon. But do not attempt to hike the Harding Icefield Trail if you experience any difficulty on the Overlook Trail.

The Harding Icefield Trail is far less forgiving than other trails in the Exit Glacier Area of Kenai Fjords National Park.

Exit Glacier View Trail

The Glacier View Loop Trail will be also on full display when you hike back to the trailhead. This accessible trail is a better alternative if you have a little more time in the park.

It works best for families with small children. It is a great way to extend your visit to Exit Glacier without taking a challenging trail.

You can no longer get a clear look at the glacier from the Glacier View. But you can explore the Outwash Plain and the Exit Creek.

Resurrection River Trail

Before you go below the tree line, you could get a distant view of the Resurrection River trail. This lengthy hike starts and goes just outside of the National Park.

It proceeds through Chugach National Forest. This path is a gateway to the trail system in the forest. You can hike to the Russian River or Copper Lake.

Both are great through hikes. Just get ready to hike about 29 miles (47 km). It is also necessary to arrange for someone to pick you up from the Russian River Falls Trailhead.

Even if you do not hike the Resurrection River Trail, stop at its trailhead. It offers some of the best views of Exit Glacier.

You will see the forest in front and the glacier in the distance. You might even get a glimpse of the Harding Icefield. The best part is that you do not need to hike at all to get these views.

Continue with this Guide to Exit Glacier Kenai Fjords Hike. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords

Exit Glacier is part of Kenai Fjords National Park. It is the only area of this park you can reach by car. The road to the trailhead is not plowed in winter.

The trailhead is 12 miles (19 km) west of Seward. That makes Anchorage the closest airport to Exit Glacier. Budget at least 3 hours to reach the park from Anchorage.

You will be driving on the Seward Highway. It is one of the most scenic highways in Alaska. You would likely spend even more time on the drive if you stop at the viewpoints.

Where to Stay near Exit Glacier

Seward is the closest town to Exit Glacier. It is a great town to look for places to stay nearby. Seward works best if you go for the Harding Icefield or Resurrection River trails.

You could stay further away from the park if you pick the shorter Exit Glacier View or Overlook trails. In this case, look into Cooper Landing or Soldotna.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

Kenai Fjords National Park does not charge entrance fees. You can enjoy beautiful Exit Glacier free of charge.

The Exit Glacier area is open year round. This makes a visit to Kenai Fjords a no-brainer when on Kenai Peninsula. There are still a few things to keep in mind.

• The visitor center is only open between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Its hours are between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the majority of the summer.
• The Exit Glacier Nature Center is open between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

The Herman Leirer Road closes during the winter. You can still access the trailheads at that time. You would just need an alternative mode of transportation, like a snowmobile or skis.

Takeaways: Exit Glacier Kenai Fjords Hike

Exit Glacier is a great destination near Seward. The Exit Glacier area of the Kenai Fjords National Park combines a glacier hike with wildlife viewing.

You can get to this glacier in your car and for free. It sets this park apart from Matanuska, Root, and Bear Glaciers. While you cannot walk on the glacier in Kenai Fjords, you can get quite close.

Here is how to make the most out of your Exit Glacier Kenai Fjords Hike.

• Decide on the amount of time you have in the park.
• Hike the Glacier Overlook and View trails if you have a couple of hours.
• Venture on the strenuous Harding Icefield Trail if both time and your fitness level permit.
• Talk loudly or sing while hiking to avoid running into a black bear or moose.
• Spot wildlife from a safe distance.
• Put safety first and obey warning signs.
• Do not hike on Exit Glacier or near its toe.

Take a look at this Kenai Fjords Wildlife Video Guide. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!