Kenai Fjords National Park covers 669,650 acres in Alaska. It became a national park on December 2, 1980, the 42nd of today’s 64 parks to get that title. It recorded 425,369 recreation visits in 2025, the 45th most of the 63 parks with a 2025 count.
Today at Kenai Fjords
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Alerts: National Park Service, checked hourly. Forecast: National Weather Service, for Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center. Always confirm on the official park site before you set out.
In the park service’s words
At the edge of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age lingers. 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.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Entrance fee and passes
No entrance fee is listed for this park in National Park Service data. You do not need a pass to enter. Parking, ferry, boat or other transport fees can still apply.
Best time to visit
- Best time to visit Kenai Fjords: June to August. The weather is at its most comfortable then, and crowds are lighter than at the peak.
- Busiest month: July, with about 127,509 visits in a typical recent year. That is 4.1 times as many as May.
- Quietest month: November (2 visits), when weather or closures keep most people away.
Bar height: visitors that month, compared with the busiest month. Temperatures: average daily high and low (°F); rain and snow: monthly averages. Best marks the months we suggest.
More detail: the best time to visit Kenai Fjords, month by month.
Plan your visit
- Best time to visit: crowds and weather month by month
- Itinerary: a ready-made day
- Things to do: 2 hikes and 10 other activities
- Camping, RVs and lodging: 1 campgrounds
- Getting there: Nearest gas to Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center: Chevron, 0.2 miles away. Closest airport Homer Airport (49 mi)
- Know before you go: safety, what to pack and what to leave at home
Popular hikes
- Explore the Exit Glacier area in a couple of hours: Would you like to visit the Exit Glacier area, but only have a couple of hours? These are some suggestions for what you might do with that time.
- Hike the Harding Icefield Trail (6 to 8 Hours): The 8.2-mile round trip Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike. Travel from the valley floor, through forests, meadows and the alpine, finishing with a breath-taking view of the Harding Icefield. The top of the trail is a window to past ice ages - a horizon of ice and snow that stretches as far as the eye can
Weather, in the park service’s words
The park service says:
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.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Nearby national parks by road
- Denali (Alaska): about 5 h 10 min by car (238 miles)
- Wrangell-St. Elias (Alaska): about 6 h 40 min by car (314 miles)
- Glacier Bay (Alaska): about 32 h 40 min by car (1,045 miles)
- Glacier (Montana): about 51 h 20 min by car (2,408 miles)
Drive times run between the closest visitor centers of each pair, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads. Link several parks with the road trip planner.
Sources
Last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Kenai Fjords National Park?
No entrance fee is listed for this park in National Park Service data.
What state is Kenai Fjords National Park in?
Alaska.
When did Kenai Fjords become a national park?
December 2, 1980.
How many people visit Kenai Fjords?
425,369 recreation visits were counted in 2025.
When is the best time to visit Kenai Fjords?
June to August. July is the busiest month and May the quietest while the park is fully open.
