Located in the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, Kenai Fjords National Park is close to 670,000 acres of protected land. It got its name from the numerous fjords found in the area. It is also home to one of America’s largest ice fields, the Harding Icefield.
Kenai Fjords is one of Alaska’s most visited national parks, with over 320,000 people enjoying the majestic natural spots in 2018.
History
Plate tectonics is generally responsible for the landscape of the Kenai Fjords. According to experts, the process caused the Kenai Mountains to lower its elevation. As a result, the glacial features also went down as the sea level increased. The process gave birth to the place’s fjords.
As far as human settlers are concerned, there was little evidence that the area was inhabited. Either that or evidence was washed out by the rising sea level and the formation of fjords. Studies discovered communities living in the area sometime between 1200 and 1920 AD.
On Dec. 2, 1980, the Kenai Fjords National Park was established.
Things to do
The beauty of Kenai Fjords National Park is best seen from a distance, where visitors can witness the panoramic view of its majestic landscape. But for those who want to experience the glacier, then there are activities for that too.
Boat tours
It is hard to see Kenai Fjords up close if people are not into physical activities. But a view of the park from a boat is breathtaking. Tourists can see the expansive icefields, tidewater glaciers, fjords, among others. The park’s food-rich waters are also abundant in marine mammals. Tourists may spot a few types of whales: fin whale, gray whale, humpback whales, minke whales, orca whale, and sei whale. Other mammals in the Kenai Fjords are Dall’s porpoise, harbor porpoise, sea otter, pacific white-sided dolphin, steller sea lion, and harbor seal.
Kayaking
Visitors may also paddle themselves and have a chance to marvel at the imposing ice structures up close. They may even reach out to the park’s icy waters. For beginners, they can travel with a guide.
Paddlers should visit Bear Glacier Lagoon, which is known as a proglacial lagoon, to witness giant icebergs. The lagoon is often foggy, which is why kayaking in the park is mostly recommended for seasoned paddlers.
Camping
Most of the campgrounds in the park are only accessible through kayaking though. But if they do have the opportunity to camp at the park, it is a truly unique experience. The park is home to stunning coves that are perfect for camping. Among these areas are Bear Cove, Coleman Bay Area, McMullen Cove, Northwestern Glacier, Northwestern Lagoon, Quicksand Cove, Tooth Cove Area, and Verdant Cove.
Hiking
There is only one area of the park that can be accessed on the road: Exit Glacier. Those who prefer to experience nature through leisurely walks, several short trails lead to different viewpoints at Exit Glacier Nature Center, each featuring a different albeit equally picturesque part of the park. The hike is just as invigorating as the view. Glacier View Loop Trail, for example, features a walk through the cottonwood forest. This will lead to Glacier View, which provides an awesome image of the Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield.
The 8.2-mile Harding Icefield Trail is an exhilarating trek through alder and cottonwood forests, as well as heather-filled meadows. The trail ends with a spectacular view of the ice that goes as far as the eye can see. The hike is better suited to experienced hikers. This trail is also great for bear sightings. Some camping is also permitted on the trail corridor.
Bird watching
There are over 190 species of birds that visitors may be able to spot in the park. Among the more popular residents are bald eagles, black-billed magpie, black oystercatcher, marbled murrelet, murres, peregrine falcon, puffins, and Steller’s jay.
Learn Kenai Fjords’ history at the park museum
History buffs will enjoy a tour of the park’s museum, which houses over 250,000 pieces of historical artifacts. The collection of pieces of history dates back to the formal establishment of the Kenai Fjords National Park. Among the collection are close to 250,000 documents in the archives section. But as for real items, there are over 27,000 archeological objects that help shape the park’s history.
See the park from above
Another marvelous activity in the park is flightseeing where visitors can have a dramatic view of the park from thousands of feet up in the air. This is one way to internalize the vastness and the beauty that is Harding Icefield, the centerpiece of the park.