What are the best outdoor activities in Seward?
Seward is the primary gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and offers some of the most dramatic coastal and glacial scenery in Alaska. Here are the top outdoor activities:
1. Kenai Fjords Wildlife & Glacier Cruises
This is widely considered the #1 thing to do in Seward. These boat tours take you into Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park to see:
- Wildlife: Humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, puffins, and harbor seals.
- Glaciers: Many cruises visit massive "tidewater" glaciers like Aialik or Holgate, where you can watch ice "calve" into the ocean.
2. Hiking at Exit Glacier & Harding Icefield
Exit Glacier is the only part of Kenai Fjords National Park accessible by car.
- Exit Glacier Loop: An easy 1-2 mile walk that brings you near the toe of the glacier with signs showing how far it has receded over the decades
- Harding Icefield Trail: A strenuous 8.2-mile round-trip hike that climbs 3,500 feet. It offers spectacular views over a 700-square-mile ice field, which is the source of 40 glaciers.
3. Kayaking Resurrection Bay
Kayaking allows you to get closer to the shoreline and wildlife. Popular routes include:
- Lowell Point to Tonsina Point: A great half-day trip through calm waters.
- Bear Glacier: Some tours use water taxis to drop you near Bear Glacier, where you can paddle among massive icebergs in a glacial lagoon.
4. Fishing Charters
Seward is world-famous for its fishing. Many charters depart daily from the harbor for:
- Halibut: Large bottom-dwelling fish that can weigh over 100 pounds.
- Salmon: Depending on the season, you can fish for Silver (Coho) or King (Chinook) salmon.
5. Mount Marathon Hike
For a challenge with a local legend, hike Mount Marathon. It is the site of a famous race every July 4th. The trail is extremely steep (climbing 3,000 feet in roughly 1.5 miles), but it offers the best panoramic view of the town and the bay.
6. Dog Sledding & Helicopter Tours
Since Seward is surrounded by ice fields, several companies offer helicopter tours that land on glaciers. Once there, you can experience summer dog sledding on real snow, guided by professional mushers and their teams.