National Park · Alaska

Trails in Kenai Fjords National Park

13 named trails · 17 miles · 2 trailheads · 2 with the Park Service's own write-up. The lines, trailheads and points are the Park Service's; the write-ups are the Service's own words; the climbing is read from USGS elevation along each line.

Open on the parks mapEvery park with trailsPark on nps.gov

13 trails, A to Z.

Easement Route

10 mi one way · about 4,400 ft of climbing · 4 ft–2,029 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal: Winter seasonal closure

Backcountry camps

58 ft 119 ft · 0.9 mi high 119 ft

Along the way 24 Hour Public Camping Easement 24 Hour Public Camping Easement 24 Hour Public Camping Easement 24 Hour Public Camping Easement 24 Hour Public Camping Easement 24 Hour Public Camping Easement 24 Hour Public Camping Easement 24 Hour Public Camping Easement DESI01

Exit Glacier Main Trail

0.1 mi one way · about 10 ft of climbing · 472 ft–485 ft · gravel surface · hiking

Shelters

472 ft 485 ft · 0.1 mi high 485 ft

Along the way EG Interp Pavilion

Trailhead Harding Icefield Trailhead 492 ft Drive there

Exit Glacier Paved Trail

0.3 mi one way · about 40 ft of climbing · 457 ft–479 ft · asphalt surface · hiking

SheltersPicnic areasVisitor centers

457 ft 475 ft · 0.3 mi high 479 ft

Along the way Exit Glacier Picnic Area Education Pavilion EG Interp Pavilion Picnic Shelter/Warming Hut Nature Center

Trailhead Exit Glacier Trailhead 451 ft Drive there

Glacier View Trail

0.6 mi one way · about 50 ft of climbing · 100 ft of descent · 434 ft–504 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal: Winter seasonal closure

SheltersVisitor centers

478 ft 436 ft · 0.4 mi high 504 ft

Along the way Education Pavilion EG Interp Pavilion Picnic Shelter/Warming Hut Nature Center

Trailhead Exit Glacier Trailhead 451 ft Drive there

Explore the Exit Glacier area in a couple of hours the Park Service's write-up

no dogs · Spring, Summer, Fall

A glacier flowing between two plant covered mountainsides in the distance.
A view of Exit Glacier from the Overflowing Ice wayside Photo: NPS Photo

Would you like to explore the Exit Glacier area, and only have a couple of hours? Here are a few things you might consider doing.

Visit the Exit Glacier Nature Center: The Exit Glacier Nature Center is open from Memorial Day though Labor day. Inside are displays about the Exit Glacier Area, wildlife, and glaciers! Rangers are available if you have any questions. 30 minutes - 1 hour

Hike the Lower Trails: The lower trails offer some excellent views of Exit Glacier, as they follow the years of it's retreat. The first section of the lower trails is an accessible trail. It is packed gravel and dirt, and 3 feet wide. The second section goes up a slightly steeper elevation, with more narrow trail areas. The trail ends at a glacier overlook where Exit Glacier was in 2010. 1-2 hours

Pets Pets are not allowed on the trails in the Exit Glacier Area unless they are service animals.

Accessibility The first half of the lower trail section is 3 feet wide. It is packed dirt and gravel. The second half of the lower trail increases 300 feet in elevation, and the trail is narrow and unpacked. There is an accessible bathroom located near the Exit Glacier Nature Center.

This hike on nps.gov

Harding Icefield Trail

4.1 mi one way · about 3,100 ft of climbing · 493 ft–3,555 ft · native surface · hiking

Views

1,731 ft 3,304 ft · 1.9 mi high 3,342 ft

Along the way Harding Icefield Overlook Top of the Cliffs Overlook

Trailhead Harding Icefield Trailhead 492 ft Drive there

Hike the Harding Icefield Trail the Park Service's write-up

6-8 Hours · no dogs · Summer, Fall

Start Exit Glacier Area

View of a glacier and icefield with mountains in the background.

Ranger Recommendation

Keep your eyes open! Stops along the way at Marmot Meadows (1.4 miles) and Top of the Cliff (2.4 miles) provide scenic vistas to take a break during your journey or turn around for a shorter hike. Watch for wildlife throughout your hike, as bears, mountain goats, hoary marmots, and others, have all been seen from the trail.

Be prepared! Check on trail conditions before starting out - the upper portion of the trail is often covered with snow through early July, and there may be avalanche danger. Be prepared for storms, high winds, intense sunlight, and sudden temperature changes. Bring warm clothes, rain gear, sturdy footwear, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Carry plenty of water (at least 2 liters per person).

Stay on the trail. Alpine vegetation is extremely fragile. Careless hikers who cut switchbacks, along with frequent summer rains, cause tremendous erosion. Volunteers help restore and maintain this trail every year. Please respect their hard work by sticking to the trail.

Accessibility The trail ascends steeply over the 4.1 miles, gaining around 3500' of elevation. The surface can be muddy, slippery, rocky and include snow and ice depending on the time of year. Though pets are prohibited on this trail, service animals are able to accompany visitors.

This hike on nps.gov

Lower Loop Trail

0.1 mi one way · about 20 ft of climbing · 40 ft of descent · 453 ft–596 ft · gravel surface · hiking

561 ft 581 ft · 0.1 mi high 581 ft

Trailhead Harding Icefield Trailhead 492 ft Drive there

About these trails

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-14 and simplified for the map. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do", unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.