Camping in Kenai Fjords: Choosing a Campground, Reservations, and Rates
The quick answer: yes, you can camp in Kenai Fjords National Park. The options are limited but varied: a free frontcountry campground at Exit Glacier with no reservations, coastal cabins accessible only by boat, and a large backcountry area for dispersed camping. The town of Seward, a few miles away, rounds things out with private and municipal campgrounds suited to RVs.
Campgrounds in the park (1)
- Campground Exit Glacier Campground first come, first served · 12 sites Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Can You Camp Inside Kenai Fjords?
Yes, and there's no entrance fee. The park doesn't charge for access. The basic rule is that camping outside a designated site or regulated backcountry area isn't allowed. In practice, the park offers three options: the frontcountry campground near Exit Glacier, reservable public-use coastal cabins, and dispersed camping in the coastal backcountry. For everything else, Seward is the place to go.
Campgrounds in the Park
Exit Glacier Campground
This is the park's only frontcountry campground, located at the edge of the Exit Glacier area. You can walk there from the parking lot in a few minutes. It has about a dozen tent sites, with no reservations. Sites are first come, first served. Camping is free.
The facilities are intentionally basic: pit toilets, no drinking water, and no electricity. In return, you'll sleep just steps from the glacier and the trail network around it. The access road isn't plowed in winter, so the campground generally operates from about May through October, depending on seasonal snow.
Coastal Cabins (Public-Use Cabins)
The NPS manages several wooden cabins scattered along the park's wild coast. You can reach them only by boat or floatplane from Seward. These cabins, including Aialik, Holgate, and North Arm, generally sleep four to six people on fixed bunks. Each one has a wood stove and a rowboat for exploring the surrounding area.
Book through recreation.gov, sometimes several months ahead for the most popular periods. NPS rates are modest, generally $25 to $75 per night depending on the cabin, but a water taxi from Seward is the real expense. Expect to pay $200 to $400 round-trip per group, depending on the distance and operator.
RV vs. Tent Camping: Which Site Should You Choose?
Inside the park, Exit Glacier Campground is for tents only. A large parking lot near the visitor center accommodates RVs during the day, but overnight parking isn't allowed.
If you're traveling by RV, make Seward your base. The town has several RV parks with electric and water hookups, just a few minutes from the park entrance. For Seward campgrounds with hookups, the Kenai Fjords RV camping guide lists the equipped parks.
Camping Nearby: Private and Municipal Campgrounds Outside the Park
Seward has nearly all of the camping options around the park.
Seward municipal campgrounds. Several sites sit along the bay, with open views of Resurrection Bay. Rates are reasonable, though reservations aren't always available.
Chugach National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service manages a few campgrounds a few miles from Seward, in a wooded setting and at very affordable rates.
Private campgrounds. Local operators offer sites with hookups, restrooms, and Wi-Fi. They often fill up by July, so book early.
For hotel alternatives, all the lodging options around Kenai Fjords are covered in the dedicated guide.
Dispersed Camping and Coastal Backcountry Camping
Kenai Fjords' roadless wild coast allows dispersed camping. You don't need a permit to camp in the coastal backcountry, but Leave No Trace principles apply without exception. That means no open fires outside cleared mineral-soil areas, strict food-waste management, and zero impact on vegetation.
This type of camping is for experienced campers with a four-season tent, full rain gear, and a sleeping bag suited to nights near freezing. For routes and access to the coastal backcountry, see the Kenai Fjords trails and the 1- to 3-day itineraries.
How and When Should You Reserve a Campsite in Kenai Fjords?
Exit Glacier Campground. No reservations are available. Just show up.
Coastal cabins. Reserve through recreation.gov. The booking window opens as much as six months ahead for the most popular periods. July and early August fill up very quickly, so don't wait if you have a specific cabin in mind.
When to go. The main season runs from June through August. June is less crowded, while September means fewer services but more availability at Exit Glacier. Choose the best time for Kenai Fjords. The guide compares the pros and cons of June, July, August, and September month by month.
Rates: How Much Does a Night of Camping Cost in Kenai Fjords?
| Option | Approximate rate |
|---|---|
| Exit Glacier Campground | Free |
| NPS coastal cabins | $25 to $75 / night |
| Seward municipal campgrounds | Less than $30 |
| Private campgrounds with hookups | $40 to $80 depending on amenities |
Water transportation to the coastal cabins ($200 to $400 per group) is added to the NPS rate. That's the real cost to include in your budget.
Safety and Best Practices: Bears, Weather, and Tides
Bears
Black bears regularly visit the Exit Glacier area. Brown bears live in remote coastal areas. The rules are strict and non-negotiable.
Store all food, drinks, and scented products in the bear-resistant food lockers provided at the campground or in an approved bear canister. Never leave food in a tent, even overnight. On trails and while kayaking, make noise regularly to announce your presence and avoid surprise encounters.
Weather and Tides
Kenai Fjords has a changeable, often rainy maritime climate. In summer, daytime temperatures range from 45°F to 72°F. Cloudy days and showers are common. A waterproof tent and technical rain clothing are essential, not optional.
Tides can run high along the coast. Always set up camp well above the high-water line. Check tide tables before landing a kayak, and secure your boat every time before walking away from it.
Which Campground Should You Choose?
For tent campers who want to stay flexible. Choose Exit Glacier Campground. It's free, doesn't require reservations, and sits just steps from the trails. It's ideal if you want to combine hiking and camping without a tight schedule.
For RV travelers. Stay in Seward with hookups and use it as your base for day trips into the park. Our RV Camping page lists the equipped parks.
For a full wilderness experience. Reserve a coastal cabin on recreation.gov several months ahead and arrange your water-taxi transportation. The experience is worth the planning.
For experienced, fully self-sufficient campers. The coastal backcountry offers complete solitude amid glaciers and fjords, provided you arrive fully equipped and prepared.
To plan your complete trip, see the Kenai Fjords overview and the Things to Do page to combine camping, hikes, and boat trips to the glaciers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp in the Kenai Fjords?
Yes, you can camp in the Kenai Fjords. Exit Glacier Campground welcomes tents free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, and several coastal cabins can be reserved through recreation.gov for a true wilderness experience.
How many days should you plan for a visit to the Kenai Fjords?
Plan on at least two nights to combine Exit Glacier on the first day with a boat trip into the coastal fjords the next day. If you want to reach the coastal cabins or explore by kayak, plan on three to five days.