Our Favorite things to do in Seward, Alaska
Nestled at the tip of Resurrection Bay on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, Seward is easy to get to and offers stunning scenery and a long list of outdoor activities, making it a must-see for visitors to Alaska.
Resurrection Bay is a fjord of the Gulf of Alaska. A fiord is a long, narrow inlet which was created by a glacier. Looking across the bay to the mountain peaks rising steeply out of the water, it is easy to imagine the bay’s glacial history.
This part of Alaska offers endless summertime adventure. Here are some of our favorites.
Exit Glacier
Exit Glacier is located within Kenai Fjords National Park and is the only part of the park accessible by car. The park is described as the place “where mountains, ice and oceans meet” and deserves a few days of exploration. If you are limited by time, Exit Glacier is a good place to get a glimpse of what the park holds.
The glacier is just 12 miles from Seward and easily accessible by car. There is also a shuttle that runs frequently between Seward and Exit Glacier. There is no cell service or public phone at Exit Glacier so be sure to pre-arrange your return trip. Stop by the Nature Center to talk to a Park Ranger, shop at the Alaska Geographic bookstore and learn more about the glacier and surrounding area.
The hike to the glacier is adaptable to all ages and abilities. The Glacier View Loop trail is 1 mile long and accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. This loop winds through Cottonwood forests and provides a panoramic view of the valley and the glacier.
The Glacier Overlook trail will take you a bit closer to the glacier. This portion of the trail includes a rougher trail with some climbing and minor rock scrambling.
Our two-year old navigated the trail with no problem, but he is an Alaskan two-year-old! They grow them tough up here!
You can hike to the toe of the glacier; however, there is no set trail and the stream channels can change frequently. During times of flooding, the outwash plain is not accessible. If the water is low, and you do venture close to the glacier, do not get close if the ice is higher than your head. Large chunks of ice often fall without warning and can be extremely dangerous.
For the more adventurous, continue on to the Harding Ice Field Trail. This 8.2 round trip hike is strenuous and recommended for experienced hikers only. Allow 6 to 8 hours for the hike and plan for cold, rainy weather. This trail is often still covered in snow in mid-July.
Be sure to check current conditions before you set out on your hike. And, as with any hike in Alaska, be bear aware. Take bear spray and make noise as you hike so you avoid surprising a bear. Hiking in groups and avoiding morning and evening hours are good practices for staying bear safe.
How to Get There: From Seward, take the Seward Highway north to milepost 3. Turn left on Herman Leirer Road. Continue on this road for 8.4 miles. The road ends at the Exit Glacier Nature Center.
Two Lakes Hike
Two Lakes hike is a beautiful, easy hike located right in the heart of Seward. The 1-mile loop trail winds through spruce and hemlock rainforests and around two small lakes. Due to numerous tree roots crossing the trail, I don’t recommend strollers or wheelchairs.
There is a covered picnic table at the trailhead next to the lake. And don’t miss the short detour to the waterfall to your left as you are standing at the trailhead.
How To Get There: Take B Street out of Seward until it dead ends at the parking lot at the trailhead.
Fresh Water Kayaking
Seward is a great place to go sea kayaking and paddle close to glaciers and marine life. However, the waters of Resurrection Bay are open to ocean currents and unless you are an experienced kayaker, it is recommended that you book a guided kayak trip.
If you prefer to head off on your own, I recommend freshwater lake kayaking. Bear Lake is just three miles north of Seward and has a public access point. There isn’t a lot of parking and there are private residences close by so you’ll need to be respectful of that. The lake is about 2 miles long and surrounded by lush forests with views of the snow-covered mountains in the distance.
Before you set off across the lake, take a short paddle up the creek to your left. If you are lucky, you’ll see salmon swimming below you as they make their way into the lake.
Kayak along the east side of the lake and after about ⅓ of a mile, you’ll come across the salmon spawning stream. Keep an eye out for bears here as they come looking for dinner in the early evening hours.
Be sure to stop at the Bear Creek Weir to see spawning sockeye (June/July) and coho (late July – September). The weir is a man made structure that is used to monitor salmon swimming into and out of Bear Lake. The weir is located about half a mile from Seward Highway on Bear Lake Road.
How To Get There: From Seward, take the Seward Highway north. At Mile 6.5, turn right onto Bear Lake Road. In one mile, turn left on Old Sawmill Road. At the end of the road, you’ll find a small parking area and an area to put in kayaks.
Lowell Point
The black rocky beach at Lowell Point is a great place to relax and soak in the views of Resurrection Bay and the mountains across the bay which rise 3500 to 4000 feet straight out of the water. At high tide, keep an eye out for humpback whales, sea lions and otters just offshore.
High tide is also a great time to fish from the shore. Try your luck with Pink Salmon, Chum Salmon, Silver Salmon, Dolly Varden and if you are lucky, King Salmon.
For a little more adventure, hike to Tonsina Beach or Caines Point. The portion of the trail from Lowell Point to Tonsina Beach is about a mile and a half. The first bridge you come to is a great place to watch salmon spawning in the summer months. This portion of the trail is inland through the woods.
If you want to continue to Caines Point, you must check the tide schedule as this portion of the trail follows the coastline and is only accessible at low tide. You’ll need to plan for plenty of time if you want to hike out and back. See this guide for some good information about timing your hike around the tides.
How To Get There: Head south on the Seward Highway, which turns into Third Avenue. At the end of the street, turn right on Lowell Point Road. Drive 3.5 miles to the parking lot at Lowell Point.
Fishing
Fishing is a way of life in Alaska for locals and visitors alike. Whether you will be fishing from the shore or taking a boat into Resurrection Bay, Seward is a great spot to catch your quota of halibut, salmon and rockfish. If trout is what you are after, head to one of the many streams and fresh water lakes near Seward to catch rainbow trout, wild Dolly Varden, lake trout, and Arctic grayling.
This Department of Fish and Game document includes everything you need to know about fishing in Seward.
The streams are full of salmon in late August 
Mother-Daughter Fishing Trip 
Fishing from shore at Lowell Point
Where to Stay near Seward
Hotels and B&Bs There are several hotels in the heart of Seward. These are a great option if you don’t have a car and want to be within walking distance of the waterfront, tour activities, shops and restaurants.
If you are looking for something a little more remote or unique, try a cabin or yurt. Many properties are accessible only by boat or float plane, providing a truly unique Alaskan experience.
Check Alaska.org and Seward.com for a list of lodging choices.
Camping: If you plan to camp, there are similar options available.
If you want to wake up with Resurrection Bay out your front door and a coffee shop out the back, then Seward Waterfront Park is your best bet. This area extends along the edge of town and includes several RV and tent camping areas, picnic areas, playgrounds and beach access.
There are plenty of other camping options available from full hook-ups to dry and remote spots. Check here for some options.
We usually stay at the Seward KOA which is located just a few miles from Exit Glacier and five minutes from Seward. I love soaking up the view looking up the Resurrection River towards Exit Glacier and watching the eagles fly to and from their nest in the tree at the front of the campground.
How to Get To Seward
Driving From Anchorage: Take the Seward Highway (AK-1) south out of Anchorage for 127 miles.
Train from Anchorage: Another great way to get to Seward from Anchorage is aboard the Alaska Railroad. The Coastal Classic operates daily runs between Anchorage and Seward during the summer months. Taking the train through the breathtaking Chugach Mountains gives you an opportunity to sit back and enjoy the views of mountains, glaciers and waterfalls without the stress of driving. Chances are good you may spot a moose or two on your journey through the Kenai Peninsula.
The activities listed here are suggested for those who want to explore on their own and with their own vehicle. If you aren’t comfortable heading off on your own, there are many companies offering guided adventures. Visit Seward.com for a full list of tours and activities.
