5-Day Itinerary for South Central Alaska: Seward, Fox Island, and Kenai Fjords National Park
This article covers flying into Anchorage and driving to Seward to explore Fox Island and Kenai Fjords National Park. If you want to see Alaska without going on a mega cruise, this guide is for you. You can easily do this trip in five days.
I’ve been dreaming of visiting Alaska for most of my adult life. For years, I watched shows like Alaska: The Last Frontier, Mountain Men, and all things about Alaskan Bigfoot, wondering what it would be like to live there. So when Pursuit Collection invited me for a hosted stay, I couldn’t wait to go. I’m sharing exactly what I did to help you plan your trip to Seward and the Kenai Fjords Peninsula.
Thank you to Pursuit Collection for hosting me. They covered all expenses associated with my trip to Alaska, which helps make guides on The Happiness Function website possible.
This article contains affiliate links, which means we’ll receive a commission if you purchase through our links at no extra cost to you. See full disclosure for more information.
How To Get There
I didn’t realize how far Alaska was until it took me almost 24 hours to get to Seward from Tulsa, where I currently live. With that said, I flew into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. We rented a car at the airport and drove south to the Kenai Peninsula. From Anchorage, it is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Seward.
You can also take the train. You can buy tickets online for the Coastal Classic, which is about a four-and-a-half-hour ride from Anchorage.
Google Maps works in Anchorage, but once you leave the city, some places have no cell phone reception along the drive. So, download offline maps ahead of time.
Where To Stay
Seward is on the coast and surrounded by Resurrection Bay, towering mountains, and the Chugach National Forest. The town isn’t that big – less than 3,000 people live there. Even though it’s a small town, there are still great options for places to stay.
I spent a few nights at the Seward Windsong Lodge and Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, both of which were excellent.
Seward Windsong Lodge: The property is about 10 minutes north of downtown Seward. It’s tucked into the forest and has excellent views of the surrounding area. It has a mid-range price point (roughly $200-$400/night, depending on the time of year and availability).
The rustic lodge offers a shuttle to downtown Seward. It also has WiFi, a coffee shop, and a restaurant – Resurrection Roadhouse. I tried reindeer sausage for the first time there, and it was pretty good. They also serve Alaskan seafood and American classics.
I was grateful that the rooms there had blackout curtains. Depending on when you visit Alaska during the summer, it does not get dark. Don’t forget to pack an eye mask for sleeping.
Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge: To stay here, you have to take a ferry from Seward to Fox Island. This property is off-the-grid and has a rustic luxury feel. It is all-inclusive; meals are included, so its price point is higher. Rates start around $875/night per person, but you have a private cabin steps from Halibut Cove.
The cabins do not have WiFi, and you’ll want to bring a power bank for your cell phone. There is a charging station at the main lodge, and I could send my husband texts while I was there.
I’ve stayed in many places around the world, and Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge is one of the best I’ve ever been. The food was incredible, and I loved that they offered kayaking and a dry sauna.
Find more places to stay in Seward, Alaska!
When To Visit
The tourist season in this part of Alaska is June through September, so plan your trip between this time frame. Many establishments shut down outside these months in preparation for the harsh Alaskan winter.
5-Day Itinerary for Seward, Fox Island, and Kenai Fjords National Park
A trip to this part of Alaska is perfect for first-timers who like a bit of adventure but don’t want to be on a giant cruise ship the entire time. I took this trip without Pablo and felt safe; everything was guided, and the people were friendly. You’ll see lots of wildlife, go kayaking, and also be able to rest.
Now, let’s get into the itinerary and how to spend five days in Alaska.
Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage
Once you arrive in Anchorage, pick up your rental car from the airport. If you’re hungry after the long flight, 49th State Brewing is a great pub to grab food downtown. I had a burger with a side salad, and it hit the spot. The place was packed with locals.
Planning tip: Before driving to Seward, map the directions with your phone. There is cell phone reception in Anchorage, but like I said before, once you get into the mountains, you will lose reception, so have a map downloaded ahead of time so you know where you are driving.
It is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Anchorage to Seward. Enjoy the views and look for moose.
Once you get to Seward, check in to your accommodations. I stayed at the Seward Windsong Lodge one night. I got in around midnight and just went to bed.
Depending on when you arrive in Seward on the first day, if you have time, check out Exit Glacier and grab dinner at Resurrection Roadhouse or the Flamingo Lounge.
Day 2: Ferry to Fox Island
If you like coffee or tea, Resurrect Art Coffee House is a cute shop on the way to the harbor. I got a chai latte and enjoyed the local art inside. They also offer pastries and had a gluten-free option when I was there.
Next, head to the Kenai Fjords Tours building down by the marina. You’ll want your bags packed and ready for a two-night stay at Fox Island’s Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge. You can only bring a backpack and a carry-on size suitcase to the island. You can leave your car in the designated parking area.
Once the ferry leaves, it is roughly a 40-minute boat ride to Fox Island on the other side of Resurrection Bay. Keep a lookout for humpback whales, harbor seals, otters, and killer whales. The ferry captain will also point them out. I was in awe when I saw my first humpback whale of the trip spouting from its blowhole within 20 minutes of the ride.
Once you arrive on Fox Island, you’ll have a gourmet lunch and can check into your cozy cabin. Then, spend the afternoon relaxing in your cabin or at the beautiful lodge, watching the sea. The lodge offers afternoon tea by a wood stove and a happy hour before dinner is served.
A designated chef is on the property, and the menu rotates constantly. We enjoyed salads, halibut, steak, soup, and many other excellent meals. The staff’s service is five-star.
If you have food allergies, inform the lodge beforehand so they can plan for your arrival. I am gluten-free and peanut-free, and they had no problem accommodating me.
Day 3: Enjoy Fox Island + Go Kayaking
Kick the day off with the morning coffee service — the staff brings it to your cabin around 7:00 a.m. Enjoy the morning views of the mountains and bay before walking over for breakfast at the main lodge.
After breakfast, go sea kayaking with Sunny Cove Kayaking. Guides will take you around the island and into the coves to see sea otters, purple starfish, eagles, and waterfalls. Seeing all these creatures in their natural habitat was so much fun.
Lunch is served after kayaking, and you will have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the property and the sauna before tea, happy hour, and dinner. If it’s not raining, they also offer a campfire with s’mores.
Day 4: Day Cruise Through Kenai Fjords National Park
Enjoy your morning coffee service before heading for breakfast. After breakfast, plan to have the boat pick you up from the island for an all-day, eight-hour Northwestern Fjord Tour around Kenai Fjords National Park.
If you tend to get seasick, take Dramamine before the tour starts (as directed by your doctor).
During the cruise, the captain points out sealife and discusses the park’s history. You can see humpback whales, killer whales, puffins, sea lions, harbor seals, and more. We even saw a blue whale!
You’ll float by multiple glaciers, including the Northwestern Glacier, fjords, waterfalls, and the most beautiful turquoise water you’ve ever seen, with chunks of floating icebergs. A small lunch is served as well.
The Kenai Fjords National Park day cruise was one of the most spectacular experiences I have ever had, and I highly recommend it. Seeing whales up close in the wild took my breath away. It’s a photographer’s dream.
Planning tip: I brought my Sony a7iii 28-70mm lens. I wish I had also packed a 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 lens to better capture the wildlife at a distance.
When the cruise ends, you are dropped off in Seward and can pick up your car. We stayed at the Windsong Lodge another night and enjoyed dinner and drinks at the Resurrection Roadhouse.
Day 5: Drive Back to Anchorage
If you have time, grab breakfast in town. Then, plan to head back to Anchorage, giving yourself plenty of time for the drive so you don’t miss your flight.
I caught the red eye out of Anchorage and was back home the following day. Take it easy when you get home. You might have a little jet lag from experiencing Alaska’s summer midnight sun – I did!
More Things To Do in Seward
If you’re not up for staying on Fox Island, no worries. You might like exploring these things around Seward.
Kenai Fjords Dinner Cruise: Kenai Fjords Tours offers a few different options, one of which is a six-hour dinner cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park.
Hike to the Exit Glacier: The Exit Glacier is the only glacier accessible from town by car without getting on a boat in Kenai Fjords National Park. Walk the one-mile Glacier View Loop Trail or the 2.2-mile Glacier Overlook Loop Trail to see the glacier up close. Visit the National Park Service website for more information and trail conditions.
Hike to the Harding Icefield: If you’d like a longer hike from the Exit Glacier area, you can trek the 8.2-mile round-trip trail to the Harding Icefield. This trail is considered strenuous.
Go Kayaking: I highly recommend kayaking in Resurrection Bay. It is incredibly scenic and has so much wildlife to see. Sunny Cove Kayaking offers half-day and full-day tours around the bay if you decide to skip Fox Island. They also offer kayaking and camping packages.
Walk Around the Seward Waterfront Park: Located between the boat harbor and Alaska SeaLife Center, you can walk along the coast for almost 2-miles. Keep your eyes peeled for sea otters and harbor seals.
What To Pack
When deciding what to pack for my summer trip to Alaska, I brought a little bit of everything and was not disappointed. There was rain almost every day — south central Alaska is a temperate rainforest.
June was also pretty cold and wet, with temperatures ranging from the 40s to the 60s degrees Fahrenheit.
Layering is key to staying warm and dry while planning your trip to the northern latitudes.
Make sure you can comfortably layer these items:
- Fleece leggings
- Quick-drying pants
- Thermal long-sleeve shirt
- Rain pants
- Rain jacket
- Light down jacket
- Fleece jacket/sweater
- Wool socks
- Waterproof boots
- Quick-drying long sleeve shirt
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Brimmed hat
- Quick drying undergarments
- Bathing suit for sauna
- Sandals
- Eye mask
Read our detailed guide on what to pack for a summer trip to Alaska!
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