Exit Glacier hike
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Exit Glacier hike
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The Exit Glacier Hike is a beautiful trail in Kenai Fjords National Park. This trail is easy, mostly paved and very popular, and once you reach an amazing viewpoint overlooking the Exit Glacier, you will understand why. This place is truly magical and the massive glacier, that is pouring from Harding Icefield, looks magnificent.
Getting there
Reach Seward Village by heading south on AK-1, then State Highway 9. Take a turn on your right to Herman Leirer Rd. and drive 7.1mi until you reach a big Exit Glacier car park.
About
| When to do | June - October |
| Pets allowed | Yes - On Leash |
| Family friendly | Yes |
| Route Signage | Good |
| Crowd Levels | High |
| Route Type | Out and back |
Exit Glacier
Elevation Graph
Weather
Route Description for Exit Glacier
The Exit Glacier hike, being one of the easiest accessible glaciers around Anchorage, attract lots of tourists, so the main thing you need to be aware of is crowds.
Arriving at the car park either very early or later in the day improves your chances of finding a parking space, so plan to arrive early or around dinner time. Even better, spend the night in the Exit Glacier campground which is nearby so you can get an early or late start.
Leave all your worries behind, as there are lots of facilities near the trailhead: starting with flush toilets, ranger station, even fresh water to fill your empty bottles. Make your way towards the glacier on a paved wide trail.
After around 0.3mi the paved path will end near the shelter with interpretive displays about glaciers and local wildlife. There are three loops to explore, but if you only want to see the glacier, without wandering take the path straight and follow the signage. It’s hard to get lost as you will see the glacier quite soon.
The glacier itself is huge. Sadly, it’s been retreating rapidly because of global warming, so don’t forget to take lots of pictures!
Take the same route back to return to the trailhead.
Find other amazing hikes around Anchorage:
Insider Hints
If you are up for adventure, you can hike to Harding Icefield. This hike is truly epic and starts at the same car park!
Spend a night at Exit Glacier Campground to beat the crowds
Visit Alaska SeaLife Center at Seward to learn about Alaskan marine fauna
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Suzy TQ 4 years ago
A fairly easy & short hike on beautiful trails.We especially enjoyed walking on the "glacier outflow" beneath the glacier. We enjoyed it.
Jenny Kimmel 4 years ago
The massive glacier was phenomenal! Was a bit sad when I heard about global warming. I can't help but wonder what would be left of this glacier in the future.
Ada Wright 4 years ago
Amazing views. Cool hike! Figuratively and literally.
Athena H. 5 years ago
Astonishing scenery to behold. We had microspikes and practically ran down but most people were falling and sliding down on their behind.
Petre H. 5 years ago
Great hike. It reminded my kids of the "Ice Age" movie. Not very fond of it, but it's nice that my kids were happy to see such a massive glacier in real life. They keep on asking what would happen if it cracked.
Abode SC 5 years ago
This place aged so well. Unlike most of the glaciers that gets smaller as time passed by. Although change is constant.
sushilover77 5 years ago
Surreal hike! can't believe this is still part of USA!
Guy G. 5 years ago
It was beyond anything that I've imagined. Felt so close to heaven. The beauty of the glacier was blinding. Sadly, pictures can't give justice to it.
Julia Totman 5 years ago
The hike was very easy, getting a parking space was more challenging!
Grimes W. 5 years ago
Stunning views. The glacier was humongous!