Kenai Fjords National Park guide · 1 min read
Rain Gear and the Maritime Summer Season
Forecasts at Kenai Fjords are hard to rely on, and conditions can turn quickly. Warm water carried by the Japanese current through the Gulf of Alaska gives this coast a fairly mild maritime climate.
On summer days, expect temperatures anywhere between the mid-40s and the low 70s degrees Fahrenheit. Gray, cool, damp days come often, and summer commonly brings more than one long stretch of nonstop rain.
Sunny spells appear too, so the sky tends to offer a mix rather than steady gray. Snow can linger at higher elevations into June or July, so trails above the coast may still be snowy early in the season. Check conditions before you set out, since the weather can shift quickly.
Wet weather can still be a good time for visitors who come prepared. Full rain gear is the practical choice, whether you spend the day on a boat and look through binoculars from the bow in the rain, or walk through the coastal rainforest. Bring it for both.
Summer is when most guided outings run, from fjord cruises and other boat tours to guided glacier hikes and ice climbing. Exit Glacier, which is retreating, can be reached by road. The Harding Icefield, the park's defining feature, feeds close to 40 glaciers. Plan your visit with the summer months in mind.
