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The Dock of the Bay Seward was founded in 1903 and named after William Seward, who bought Alaska from the Russians in 1867. During the Alaska gold rush, Seward was the start of the Iditarod Trail, which led to the northern gold fields. Seward's still an important Alaskan port. But it’s best known to Alaskans as a resort town by the ocean, close enough for a perfect weekend vacation. |
This town was named for William Seward, a member of Lincoln’s cabinet, who bought Alaska from the Russians. Explored by Russians in 1792, it wasn’t until the 1890’s that this area was settled. Its ice-free harbor made it an obvious port. It was the beginning of the Alaska Railroad, and the Iditarod Trail, but its importance began to dim as Anchorage grew. Seward has many of its historic buildings still standing. One popular way to travel into Seward's past is to visit its historic museum (below).
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Fishermen walk out of their campers on the beach and throw in their lines at Seward. At night, there are campfires on the rocks. Only a small section of this city-run campground has hookups, but there are showers and a dump station. There’s a 2nd city campground 2.5 miles out of town in the woods near the visitor center. |
A total of 4,500 gallons of fresh sea water, pumped in every minute, keeps the Steller sea lions happy at the SeaLife Center in Seward. There are puffins, seals, various other seabirds and starfish, salmon, and even kelp. Remote control cameras from Chiswell Island, 35 miles from Seward, let you zero in on sleepy wild sea lions, basking in the sun on the rocks. |
In 1915, a couple of old Sourdoughs came up with the idea of a 4th of July foot race up 3,022 foot Mt. Marathon in Seward. The
race is now held yearly. Record time for dashing up the 3 mile course
and skidding back down the rocky slope is 41 minutes, 26 seconds a
record set by David Norris. The course record for women is 47 minutes,
48 seconds, set by Emelie Forsberg. Another runner, Fred Moore, has
raced in 50 consecutive races from 1970 to 2019. Knees give out, legs are skinned, and pieces of clothing are ripped off by the rocks, as thousands cheer on their favorites. (Photo, deeptea.net) |
There are two distinct parts of Seward. There’s a newer commercial area as you enter town. It’s got a dockside area for shops, restaurants, & charter boats. Just down the road is the historic part of town, on a hill leading to the bay. A narrow dirt road leads to Miller’s Landing and Lowell Point. |
The mountains that dominate the southeastern half of the Kenai Peninsula contain a massive ice field that fills the mountain valleys over an area 50 by 30 miles. Harding Icefield is a relic of the Ice Age. Bounded by high mountains, the ice field isn’t visible from the road. You have to travel by boat to Kenai Fjords National Park to see it from the ocean. Or you can view Exit Glacier, just outside of Seward. |
Take a glacier cruise to see Harding Icefield. It’s not visible from the road unless you take the strenuous Icefield Trail. |
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A total of 38 glaciers stem from the 750-square mile Harding Icefield. Exit Glacier has retreated 50 feet a year in the last 200 years. As you approach the glacier, you’ll see markers, starting in 1790, and ending in 1978, that show the dramatic rate of the ice’s retreat. Read all about glaciers at the Nature Center at the beginning of the Exit Glacier Trail. |
Seward is a major port for charter tours. Besides the scenery of Kenai Fjords National Park, you can also see many seabirds as well as Steller sea lions, harbor seals, whales, porpoises, sea otters, moose, bears and mountain goats. |
The Kenai Fjords Visitor Center is near the small boat harbor in Seward. It has exhibits, side programs, maps and information. While in Seward, don't miss.... |
Seward History 
Beach Camping 
SeaLife Center 
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Stroll At Seward
ALASKA 101
BEARFOOT GUIDES
DENALI 101
