Visiting Seward, Alaska in October: What to See and Expect
In October 2021, the school where I teach was on fall break, and I found a cheap flight to Alaska. I had never been to Alaska before, so even though I knew late October was not the ideal time to visit, I decided it was worth taking advantage of the opportunity.
I flew into Anchorage on Wednesday, October 20, and rented a car. After spending the night in Anchorage, I drove to Seward on Thursday and stayed for two nights. I continued north to Healy on Saturday before returning to Anchorage for a Sunday evening red-eye flight. I took Monday off before returning to work on Tuesday.
My October visit to Seward came with some major advantages. Hotels were inexpensive, the roads around Seward were clear, and there were almost no other tourists. The scenery was also exactly what I had hoped to see during my first trip to Alaska. I enjoyed looking at the ocean, mountains, glaciers, and snow-covered peaks.
The biggest disadvantage was that Seward felt almost completely closed for the season. Most tours had ended, many restaurants and visitor services were closed, and the town felt extremely empty. I was glad I visited, but I would not personally choose to return to Seward in late October. The next time I visit, I would rather come during the summer and take a boat tour through Kenai Fjords National Park.
Table of Contents
- Is Seward Worth Visiting in October?
- What Was the Weather Like in Seward in October?
- What Was Open in Seward During October?
- Visiting Exit Glacier in October
- Walking Around Seward Waterfront Park
- Exploring Seward Boat Harbor
- Where I Stayed in Seward
- Where I Ate in Seward
- Tips for Visiting Seward in October
- Would I Visit Seward in October Again?
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Is Seward Worth Visiting in October?
Seward can be worth visiting in October, but only for travelers who understand how limited the experience may be.
October can offer inexpensive hotels, very few tourists, and beautiful views of Resurrection Bay and the surrounding mountains. It can be a good time for someone who wants a quiet trip and does not mind creating an itinerary around whatever remains open.
The tradeoff is that many of Seward’s most popular activities operate seasonally. By the time I arrived in late October, the sightseeing boats were no longer running, many restaurants had closed, and most visitor services at Exit Glacier had ended for the year.
I was satisfied with my decision because it was my first trip to Alaska, and simply seeing the scenery made the trip worthwhile. However, I would not recommend visiting Seward in late October to someone whose main goal is taking a Kenai Fjords cruise, joining multiple tours, or experiencing Seward with everything open.
What Was the Weather Like in Seward in October?
My visit took place from October 21 through October 23, 2021. It was an unusually warm October, and the temperature reached around 50°F while I was in Seward. The roads were completely clear, and the only snow I saw around Seward was on the mountain peaks.
That does not mean visitors should expect the same conditions every October. One day was rainy, and clouds covered the mountains during much of my visit. Conditions also changed dramatically after I left Seward.
On Saturday, I drove north to Healy. About eight inches of snow fell that night, and my drive back to Anchorage the next day was long and slow. The snow did not fall in Seward, but it showed me how quickly October driving conditions in Alaska can change.
Anyone planning an October trip to Seward should be prepared for rain, snow, wind, and rapidly changing road conditions. I recommend bringing waterproof clothing, warm layers, and shoes that can handle wet or slippery surfaces. Drivers should also check Alaska 511 before traveling between Anchorage and Seward.
What Was Open in Seward During October?
Seward felt extremely empty during my late-October visit. I saw very few other tourists, even at Exit Glacier and along the waterfront.
Many seasonal tours, visitor services, restaurants, and other businesses appeared to be closed. The sightseeing boats were still docked in the harbor, but they were no longer taking visitors into Kenai Fjords National Park. Finding places to eat also required more planning because so many restaurants had closed for the season.
I did not visit the Alaska SeaLife Center. The center currently maintains reduced fall and winter hours, but travelers should check its schedule directly because operating days and hours can change.
The lack of crowds was enjoyable, but the number of closures made it difficult to fill two complete days with activities. Travelers visiting earlier in October may find more options than I did near the end of the month, but tour schedules vary each year.
Visiting Exit Glacier in October
Exit Glacier was the attraction I most wanted to see during my visit to Seward. It is located inside Kenai Fjords National Park and is the only developed area of the park that can be reached by road.
Driving to Exit Glacier
Herman Leirer Road, commonly called Exit Glacier Road, begins at Mile 3 of the Seward Highway and continues 8.4 miles to the Exit Glacier parking area.
During my visit, the road was completely clear of snow and easy to drive. Only a few vehicles were in the parking lot when I arrived, which was very different from the crowded summer conditions I had read about.
My experience was unusually fortunate for late October. The road is not plowed during the winter and becomes inaccessible to automobiles once it is covered by snow, typically sometime in October. Depending on the year, it may remain inaccessible until May.
Before driving to Exit Glacier in October, visitors should check the current road and trail conditions provided by the National Park Service.
Most visitor services had ended by the time I arrived. The nature center was closed, and the only restrooms available were the basic pit toilets near the parking area. There was no admission fee to enter Kenai Fjords National Park or visit Exit Glacier.
Hiking Near Exit Glacier
I spent about three hours exploring the Exit Glacier area. Along the trails, I passed signs showing where the glacier had reached during different years. One of the markers indicated that Exit Glacier extended near the beginning of the trail in 1917.
Those signs helped show how far the glacier had retreated. As I continued walking, I reached multiple viewpoints overlooking the glacier and surrounding valley. The first viewpoint provided a distant but clear look at the glacier. I then continued to a higher viewpoint that required walking over steeper and more slippery terrain.
The additional effort was worthwhile because the higher viewpoint provided a better look at Exit Glacier and the Outwash Plain below it. With almost no other visitors around, the entire area felt unusually quiet.
During my October 2021 visit, access to part of the Outwash Plain was still permitted. The current National Park Service closure extends from the toe of Exit Glacier through the canyon where Exit Creek opens onto the Outwash Plain because of the risk of sudden glacial outburst flooding. Visitors should remain on designated trails and follow all current closures.
The maintained Glacier View Loop and Glacier Overlook Trail now provide the recommended views of Exit Glacier. Trail conditions and road access can change quickly, especially during October.
Walking Around Seward Waterfront Park
After visiting Exit Glacier, I spent time walking through Seward Waterfront Park. The park follows the shoreline of Resurrection Bay and provides beautiful views of the water and surrounding mountains.
I hoped to see whales, sea lions, or other wildlife, but I did not see any during my walk. Even without wildlife, the waterfront was one of my favorite places in Seward because of the scenery. It was also almost completely empty.
Near the waterfront is the Mile 0 marker of the historic Iditarod Trail. The main historic trail extended approximately 1,000 miles between Seward and Nome. This should not be confused with the modern Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which holds its ceremonial start in Anchorage before the official restart in Willow. I also saw the George Rae Riley Memorial and the Seward Founders Monument. The Founders Monument commemorates Seward’s establishment in 1903 and the people involved in the town’s early development.
I did not walk the entire waterfront. After covering about a mile on foot, I returned to my rental car and drove toward Seward Boat Harbor.
Exploring Seward Boat Harbor
Seward Boat Harbor was another easy place to explore during my October visit. Many of the boats had finished operating for the season, but visitors could still walk along several of the docks. I spent about an hour walking around the harbor and looking at the boats. I had hoped to see a harbor seal or other marine wildlife, but the only sea life I photographed was a group of red jellyfish in the water.
The sightseeing boats were docked for the season. Seeing them made me wish I had been able to take a cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. I would definitely return to Seward during the summer to experience one of those tours.
Near the end of the harbor, I found a hoist used by the J-Dock Fish Company to display catches during the fishing season. The nearby fish-cleaning station had already been winterized, and its hoses had been disconnected.
Although there was not much activity, I still enjoyed walking around the harbor. It provided another quiet place to look at the water, boats, and mountains.
Where I Stayed in Seward
I stayed at the Breeze Inn, which was conveniently located in Seward’s small boat harbor district. The hotel was considerably cheaper than I would have expected during the summer tourist season.
The Breeze Inn worked well for my short visit because I had a rental car and could easily reach Exit Glacier, the waterfront, and other parts of Seward. Its location near the harbor also made it easy to walk around the docks.
Readers interested in the property can read my separate review of the Breeze Inn in Seward.
Where I Ate in Seward
Finding food was more challenging than I expected because so many restaurants had closed for the season. I ate at two restaurants during my stay and also noticed that Subway and the Safeway grocery store were available when I visited.
Because restaurant hours can change, especially during the offseason, I recommend confirming what is open before arriving in Seward.
Breeze Inn Restaurant
I ate two meals at the restaurant inside the Breeze Inn. It appeared to be popular with both local residents and the few remaining tourists.
The food was expensive, but there were very few sit-down options available during my visit. Over my two meals, I ordered a bacon cheeseburger, a Philly cheesesteak, cheese curds, and cheesecake.
The convenience of eating at my hotel was especially helpful when so many other restaurants were closed.
Lone Chicharron Taqueria
The other restaurant I visited was Lone Chicharron Taqueria. I ordered four tacos with different types of meat, including brisket, chicken, pork, and steak.
The tacos were simple, flavorful, and one of the best meals I had during my short stay. After having limited restaurant choices, I was happy to find an inexpensive local option with excellent food.
Tips for Visiting Seward in October
My late-October visit worked because I had a rental car, remained flexible, and did not expect everything to be open. Anyone considering a similar trip should keep the following advice in mind:
- Check the status of Herman Leirer Road before driving to Exit Glacier.
- Review Alaska highway conditions before traveling between Anchorage and Seward.
- Contact attractions, restaurants, and tour operators directly to confirm offseason hours.
- Do not assume that boat tours will still operate in late October.
- Bring waterproof clothing and warm layers, even if the forecast appears mild.
- Keep the itinerary flexible in case snow or poor driving conditions affect the trip.
- Download maps in advance because cellular service is unavailable in the Exit Glacier area.
- Do not treat the 50°F weather I experienced as typical or guaranteed.
October travelers should also consider the difference between early and late October. Some seasonal businesses may remain open during the first part of the month but close before the final weeks.
Would I Visit Seward in October Again?
I do not regret visiting Seward in October. Hotels were inexpensive, crowds were almost nonexistent, and I was able to drive to Exit Glacier under completely clear conditions.
Most importantly, this was my first trip to Alaska. I enjoyed simply being there and seeing the ocean, mountains, glaciers, and snow-covered peaks for the first time.
At the same time, I would not personally return to Seward during late October. Too many tours, restaurants, and visitor services were closed, and the unpredictable weather made driving more complicated once I traveled farther north.
I would return to Seward during the summer. My biggest unfinished experience is taking a boat tour through Kenai Fjords National Park, and that alone would make a second visit worthwhile.
For travelers who find a cheap flight and mainly want quiet scenery, low hotel prices, and very few crowds, Seward in October can still be enjoyable. Anyone wanting the complete Seward experience should plan a trip closer to the main summer season.
Seward Tours and Packages
By October, many of the tours were no longer running. Below is a list of tours that I would consider if I ever returned to Seward during the peak tourist season. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you book any of these tours using my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.