Seward sits on the shores of Resurrection Bay, a fjord of the Gulf of Alaska carved long ago by retreating glaciers. Located 120 miles south of Anchorage, the town supports about 2,750 people and is the 4th largest city in the Kenai Borough. Seward was named after William H. Seward, U.S. Secretary of State, who was responsible for the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia.

Seward is the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad and the historic starting point of the original Iditarod Trail into Alaska’s interior. Mile 0 of the trail is marked at the shoreline at the southern end of town.

The community played an important role during World War II. Fort Raymond was established along the Resurrection River, and Walseth Air Force Base was built to protect the town; both have since closed.

Today, Seward’s economy is powered by a strong fishing industry, seasonal tourism, and shipping. The city also hosts a state-run correctional facility, a vocational school, and regional health services. The Alaska SeaLife Center, located on the waterfront, is unlike anywhere else in the state and is a highlight for visitors. Seward also serves as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, one of Alaska’s most dramatic natural landscapes.

Accessible by land and sea, Seward welcomes visitors seeking wildlife encounters, outdoor adventures, history and culture, rainforest hikes, and stunning views of mountains, glaciers, and the ocean.

Did You Know?

• Seward is home to Mile 0 of the original Iditarod Trail, marked along the shoreline at the south end of town.

• The town played a vital defensive role in World War II with both Fort Raymond and Walseth Air Force Base operating here.

• The Mount Marathon Race, held every July 4th, is one of the oldest footraces in the country and climbs nearly 3,000 feet above town.

• In 1964, Seward was heavily damaged by the Good Friday Earthquake and resulting tsunamis, reshaping parts of the waterfront.

• Resurrection Bay is ice-free year-round, which is why Seward has long been an important port for shipping and fishing.