Resurrection River Trail

Chugach National Forest, Seward Ranger District (Exit Glacier Road, near Kenai Fjords National Park)

“A mountain above the Resurrection River near Exit Glacier” by Scot Nelson , CC0 · Source · Resized for the web

The Resurrection River Trail starts a few minutes from Exit Glacier and heads north up a wild river valley toward the Russian Lakes. The first 4.5 miles to Martin Creek are mostly level through dim spruce and hemlock forest, with two primitive campsites. Past that, the Forest Service says, the trail becomes a primitive route with unbridged creek crossings, and it’s only for experienced hikers.

For most backpackers, the lower trail to Martin Creek makes a quiet overnight. The full route is a serious undertaking.

The hike

The trailhead is at mile 7 of Exit Glacier Road (Herman Leirer Road), which leaves the Seward Highway at mile 3.7. ALASKA.ORG notes it’s only a few minutes by car from the Exit Glacier Nature Center in Kenai Fjords National Park. Travel Alaska adds that Exit Glacier is the only part of Kenai Fjords reachable by road, and that the Resurrection River trailhead is near the park’s Exit Glacier Campground.

The Forest Service describes the trail as 17 miles from Exit Glacier Road to the Russian Lakes Trail, through dense spruce and hemlock forest with occasional views of the river valley and mountains. The first 2 miles are in good shape. Between miles 2 and 3, it warns, the trail is often flooded and impassable in high water.

ALASKA.ORG recommends the first few miles to anyone who wants a taste of dim spruce forest along a wild river bottom, saying the quiet and the big trees make you feel far from the road. It says the trail runs 4.5 miles to Martin Creek, with two primitive campsites and occasional access to or views of the river.

Martin Creek is where the trail changes. The Forest Service says the Martin Creek bridge washed out in the 2002 floods and the Boulder Creek bridge, about mile 8, in a 1996 flood. There are no bridges at the major crossings of Martin, Boulder, and Upper Summit Creeks, and many smaller creeks are unbridged too. It warns that during spring melt and heavy rain, Martin and Boulder Creeks may be flowing too heavily to cross. It adds that low water is generally late summer to fall, between storms.

About 1.5 miles past the Martin Creek ford, at mile 6, a short spur leads to the Resurrection River Cabin. The Forest Service describes a 12-by-14-foot rustic cabin in dense spruce and hemlock forest overlooking the river valley, with a wood stove, table, and outhouse, sleeping six. It’s first come, first served, not on the reservation system. It has no running water, mattresses, bedding, or cooking gear. ALASKA.ORG says the cabin sits in the heart of heavily used bear habitat.

Beyond the cabin, the Forest Service says, the route becomes narrow and rough, with mud, downed trees, and heavy brush. It ends at mile 5.6 of the Upper Russian Lake Trail. ALASKA.ORG says a well-prepared backpacker could link the Resurrection River, Russian Lakes, and Resurrection Pass trails for a 70-mile trip across the Kenai Mountains to Hope.

Wikipedia says the Resurrection River rises near Upper Russian Lake and flows 22 miles to Resurrection Bay near Seward. The Forest Service trail sheet notes that the land west of the river is managed by the National Park Service, with its own hunting and fishing rules.

For a well-maintained Kenai trail with cabins, see the Resurrection Pass Trail. Despite the similar name, it follows Resurrection Creek on the Hope side, a different drainage.

Tips

Turn around at Martin Creek unless you’re experienced. The Forest Service calls the trail beyond it a primitive route.
Respect the fords. Martin and Boulder Creeks have no bridges and can be too high to cross in spring or after rain.
Check for flooding. The Forest Service says miles 2 to 3 are often flooded in high water.
Bring your own water treatment. The cabin has no potable water.
Watch for bears. ALASKA.ORG says the cabin area is heavily used bear habitat. Carry bear spray and store food carefully.
Winter access is long. The Forest Service says the last 7 miles of Exit Glacier Road aren’t plowed in winter.

Camping

ALASKA.ORG says there are two primitive campsites along the first 4.5 miles to Martin Creek. The Resurrection River Cabin, 1.5 miles past the Martin Creek ford, is first come, first served, and sleeps six. The Forest Service says the trail is closed to motorized vehicles May 1 to Nov. 30 and to pack and saddle stock April 1 to June 30. Contact the Seward Ranger District at (907) 288-3178 before you go.

Inside Intel: An older forum trip report from hikers who came through from Cooper Landing called the Resurrection River Cabin “the Ritz” after a day of rain and brush. The same hikers took 1.5 to 2 hours to cover the 1.5 to 2 miles from the cabin to Martin Creek, and found the bridge out as expected. For an easier overnight, the primitive campsites before Martin Creek let you skip the ford entirely.

Trail facts

Distance: About 9 miles round trip to Martin Creek; 17 miles one way to the Russian Lakes Trail
Route type: Out and back (primitive route beyond Martin Creek)
Difficulty: Moderate to Martin Creek; strenuous and route-finding beyond
Campsites: Two primitive sites before Martin Creek; Resurrection River Cabin (first come) at mile 6
Water: River and creeks. Treat all water.
River crossings: Martin and Boulder Creeks unbridged since 2002 and 1996
Permits: None found
Bear and food storage: Heavy bear habitat. Carry bear spray.
Trailhead: Mile 7, Exit Glacier Road, off mile 3.7 of the Seward Highway
Last verified: September 28, 2026

The Lowdown

No bridges at Martin and Boulder Creeks:

Past mile 4.5 the Resurrection River Trail has no bridges at Martin, Boulder and Upper Summit Creeks, and spring melt can make them too high to cross. Five tips before you ford.

Read the crossing tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.