mendenhall glacier tour in juneau

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Exclusive Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier Tour

• Experience breathtaking Mendenhall Glacier and Juneau's unique culture
• Shop and dine in Juneau's historical downtown district
• Explore the Valley Area, passing boat harbors, boathouses, and Mendenhall Wetland Refuge
• Get an elevated view at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
• Visit Douglas Island for panoramic views and photo opportunities

Alaska's Juneau City & Mendenhall Glacier Tour

Juneau is one of the most unique state capitals in the United States. Although Juneau isn't an island, it is landlocked, and you can only get to it by air or sea. This exciting half-day tour will give you an orientation of Juneau, and a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier and Visitors Center.

Your Juneau shore excursion begins in the historical downtown district, where you will see the streets lined with gift shops, jewelry shops, king crab shacks, and local fish restaurants. This tour will take you right by the Governor's Mansion, the State Capitol, and the world-famous Red Dog Saloon.

Departing the downtown area, you will make your way north to the Valley Area and the Mendenhall Glacier. Along the way, you will see boat harbors filled with Alaskan fishing boats, as well as boathouses and the Mendenhall Wetland Refuge. On clear days, you can see the majestic Chilkat Mountains in the distance.

Once you arrive at the park, you will have some time to walk around the Visitor Center, which has an elevated view of the glacier. The Visitors Center hosts exhibits as well as a short film about the Juneau Icefields. Admission to the Visitor Center is included in the price of the Juneau tour.

For those guests feeling more adventurous in their Mendenhall Glacier tours, there are several short hiking paths and walking trails around the lake area, including Photo Point Trail, which winds along Mendenhall Lake to an unobstructed view of the glacier face. At the appointed time, meet your guide for the trip back to town.

The Mendenhall Glacier Juneau excursion comes to an end with a stop at the famous Douglas Island, a historic mining community, for photo opportunities and panoramic views across the ocean to downtown Juneau. You will then arrive back at the main cruise ship terminal.

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MENDENHALL GLACIER ICE ADVENTURE TOUR

Join us for the ultimate Alaskan Wilderness Exploration tour in Juneau!

• A Favorite for Families and Nature Lovers

MENDENHALL LAKE CANOE TOUR

With a guaranteed small group, absorb intimate views of the Mendenhall Glacier while paddling across the glacier-fed lake in a custom made canoe.

Mendenhall Glacier & Juneau Whale Watching Combo Tour

• 2.5 hours on-the-water whale watching for Humpback whales, sea lions, bald eagles, and other wildlife.
• Meet the stars of Auke Bay in their summer feeding grounds – the whales Sacha, Flame  and many others.
• Customized boats for panoramic views and optimal whale viewing.
• 1.5 hours at the glacier park. Pay attention to your pick up time and bus stop name given by your driver at drop off.

This is an enthralling opportunity to witness two jewels in Juneau – the graceful elegance of humpback whales and the serene beauty of the Mendenhall Glacier. Our fleet of whale watching boats and glacier shuttles offer a seamless combination of two of Juneau’s favorite activities and our most popular tour.

Upon check in, our friendly dock representatives will put you on the right bus for a narrated 30-minute drive to your first destination.

Mendenhall Glacier is Alaska’s only drive up glacier and the #1 natural attraction in Juneau. You can choose to hike to Nugget Falls (plan 1 hour for a leisurely walk or 40 mins if you hurry), take the Photo Point Trail (20 round trip), look for wildlife along the Steep Creek trail, or stroll up the easy walk to the Visitor Center.

During your time on the water, you will be accompanied by a naturalist who explains the feeding habits of these magnificent creatures and identifies the many other kinds of wildlife that share these waters. Our whale watching boats are custom made to enhance your experience – a warm heated cabin with large viewing windows, and two decks to hurry to when the captain slows after spotting the whales. A bathroom is onboard. Snacks, water and binoculars are also provided.

• Meet us at the convenient, central pick-up location in front of the Mt. Roberts Tramway.
• To find your bus, check in with one of our Dock Representatives holding a “Juneau Tours or Juneau Whale Watch” sign, sporting a smile and wearing a bright blue hat.
• On your way to the boat harbor, listen to informative commentary from your driver about the capital city of Juneau.
• Aboard our whale-watching boats, enjoy a comfortable heated cabin with wide-viewing windows and spacious decks for wildlife spotting.  When our captain spots the whales, the boat slows allowing passengers to step out on the deck for that perfect whale shot. The on-board naturalist is full of information about Alaska’s wildlife – Humpback whales, Stellar sea lions, Dall’s porpoises, bald eagles. A small snack and water are available.
• The Mendenhall Glacier is the next stop with the visitor center included in your tour. Find out about the formation of glaciers and walk to Nugget Creek Falls, Photo Point, Steep Creek or take the Trail of Time – a trail of storyboards the glacier’s retreat over many, many years.
• You get 1.5 hours self guided time at the park.
• Tour time is approximately 6 hours.

The meeting place is located on the street side in front of the Goldbelt Tramway ticket office. Dock representatives are waiting under the aerial tramway cables, holding Juneau Tours and Juneau Whale Watch signs, and wearing bright blue hats. All docks, with the exception of the AJ dock, are within walking distance (under 10 minutes.) Check in is required prior to boarding the shuttle.

• From the “AJ” dock look to the left as you exit the ship. The cruise line provides a “Downtown” shuttle, which will drop you right in front of the Tramway. A small fee may apply. If you’re up for a walk, it’s about 20 minutes. Ask the shore excursion representative from your cruise line for directions.
• Franklin Dock. Exit and turn left. Walk along the Sea Walk for approximately 8 minutes. You’ll see the Tramway building in front of you. Right of the building, on the street side, in between two parking lots, is the meeting area under the cables.
• From the Tramway and Cruise Terminal docks , which are located next to the Tramway office, exit the ship and go straight ahead. Depending on your ship, walk right or left around the building to the street side and meet a representative under the cables. 1 – 2-minute walk.
• From the Steamship dock. Exit the ship and walk down the ramp to the Sea Walk, turn right, walk along the boardwalk and look for the Tramway building. It’s on the left after passing Tracy’s Crab Shack. 5 – 7-minute walk

Check in with a Juneau Tours and Whale Watch dock representative in front of the Goldbelt Tramway, look for the Juneau Tours and Juneau Whale Watch signs, and bright blue hats. Please don’t board a bus before checking in.  We often have multiple tours departing at the same time. Questions? Call (907)523-6095.

Bus departure and return times are subject to change based on weather, unforeseen changes to cruise line schedules, or road delays. Be sure to ask your driver for exact times on the day of travel and plan accordingly.

The drop-off location is the same as the pickup location at the Goldbelt Tramway. Be sure to plan 5-10 minutes by foot back to your ship. AJ dock passengers must take a 5-minute shuttle back to their ship. On nice days, its a 20-minute walk.

The weather in Juneau AK is often wet (we live in a rainforest.) Bring layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, a camera and/or video camera, and comfortable shoes. Eating is not permitted at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. Keep food and flavored drinks packed tightly away. Water is permitted. Please feel free to eat on our buses

• All transport including pick-up and drop off is included in the tour price.
• Your ticket provides access to everything at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area and visitors center. Occasionally, inclement weather or trail conditions may cause unexpected closures for affected areas in the park.
• Trail mix bar and water on the whale watch upon request.
• Children under 2 are free.

Strollers and folding wheelchairs are welcome. Come a few minutes early and allow extra time for loading and unloading. There are three steps up and onto the bus. Car seats are not required or convenient. Infants may sit on your lap. Less gear to lug around the park!

Buses have limited cargo space and cannot store electric scooters or electric wheelchairs. We recommend booking excursions directly with your cruise line for any passengers requiring extra assistance. For those who can walk three steps onto the bus, electric scooters can be stored nearby (at your own risk) and retrieved at the end of the tour. Viewing areas close to the glacier drop-off area (approximately 150 yards) provide excellent views.

Cancellations are accepted and full refunds issued up until 24 hours before the tour.

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Juneau Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour

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Excursion Overview

Want to get out onto the open alaskan waters.

Our captains and naturalists will take you in search of humpback and killer whales, sea lions, porpoises and so much more! Your Juneau whale watching journey will take you through Favorite Channel, Stephens Passage, Lynn Canal, or Saginaw Channel, all popular spots for spotting some of Southeast Alaska's finest wildlife. Take a guided bus ride from downtown Juneau out to Auke Bay, where you will board one of our specially designed boats with large windows, heated cabins, and outdoor decks. Come aboard for up-close viewing of Alaska's most incredible creatures, while listening to a naturalist and experienced guide. There is a 100% guarantee or your money back to see the majestic humpback whales that travel to Alaska for feeding in the nutrient-rich waters. Once a whale is spotted, our captain will slow down and passengers are allowed out on the decks for a truly unique and up-close experience. With plenty of time out on the water, you're sure to see an array of spouts, tails, breaches, and more from these magnificent whales!

Coupled with this tour is a stop at the world-famous Mendenhall Glacier!

Take in the massive and mighty glacier, an explosive river of ice with rugged crevasses and vibrant blue color. At the glacier visitor center, you will have approximately 45 minutes to explore the walking paths and the U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center. Make sure you have your camera ready to snap photos of the famous Black Bears feeding on Wild Alaskan Salmon as you walk along raised trails over salmon spawning streams. It's truly a wild experience! This tour operation is under permit with the Tongass National Forest and is an equal opportunity provider.

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Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:.

• Roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship terminal
• 100% Guaranteed whale sightings or a full refund for the whale watching portion of your tour
• Beverages and light snacks
• Restrooms available while onboard the boat
• Admission to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor's Center

Requirements:

• There are no additional requirements for this excursion.

Duration: 4.5 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal.)

• 30 minutes - transportation to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
• 45 minutes - open exploration at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
• 30 minutes - transportation to Auke Bay for whale watching
• 2 hours - whale watching onboard a boat
• 30 minutes - transportation back to the cruise ship terminal

Meeting Instructions:

• This tour meets in the back of the Goldbelt Mt. Robert's Tramway building. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

• This tour is limited mobility accessible. Guests must be able to climb 4 steps into and out of the bus. There is limited space for collapsible wheelchairs and walkers. There is no storage available for motorized scooters. Please leave a comment during checkout if accommodations for collapsible equipment will be required on tour.

Refund Policy:

• You may cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund.
• Please see our Refund Policy Page for complete details.

Tours can be canceled for any reason up until seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund unless otherwise noted on the individual tour product page in the Things to Know section. To cancel a tour, please use the cancelation request link within your e-ticket that was emailed to you OR send an email to  [email protected] with the following information:

- Order number

- Tour you are canceling

- Number of passengers you wish to cancel

Within 0-7 days before the tour date, cancelations are eligible for a full refund only in the following scenarios:

- The tour is canceled by the tour operator for any reason (for example: bad weather or mechanical issue)

- You experience a medical emergency during this window and can provide documentation (documentation must be submitted within 30 days to receive a refund)

- Your ship changes port itineraries causing you to miss an excursion

All refunds are processed through Alaska Shore Excursions, and will not be processed through any cruise line or local tour provider. Refunds will appear under Alaska Shore Excursions on your bank/credit card statement. Credit card refunds are processed within 10 business days of the request. Exceptions to the refund policy include multi-day packages and some day tours. Please refer to the specific refund policy listed on the individual tour product page.

Frequently Asked Questions

The boats hold 49 guests. Compare this with the boats used by the cruise lines which hold up to 150 guests at once!

Every boat has open seating as well as outside viewing areas when permitted.

The interior of the boat is heated when needed due to weather conditions to keep a comfortable environment.

Yes, the boat has a restroom.

Humpback whales and other sea animals are protected species and a safe distance of at least 100 yards must be maintained at all times according to NOAA regulations.

Sightings are guaranteed or you'll receive a full refund for the whale watching portion of your tour.

Air temperature can drop as much as 20F with the wind chill factor when viewing whales outside.

The maximum capacity for this tour is 51 guests.

There is open seating on the tour bus, however if you require a certain seat due to physical impairment then please inform your tour guide.

No, unless you can walk 2 miles within 45 minutes. Nugget Falls is located about 1 mile from the Visitor Center and can be seen from the parking lot and various walking trails and view points around the Visitor Center building.

Wildlife is abundant in Southeast Alaska and sightings are possible on any tour. Bears are often seen near the glacier during the late summer salmon spawning season, however this is not a designated bear watching tour and nothing can be guaranteed!

Walking on or getting up close to the glacier is not possible during this tour.

Yes, admission is included.

There are no age restrictions for this tour.

Backpacks, small bags, and purses are allowed on this tour.

Non-alcoholic beverages in a closeable containters and snacks are allowed on tour.

Beverages, bottled water and a light snack (granola bar) are included.

Check out other frequently asked questions  here !

Guest Reviews

On jul 2024.

Great excursion. Saw baby whales playing and jumping. Saw numerous other whales close by. Got some great video and pics.

Great trip! We saw whales constantly for over an hour! Crew was amazing and so cheerful.

Mendenhall was underwhelming. Whale watch was successful but we wound up far from most of the whales. Other boats were far better positioned. Luck of draw perhaps. Awful lot of money for what we got.... Doubt I would do it again. While Alaska experience was same. Very expensive. If I were you I would with that you are pricing yourself out of a market. This was my 3rd trip to Alaska, over more than 10 years, so I have some basis for my comment.

Great combination of the local highlights

On Jun 2024

Awesome! Again, booking with a local company seemed to be an advantage, as our questions were answered and the whole experience was incredible! Guides were awesome!!!!

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Duration: 4.5 hours

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Adult (13+): $ 239.00

Child (2-12): $ 199.00

Infant (Free under 2): $ 0.00

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Viewing Glaciers in Juneau

Juneau’s hottest attractions are some of the coolest spots around, sít’ - glacier, got ice we do.

Juneau's most popular attraction (and the most easily accessible Alaska glacier) is the mighty, magnificent Mendenhall Glacier , located just 13 miles from downtown Juneau and only a few minutes from the airport.

Please see this important Mendenhall Glacier Update.  The Mendenhall is just one of the 38 major glaciers that flow from the Juneau Icefield , an expanse of interconnected glaciers that sits just behind the mountains next to Juneau. The Icefield covers more than 1,500 square miles and runs from the Taku River inlet east of town to Skagway, 90 miles northwest. Now that's one big ice cube.

You have lots of options if you want to explore our glaciers . You can actually drive to the Mendenhall Glacier, but ground tour companies offer trips as well. Once you're there, the Forest Service operates an excellent walk-up visitor center . The center provides regular updates about the glacier and surrounding area -- check it out.

Beyond the Mendenhall

Recognized as the thickest glacier in the world measuring in just short of a mile thick (4,845 feet or 1,477 m), the Taku Glacier sits just to the southeast of downtown Juneau. An amazing fact about the Taku is that it’s one of only a handful of glaciers in the world that’s advancing. According to the Juneau Icefield Research Program , the Taku has been measured advancing at a rate of 56 ft. per year since 1988! This epic display of raw wilderness serves as a reminder to everyone that whether it’s our glaciers, our mountains, the local bears, or migratory whales, the beauty of Southeast Alaska is everywhere! 

Flightseeing companies offer aerial tours of the Icefield, and helicopter companies can land you right on the ice for a short walk or two-hour hike. Day boat tour companies offer tours of the twin Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm Fjord southeast of Juneau. Glacier Bay National Park, with its incredible collection of tidewater glaciers and 3 million acres of wilderness, is just a short trip to the west.

Glacier Fun Facts

• Juneau glacier viewing is often best on overcast days, so don't let a little rain dampen your plans.
• Glaciers put off a mystical blue color caused by a unique crystalline structure that absorbs and reflects light, giving the ice its unique hue. The most intense blue occurs in crevasses and when ice breaks off, or calves, from a glacier's face. The blue color fades as the ice is exposed to air and the crystalline structure breaks down.
• And while glaciers appear to be sitting perfectly still, they are in fact constantly moving, flowing downhill out of the mountains like rivers. This constant movement gives glaciers the power to shape the landscape as they go.

How to Visit Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau

Last Updated on April 30, 2024

Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier is one of the most well known glaciers in Alaska and an absolute must do when visiting whether it’s a port call on a cruise or a longer visit to Juneau on your own . This is the only glacier you can drive to in Southeast Alaska and has a wonderful visitor center and hiking trails.

I first visited Mendenhall Glacier in 1994 and have been many times since, both as a former Alaskan and a frequent visitor. It has retreated quite a bit since I first went to it 30 years ago, but still remains one of the most beautiful places in Alaska and is a favorite of Juneau residents, not just visitors. In Juneau it is referred to simply as “the Glacier”.

Spring 2024 Note : in 2023, a large increase in visitors to Juneau made getting to the glacier harder. Make sure to book early if you want to go to the glacier and are arriving by cruise ship (this does not impact independent travelers driving a car to the glacier).

The glacier is the homeland of the Aak’w Kwaan (Tlingit People).

A bonus about visiting the glacier is that it’s a great activity on a rainy day as well as a sunny day, so grab rain jacket or umbrella and enjoy exploring this special place.

This article will tell you everything you need to know to visit the glacier from the perspective of a former resident and a frequent visitor as well as a tour guide. If you’re trying to figure out how to get to the glacier without a tour, let me save you some time and hassle and tell you that you should either book the tour or take the shuttle. Do not try to get there another way unless you’re staying in Juneau for a few days with a rental car. More details on both the shuttle and the tour options are below. If you’d rather listen to information about Mendenhall Glacier, check out Episode 13 or 64 of my podcast .

Where is Mendenhall Glacier?

Is mendenhall glacier worth seeing.

• Wheelchair Accessibility

How to get to Mendenhall Glacier from a cruise ship

• Visiting Mendenhall Glacier by helicopter
• Visiting Mendenhall Glacier by kayak

Can I visit the Mendenhall Ice Caves?

How to get to mendenhall glacier if you’re visiting juneau on your own, how much time do you need at mendenhall glacier.

• Things to do at Mendenhall Glacier

What to wear at Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier is located near the town of Juneau, Alaska in the Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska.

Absolutely! Most visitors have glaciers as one of their must see experiences while visiting Alaska and the Mendenhall Glacier is a unique and easy place to see one.

While you cannot drive to Juneau itself, once you’re in Juneau this is the only glacier in Southeast Alaska you can drive to. While there are other ways to get to the glacier (like a kayaking or helicopter tour discussed below), it’s very straightforward to take a tour or a shuttle from the cruise ship docks.

Wheelchair accessibility at the Mendenhall Glacier

The visitor center is fully wheelchair accessible including plenty of room to move around the exhibits and in the theater where the film is shown. Wheelchair users can also access both the Photo Point Loop which goes down to the lake with excellent views as well as the trail to Nugget Falls. These trails are both wide, mostly flat and barrier free.

The East Loop Trail has a lot of stairs and steep sections as well as some rocks and roots.

If you are a full time wheelchair user, it’s extremely important to book transportation to Mendenhall Glacier that is wheelchair accessible. This is easy to do but must be arranged in advance as not all vehicles have lifts in Juneau (most do not). I recommend booking an excursion through your ship to guarantee this.

If you are driving on your own, there is ample wheelchair accessible parking in the parking lot.

If you’re in Juneau on an Alaska cruise and you want to visit Mendenhall Glacier, you have two options – a tour or a shuttle to the glacier. I’ll explain the pros and cons below as well as why I don’t recommend the city bus or a taxi or ride share.

How far is Mendenhall Glacier from Juneau’s cruise ship dock?

The Visitor Center is about 12 miles from downtown Juneau, where Juneau’s cruise ship docks are located. It’s about a 30 minute drive.

Mendenhall Glacier Tours

The easiest and most straightforward way to get to Mendenhall Glacier from your cruise ship is to book a shore excursion that includes a visit to Mendenhall Glacier. This will also give you a short tour of Juneau and a guaranteed seat on a bus at a guaranteed time.

You can also book a tour on the dock if there is still space available, but if it’s important to you to get to the glacier I recommend booking in advance.

The benefits of the tour are mainly having a guaranteed seat at a guaranteed time. This includes the entrance fee for Mendenhall Glacier.

If you want to combine your visit to the glacier with Juneau’s other must do activity, whale watching, Juneau Tours offers a combo that takes you to both in one tour. This tour is not offered on ships and you do need to book in advance as this is a popular option.

Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle

If you want to get out to Mendenhall Glacier but don’t want to be on a tour, the Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle is the way to go.

*NEW IN 2024* – due to the massive demand for Mendenhall Glacier and limited permits, to take the shuttle you will need to commit to a specific time to leave and depart.

Can I take the city bus to Mendenhall Glacier?

You can take the city bus to Mendenhall Glacier. However, I don’t recommend it because it takes a long time (1.5-2 hours each way depending on your walking speed and where your ship is docked). It also involves a three mile round trip walk to the bus stop which is not doable for everyone. It does only cost $2 (cash only), so if you have lots of time and enjoy walking, go for it. The bus goes once an hour. Here’s all the info about how to do it.

In addition, the city of Juneau is asking visitors not to take the city bus because in 2023 it was completely crushed by visitors wanting to go to the glacier and interfered with locals ability to get around town, to work, to medical appointments and to buy groceries.

Can I take a taxi or Uber or Lyft to Mendenhall Glacier?

A difficult thing for people to wrap their head around in Juneau is the limited availability and long wait times for on demand rides. Theoretically, Juneau has a few Uber and Lyft drivers, but I’ve never been able to successfully get a ride (I keep trying because to see what happens). Similar to other Southeast Alaska port towns (and lots of other places in Alaska) it’s still mostly taxis.

There are several taxi companies and in my experience you usually have to wait a long time (45 minutes to an hour) after calling for a ride. Taxis also drop off further away than buses from the visitor center and there is a steep surcharge per person to get dropped off at the glacier. It costs quite a bit more than the shuttle round trip, although with a bigger group it might work out financially, but it’s still a hassle. Most people also do not have enough cell service at the glacier to call for a taxi.

So, while it is possible, I don’t recommend trying to take a taxi or ride share to the glacier. Go for a tour or the shuttle instead. Trust me on this and save yourself a big headache!

Visiting Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter

For those who want to get up onto the ice and walk on Mendenhall Glacier, you’ll need to do that by helicopter. If you’re on a cruise, book through your cruise ship and book as early as you can because this shore excursion is popular and nearly always sells out!

If you’re not traveling on a cruise ship, then you can book it on your own.

The real highlight of landing on the Mendenhall Glacier is getting to go dog sledding in the middle of summer on the ice of the glacier! This is a truly incredible splurge if you’re looking for something really special and expensive on your trip.

Keep in mind that there is always the possibility of a helicopter trip being cancelled due to weather, but do not wait to see what the weather is going to be to decide to book as it will probably be sold out by then. Make your decision about whether or not to do it and then let fate (or weather) make the final call! You may also land on a different glacier (Herbert Glacier).

Expect this experience to take about 3 hours and cost around $650-$700 per person.

Visiting Mendenhall Glacier By Kayak

A kayak tour is a really unique way to experience Mendenhall Glacier. Paddle across the lake and get to hike around closer to the glacier than you would otherwise be able to. If you want to experience the glacier this way, you’ll need to be on a guided tour.

This is also a way to experience kayaking in very calm water, since you’ll be on a lake and not in the ocean. The water is still extremely cold!

You can book the tour on your ship or independently if you’re not on a ship, but make sure to book in advance! Expect this experience to last around 3-4 hours and cost around $300 per person.

A lot of people have heard about Mendenhall Ice Caves and like all glaciers, ice caves come and go and melt and collapse. At the time of this writing, there are not ice caves at Mendenhall Glacier you can safely access.

If you’re one of the lucky travelers spending more time in Juneau on your own than just a day in port on a cruise ship, you have the same options for getting out to the glacier. If you have a rental car, you can just drive there and park. Although the visitor center is a very busy place in the summer, parking is no problem since most visitors are arriving by bus.

There’s a $5 entrance fee per person.

It depends on what you want to do. An hour is enough time if you are just going to go to the Visitor Center and out on the Photo point trail to a great view of the glacier.

If you want to walk out to Nugget Falls, you’ll want to give yourself 1.5 to 2 hours.

If you want to add a longer hike, such as the East Glacier Loop trail, give yourself at least 3 hours and as much as 4-5 if you also want to go to Nugget Falls and experience the visitor center.

Most tours will give you 1.5 to 2 hours at the glacier, depending on the rest of the tour stops. Just ask how much time there is at the glacier and make sure it matches what you want to do. You can always choose the shuttle instead of a tour if you want to be flexible about the time.

Things to do at the Mendenhall Glacier

The Glacier has several great opportunities for visitors, whether you just want to take in a view, learn about glaciers and the habitat around this one at the visitor center, or go for a hike.

See the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

The glacier has an excellent and spacious visitor center with frequent ranger programs and an excellent movie. Here, you can learn about the wildlife and plants of the Tongass National Forest in general and the Juneau area specifically as well as the unique habitat and features of the glacier, Mendenhall Lake and the Mendenhall River.

The visitor center has done an excellent job of sharing the impact of climate change on Alaska’s glaciers and the Mendenhall Glacier in particular. Don’t miss the movie which is excellent.

While you’re at the visitor center, explore the short trail of time as well as the Photo Point trail which takes you down to the shores of Mendenhall Lake for excellent photo opportunities.

Look for Salmon Running in Steep Creek

The Steep Creek Trail is a short boardwalk over the creek that is partially closed during the salmon run, but you can still see salmon in the creek when they are running. Look for the boardwalk near the shuttle bus stop.

Walk to Nugget Falls

Waterfall lovers will not want to miss this mellow, flat trail to a gorgeous roaring waterfall on the shores of Mendenhall Lake.

Nugget Falls is about a mile from the visitor center on a flat and wide trail. Give yourself an hour to walk there and back, plus however long you want to spent soaking up the waterfall (which might be awhile!).

Hike the East Glacier Loop Trail

Hikers will not want to miss the East Glacier Loop Trail! This is also a terrific way to leave crowds behind as the visitor center area does get very crowded on busy ship days. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to hike this loop (at least 2.5 hours) as it has some steep sections. It’s quite wet on this trail even when it’s not actively raining and waterproof footwear is a good idea.

The trail starts above the visitor center and is well signed. It’s a beautiful and at times steep hike through the rain forest, with lots of small creeks and waterfalls and views of the glacier and the Mendenhall Valley.

There are a lot of stairs on this hike as well as some rock steps, rocky sections as well as some roots and mud. The loop is just over 3.5 miles with about 900 feet of elevation gain.

I have a full guide about what to pack for Alaska , which is good advice for the Mendenhall Glacier.

The most important thing is to wear (or bring) a rain jacket. An umbrella can also be helpful if you have one. If you’re planning to hike, waterproof footwear and possibly rain pants are a good idea. You’ll also want to make sure you have sunglasses (even if it’s rainy!) as the weather often changes several times a day.

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Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour

Description, what's included.

You've decided you'd like to see the magnificent humpback whales in Alaska, but which  Juneau whale watching tour is right for you? With this Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour, you're getting a little more bang for your buck and ensuring you're not missing any of Juneau's highlights! This tour includes a stop at the Mendenhall Glacier visitor's center in addition to the whale watching adventure. Including all of the features of the popular Whale Watching Tour , you'll leave the waters of Auke Bay and continue with a transfer over to the famous Mendenhall Glacier.

With a convenient downtown pick-up location within walking distance of the cruise ships, a 25-minute transfer over to Auke Bay takes you through downtown Juneau while your guide narrates the journey, providing a great introduction and orientation to Alaska's capital city. Load up on the customized whale watching boat and then it won't take long to arrive at prime whale watching waters. Spend the next 2 hours in the midst of whales, sea lions, seals and bald eagles, experiencing Alaska's diverse wildlife first-hand. Upon returning to the harbor, board the bus for a transfer to the glacier. Take a self-guided stroll to the glacier viewpoint or into the visitor's center (admission is included in tour price) which provides a wealth of knowledge and information. You have over and hour to explore the area before boarding the bus back to town.

Please note: This tour may run in reverse with the glacier visit first followed by whale watching.

Looking for more chances to spot wildlife and experience the highlights of each port town on your Alaska cruise? We recommend Skagway's Yukon Discovery and Ketchikan's Bering Sea Crab tour , or check out all of our staff picks !

Frequently Asked Questions

Know before you book, quick facts, itinerary • 6h 00min • 6 activities.

Meet at Cruise Dock

Guides will meet you at the downtown cruise ship dock and direct you to your bus.

Transfer to Auke Bay

Whale Watching

Once aboard your vessel, you'll enjoy 2 hours of whale watching with your captain and crew as they navigate the waters of Auke Bay.

Transfer to Mendenhall Glacier

Hop back on your shuttle to get to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center.

Explore Visitors Center

Enjoy a self-guided tour of the visitors center to learn more about the glaciers that shaped the landscape and enjoy the many trails.

Return Transportation

Proceed to the return bus stop to load the shuttle back to the cruise ship dock in downtown Juneau.

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Alaska considers new limits for cruise ship visitors to help combat overtourism

The visitor limit agreement would go into effect in 2026.

JUNEAU, Alaska -- The pristine natural beauty of Alaska boasts breathtaking landscapes with vast national parks, glaciers and 6,640 miles of coastline that makes the destination particularly popular for cruises.

Now, the capital port city of Juneau, where crowds have been sailing in in record numbers, is considering a limit on large cruise ships with 250 passengers or more that would cap the number of daily visitors starting in 2026 to help combat overtourism.

New agreement in Alaska to limit cruise ship visitors

Last month, cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian signed an agreement with Juneau tourism officials to help manage the thousands of passengers getting off the boats at the same time and visiting the area.

While the numbers are subject to change, Sundays through Fridays, cruise crowds are expected to be capped at 16,000. That number will be limited to 12,000 on Saturdays.

The new agreement expands on last year's decision to implement a limit of five cruise ships per day in Juneau.

Juneau is home to some amazing outdoor attractions, such as whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier, but some local residents said they've had enough of the post-pandemic crowds.

"I personally came to the realization that Alaska was being sold as a friendly place and that my friendliness was a commodity for the cruise lines," resident Karla Hart told ABC News. "The idea is just one day every week to just take a pause -- to have our community back."

In 2023, a record 1.6 million cruise passengers visited Juneau, including Sarah Grathwohlwent, who was there for the first time earlier this spring and documented her journey on social media.

"It was beautiful to go and see a glacier -- was my first one," she said. "I'm not against limiting the amount of cruise ships, I think it would make it nicer for the locals who live there year round."

Overtourism around the world prompts new crowd management systems

Scott Keyes, travel expert and founder of Going.com, said that the challenges of overtourism are not isolated to Juneau.

"We have been setting new travel records every month so far in 2024, and there's no reason to think that's going to stop," he told ABC News.

In the U.S., Mount Rainier is among the National Parks that have begun implementing timed entry reservations to help manage large crowds. In Europe, hotspot destinations like Venice and Barcelona have implemented day trip fees for visitors.

Over the weekend in Barcelona, thousands of locals protested in the streets with water guns to take a stand against tourism, which they say has resulted in a higher cost of living for residents.

Due to increased demand in Athens, Greece, the city is also studying limits on tourist capacity.

Experts believe that as more destinations see surges in visitors, local officials may implement restrictions to deal with crowds diplomatically.

"I'm all in favor of steps taken to try to make sure you're managing that properly and respecting the local environment and everything," Keyes said.

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11 Once-In-A-Lifetime Tours That Show Off America’s Most Breathtaking Landscapes

T he United States is home to breathtaking scenery. From waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest to the sunsets in Florida, there are landscapes that you never want to forget. While there are many ways to enjoy these beautiful destinations, a tour is often one of the easiest — and the best. The logistics are thought out for you, there are guides to answer your questions, and you can simply relax and enjoy. While there are hundreds of tours in America, the following are 11 once-in-a-lifetime tours that show off some of the most beautiful areas of the country. From the Grand Canyon to the Maine countryside, these are places you’ll never want to forget.

1. Hike and Bike Tour to Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls: Portland, Oregon

2. hot air balloon ride above maine’s countryside: multiple locations in maine, 3. chicago signature dinner cruise on lake michigan: chicago, illinois, 4. monterey, carmel, and 17-mile drive full day tour: san francisco, california, 5. maui zipline tour: haiku, hawaii, 6. grand canyon railway adventure: williams, arizona, 7. yellowstone’s old faithful, waterfalls, and wildlife day tour: jackson, wyoming, 8. miami sunset cocktail cruise: miami, florida, 9. charleston photography tour: charleston, south carolina, 10. juneau wildlife whale watching and mendenhall glacier tour: juneau, alaska, 11. new orleans swamp and bayou boat tour: new orleans, lousiana.

What are some of your favorite tours in America? Did any of the above guided tours catch your eye? Let us know in the comments! We would love to hear from you.

The post 11 Once-In-A-Lifetime Tours That Show Off America’s Most Breathtaking Landscapes appeared first on Only In Your State ® .

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Climate Change  | Juneau

Melting glaciers in the Juneau Icefield may be approaching “irreversible tipping point,” new study says

July 3, 2024 by Anna Canny, KTOO

The Mendenhall Glacier is a beautiful sight. To Bethan Davies, a glaciologist at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, it’s also a reminder.

“It’s the most visible, iconic evidence of climate change,” she said.

It’s no secret that Alaska’s glaciers are shrinking as the burning of fossil fuels warms the planet. But in the Juneau Icefield, home to the Mendenhall and more than a thousand other glaciers, ice has melted especially fast over the last decade — twice as quickly as it did before 2010. 

Davies worries that glaciers in the Juneau Icefield and elsewhere are approaching an irreversible tipping point.

“That means that we would continue to lose ice from Juneau Icefield, even if climate change stops. Even if temperatures stop rising,” she said. “At the moment, we can retain our icefields, but if we cross that tipping point it’s too late.”

The icefield stretches across 1,5000 square miles of mountain terrain between Juneau and British Columbia. It reached its peak volume back in the late 18th century, during a period of cooler temperatures known as the Little Ice Age. 

Since then, almost a quarter of it’s ice volume has melted away. Davies and her colleagues  from universities in the United Kingdom, United State and Europe used satellite imagery, historical photos and decades of glacial measurements to track that decline in a study published in the journal Nature Communications.

They found that glacier volume decreased at a pretty steady pace between 1770 and 1979. Through the tail of the 20th century and the early 2000s, things started to melt a little bit faster. Then, between 2010 and 2020, ice loss accelerated sharply.

And across the icefield, glaciers shrank five times faster from 2015 to 2019 as compared to the mid-20th century.

Every single glacier in the Juneau Icefield is smaller than it was 250 years ago. A t least 108 of them have disappeared completely. Those that remain are thinning, receding and breaking into smaller and smaller fragments.

The consequence of all that melting, is more melting. Because the Juneau Icefield is a broad, top-heavy plateau, with ice stretching skyward. When it start to melt, the surface of the icefield slumps down to a lower elevation, where air temperatures are higher.

“And because it’s warmer, it melts more,” Davies said.

The icefield also is at risk of dipping below the snow elevation line. It’s the boundary between seasonal snow and snow that persists year-round, like the white caps on some of Juneau peaks. And it’s moving higher and higher. 

“That means you’re suddenly losing snow, losing nourishment over a really big area of the icefield,” Davies said. “That’s not a healthy thing for a glacier.”

As snowfall decreases and ice breaks apart, the icefield loses some of the reflective, bright white quality that protects it too. 

“You’re left with rock that dark, you’re left with glacier ice that’s maybe a bit gray and a bit dusty,” Davies said. “That absorbs more of the sun’s energy,”

These melt-accelerating processes could be happening to other plateau icefields in Norway, Canada and other parts of the Arctic. The fate of all that ice matters for the whole world.

Glaciers only cover about 1% of the planet.

“But they are currently responsible for about a quarter of sea level rise,” Davies said. “So all the world’s glaciers together are contributing more to sea level rise than the Greenland ice sheet, and more to sea level rise than the Antarctic ice sheet. And the area that’s contributing most from glaciers is Alaska.”

The only way to prevent that sea level rise is to keep water locked in glacial ice. And the only way to do that is to slow the rate of global climate change.

“Every 10th of a degree matters,” Davies said. “If we stick to 1.5 degrees of warming — which is now very close — we’ll retain most of the world’s ice.”

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