mendenhall glacier tour in juneau

• Mendenhall Glacier Tours

Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour

Join the ultimate Alaskan adventure that takes you up close and personal with the Mendenhall Glacier. Our extended Alaska glacier tour gives you ample time for pictures and exploration while trekking with your guides next to the glacier ice itself. Be one of the few to experience the beauty of the Mendenhall Glacier this closely, exclusively, and safely. This is as close to the glacier as you can get without stepping foot on the ice.

Duration: 5 hours

Price: $359 per person

• Mendenhall Lake Canoe Tour

Be among the select few to travel by canoe for an unprecedented experience of the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. This tour is limited by permits issued by the National Parks Service so book early for this unique experience! Paddle across Mendenhall Lake, navigating past icebergs, surrounded by one of the richest samplings of Alaskan wildlife you'll find anywhere. Venture within yards of the massive, awe-inspiring face of the living Mendenhall Glacier.

Duration: 3.5-4 hours

Price: $239 per person

Mendenhall Glacier Dog Sledding & Helicopter Tour

This tour is the same as our Juneau Dog Sledding & Glacier Helicopter Tour except that it will take you on a thrilling mushing ride across the Mendenhall Glacier. After your transfer to the helicopter base, you'll take off on a scenic flight over Mendenhall Lake, on your way to the dogsled camp situated atop the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier. The spirited dogs will be waiting to whisk you away on a mushing experience you'll not soon forget!

Duration: 3 hours

Price: $659 per person

Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Tour & Guided Walk

Featured on GOOD MORNING AMERICA -- travel back to the Ice Ages with Alaska's original glacier helicopter tour! Board a modern turbine-powered helicopter for a flight to the world-famous Mendenhall Glacier!

Duration: 2.5 hours

Price: $379 per person

Juneau Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour

This combo is the best way to make the most of your day in Juneau! While out on the water, there is no doubt that you'll see humpback whales - this is the time of year they travel to Alaska to feed on thousands of pounds of krill a day. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor's Center offers unique views and trails for guests to get as close to the glacier as possible!

Duration: 4.5 hours

Price: $165 per person

Juneau Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour Private Charter

**Please email [email protected] for availability** For a truly memorable whale-watching experience, our exclusive private jet boat adventure is right for you and your family! Holding up to 14 guests, you can avoid the crowded whale-watching boats and enjoy the amazing marine life Juneau has to offer. Combine this with a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor's Center for an excursion of a lifetime. Please note: prices are per boat, which holds 1-14 passengers.

Price: $2,500 per charter

Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip

Get ready for a true outdoor experience - you're going on an exhilarating river rafting adventure down the beautiful Mendenhall River. There is something for everyone; whether this is your first time or you're experienced! You can choose to paddle or just sit back and enjoy the day. No matter what, this is a tour not to be missed!

Duration: 3.5 hours

Price: $179 per person

Juneau Mendenhall Lake Kayaking Adventure

If you want to be the lucky few who can face the majestic Mendenhall Glacier under a very limited U.S. Forest Service permit, this is the right tour for you! Your guide will teach you kayaking techniques, then board the two-person kayaks either with your traveling companion or a new friend. Journey across Mendenhall Lake, listen to your knowledgeable guide's explanation of the breathtaking nature surrounding you, and the history and ecology of the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls while navigating the iceberg studded pristine water. This will be the highlight of your time in Juneau!

Price: $249 per person

Juneau Glacier View Sea Kayaking

You'll be off to the north side of Douglas Island for panoramic views of the Mendenhall Glacier and Auke Bay, where you'll board a two-person kayak sailing as the Aleut Indians did! As you view the Mendenhall Glacier from the sea, your adventure may include seeing porpoises, seals, sea lions, eagles, herons, or even whales. Get ready for a wilderness adventure you won't forget.

Price: $139 per person

Juneau Privately Guided Mendenhall Glacier Trek

One of the most popular glaciers in Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier can be visited on this privately guided tour. Hike through the Tongass National Forest and around the majestic Mendenhall Glacier on foot. Exploring the unique moon-like landscape of bedrock recently exposed by the receding glacier can be the highlight of your trip!

Duration: 8 hours

Price From: $420 per person

Juneau Mendenhall Glacier & Salmon Bake Tour

**THIS TOUR IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE 2024 SEASON** Experience the perfect day sightseeing at the most popular attraction in Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier, followed up by an all-you-can-eat Alaskan salmon bake. Take in the magnificent sights during your free time at the glacier before being taken to an authentic Alaskan feast at Gold Creek. Spend as much time feasting, exploring, and enjoying the entertainment before heading back to your cruise ship.

Price: $129 per person

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About Mendenhall Glacier Tours

Best mendenhall glacier tours & excursions, 1. juneau whale watching & mendenhall glacier tour, 2. mendenhall glacier ice adventure tour, 3. glacier walk & helicopter tour, 4. mendenhall glacier float trip, 5. juneau mendenhall glacier & salmon bake tour, 6. dog sledding & helicopter tour, 7. mendenhall lake canoe tour, 8. kayaking & mendenhall glacier viewing, visiting mendenhall glacier.

If you're in the Juneau area, a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier is a must-do activity.

Mendenhall Glacier is a massive and mighty river of ice that extends 13 miles. Featuring vivid blue ice and awe-inspiring views of the magnificent Coast Mountains, the Mendenhall Glacier is a natural wonder. It is part of the  Juneau Icefield , located within the  Tongass National Forest . 

When you visit, you’ll step back in time to the last ice age, when Juneau Icefield spilled forth with 38 glaciers, including the Mendenhall with its with rugged, icy crevasses. Have your camera ready as you wander along the well-maintained trails to view black bears, salmon streams, and even bald eagles.

You can get to the glacier via one of our scenic Medenhall Glacier tours, taxi, or car.

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor's Center

When you arrive at the visitor’s center, take a short walk on Photo Point Trail, about 0.15 miles, to a beautiful viewpoint, great for taking photos of the glacier. The trail is paved and accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Once you’ve taken the perfect glacier photo, head to the U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center to learn more about the glacier and watch a 15-minute video. You can also pick up a trail map from the National Forest Service. Many people enjoy learning about the science of the glacier, along with the area’s rich history. The visitor’s center charges a small fee for entry, but you can use the restrooms and visit the bookstore for free. 

Nugget Falls

If you have more time, take a 15-20 minute walk along the trail to Nugget Falls to reach a large and beautiful waterfall. Enjoy the spectacular sight of the waterfall spilling into an iceberg-filled lake, with the glacier in the background. This is the closest you can get to the glacier from this side of the lake.

The Nugget Falls Trail is 2 miles roundtrip and takes about an hour to accomplish. It is a well-maintained, gentle trail with dirt and gravel.

Spotting Wildlife: Salmon and Black Bears

Those visiting the Mendenhall Glacier in late July through September can look for views of black bears fishing for salmon. Head left from the roundabout onto a series of boardwalks for the Steep Creek Trail. If you’re lucky, you’ll find black bears chasing the salmon that have spawned in the creek. (Don’t worry, bears can’t get up to the platforms where you’ll be.)

Steep Creek Trail is a 0.25 mile loop, and takes about 20 minutes to see. The trail is easy for most visitors, alternating between pavement and raised boardwalks.

Mendenhall Glacier Weather

Mendenhall Glacier weather  is typically mildest in May through September. During the summer, expect highs in the 60s and always bring a rain jacket - just in case. (But don't let rain discourage your trip! The glacier is beautiful on cloudy days.)

Overcast days can bring some of the best glacier views and photographs, so don’t let a little rain discourage you! You can find the current Mendenhall Glacier weather conditions on our page.

Cool Mendenhall Glacier Facts

In addition to its splendor and beauty, the Mendenhall Glacier offers fascinating insights into science and history.

Why is the Ice Blue?

The ice appears blue, because it absorbs all of the colors of the visible light spectrum except blue, which it reflects. Other ice may appear white, because it is highly fractured with air pockets and scatters the visible light spectrum. The ice is bluest in the areas least exposed to air.

How Did the Glacier Form?

Year after year, snow accumulates and compacts underlying snow layers from previous years into solid ice. Snowfall in the Juneau Icefield often exceeds 100 feet, which creates excellent conditions for glaciation. Mendenhall Glacier is one of 38 glaciers that flow from Juneau Icefield.

The Glacier Looks Still; Is it Moving?

Yes, the glacier is always moving, shaping the landscape as it goes. While the movement is very, very slow, the glacier is always moving and flowing downhill like a river.

How Did Mendenhall Glacier Get its Name?

The glacier was actually orginally known as Sitaantaagu (“the Glacier Behind the Town”) or Aak’wtaaksit (“the Glacier Behind the Little Lake”). Naturalist John Muir named the glacier Auke Glacier in 1888. Then, in 1891, it was renamed in honor of Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, who served as Superindendent of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1889 to 1894.  

Choosing Your Excursion

There's a Mendenhall Glacier tour for everyone. You can ride atop Mendenhall Lake by kayak, canoe, or raft or you can fly to the glacier via helicopter. For a truly exciting trip, the Ice Adventure tour can include a visit to the famous Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves if conditions are favorable.

For even more to do in Juneau, check out our list of the  best things to do in Juneau .

What are the best Mendenhall Glacier tours?

The best Mendenhall Glacier Tours are:

• Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure
• Juneau Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour
• Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Tour & Guided Walk
• Glacier View Sea Kayaking

Can you walk on top of Mendenhall Glacier?

Yes, you can walk on top of Mendenhall Glacier. Our Mendenhall Glacier helicopter tour lands on top of Mendenhall Glacier and allows you to walk around and experience the glacier.

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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.

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.

A Word About Ice Caves

The ice caves at the Mendenhall have received a lot of publicity lately, as the glacier's recession has allowed access by curious visitors. However, there are no public trails to the Mendenhall Glacier ice caves, and while beautiful, glaciers are ever-changing and may be dangerous. Glaciers should only be approached with a professional guide. 

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.

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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 & Gardens Tour

Savor the rich beauty of Glacier Gardens, see the largest salmon ladder in Alaska and visit Juneau's top natural attraction, the Mendenhall Glacier in Tongass National Forest - including entry to the visitor center - on this approximate 4-hour tour. Enjoy commentary about Juneau's gold rush and local history as you depart from downtown en route to Glacier Gardens. Upon arrival, meet your personal tour guide and transfer to a covered shuttle for an intimate look at this natural wonderland. Here, colorful plants, trees and flowers create a dazzling contrast to the lush green forest backdrop. You will be amazed at the diversity of the rainforest as you wind your way along pathways carved from the mountainside toward the upper regions of the forest. Visit a one-of-a-kind Alaska garden featuring towering upside-down trees covered with planted flowers. From the viewing platform at the 580-foot level, capture images of the Gastineau Channel, Douglas Island and the Chilkat Mountains. Explore deeper into the forest on your return trip. Your tour continues with a visit to Juneau’s grand monument: Mendenhall Glacier. This meandering river of compressed blue ice ranks as the largest glacier accessible by road in southeast Alaska. It is a half-mile wide, hundreds of feet deep and fed by the 1,500-square-mile Juneau Icefield. The U.S. Forest Service staff offers a wealth of information on glaciers during your 75-minute visit to the glacier. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center features exhibits, interactive videos and a panoramic view of the glacier. Don’t forget your camera, as it boasts the perfect vantage point for photos of this world-famous sight. There are also numerous self-guided walking trails to experience the special beauty of Tongass National Forest, allowing ever-changing glimpses of the glacier.  

Guests on this tour will not be able to walk on the glacier. You will be staying across the lake at the Glacier Visitors Center, which offers spectacular views of the glacier face. Tour operator is authorized under special use permit to access the Tongass National Forest. Does not include walking on the glacier as only helicopter tours access the glacier. Visit at the glacier is self-guided as your driver is not permitted to conduct tours

• All price on this site are listed in USD

Mendenhall Ice Caves & Beyond: Juneau Glacier Tours Explained

Mendenhall Ice Caves – So what exactly are the Mendenhall ice caves and why do people’s eyes seem to light up with an enchanting glow when they hear those words? If you’ve done any research into the Mendenhall glacier tours Juneau offers, and seen any of the hundreds of pictures and videos posted about the Mendenhall ice caves, you’ll understand why!

To keep things simple, when describing the Mendenhall ice caves, we mean a “cave” that is formed within a body of ice (usually a glacier) as water flows through the glacier and forms a passageway. They can range in size from small, barely-squeeze-through tunnels to huge crane-your-neck-to-see-it-all caverns. For a full description of what an “ice cave” is, check out our “What’s the Deal with Glacier Ice Caves?” blog.

• What are the Mendenhall Ice Caves Like?

What tours will get me to the Mendenhall ice caves?

Am i guaranteed to see the mendenhall ice caves, mendenhall glacier trek, glacier canoe paddle & trek.

• Private Glacier Tours
• Whales, Glaciers & Juneau, oh my

Click here to explore all of our glacier excursion options.

What are the mendenhall ice caves like.

The Mendenhall Ice Caves are sure to amaze no matter what way you choose to see them.

My first experience in the Mendenhall ice caves was dreamlike. I simply couldn’t wrap my head around the ethereal beauty of the caves! The dancing ombre of blues throughout the ice from aqua to sapphire to cobalt captivated me. I took photo after photo, trying to capture the magic, and then paused, lowered my camera, and just stood in awe, marveling at the dynamic canvas before me, letting it all soak in (and trying not to think about the hundreds of pounds of ice suspended above me!).

The blue ice gets in signature color as pressure forces air bubbles out of the ice.

Now I know you’re all thinking, how can I get a piece of this delightfully enchanting ice cave pie? No need to start purchasing your own ice trekking equipment yet, as we’ve got you covered with our Mendenhall Glacier tours in Juneau! Anytime you’re out exploring the Mendenhall Glacier or Mendenhall ice caves, it’s always best (and safest!) to go on a tour with a well-trained guide who will not only keep you safe but will do so while giving you the experience of a lifetime!

Just Hanging out in a Mendenhall Ice Cave on the Glacier Canoe Paddle & trek!

Glaciers are dynamic, which means they are always changing. It’s a well-known fact that Mendenhall Glacier has been receding at an alarming rate over the past decade, which has brought both beautiful and heartbreaking changes to the glacier and surrounding landscape.

As this river of ice continues to change, ice caves are formed and can last for months, weeks, or only a matter of days before melting and collapsing. For this reason, we never guarantee visits to, or entrance into the Mendenhall ice caves on any tour. Be assured though, if there is an ice cave open, accessible, and declared safe to enter by the guides (who are highly trained to recognize signs of stability or weakness within the cave), then you too can experience this phenomenal, icy “cave of wonders”.

We know the selection of glacier tours can be overwhelming, so we’ve put together a list to make it easier! Check out all of the adventurous Mendenhall Glacier tours Juneau offers below:

Even when you don’t see ice caves, these glacier tours will take your breath away!

By far one of the most challenging and rewarding Mendenhall Glacier tours Juneau has available! You’ll sleep well while dreaming of glaciers and ice caves after you cross this adventure off your bucket list! Rated as one of our most strenuous tours, be ready for a full 8-hour day of hiking and glacier trekking. The first part of the three-and-a-half-mile trek to through the Tongass National Rainforest to the Mendenhall Glacier starts off gently and then gradually climbs upward until the final and steepest ascent (rock scrambling included!) brings you to an awe-inspiring view of Mendenhall Glacier and the surrounding mystic landscape.

The Mendenhall Glacier Trek is a great way to explore the glacier, the ice caves, and the terrain created by it!

Once you reach the edge of the glacier, slide into your micro-spikes, harness, and helmet for the glacier trekking portion. Like an astronaut stepping on the moon, you’ll explore this hauntingly beautiful and otherworldly landscape for approximately an hour with your naturalist guide. As you go, your guides will take you (carefully) to the edge of deep crevasses and allow you to peer into moulins echoing with the trickle (or sometimes roar) of water as it flows to the bottom of the glacier. Then, take a break and relax while you sip the world’s most refreshing water straight from one of the sapphire blue pools.

And don’t think we forgot about the Mendenhall ice caves! If open and accessible, your guide will escort you from the top of the glacier to its magnificent underbelly. Once inside, you’ll have ample time to take photos, stand entranced at the mesmerizing display of lights and colors, feel the cool, glass-like surface beneath your fingers, even lick it if you want (on second thought, maybe not!).

If hiking 8-10 miles roundtrip doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, keep reading to learn about other Mendenhall Glacier tours Juneau offers!

Glacier? Check. Mendenhall ice caves? Check (if possible). Adventure? Check. Fun? For sure! If you still want an active, exciting, jaw-dropping glacier tour without an intense leg workout, then you’ll definitely want to sign up for the Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Trek! Rated as one of the most popular Mendenhall Glacier tours Juneau has, this tour trades in hiking boots for rain boots as you paddle across Mendenhall Lake.

Your guides on the Paddle & Trek will determine whether the caves are safe to enter.

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a leisurely Sunday afternoon paddle though. Once you’re all geared up with the necessary paddling equipment and in the canoes (each canoe holds either 7 or 12 guests plus a guide) be ready to paddle for 5 miles and sit in the canoe for up to 3 hours.

The paddle is an enthralling journey in itself as you glide across the (usually) calm waters of Mendenhall Lake, encircled by the towering peaks of giants such as Thunder Mountain, Mt. McGinnis or the Towers. Watch the famous Nugget Falls grow in scale and grandeur as you paddle closer, passing icebergs with Arctic Terns perched atop like silent sentinels. Keep a sharp eye out for bald eagles, the occasional beaver, and even mountain goats. Keep your camera easily accessible as you navigate around the peninsula to catch the majesty of Mendenhall Glacier right in front of you!

Once you’ve hit the shore next to the Mendenhall Glacier, you’ll begin the glacier trekking portion of the day. With trekking pole in hand you’ll navigate your way over large, loose rocks, muddy glacial silt pits (ask your guide about “glacial facials” on the way back!) and through a stream to reach the glacier. As with the Mendenhall Glacier Trek, if open and accessible, your guide will let you experience the enchantment of the Mendenhall ice caves before continuing up to the top of the glacier. Expect to spend approximately 1-2 hours exploring the glacier before returning to the canoe.

Think you want to spend more time on the glacier or have a more personalized and customized experience for your family or group? Good news! These popular Mendenhall Glacier tours Juneau offers can also be booked as private tours!

Private Mendenhall Glacier Trek or Private Mendenhall Glacier Kayak & Trek

With Private tours, you have more time to explore the glacier & find cool features like this ice feature!

What’s the advantage of booking a private tour? Worried that you might slow the group down, or, on the flip side, that the group might slow you down? Want a more customized experience for your family or group with your own personal guide and more time to explore? Are you an avid photographer who wants time to capture that perfect shot? Want to propose to your significant other in the Mendenhall ice caves or even get married atop the glacier???

If you said yes to any of those questions, then the exclusive Private Mendenhall Glacier Trek or Private Kayak Paddle & Trek might be the perfect tours for you! Let’s look at a quick breakdown of what these tours offer over their public equivalents:

Private Mendenhall Glacier Trek :

• Up to an additional hour of tour time (9 hours vs. 8 hours)
• Allows children as young as 8 years old to participate (vs. 10 years old on public)
• Hike & trek at your own pac
• Customizable & personalized to your groups’ specifics interests, including photography, proposals, weddings, additional glacier or ice cave exploration, etc.

Private Mendenhall Glacier Kayak & Trek :

• Up to an additional hour and a half of tour time (8 hours vs. 6.5 hours)
• Paddle at your own pace in state-of-the-art tandem kayaks

Very Important Note! Due to the exclusivity of these public & private tours, small group sizes (6:1 client to guide ratio), and the high demand to visit Mendenhall Glacier and explore Mendenhall ice caves, these tours fill up extremely fast! So, you will not want to delay booking these tours or someone else might snatch up your seat!

So what if your cruise ship schedule doesn’t allow you time to complete one of the more rigorous Mendenhall Glacier tours Juneau has? Or what if you’re content admiring the glacier from afar and want to take advantage of other popular attractions in Juneau? How cool would it be to see glaciers and whales in the same day? There are still more popular Mendenhall glacier tours Juneau can offer!

Whales, Glaciers & Juneau, oh my!

Juneau is the port for glaciers and whales! Add the fact that it’s also the state capital and you’ve suddenly got more things to see and do than time to take it all in – or do you? While none of the following Mendenhall Glacier tours Juneau offers will get you onto the Mendenhall Glacier or into the Mendenhall ice caves, they get you out to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Here, you can still see the glacier, take amazing photos, and even hike out to Nugget Falls. In addition, you can also pair it with a whale watching tour or a Juneau city tour, or both! Here are the options:

Even from a distance, the Mendenhall Glacier is a stunning sight to behold!

Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Combo

Hands down one of our most popular tours! Launch from Auke Bay and spend two hours on the water searching and seeing humpback whales, and, if you’re lucky, orca whales! Then be transported out to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Entrance to the visitor center is included in your ticket price. As such, feel free to check out the center & learn about the glacier, venture out to Nugget Falls, and of course, take gorgeous pictures with the glacier as your backdrop.

Whale Watching, Glacier, Juneau City Tour

The ultimate Juneau tour trifecta! On your way out of Juneau to Auke Bay, take an extended narrated tour through the Capital City, pass the famous (or infamous?) Red Dog Saloon, learn about Juneau’s rich mining history, and pass by the Governor’s Mansion. Then, as you exit the downtown, enjoy the scenery as your guide delivers you to Auke Bay or Mendenhall Glacier. Pro-tip: stay alert for potentially numerous bald eagle sightings along the highway!

Juneau City & Glacier Combo

Not interested in whales? Skip the whale watching and head straight to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Once your back downtown, take a ride up the Mt. Roberts Tram or enjoy a fresh king crab leg at Tracy’s King Crab Shack. For more ideas on things to do and places to eat in Juneau, check out JUNEAU BLOG POST.

Have your camera’s ready no matter which glacier tour you choose!

When should I book?

So, what are you waiting for? If you’re thinking about booking one of the incredible Mendenhall Glacier tours Juneau offers, my best recommendation is, just do it! These incredible experiences go quickly. Of all the Mendenhall Glacier tours Juneau is home to, you’re bound to find one that will amaze! And, if you’re like most people traveling to Alaska, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, go above and beyond the ordinary and make it extraordinary!

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Comments(02).

Are there any glacier treks/Ice caves available in April 2020?

Hi Jose! Thank you for commenting. This is a bit early in the season and is dependent on the conditions which are not possible to predict very far in advance. Our glacier treks are scheduled to begin operating May 1st, but we do have helicopter glacier treks beginning the last week of April. Please give us a call at 844-626-9600 to speak with a reservations agent so that we may help you plan your ideal itinerary!

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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.

Juneau Tours LLC

PO Box 21795 Juneau AK 99802

[email protected]

1-907-523-6095

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Juneau’s record cruise season meant more tourists — and more complaints from locals

A record 1.64 million cruise ship passengers visited Juneau this year, according to city officials.

“That is about 40% growth from last season, and about 30% growth from our previous busiest year ever, which was 2019,” said Juneau Tourism Manager Alexandra Pierce.

In 2019, 1.33 million cruise ship tourists visited Juneau. Last year, 1.15 million did.

All of those passengers led to more complaints from Juneau residents. The city’s most popular destination, the Mendenhall Glacier,  reached its tour capacity . And even some business owners say it was hard to keep up.   

Pierce said that while this year’s number may have felt surprising, it’s in keeping with pre-pandemic predictions. In 2019, when Mayor Beth Weldon established the Visitor Industry Task Force, Juneau expected passenger numbers to continue growing steadily in the coming years.

“Then the pandemic hit,” Pierce said. “We took a few years off, and all of the people that were projected to be here for 2023 came. But we didn’t ramp up into that.”

‘Shoulder to shoulder’

Pierce said more tourists meant more complaints from residents this year — to her, to the Juneau Assembly and to the city’s Tourism Best Management Practices hotline. 

The hotline got nearly twice as many complaints this year as last year. Most were about buses and shuttles, but there were also many more comments in the “other” category, which Pierce said includes things like  internet speed  and overall busyness.

Downtown Juneau felt busier than ever, and not just because the sheer number of visitors was up. Another reason was the  lack of tour bus trips to the Mendenhall Glacier . Tour operators sold out halfway through the season, which meant more tourists stayed downtown.

Pierce said business owners had mixed feelings about the increased foot traffic.

“We heard from business owners that they were doing well financially,” she said. “We also heard from some business owners and people who have been in the industry for a long time that this kind of feels like Juneau’s capacity.”

Kyle Sage, who works at Mt. Juneau Trading Post, called this season “intense.”

“At times, it was shoulder to shoulder in the shop,” he said. “Sometimes I just ran out of stuff.”

Mt. Juneau Trading Post sells handmade drums and ivory carvings along with souvenir jewelry and keychains. 

Sage said he usually reorders merchandise once each season. This year was different.

“Normally I do one reorder,” he said. “This summer I was calling reps — I think I called them two or three times at least to try and stay ahead of the game. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. I think I’m still waiting on orders I ordered in August, September.”

Sage is already thinking about next year. He usually orders the bulk of his merchandise in January or February, so it can arrive in April.

“But they’re moving the boats forward, so I’ll be looking to get a March delivery,” he said.

Tuncay Esener, who owns another shop downtown called Pandora’s Box, has also adjusted to the earlier season. His first summer in Juneau was in 2022, and he opened up shop on June 15. This time around, he knew to open the store earlier.

He also changed his merchandise, offering more handmade Turkish goods. He said the colorful, stained glass lamps hanging throughout the store were his most popular product.

He’s looking forward to having more local customers now that the tourist season is over.

“Local people don’t want to come in the summertime because it’s so busy,” he said. “I will be very happy to see local people in my shop.”

Staffing is still a challenge

Research firm Rain Coast Data reports on Southeast Alaska’s visitor industry each year. In  this year’s report , they said that despite the record-breaking number of visitors, the tourism workforce was still below 2019 levels.

Gary Totwani and his wife opened their jewelry store, Gary’s Fine Jewelry, in 2020. They’d had high hopes for a record season, before the pandemic hit.

“We were supposed to open in March, but there was nobody in town,” Totwani said. “It didn’t make sense to go into more debt.”

They ended up waiting to open until November 2020. While they’ve built a steady local customer base by offering repairs and custom jewelry, Totwani said hiring remained a challenge this year. They ended up relying on a family member to help out.

“The staffing is a real issue in Juneau,” Totwani said. “We’d try to contact somebody, and then they didn’t have enough experience. And then if they had experience, we’d try to call them and they say, ‘I will come,’ and nobody shows up.”

In an  April 2023 survey , business owners in Southeast said the lack of housing and childcare were the biggest challenges to hiring and retaining workers.

Next season will be longer

Next year’s season will be Juneau’s first with  a limit of five large ships  per day. Pierce thinks Tuesdays in particular will feel less hectic next year.

“Our busiest Tuesdays this summer were about 21,000 passengers, which is a shocking number of people,” she said. “Our busiest Tuesdays next summer will be about 17,000. Still heavy days, but it’ll reduce the maybe fever pitch that we saw in some of the busiest days this year.”

Overall, though, the total number of visitors in the season will remain about the same.

“The 2024 season will be similar in volume, but slightly longer,” Rain Coast Data analysts  wrote in their report . “The cruise ship season is expected to run a full seven months.”

Juneau’s first ship of the 2024 season is  scheduled for April 8 , and the last is scheduled for Oct. 24. But Pierce says bigger ships — and ships with fewer empty beds — have contributed more to growth than longer shoulder seasons have. 

“Our steady numbers for 2025 tell me that they’re keeping the same ships in the market, more or less, and that things are kind of leveling off,” she said. “That allows us to have the conversations we need to have for 2026.”

In the meantime, city leaders will soon start deciding how to spend this year’s marine passenger fees — the $5 per cruise ship passenger fee meant to fund projects that both improve the tourist experience and offset the industry’s impacts on locals. 

Pierce has a few projects meant to reduce congestion that she’d like to see funded. One is a downtown circulator bus, which would help tourists get to attractions outside the core of downtown, like the Alaska State Museum and the Governor’s Mansion.

She’d also like to see funding put toward extending the Seawalk to the AJ dock.

“It will take a lot of shuttle buses off the road,” she said. “Right now, they shuttle a lot of people because it’s not really an attractive walk. If you get off your ship and it’s a nice walk down the dock into town, that’s a really different proposition.”

The city will also spend the next few weeks surveying Juneau residents about the season. Pierce said those results, along with results of a visitor survey, will be ready for review by the Juneau Assembly in early December.

Katie Anastas, KTOO - Juneau

Related articles more from author, southcentral alaska buried in more than a foot of snow from winter storm, anchorage mayor and assembly at odds over contracts signed without input, federal judge rejects legal challenge to conocophillips’ willow project.

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Juneau  | Tourism

Juneau’s record cruise season meant a busier downtown — and more complaints from locals

November 8, 2023 by Katie Anastas, KTOO

A record 1.64 million cruise ship passengers visited Juneau this year, according to city officials.

“That is about 40% growth from last season, and about 30% growth from our previous busiest year ever, which was 2019,” said Juneau Tourism Manager Alexandra Pierce.

In 2019, 1.33 million cruise ship tourists visited Juneau. Last year, 1.15 million did.

All of those passengers led to more complaints from Juneau residents. The city’s most popular destination, the Mendenhall Glacier, reached its tour capacity . And even some business owners say it was hard to keep up.   

Pierce said that while this year’s number may have felt surprising, it’s in keeping with pre-pandemic predictions. In 2019, when Mayor Beth Weldon established the Visitor Industry Task Force, Juneau expected passenger numbers to continue growing steadily in the coming years.

“Then the pandemic hit,” Pierce said. “We took a few years off, and all of the people that were projected to be here for 2023 came. But we didn’t ramp up into that.”

‘Shoulder to shoulder’

Pierce said more tourists meant more complaints from residents this year — to her, to the Juneau Assembly and to the city’s Tourism Best Management Practices hotline. 

The hotline got nearly twice as many complaints this year as last year. Most were about buses and shuttles, but there were also many more comments in the “other” category, which Pierce said includes things like internet speed and overall busyness.

Downtown Juneau felt busier than ever, and not just because the sheer number of visitors was up. Another reason was the lack of tour bus trips to the Mendenhall Glacier . Tour operators sold out halfway through the season, which meant more tourists stayed downtown.

Pierce said business owners had mixed feelings about the increased foot traffic.

“We heard from business owners that they were doing well financially,” she said. “We also heard from some business owners and people who have been in the industry for a long time that this kind of feels like Juneau’s capacity.”

Kyle Sage, who works at Mt. Juneau Trading Post, called this season “intense.”

“At times, it was shoulder to shoulder in the shop,” he said. “Sometimes I just ran out of stuff.”

Mt. Juneau Trading Post sells handmade drums and ivory carvings along with souvenir jewelry and keychains. 

Sage said he usually reorders merchandise once each season. This year was different.

“Normally I do one reorder,” he said. “This summer I was calling reps — I think I called them two or three times at least to try and stay ahead of the game. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. I think I’m still waiting on orders I ordered in August, September.”

Sage is already thinking about next year. He usually orders the bulk of his merchandise in January or February, so it can arrive in April.

“But they’re moving the boats forward, so I’ll be looking to get a March delivery,” he said.

Tuncay Esener, who owns another shop downtown called Pandora’s Box, has also adjusted to the earlier season. His first summer in Juneau was in 2022, and he opened up shop on June 15. This time around, he knew to open the store earlier.

He also changed his merchandise, offering more handmade Turkish goods. He said the colorful, stained glass lamps hanging throughout the store were his most popular product.

He’s looking forward to having more local customers now that the tourist season is over.

“Local people don’t want to come in the summertime because it’s so busy,” he said. “I will be very happy to see local people in my shop.”

Staffing is still a challenge

Research firm Rain Coast Data reports on Southeast Alaska’s visitor industry each year. In this year’s report , they said that despite the record-breaking number of visitors, the tourism workforce was still below 2019 levels.

Gary Totwani and his wife opened their jewelry store, Gary’s Fine Jewelry, in 2020. They’d had high hopes for a record season, before the pandemic hit.

“We were supposed to open in March, but there was nobody in town,” Totwani said. “It didn’t make sense to go into more debt.”

They ended up waiting to open until November 2020. While they’ve built a steady local customer base by offering repairs and custom jewelry, Totwani said hiring remained a challenge this year. They ended up relying on a family member to help out.

“The staffing is a real issue in Juneau,” Totwani said. “We’d try to contact somebody, and then they didn’t have enough experience. And then if they had experience, we’d try to call them and they say, ‘I will come,’ and nobody shows up.”

In an April 2023 survey , business owners in Southeast said the lack of housing and childcare were the biggest challenges to hiring and retaining workers.

Next season will be longer

Next year’s season will be Juneau’s first with a limit of five large ships per day. Pierce thinks Tuesdays in particular will feel less hectic next year.

“Our busiest Tuesdays this summer were about 21,000 passengers, which is a shocking number of people,” she said. “Our busiest Tuesdays next summer will be about 17,000. Still heavy days, but it’ll reduce the maybe fever pitch that we saw in some of the busiest days this year.”

Overall, though, the total number of visitors in the season will remain about the same.

“The 2024 season will be similar in volume, but slightly longer,” Rain Coast Data analysts wrote in their report . “The cruise ship season is expected to run a full seven months.”

Juneau’s first ship of the 2024 season is scheduled for April 8 , and the last is scheduled for Oct. 24. But Pierce says bigger ships — and ships with fewer empty beds — have contributed more to growth than longer shoulder seasons have. 

“Our steady numbers for 2025 tell me that they’re keeping the same ships in the market, more or less, and that things are kind of leveling off,” she said. “That allows us to have the conversations we need to have for 2026.”

In the meantime, city leaders will soon start deciding how to spend this year’s marine passenger fees — the $5 per cruise ship passenger fee meant to fund projects that both improve the tourist experience and offset the industry’s impacts on locals. 

Pierce has a few projects meant to reduce congestion that she’d like to see funded. One is a downtown circulator bus, which would help tourists get to attractions outside the core of downtown, like the Alaska State Museum and the Governor’s Mansion.

She’d also like to see funding put toward extending the Seawalk to the AJ dock.

“It will take a lot of shuttle buses off the road,” she said. “Right now, they shuttle a lot of people because it’s not really an attractive walk. If you get off your ship and it’s a nice walk down the dock into town, that’s a really different proposition.”

The city will also spend the next few weeks surveying Juneau residents about the season. Pierce said those results, along with results of a visitor survey, will be ready for review by the Juneau Assembly in early December.

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10 Natural Wonders In The U.S. That Rival National Park Landmarks

Posted: November 9, 2023 | Last updated: November 9, 2023

• Nāpali Coast in Kaua'i, HI offers stunning sea cliffs, pristine beaches, and lush valleys accessible by hiking, sea, and air tours.
• Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt County, CA is a beautiful drive through old-growth forests and serves as the entrance to Northern California's coastal redwoods.
• Monument Valley in Navajo Nation, AZ features unique sandstone buttes, accessible through guided tours, and is part of a sacred location in the Navajo Nation.

The United States is a vast and diverse country with a plethora of stunning natural wonders. Travelers looking for the most beautiful sites nature offers often visit some of the numerous designated National Parks, home to beautiful wilderness.

Some of the nation's most impressive attractions are found in one of the United States' 63 National Parks, like the Grand Canyon region's many local attractions . Still, nature enthusiasts don't want to miss the natural wonders found outside these parks.

Related: National Park Escapes On A Budget: Visit 10 Of Nature's Wonders Without Breaking The Bank

Nāpali Coast, Kaua'i, HI, Has Pristine Beaches

Spot breathtaking vistas from kaua'i's pali cliffs.

The iconic Nāpali Coast in northwest Kauai, Hawaii, showcases unique and rugged terrain where towering sea cliffs meet the vast Pacific Ocean. Parts of this expansive coastline are located in Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park and nearby Hā'ena State Park.

The imposing pali — sea cliffs reaching heights over 4,000 feet — contribute to the breathtaking scenery, featuring pristine beaches, sea caves, and lush tropical valleys crisscrossed by crystal-clear streams and the most beautiful waterfalls in Kauai .

• Accessibility : The hiking trails are steep and uneven, but incredible vistas are accessible by sea and air tours.
• Admission : Camping permits are required for hiking ($35 per person per night for non-residents, $25/night/person for Hawaii residents). Tour rates vary.
• Operating Hours: Open daily from 7:00am to 7:45pm

Avenue Of The Giants, Humboldt County, CA, Is An Incredible Drive

Drive through a forest of colossal coastal redwoods.

Located in Redwoods State Park , this 31-mile stretch of old 101 winds through old-growth forests along the Lost Coast in Humboldt County, California. This scenic drive marks the entrance into Northern California's home of the massive coastal redwoods, where there are many more exciting things to do near Redwood National and State Parks .

• Accessibility : The Avenue of the Giants and many trails and landmarks along the way are wheelchair accessible.
• Admission : Free to drive, but some trails and parking spaces are subject to day fees
• Operating Hours: Open all year, 24 hours a day

Related: Walk High Among The Redwoods With The Redwoods Sky Walk

Monument Valley, Navajo Nation, AZ, Is The Quintessential West

Explore impressive geological formations near the four corners.

Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park in Arizona featuring unique striated sandstone buttes ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet tall. Parts of the valley are accessible for self-guided tours along the 17-mile loop. However, like most of the top attractions in the Navajo Nation , the best parts of this sacred location are only accessible via guided tour.

• Accessibility : The scenic drive, welcome center, lodging, and some guided tours are wheelchair accessible.
• Admission : $8 fee for entry and additional fees for guided tours
• Operating Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, closed for major holidays

Watkins Glen Gorge, Watkins Glen State Park, NY, Is A Testament To Time

Journey through a picturesque gorge in upstate new york.

New York offers so much more than just the skyscrapers and all-night entertainment of the big city. The rest of this gorgeous state, thicketed with forests and rivers, is a sight to behold, and Watkins Glen Gorge is one such spectacle found here.

Watkins Glen State Park's well-maintained Gorge Trail takes you through the picturesque gorge where Glen Creek has worn 400 feet down through solid rock. Colorful vistas of changing leaves make this one of the most underrated things to do in upstate New York during fall .

• Accessibility : The campground, welcome center, and viewing area are wheelchair accessible. The Gorge Trail features steep stairs and narrow pathways, making it difficult to traverse.
• Admission : $10 vehicle fee
• Operating Hours: Open year-round, dawn to dusk

Related: 10 Things To Do In Hunter Mountain: Complete Guide To Upstate New York's Winter Wonderland

Mendenhall Glacier Caves, Juneau, AK, Is An Otherworldly Hike

Behold the deepest blues in this glacial cavern.

Located in the Tongass National Forest , this behemoth glacier provides visitors the unique opportunity to hike inside ice-blue glacial caves. Mendenhall Glacier is just 12 miles outside of Juneau, making it a contender for one of the best things to do in Juneau, Alaska .

• Accessibility : While the visitor's center is accessible, the hiking trails throughout the glacier are steep, uneven, and slippery.
• Admission : $5 entrance fee from May through September, but free in the winter.
• Operating Hours: Trails open all year. Visitor's center hours are May - September - 8:00am - 7:30pm daily. October - March - 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, excluding federal holidays. Closed in April.

Antelope Canyon, Navajo Nation, UT, Is A Stunning Tour

Immerse yourself in this sun-spilled natural beauty.

Antelope Canyon is another otherworldly natural wonder in the Navajo Nation . There is excellent hiking in both upper and lower Antelope Canyon , giving visitors a chance to see the sunlight spill through this majesty from all angles.

• Accessibility : Antelope Canyon is not wheelchair accessible.
• Admission : Fees vary for guided tours
• Operating Hours: Tours available daily by appointment

Related: What You Need To Know About The Navajo Nation, The Largest Reservation In The U.S.

Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek, CA, Is Serenity

Step into a preternatural cove deep in the forest.

Tucked away in the isolated regions of the Pacific Northwest is Fern Canyon , a preternatural cove you might recognize from Jurassic Park. The serene sanctum lined with verdant ferns is a charming place to visit without park access fees or closing times.

• Accessibility : Fern Canyon is not wheelchair accessible.
• Admission : Free to enter, variable parking fee required in summer
• Operating Hours: Open year-round, all day

Seneca Caverns, Bellevue, OH, Is A Hidden Gem

Discover ol' mistry river deep beneath the twisting caves.

Ohio is home to some of America's best-kept secrets in natural wonders, including Seneca Caverns in Bellevue, OH . Nestled deep within the cavern is Ol' Mistry River, an unfathomably deep seasonal lake that meets the water table.

• Accessibility : Seneca Caverns is not wheelchair accessible.
• Admission : $23 tour fee per adult, $11 for children, with mining packages and group rates available.
• Operating Hours: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day: Open seven days a week, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm. September, October, and May: Open Saturday and Sunday only, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Related: The World's Largest Geode Is This Ohio Crystal Cave

Painted Hills, Wheeler County, OR, Is A Colorful Spectacle

Experience the stunning vistas of the most popular attraction in john day fossil beds.

The Painted Hills region in Oregon is a stunning vista and a popular attraction amid the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument area . Tourists flock here for fun fall adventures in Oregon every year.

• Accessibility : Most trails are inaccessible, except the boardwalk at the Painted Cove Trail, visitor center, campgrounds, and picnic areas.
• Admission : Free
• Operating Hours: Open 24 hours, all year round

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA, Is A Fun And Free Adventure

Explore the iconic setting of classic film and television scenes.

Fans of Westerns and Science Fiction will love visiting the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area in Lone Pine, California . Many famous scenes from film and television were filmed in front of the unusual rock formations backdropped by rolling mountains. This natural wonder and nearby Mount Whitney are great things to do around the Death Valley National Park region .

• Accessibility : Most of the tour is accessible by car.
• Operating Hours: Hours vary; call ahead

These natural wonders definitely rival national parks in beauty, accessibility, and, in many cases, cost. Plan your adventure today — and maybe stop by some national parks, too!

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Shore Excursion Details

Mendenhall glacier & gardens, juneau, alaska.

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• 4 hrs Estimate Duration

This tour combines the splendor of visiting Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area with a comfortable trip into the rainforest at Glacier Gardens. Your journey begins with a visit to Alaska's most accessible glacier, the Mendenhall. There you will be able to view the glacier, tour the adjacent visitor center, and explore the outlying trails and viewpoints during your 75 minute stay. Next you're off to Glacier Gardens where you'll board a guided tram vehicle and climb up through the temperate rainforest to a scenic viewing platform that offers alpine views of the surrounding mountains, waterways and islands. Upon your return to the base area, you'll have time to visit the Gardens pavilion and view the variety of botanical plants that thrive in the local climate.

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Check out the, activity attributes, excursion type:.

Historical Landmarks

Activity level:.

• 3 Challenging