Question 1

How much does it cost to visit Mendenhall Glacier?

Accepted Answer

A day-use pass costs $5 per person from May through September, and visitors 15 and under get in free. You'll only need this pass for the visitor center, Pavilion, Photo Point Trail, and Steep Creek. The parking lot and longer paths like the Nugget Falls Trail are free year-round.

Question 2

How do I get to Mendenhall Glacier from the Juneau cruise port?

Accepted Answer

Private shuttle buses run directly from the downtown docks to the glacier roughly every 15 minutes during cruise season for $45 to $49 round trip. You can take the public Capital Transit bus for a few dollars, but it drops you 1.5 miles away. That adds a 30-minute walk each way.

Question 3

When is the best time to see bears at Mendenhall Glacier?

Accepted Answer

Black bears show up at the Steep Creek boardwalk starting in August and stick around into September. They're there to feed on the sockeye and coho salmon runs. Go in the morning or evening when the bears are most active.

Question 4

Can you walk right up to the glacier?

Accepted Answer

No, you can't walk directly onto the ice from the visitor center. The closest you can get on foot is the end of the 2-mile round-trip Nugget Falls Trail, which puts you near the glacier's face across the lake. To actually touch the ice, you'll need to book a guided kayak, canoe, or helicopter tour.

Question 5

Are the Mendenhall ice caves safe to visit?

Accepted Answer

No. The Forest Service and local officials strongly warn against entering the ice caves or crossing frozen Mendenhall Lake due to severe risks of collapsing rock and thin ice. The caves melt and shift constantly, so don't trust any private tour claiming guaranteed access.

Question 6

What should I wear to Mendenhall Glacier?

Accepted Answer

Pack a waterproof jacket and sturdy, waterproof shoes no matter when you visit. It rains in Juneau nearly year-round, and the unpaved sections of the Nugget Falls Trail get muddy fast.

Question 7

Is the visitor center wheelchair accessible?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the visitor center has an elevator and a switchback ramp. Outside, the short Photo Point Trail and parts of the Moraine Ecology area are fully paved and flat. Just skip the East and West Glacier Trails, which climb steep, unpaved hillsides.

Question 8

What are the visitor center hours?

Accepted Answer

From May through September, the center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Winter hours drop to just Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The outdoor trails and recreation area stay open from 6:00 a.m. until midnight all year.

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