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Paddle across Mendenhall Lake in a multi-person canoe to get up close to the face of the glacier. These four- to five-and-a-half-hour excursions include all necessary gear, professional guides, and stunning views of the Tongass National Forest.
Free Cancellation Canoe across Mendenhall Lake to the glacier's face on this four-hour small-group trip from the Juneau cruise docks.
Paddle a 28-foot Tlingit-style canoe past icebergs to the face of Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls.
Free Cancellation Paddle Mendenhall Lake in a canoe and hike the rocky moraine for close-up views of the glacier and Nugget Falls.
Free Cancellation Paddle Mendenhall Lake past Nugget Falls and hike the moraine for views of crevasses and the glacier's ice fall.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Mendenhall Glacier — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Paddling a canoe across Mendenhall Lake puts you at water level with floating icebergs and the glacier's calving face. The trips take four to five and a half hours, launching from the West Glacier trailhead after a shuttle ride from downtown Juneau.
The 28-foot canoes sit low in the water. You paddle directly past chunks of blue ice that have calved off the main glacier.
The boats stop at a safe distance from the terminus. The ice wall rises over 100 feet above the lake surface.
The paddle route passes a 377-foot waterfall crashing into the lake. You get a clear view of the cascades from the water.
Outfitters supply waterproof bibs, rubber boots, and life jackets. You wear these over your own warm base layers.
Arctic terns nest along the banks. You might spot black bears on the distant shores during the late summer salmon runs.
Canoeing Mendenhall Lake requires physical effort and advance planning. Outfitters operate under strictly capped U.S. Forest Service permits, so spaces sell out months before the summer cruise season.
Operators offer paddle-only trips lasting four hours or extended five-and-a-half-hour paddle and hike combinations. The hike portion explores the bedrock near the glacier edge, never the ice itself.
You paddle for up to two hours covering five to six miles. Travelers need full use of their limbs and moderate to high cardiovascular fitness.
Passengers must weigh between 90 and 240 pounds for most tours, though one outfitter accepts 40 to 350 pounds. The minimum age is strictly 12 years old.
Pregnant guests cannot participate due to inherent risks. Operators also prohibit travelers with spinal injuries or severe back and hip problems.
Most tours pick up in downtown Juneau at the GoldBelt Tram or the "C" Sign near the cruise docks. Norwegian Encore passengers sometimes meet directly at the AJ Dock.
Trips run in Juneau's frequent rain. Guides only cancel and refund tours when high katabatic winds make the lake unsafe.
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| Standard Canoe Tour | Canoe and Hike Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 hours | 5.5 hours |
| Physical Effort | Moderate (2 hours paddling) | High (5-6 miles paddling + 2 miles hiking) |
| Key Inclusions | Rain gear, boots, transport, snacks | Gear, transport, park fees, snacks |
| Price | ~$250-$260 | ~$402 |
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The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center operates on a seasonal schedule.
The surrounding recreation area and trails remain open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to midnight daily.
The glacier sits 12 miles from downtown Juneau and 5 miles from the airport. Driving from downtown takes about 25 to 30 minutes via Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road.
Private shuttles like the "Blue Bus" Glacier Express run from the cruise docks every 15 minutes during summer, costing around $45 to $49 round trip. Taxis charge $30 to $40 one-way.
Capital Transit public buses cost just a few dollars but do not stop at the visitor center. Riders get off 1.5 miles away and walk 30 minutes to reach the site.
May through September offers the mildest weather, the longest daylight hours, and full visitor center operations.
May and June bring fewer crowds, clearer skies, and early-season wildlife activity like mountain goats and eagles. Late July through September adds the salmon runs at Steep Creek, which attract black bears.
November through March brings cold temperatures, limited hours, and higher risk of dangerous thin ice on Mendenhall Lake.
The visitor center has an elevator and a switchback ramp. Two fully paved, wheelchair-accessible trails begin there: the Photo Point Trail and the Moraine Ecology Trail area.
The Nugget Falls Trail is mostly flat gravel and boardwalk but has uneven sections that prove difficult for wheelchairs and scooters.
Canoe tours require climbing into boats with limited assistance and paddling for up to two hours. They are not suitable for travelers with mobility impairments or spinal injuries.
The visitor center contains an exhibit gallery focused on glaciology and Tlingit history, a theater showing a rotating film about the glacier, and floor-to-ceiling windows facing the ice.
A bookstore and gift shop run by Discovery Southeast operates inside. Automated vending machines in the parking lots and bookstore sell the required passes.
Restrooms are available at the visitor center, though long lines form during peak cruise-ship arrival times.
A $5 day-use pass is required from May to September for anyone 16 and older entering the visitor center, Pavilion, Photo Point Trail, and Steep Creek. The Nugget Falls Trail and parking area are exempt.
The recreation area enforces a strict "pack it in, pack it out" policy. Feeding or approaching wildlife is prohibited.
Walking onto Mendenhall Lake ice is strongly discouraged by local officials due to thin-ice danger. Drone flights require caution and often authorization due to nearby airport airspace and frequent temporary flight restrictions.
The canoes paddle across Mendenhall Lake to within view of the calving face. Guides keep the boats at a safe distance from the ice wall to avoid danger from falling ice and resulting waves.
No prior canoeing experience is required. Guides provide basic paddling instruction on the shore before launch, though you do need moderate to high physical fitness to paddle for two hours.
Wear warm base layers made of wool or synthetics, warm socks, a hat, and gloves. Avoid cotton. The outfitters provide waterproof bibs, rubber boots, and life jackets to wear over your clothes.
The minimum age for most tours is 12 years old. Children must weigh at least 40 to 90 pounds, depending on the specific outfitter, to safely fit into the required life jackets.
No. The standard tours are paddle-only, and the extended paddle-and-hike tours explore the bedrock at the glacier's edge. None of the canoe tours include trekking on the ice itself.
Most tours pick up clients in downtown Juneau. Standard meeting spots include the GoldBelt Tram or the "C" Sign near the cruise ship docks, with roundtrip transportation included in the price.
The extended paddle-and-hike tours include National Park fees in their price. Standard canoe tours operate from the West Glacier boat launch and do not typically visit the main visitor center building.
No. The ice caves are highly unstable and prone to collapse. The Forest Service does not endorse visiting them, and they are not included in the authorized canoe tour itineraries.
Tours proceed in the rain, which is very common in Juneau. Outfitters provide rain gear. Trips are only canceled and refunded if high katabatic winds make the lake unsafe for paddling.
No. Outfitters strictly prohibit pregnant guests from participating due to the physical demands of paddling and the inherent risks of the excursion.
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This four-hour trip goes from the Juneau cruise docks to the face of the Mendenhall Glacier by canoe. The 30-minute narrated drive leads to the West Glacier boat launch in the Tongass National Forest. There's a quick paddle lesson before you gear up in waterproof bibs and boots. Small groups are guaranteed. It's a workout. You'll paddle across Mendenhall Lake toward the glacier's toe, passing blue crevasses and jagged seracs. Look for Arctic terns nesting on the cliffs or mountain goats on the higher ridges. The air temperature drops significantly as you get within a few hundred yards of the ice—bring extra wool layers for your upper body. There's no ice hiking. If the wind picks up, the return paddle against the chop can be a slog.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
You'll paddle a 28-foot Tlingit-style canoe across Mendenhall Lake to reach the face of the glacier. These boats carry up to 12 people and sit low enough in the water to let you see the blue veins in the floating icebergs you'll pass. It's a two-hour round trip on the water. Keep an eye on the cliffs for mountain goats. We provide dry bags and life jackets at the dock. The tour lands at a beach beside Nugget Falls for a snack of reindeer sausage and crackers. Because the Forest Service limits how many boats can approach the glacier face each day, these slots are often gone months in advance. Book the morning departure to avoid the katabatic winds that usually pick up by mid-afternoon. Bring a rain shell. The spray from the 377-foot waterfall will soak you if the wind shifts.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
English
You paddle a multi-person canoe across Mendenhall Lake to reach the glacier’s face. Guides give basic instruction on the shore. Arctic terns nest along the shoreline as you paddle toward the ice. The 377-foot drop of Nugget Falls sits along the paddle route. Watch for floating icebergs that have recently broken off the glacier. It’s a physical trip. If the wind kicks up, the return leg is a slog. Rocky moraine at the edge of the ice is where you hike. You stay on the ground. This tour doesn't go onto the ice. Deep blue crevasses and jagged ice falls line the trail's edge. The terrain is raw and uneven (and often slippery). This path shows how much the glacier has receded in recent years. Bring a waterproof shell, even if it looks clear. It’s the right choice if you want the views without the price of a helicopter tour.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
You'll paddle across Mendenhall Lake to reach the face of the glacier. Guides teach the basics of handling the large canoes before you set out. Arctic tern nesting grounds and the 377-foot drop of Nugget Falls sit along the paddle route. Watch for icebergs floating in the water—some are the size of cars. It's a steady pull. The hike covers the rocky terrain at the glacier's edge. This tour stays on the ground and does not go onto the ice itself. Deep blue crevasses and the ice fall at the glacier’s toe are visible from the shoreline. Ice and rock shift daily as the glacier recedes. After exploring the moraine, you'll paddle back across the lake to the start. Wear sturdy boots for the uneven ground.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English