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Explore the stunning Mendenhall Glacier with convenient tours departing directly from downtown Juneau and the cruise ship docks. Choose from scenic trolley rides, guided canoe paddles through floating icebergs, or wildlife combos featuring whale watching.
Free Cancellation Spend 45 minutes at Mendenhall Glacier before boarding a jet boat for a guaranteed humpback whale sighting.
Free Cancellation Canoe across Mendenhall Lake to the glacier's face on this 4-hour trip from the Juneau cruise docks.
Free Cancellation Paddle across Mendenhall Lake past icebergs and waterfalls to hike the scoured bedrock at the glacier's face.
Free Cancellation Watch Humpback whales on a two-hour boat trip before spending 90 minutes exploring Mendenhall Glacier.
Free Cancellation Spend two hours exploring Mendenhall Glacier’s trails and visitor center on this three-hour round trip from the docks.
Free Cancellation This shuttle runs from downtown Juneau to Mendenhall Glacier for two hours of independent trail walking.
Raft six miles of the Mendenhall River through Class II and III rapids with direct views of the glacier.
Free Cancellation Small-boat whale watching in Juneau with the city's original family-run operator since 1994.
Paddle 28-foot Tlingit-style canoes past icebergs to the face of Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls.
Free Cancellation Canoe past Nugget Falls to the Mendenhall Glacier for a hike along its rocky, ice-carved edge.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Mendenhall Glacier — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Mendenhall Glacier sits 12 miles from downtown Juneau, terminating in a lake filled with floating icebergs. Tours range from simple 20-minute shuttle bus transfers to five-hour canoe expeditions across the water. Pick a shuttle for quick photos from the paved paths, or book a paddle trip to get close to the calving face.
A paved, wheelchair-accessible path starts right at the visitor center. You look straight across Mendenhall Lake at the 1.5-mile-wide ice face. It takes about 20 minutes round trip.
A two-mile flat gravel walk ends at a 377-foot waterfall. The water crashes into the lake right next to the glacier. Bring waterproof boots because the trail gets muddy.
Elevated boardwalks cross a salmon spawning stream near the parking lot. Black bears fish here mostly in August and September. Stay on the wooden walkways and keep your distance.
Guided groups paddle 28-foot Tlingit-style canoes or tandem boats among the icebergs. You feel the air temperature drop ten degrees as you approach the ice. The Forest Service strictly caps these permits.
Many operators pair a glacier visit with a boat trip out of Auke Bay. You spend two hours looking for humpback whales before riding a bus to the ice. Pack layers for the cold ocean wind.
Juneau tour operators handle the 12-mile trip from the cruise docks in very different ways. You need to decide if you want to paddle, hike, or just look.
Shuttles run every 15 minutes from the cruise terminal for about $45 round trip. These give you two hours on your own at the visitor center. Guided trips add activities like rafting or canoeing and cost upwards of $200.
The Forest Service charges a $5 day-use pass from May through September for the visitor center and immediate trails. Most independent shuttle tickets do not include this fee. You buy it at automated machines on site.
Basic bus tours give you exactly 45 to 120 minutes at the glacier. If your timer says 45 minutes, skip the two-mile Nugget Falls hike. You will miss the bus back to port.
High katabatic winds off the icefield occasionally force operators to cancel canoe and raft trips. Juneau rains constantly, so tours run in wet weather. Wear synthetic base layers rather than cotton.
Active tours have strict physical limits. Canoe trips require participants to be at least 12 years old and weigh between 90 and 240 pounds. Rafting allows kids as light as 50 pounds to fit the life jackets.
Do not book a tour expecting to walk inside a blue ice cave. The caves collapse unpredictably, and the Forest Service warns against entering them. Canoe tours view the ice safely from the water or bedrock edges.
Most tours depart from the Mt. Roberts Tramway building downtown. If your ship docks at the AJ Dock, you have to take a $3 shuttle or walk 20 minutes to reach the main meeting point.
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| Glacier Express Shuttle | Whale Watch & Glacier Combo | Lake Canoe Adventure | White-Water Rafting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 hours | 4.5 - 5 hours | 4 - 5.5 hours | 3.5 hours |
| Activity Level | Low (self-guided walking) | Low (boat ride and walking) | High (2 hours paddling) | Moderate (Class II/III rapids) |
| Average Cost | $45 - $83 | $189 - $249 | $250 - $402 | $209 |
| Best For | Quick photos and the visitor center | Seeing marine life and ice in one day | Getting close to the glacier face | Families wanting a fast river float |
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Summer visitor center hours run from May 1 to September 30. The building opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. daily.
Winter operations drop significantly. From November through March, the center only opens on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It closes entirely on federal holidays.
The surrounding recreation area grounds stay open year-round. You can walk the trails from 6:00 a.m. to midnight every day.
The drive from downtown Juneau takes 25 to 30 minutes. You take Egan Drive, turn right onto Mendenhall Loop Road, and follow Glacier Spur Road straight into the parking lot.
Private shuttles like the Blue Bus leave the cruise docks every 15 minutes during the summer season. They cost about $45 to $49 round trip.
Avoid the Capital Transit public bus. It drops you 1.5 miles away from the visitor center, forcing a 30-minute walk along the highway just to reach the site.
May and June offer the driest weather and fewest crowds. You also get the best chance of spotting early-season mountain goats on the surrounding cliffs.
August and September bring the salmon runs to Steep Creek. This draws black bears right next to the boardwalks, making it the best window for wildlife photography.
Skip November through March unless you want to see a frozen lake in the cold. The visitor center barely opens, and crossing the ice is highly dangerous.
The visitor center has an elevator and a switchback ramp. The Photo Point Trail is fully paved and wheelchair accessible, offering unobstructed views of the ice.
The Nugget Falls Trail is flat gravel but has uneven sections. Motorized scooters often get stuck here, so stick to the paved paths if mobility is a concern.
The East Glacier and West Glacier Trails climb steep hillsides. They are not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
The visitor center holds a glaciology exhibit, a theater showing a short film, and a bookstore run by Discovery Southeast. Restrooms sit near the parking lot and inside the building.
The site lacks food vendors. Eating on the trails attracts bears, so eat your meals in downtown Juneau before or after your tour.
Automated vending machines in the parking lot sell the required $5 day-use passes. Bring a credit card, as the machines do not take cash.
You need a $5 pass for the Pavilion, Photo Point, and Steep Creek from May through September. Kids 15 and under enter for free.
Drones face heavy restrictions. The area sits near the Juneau airport and helicopter flight paths, and temporary flight restrictions occur frequently.
Never walk onto the frozen lake ice in winter. Local officials explicitly warn that the ice thickness is unpredictable and crossing it causes serious emergencies.
The glacier sits 12 miles from downtown Juneau. The drive takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic and the specific shuttle route.
No. Standard canoe and hiking tours view the ice from the water or bedrock edges. Walking on the ice requires a specialized helicopter flightseeing trip onto the Juneau Icefield.
It takes about an hour to walk the two-mile round trip. If your bus only gives you 45 minutes at the park, stick to the shorter Photo Point Trail so you do not miss your ride back.
Local officials and the Forest Service warn against entering them. They collapse without warning, and crossing the lake ice to reach them causes serious injuries.
Black bears show up mostly in August and September. They fish for sockeye and coho salmon right next to the Steep Creek boardwalks.
Operators provide non-insulated rain gear and rubber boots. You need to wear synthetic base layers, wool socks, and a hat underneath. Skip cotton, which stays cold when wet.
Capital Transit buses stop 1.5 miles from the visitor center. You have to walk 30 minutes along the highway to reach the trails.
The Forest Service charges $5 per person from May through September. Kids 15 and under get in free, and national park passes work here.
No. Juneau sits in a temperate rainforest, so tours run in the rain. High katabatic winds occasionally force canoe operators to cancel for safety.
Most meet under the cables of the Mt. Roberts Tramway. If your ship docks at the AJ Dock, you take a short shuttle ride to reach this central spot.
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You get 45 minutes to walk the trails at Mendenhall Glacier. It's enough time to hit the Photo Point lookout for a clear view of the ice or visit the visitor center. Don't try the longer Nugget Falls hike; you'll likely miss the bus back. Once the timer's up, a shuttle transfers the group to Auke Bay to meet the boat. Humpback whale sightings are guaranteed. The captains use fast jet boats equipped with heated cabins and outdoor viewing decks. You'll spend the bulk of the trip on the water looking for flukes and blowholes. Naturalists call out the sightings over the PA system. If a whale doesn't show up, you get a refund. Bring a waterproof jacket. Even in the heated cabin, the wind off the glacial water is sharp when you're out on the deck. The boats move fast. It's a loud, efficient way to see the bay.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This four-hour trip starts with a 30-minute narrated drive from the Juneau cruise docks to the West Glacier boat launch. Groups are small. You'll travel through the Tongass National Forest before putting on waterproof gear. There's a short paddle lesson on the shore. Then you're on the water. Mendenhall Lake is the route to the glacier's face for those avoiding the crowded hiking trails. You'll paddle past cliffs where Arctic terns nest and mountain goats occasionally appear on the heights. The air turns cold near the glacier's toe. From the canoe, you'll see the deep blue of the crevasses and the jagged shapes of the ice seracs. Watch the banks for porcupines. Stay in the boat for the duration. This tour is strictly for canoeing and excludes any glacier hiking or walking on the ice. It's the right pick for those who want the view without the eight-mile trek. Wear wool socks.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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You'll paddle a canoe across Mendenhall Lake to reach the glacier's face. 377 feet of water falls from Nugget Falls as you pass; watch for mountain goats on the cliffs. It's a group effort. Everyone grabs a paddle. You'll feel the air temperature drop ten degrees as the ice comes into view. Don't expect a quiet lake—the wind often kicks up whitecaps near the center. The Tongass National Forest meets the ice at a rocky landing beach. You'll hike across the scoured bedrock that the glacier's retreat has left behind. It's slippery and uneven. This tour stays on the rocks. You don't walk on the glacier ice. Wear synthetic layers because the glacial mist will soak through cotton in minutes. Groups are small and usually sell out weeks ahead. Since icebergs drift constantly, no two routes across the lake are the same. Book the 8:00 AM departure if you want the best chance at calm water.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Humpback whales are the primary focus of the two-hour boat trip through Juneau's coastal waters. You'll look for fluke dives and blowhole spray, often alongside sea lions or harbor seals. If the water's choppy, the boat will bounce—bring layers even if it looks sunny at the dock. The tour moves inland to Mendenhall Glacier, one of 38 glaciers in the Juneau Ice Field, where you have 90 minutes to explore. It's a fast-paced visit. Walk the 1.5-mile round-trip path to Nugget Falls to stand near the base of the drop. At Steep Creek, you'll see salmon spawning in the shallows during late summer. Head straight for the falls if the weather's clear, as clouds often roll in and obscure the upper ice field by mid-afternoon.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This three-hour tour departs directly from the downtown Juneau cruise ship dock. The 30-minute drive out to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area includes a narrated history of the city and its gold mining roots. It’s a fast way to the ice. Check the weather that morning; the glacier often creates its own microclimate of wind and rain. You have two hours at the site to walk the trails or visit the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The Photo Point trail is a paved, easy walk that puts you within sight of the glacier face and Nugget Falls. The visitor center gets crowded when several ships are in port—head to the trails first to avoid the rush. In August, look for black bears fishing for salmon in Steep Creek. The return trip drops you back at the downtown dock. Your guide can recommend specific spots for king crab legs or local beer once you’re back in the city center. Sit on the left side of the bus for the first view of the glacier.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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The Blue Bus runs directly from the downtown Juneau cruise terminal to the Mendenhall Glacier. It’s a 20-minute drive, and the driver narrates the trip with facts about the local history and the Tongass National Forest. You get two hours at the site before the return shuttle departs. It's the best option for travelers who want to hike at their own pace without a guide. Your ticket includes the entry fee for the Visitor Center. Inside, there's a large-scale relief map of the icefield and a theater showing films about the valley's geology. The Photo Point trail is a flat, paved path that takes about 20 minutes and ends at the edge of Mendenhall Lake. If you want to see the 377-foot Nugget Falls, you'll need to walk fast to make the return bus. Check the schedule on the sign by the stop as soon as you get off.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Six miles of the Mendenhall River make up this 3.5-hour rafting route. You'll pass through a one-mile stretch of Class II and III rapids directly below the glacier's face. Expect cold spray. It's loud near the falls. No previous rafting experience is necessary. Choose between an oar-powered raft or a paddle raft. Guides handle the rowing in oar rafts while you grip the safety lines. Paddle rafts require you to follow commands to steer through the whitewater. Pick the paddle raft if you want to stay warm—the movement helps. Rain is common in Juneau and won't cancel the trip. The operator provides gear, but bring wool socks because cotton stays cold when wet. Look for bald eagles in the cottonwood trees along the lower, calmer sections of the river. Families with younger children should stick to the oar-powered boats for a more stable ride.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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Juneau's original whale-watching operator has been family-run since 1994. The captains and guides are local residents who live here year-round. It's a small operation. You won't find seasonal staff flown in for the summer. Small jet-drive vessels without external propellers protect the whales from injury. These boats sit lower in the water than standard tour ships, which puts you closer to the surface. It's a loud ride when the engines are running, but the jet drives allow for better maneuverability near the pods. Fast shuttle transfers get you from the pier to the deck without the wait. We prioritize quick turnarounds so you spend more time on the water. Bring a waterproof jacket. Even if it's warm on land, the wind in the channel is biting once the boat hits cruising speed.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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You'll paddle 28-foot Tlingit-style canoes across Mendenhall Lake to reach the glacier's face. These boats are wide and stable, which helps when you steer through the floating icebergs that break off the main ice mass. You’ll see the deep blue of the glacier and might spot mountain goats on the ridges. It's a physical trip. Wear wool socks. The guides give you all the gear, including life jackets and waterproof boots. You land the canoe on the beach at the base of Nugget Falls for a snack of smoked salmon and crackers. The Forest Service restricts access to the glacier face. Permits are limited. Book early. If the wind exceeds 25 knots, the trip is grounded for safety—check the weather report before you go to the staging area.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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You'll paddle across Mendenhall Lake to reach the face of the glacier. Guides teach basic strokes before you push off in a large canoe. The route passes the Arctic tern nesting grounds and the 377-foot drop of Nugget Falls. Watch for floating bergs that broke off the glacier earlier that morning. It’s a workout. If the wind picks up, the return trip takes significantly more effort. The hike starts on the rocky moraine where the ice once stood. You won't walk on the glacier itself—this tour stays on the ground—but you'll stand close enough to see the deep blue of the crevasses and the jagged ice fall at the toe. The terrain is uneven and slick in spots. Guides point out how far the ice has retreated in just the last few years. It's a sobering sight. Wear sturdy boots with good grip.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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