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Embark on a 7-mile guided hike through the Tongass National Forest to the stunning Mendenhall Glacier. These 6-hour tours include rain gear, snacks, and a professional guide to safely lead you through the rainforest canopy.
Free Cancellation Hike 7 miles through the Tongass rainforest to a ridge overlooking Mendenhall Glacier’s icefalls and crevasses.
Free Cancellation This 7-mile trek climbs 800 feet through rainforest and rocky terrain to a ridge overlooking the Mendenhall Glacier.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Mendenhall Glacier — from practical tips to personal highlights.
The guided hike covers seven miles and climbs 800 feet to a ridge overlooking Mendenhall Glacier. You spend the first three miles walking under the canopy of the Tongass National Forest before the trail gives way to a steep rock scramble. Expect a demanding physical pace that requires sturdy boots and good cardiovascular fitness.
The first three miles wind through the world's largest temperate rainforest. You walk past beaver ponds and dense vegetation before the elevation gain begins.
The established trail ends and turns into a steep climb over loose rock. You need sturdy hiking boots with ankle support to navigate this section safely.
The hike ends at an elevated viewpoint looking down on the 13.6-mile-long glacier and Mendenhall Lake. These specific tours do not walk on the ice itself.
Juneau rains constantly. Tour operators supply backpacks, rain jackets, and rain pants, so you stay dry during the six-hour trek.
Black bears fish for sockeye and coho salmon in the area's streams from August into September. Keep your distance and follow the guide's instructions.
Book these six-hour hikes well in advance, as group sizes are capped and require a minimum of four people to operate.
This is a strenuous 7-mile round-trip hike with an 800-foot elevation gain. Operators charge a $250 rescue fee if you cannot complete the trek due to undisclosed medical conditions or poor fitness.
The minimum age is 10 years old. Pregnant travelers and those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health are not permitted on these specific hikes.
Most tours pick up from the "C" Sign near the downtown cruise docks, between the Mt. Roberts Tramway and Taku Smokeries. Pickups are also available from major Mendenhall Valley hotels.
Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are mandatory for the rocky terrain. Operators provide the necessary rain gear and a backpack, which you must carry for the entire trip.
The $225 to $235 price covers guide services, Forest Service permits, bottled water, a hearty snack, and transportation. Gratuities are not included.
Tours require at least four participants to run. If the minimum is not met, the operator will cancel or reschedule the trip.
You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure. Weather conditions or group pace dictate the exact time spent at the glacier viewpoint.
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| Guided Ridge Hike | Private Family Hike | Self-Guided Trails | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6 hours | Customizable | 1-3 hours |
| Fitness Level | High (7 miles, 800ft climb) | Moderate to High | Low to Moderate |
| Includes | Rain gear, backpack, snacks, transport | Private guide, gear, transport | No guide, $5 visitor center fee |
| Price | ~$225-$235 | Varies | $5 |
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The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center operates on a seasonal schedule. During the summer season (May 1 through September 30), the building is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In the winter (November through March), hours drop to 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays only, and the center closes on federal holidays.
Operations in April and October are intermittent. The surrounding recreation area, including the trails and parking lots, remains open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to midnight every day.
The glacier is 12 miles from downtown Juneau. If you rent a car, take Egan Drive to Mendenhall Loop Road, which turns into Glacier Spur Road and ends at the parking lot. The drive takes about 25 to 30 minutes.
Private shuttle buses, like M&M Tours' "Blue Bus" Glacier Express, run directly from the cruise ship docks to the visitor center for about $45 to $49 round trip. Taxis charge $30 to $40 or more each way.
Capital Transit public buses cost a few dollars but do not stop at the visitor center. They drop riders 1.5 miles away, which requires a 30-minute walk to reach the site. Skip the public bus if you are on a tight schedule.
May and June offer the mildest weather, the longest daylight hours, and fewer crowds than late summer. Early season visitors often spot mountain goats and eagles.
August and September are the months to book if you want to see wildlife. Sockeye and coho salmon spawn in Steep Creek during this window, drawing black bears to the water. Head to the elevated boardwalks in the morning or evening for the best viewing chances.
November through March brings cold temperatures, rain, and limited visitor center access. Unpredictable ice conditions on Mendenhall Lake make winter visits hazardous without a guide.
The visitor center building has an elevator and a switchback ramp. Two fully paved, wheelchair-accessible trails start near the parking lot: the Photo Point Trail and sections of the Moraine Ecology Trail. Both provide clear views of the glacier.
The guided 7-mile ridge hikes are completely inaccessible to wheelchairs or scooters. The unguided Nugget Falls Trail is mostly flat gravel and boardwalk, but uneven sections make it difficult for mobility devices.
The visitor center features a glaciology exhibit gallery, a theater showing a film about the icefield, and floor-to-ceiling windows facing the glacier. A bookstore run by Discovery Southeast operates inside.
Restrooms are available at the center. Severe staffing shortages—reported as low as two employees managing peak crowds in 2025—can cause long lines for facilities during heavy cruise ship arrivals.
You can buy the required $5 day-use pass at automated vending machines in the parking lots or inside the bookstore. Bring a credit card to speed up the process.
A $5 pass is required for anyone 16 and older to access the Pavilion, Photo Point Trail, Steep Creek, and the visitor center between May and September. America the Beautiful passes are accepted.
No. The 7-mile guided hikes climb to a ridge overlooking the ice. You need a helicopter flightseeing tour or a specialized ice-trekking guide to walk on the glacier itself.
It requires a high level of fitness. The route covers seven miles round-trip, climbs 800 feet, and includes a steep scramble over loose rock that demands good balance.
Tour operators charge a $250 rescue fee if you cannot complete the trek due to undisclosed medical conditions or poor fitness that slows the group down.
You must wear sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support. The tour operators provide backpacks, rain jackets, rain pants, bottled water, and snacks.
Most tours meet at the "C" Sign near the downtown Juneau cruise ship docks, located between the Mt. Roberts Tramway and Taku Smokeries. They also pick up from major Mendenhall Valley hotels.
The minimum age for standard group hikes is 10 years old. Families with children aged 8 or 9 must contact the operator to book a customized private trip.
No. The U.S. Forest Service and local officials warn that the ice caves are highly unstable and prone to sudden collapse. The guided hikes stay on the ridge and do not visit them.
Black bears live in the Tongass National Forest and fish in Steep Creek from August into September. Your guide will manage any wildlife encounters safely if one occurs on the trail.
The $225 to $235 tour price includes all necessary Forest Service permits. You do not need to buy a separate $5 day-use pass for the hike.
You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Tours also require a minimum of four people to operate and may cancel if that threshold is not met.
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This 7-mile round-trip hike climbs 800 feet through the Tongass National Forest to the Mendenhall Glacier. A guide leads the group through the world's largest temperate rainforest, starting with a 3-mile stretch past beaver ponds. The path eventually turns into a scramble over loose rock where the trail disappears into open glacial terrain. It's a workout. From the final ridge, the glacier’s ice river and its deep blue crevasses sit directly below. You’ll see the cascading icefall, surrounding peaks, and Nugget Falls. We provide snacks at the top. Bring an extra layer because the wind at the ridge is biting. Expect slippery, uneven footing and steep sections that require steady balance. The terrain is rough enough that the trail often becomes indistinguishable from the surrounding rocks. Wear boots with good traction. If you have bad knees or struggle with balance, skip this one.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
The trek covers roughly 7 miles and climbs 800 feet through the Tongass National Forest to a ridge overlooking the Mendenhall Glacier. You'll spend the first 3 miles under the rainforest canopy. You'll pass beaver ponds before the trail dissolves into raw glacial terrain — the point where the established path ends. This section requires scrambling over exposed rock and navigating slippery ground. It's a leg-burner. The view from the final ridge covers the glacier's blue crevasses, the jagged icefall, the 377-foot drop of Nugget Falls, and the surrounding peaks. You'll see the ice river stretching back toward the mountains. We eat the provided snacks at the summit. Clouds often roll in quickly and obscure the peaks. Wear boots with deep lugs; sneakers will slide on the wet rock.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English