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Paddle through Fritz Cove or across Mendenhall Lake for incredible views of the glacier. These 3.5-hour guided excursions provide all the necessary gear, including rain suits and boots, to keep you comfortable on the water.
Paddle two-person sea kayaks through Fritz Cove and the Mendenhall Wetlands toward the Mendenhall Glacier.
Free Cancellation Paddle a single kayak through Mendenhall Wetlands to see the glacier from 6 miles away and spot harbor seals.
Kayak past icebergs to the Mendenhall Glacier face and Nugget Falls on a small-group tour with forest service permits.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Mendenhall Glacier — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Kayaking near Mendenhall Glacier puts you on the water among floating icebergs and coastal wildlife. The U.S. Forest Service strictly caps commercial access to Mendenhall Lake. You spend about two hours actively paddling.
Permitted tours launch directly onto the lake. You paddle around floating blue ice chunks toward the 1.5-mile-wide glacier face.
Other tours launch into saltwater estuaries six miles from the glacier. Harbor seals rest on the rocks and bald eagles perch in the shoreline trees.
You paddle for roughly two hours. Guides teach basic strokes before launching, but the return trip across the lake gets choppy if the wind picks up.
Outfitters provide waterproof gear. Lake tours hand out full rain suits and boots, while small-group wetland trips use dry suits.
The 377-foot waterfall crashes into the lake right next to the glacier. The sound carries across the water as you approach the ice face.
Booking a Mendenhall kayak tour requires understanding the geography. The glacier sits 12 miles from downtown Juneau, and tours depart from different bodies of water.
Lake tours navigate around icebergs near the glacier's calving face. Wetlands tours launch in Fritz Cove, viewing the ice from six miles away while focusing on marine wildlife.
Only a few operators hold Forest Service permits to put boats on Mendenhall Lake. These tours cost more and sell out months in advance.
Kayak cockpits measure 16.5 by 10 inches. The maximum weight sits around 250 to 275 pounds depending on waist size, and anyone over 6'3" will struggle to use the foot pedals.
Children must weigh at least 40 pounds to fit the required lifejackets. Kids aged 7 to 12 need an adult in their boat, and teens under 18 need parental consent.
Juneau rains constantly. Tours operate in all weather conditions, and operators provide full rain gear or dry suits. Bring an extra pair of wool socks.
Operators time their departures around port schedules. Most tours pick up right under the Mt. Roberts Tramway cables near the downtown cruise docks.
Read the fine print before paying. Lake tours usually enforce a strict no-refund policy, while wetland tours often allow cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
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| Mendenhall Lake Kayak Tour | Glacier View Sea Kayaking | Small Group Sea Kayaking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Mendenhall Lake | Fritz Cove Wetlands | North Douglas Wetlands |
| Glacier Proximity | Close to the ice face | 6 miles away | 6 miles away |
| Vessel Type | Double kayaks | Double kayaks | Single kayaks |
| Price | $279 | $159 | $160 |
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The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center operates from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily between May 1 and September 30. Winter hours drop to 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays only.
The surrounding recreation area, including the trails and lake shoreline, stays open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to midnight.
The glacier sits 12 miles from downtown Juneau. Most kayak tours include round-trip transportation from the cruise port, picking up near the Mt. Roberts Tramway.
If you travel independently, private shuttles like the Glacier Express run $45 to $49 round trip. The Capital Transit public bus drops you 1.5 miles from the visitor center, requiring a 30-minute walk.
May through September provides the mildest weather and full visitor center operations. May and June offer clearer skies and fewer crowds.
August and September bring spawning salmon to Steep Creek, attracting black bears. Rain is guaranteed regardless of the month, so check the forecast that morning.
Kayak tours require climbing into a small cockpit and paddling for two hours. They are not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.
At the visitor center, the Photo Point Trail is fully paved and wheelchair-accessible. The Nugget Falls trail has uneven gravel sections that cause trouble for mobility scooters.
The visitor center features glaciology exhibits, a theater, and a bookstore. Entry requires a $5 day-use pass from May through September.
The Forest Service prohibits walking onto the lake ice due to severe thinning. Drones face heavy restrictions because of the nearby Juneau International Airport and frequent helicopter tours.
Leave bears alone at Steep Creek. Stay on the elevated boardwalks and never carry food near the salmon spawning areas.
Guides teach basic strokes before you get on the water. You do need moderate physical fitness. The tours require about two hours of active paddling.
It depends on the permit. Lake tours paddle near the icebergs at the glacier's face. Wetlands tours launch in Fritz Cove and view the glacier from six miles away.
Tours run in all weather conditions. Operators provide full rain gear, rubber boots, or dry suits. You will get wet, so bring extra socks.
Yes. The maximum weight is roughly 250 to 275 pounds, limited by the 16.5 by 10-inch cockpit opening. Anyone over 6'3" will have trouble using the rudder pedals and must steer with the paddle.
Children must weigh at least 40 pounds to fit the mandatory lifejackets. Kids aged 7 to 12 must ride in a double kayak with an adult.
No. The Forest Service does not endorse entering the ice caves due to high collapse risk. Commercial kayak tours stay on the water.
You are unlikely to see bears from the water. Harbor seals and bald eagles are common. To see black bears, walk the Steep Creek boardwalk near the visitor center in August or September.
Kayak tour prices cover your lake permits. If you visit the center independently before or after, you need a $5 day-use pass to enter the building or use the Photo Point Trail.
Most kayak operators pick up right at the cruise docks in downtown Juneau. The standard meeting point is under the Mt. Roberts Tramway cables.
Mendenhall Lake gets choppy when the wind blows off the glacier. The return trip across the open water often requires hard paddling against the headwind.
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You'll launch two-person sea kayaks into Fritz Cove to reach the Mendenhall Glacier. Guides teach basic strokes before you enter the Mendenhall Wetlands. It's a protected area. Look for bald eagles in the trees and humpback whales in the deeper water. The glacier's icy spires stand out against the forested slopes. Water stays cold, so dress in layers. After the paddle, there's a snack on the shore. If the wind picks up, the return leg gets choppy. This trip is best for those who want to see the ice from the water rather than walking on it. Bring a waterproof camera for the birds.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
English
You'll paddle through the Mendenhall Wetlands in a single kayak for a view of the glacier from 6 miles away. Bald eagles often perch in the trees along the shore, and harbor seals use the rocks as resting spots. You might see a porpoise or sea lion in the water. It's a quiet route. Groups are capped at 8 people to keep the water calm and the pace steady. Everyone gets their own single kayak—which handles better than a double—though doubles are available if you ask. You'll wear a provided dry suit over your clothes. It's the only way to stay warm if it rains. Guides teach the basic strokes before you launch, so beginners are fine. Pack extra wool socks.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
You'll paddle two-person kayaks across Mendenhall Lake under a limited-access US Forest Service permit. The route crosses open water toward the glacier face, steering around floating ice chunks. It's a workout. If the wind kicks up, the return leg across the lake gets choppy. The path skirts the base of Nugget Falls where water drops into the lake. You’ll stay a safe distance from the ice because calving chunks create dangerous swells. Guides point out native wildlife and explain the local ecology while you move. After the return paddle, there’s a snack of Alaskan-style fare. Bring waterproof layers—the glacier melt keeps the water temperature near freezing.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
English