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It is the largest glacier in the Juneau area, and you can see it up close and personal. If you want to do something specific, booking it in advance is best. You can save money by booking through an independent operator rather than with one of the cruise lines.
Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Tours
In addition to hiking, kayaking, and flightseeing, there are a few other things to do at Mendenhall Glacier. You can visit the visitor center, which has exhibits on the glacier’s history and geology. And you can enjoy the stunning scenery at the glacier’s many viewpoints. If you’re looking for a shorter and more leisurely walk, the Photo Point Trail is a great option. This easy trail takes you to a scenic vantage point overlooking Mendenhall Lake and the glacier.
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Upon arrival at the center, tourists can expect an immersive and educational experience. Interactive exhibits, displays, and knowledgeable staff are there to enhance visitors understanding of the glacier and it’s surrounding environment. It’s important to note that walking on a glacier can be physically demanding and potentially dangerous. It’s important to come prepared with sturdy, waterproof hiking boots and warm layers of clothing.
Juneau Helicopter Tour and Guided Icefield Walk
I asked the bus driver if it was going to downtown Juneau and they said yes, so I didn’t have to wait at all. After you’re finished with the Mendenhall Glacier, there are buses that go back to downtown Juneau going in both directions. Since I had already walked a lot by that point, it would have been nice to only have to do a one-way walk to Mendenhall Glacier. When I went to the shuttle ticket booth in May 2023, the cost of a round trip ticket for the Mendenhall Glacier shuttle was $45 per person.
Via Capital Transit
Many cruise lines and local tour operators provide shuttle services from the cruise port to Mendenhall Glacier. These shuttles offer convenience and often include informative commentary along the way. They typically run on a regular schedule, allowing you to plan your visit accordingly and ensuring you don’t miss your ship’s departure time. The only glacier in Southeast Alaska accessible by road, Mendenhall’s grand edifice plunges from the immense Juneau Icefield, dropping 4,500 feet over 13 miles. Its active face regularly calves big icebergs and brash into its lake. The glacier has been retreating for 300 to 400 years, since the Little Ice Age, and has peeled back another 1.75 miles since 1929.
While you cannot drive to Juneau itself, once you’re in Juneau this is the only glacier in Southeast Alaska you can drive to. This article will tell you everything you need to know to visit the glacier from the perspective of a former resident and a frequent visitor as well as a tour guide. If you’re trying to figure out how to get to the glacier without a tour, let me save you some time and hassle and tell you that you should either book the tour or take the shuttle. Do not try to get there another way unless you’re staying in Juneau for a few days with a rental car.
How to Get from Juneau Cruise Port to Mendenhall Glacier (with Tips)
I remember my first experience of walking on a glacier all too well. The deep crevices and icy rivers of water running on top of the glacier amazed me. From the visitors’ center, walk towards the glacier and take the right-hand route at the fork. The path is flat and offers various flora of fireweed, lichens, alder, and spruce seedlings.
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How to get to Mendenhall Glacier if you’re visiting Juneau on your own
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In addition, once you arrive in Juneau, there are many excursions available. However, pick the right excursion according to how much time you have in port. When hiking the trails around Mendenhall Glacier, be mindful of trail etiquette.
Moovit provides free maps and live directions to help you navigate through your city. View schedules, routes, timetables, and find out how long does it take to get to Mendenhall Glacier Transport in real time. @Kelley,Neither Lyft nor Uber are authorized carriers into the Mendenhall national park. My guide said if I fell into a crevice, I’d be discovered 2,000 years later when the ice melted. Since Mendenhall is receding and melting at an alarming rate, ice caves can collapse at any moment. What may be there today, next week, or next month, may not be around next year.
If you’d rather listen to information about Mendenhall Glacier, check out Episode 13 of my podcast. On any given summer day, you can expect cruise ships from all cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, to dock simultaneously. The one-way trip with Capital Transit from downtown Juneau to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center can take up to 1.5 hours, which includes a walk of about 30 minutes. The bus ride can take up to 1 hour, and the closest bus stop is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away from the Visitor Center. Take Egan Drive out of town past the turnoff to the Juneau International Airport and turn right on Mendenhall Loop Road. After about 2 miles, the Loop road makes a sharp left turn while Glacier Spur Road continues straight toward the mountains.
Add the three-mile walk and it’ll be about three hours of your time, which doesn’t even include seeing the actual glacier. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can enjoy one or more of the over 20 Alaskan beers available on tap. The one-hour tour takes you through the lush Tongass National Forest and ends with a stop at the Glacier Garden. You’ll be transported by rainforest adventure vehicles, where you’ll see some of the most incredible flora and fauna in all of Alaska. If you haven’t pre-booked an excursion, many guides can help you find the best tour for your group. The trail takes you out onto a peninsula into Mendenhall Lake where you can see the glacier from the perfect angle.
It allows you to focus on the beauty of the glacier and the surrounding nature without worrying about transportation logistics. With the knowledgeable guides and well-organized schedules, you can make the most of your visit to this extraordinary natural wonder. As one of the few accessible glaciers in Alaska, Mendenhall Glacier offers a unique opportunity to experience the icy beauty of this frozen giant up close. The glacier stretches over 12 miles and stands over 300 feet tall, making it an awe-inspiring sight for visitors of all ages. It’s a beautiful and at times steep hike through the rain forest, with lots of small creeks and waterfalls and views of the glacier and the Mendenhall Valley.
Yes, hikers in Alaska can visit glaciers on foot as part of a land tour, but they usually need expensive transportation such as helicopters to get there. Otherwise, cruise passengers usually see glaciers like the ones at Glacier Bay from the decks of their ships. From the visitors’ center, you’ll enjoy the best views of the glacier and Nugget Falls. At 1.5 miles wide, it pales in comparison to Hubbard Glacier, but its aquamarine hues are sure to delight. From there, it’s a little over a mile to walk to the visitors’ center.
The loop is just over 3.5 miles with about 900 feet of elevation gain. An hour is enough time if you are just going to go to the Visitor Center and out on the Photo point trail to a great view of the glacier. The real highlight of landing on the Mendenhall Glacier is getting to go dog sledding in the middle of summer on the ice of the glacier! This is a truly incredible splurge if you’re looking for something really special and expensive on your trip. You can also book a tour on the dock if there is still space available, but if it’s important to you to get to the glacier I recommend booking in advance.
