Sightseeing
Season: May–Sep
Glacier & wildlife sightseeing
- Visitor center, Photo Point and Nugget Falls
- Black bears at Steep Creek in salmon season
The essentials
| Location | Mendenhall Valley, about 12 miles north of downtown Juneau, Alaska |
|---|---|
| Glacier length | About 13 miles, flowing from the Juneau Icefield |
| Managed by | US Forest Service, as part of the Tongass National Forest |
| Main season | May to September |
| Getting there | No road links Juneau to the rest of North America. Arrive by air, cruise ship or ferry. |
| Currency | US dollar |
| Time zone | Alaska Time |
When to visit
The best time to visit Mendenhall Glacier is from May to September, when the visitor center keeps its longest hours, the trails are free of snow and almost every tour operates.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| May | The season opens. Fewer ships, cool days, long evenings and lower hotel rates. |
| June to August | Peak season: the warmest weather, the longest days and the biggest crowds. Book tours and rooms early. |
| Late July to September | Salmon run in Steep Creek and black bears come down to fish. |
| September | Quieter, with autumn colour and more rain. Most tours run until mid or late month. |
| October to April | No cruise ships and few visitors. Short days, snow and ice, and limited visitor center hours. |
Humpback whales are seen around Juneau throughout the summer season. If seeing bears matters most, aim for August.
Weather and what to wear
Juneau sits in a temperate rainforest. Expect rain on some days at any time of year, and cooler temperatures near the ice than in town. Summer days are mild rather than hot.
- A waterproof jacket with a hood
- Warm layers: a fleece or light down jacket
- Comfortable shoes with good grip for wet trails
- A hat and gloves for helicopter, boat and glacier tours
- Binoculars for bears, whales and mountain goats
Visiting on a cruise
The glacier is about 12 miles from the downtown cruise docks. With a shuttle bus or tour, a three to four hour visit fits comfortably into most port days. Book helicopter or dog-sled tours before your cruise, and choose one that returns at least an hour before your all-aboard time. See getting there for every option from the docks.
Money and costs
Prices in Juneau are higher than in most of the lower 48 states, because almost everything arrives by sea or air. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. The visitor center charges a small fee in summer; the trails outside are generally free. Tipping guides and drivers is customary in the United States.
Wildlife and safety
Bears
Black bears are common around the glacier. Stay on trails and boardwalks, make noise in thick brush, never approach or feed a bear, and keep food sealed. If a bear approaches, back away slowly and give it space.
Ice and the lake
Never climb onto the glacier or into ice caves without a qualified guide. Ice can collapse without warning, and icebergs can roll. Mendenhall Lake is very cold all year.
Glacial outburst floods
Most summers since 2011, water stored in Suicide Basin beside the glacier has drained suddenly, raising the lake and the Mendenhall River. Low-lying trails can close at short notice. Check local alerts before you go.
Accessibility
The visitor center has step-free access, and the paved Photo Point Trail leads to a lakeside viewpoint with a clear view of the glacier. The Steep Creek boardwalk is mostly level. The Nugget Falls Trail is flat but partly gravel. Many tour operators can adapt for mobility needs; contact them before booking.
Visiting responsibly
- Take your rubbish with you and stay on marked trails.
- Keep at least 100 yards from bears on foot whenever you can.
- Choose tour operators who follow wildlife viewing guidelines on the water.
- Visit early or late in the day to spread the load on busy cruise days.
