Visiting Glacier Bay National Park

Alaska is home to a number of national parks. Glacier Bay National Park is one of the parks that make a great stop on your Alaska tour. Some cruise ships take a tour through the park, but the best way to visit is definitely on your own. Check out our guide below for visiting the national park.

When to go?

Like most national parks in Alaska, visiting the park is best in the summer (late May through early September). The mainland portion of the park is a comfortable temperature, but it can get very cold out on the water, even in the middle of summer. During the winter, most park services are closed, so if you visit then, plan for limited resources.

During the summer, even at the peak, the park does not get very crowded. The closest (and only) town to Glacier Bay National Park is Gustavus, population of around 450 people. The lack of lodging keeps the total number of people in the park at a reasonable amount.

How do you get to the park?

Glacier Bay National Park is one of the more difficult parks to reach. From Juneau, Sitka, Hoonah, or any of the other towns in the inner passage, you can take a ferry to Gustavus. The park is located about 15 minutes from the small town of Gustavus. Most lodging offers pick up and drop off at the ferry terminal, including the Glacier Bay Lodge in the park.

There is also a very small airport in Gustavus. You can get a flight from most airports in the area, but be aware these are going to be small planes that seat anywhere from 4 to 12 people. Most of the lodging will also pick you up from the airport if requested.

Where to stay in and around the park?

Between Gustavus and the national park lodge, there are not a lot of options. Airbnb offers a couple choices, as well as a couple options through local B&Bs. There is a lodge in the national park, which also includes a restaurant. The lodge is definitely worth staying at for convenience, but the rooms are very basic. Check the lodge out here.

Camping in Glacier Bay National Park is also an option, but be aware there are wolves, bears, and other wild animals that call the area home. Reservations are not required, but you need to check in with the visitors center for information.

Things to Do in the Park

Glacier Bay is more limited in activities than other national parks, partially due to its location, and partially due to the limited resources available. Check out the list below of recommended activities.

• Glacier Bay Tours – Provided through the national park, the Glacier Bay tour is a wildlife and glacier tour is the highlight activity of the park. The tours include a park ranger to help point out and discuss things as you travel through the park. The tour leaves out of the dock in the park, so if you are staying at the lodge, its an easy walk from your room.
• Hiking – There are a handful of trails in the Glacier Bay area. Some of the trails are wheelchair accessible, and some are not. Maps of the trails are posted on information boards at various areas in the park, or you can pick a copy of the park map up at the visitors center.
• Fishing – You can fish within Glacier Bay National Park, but be aware of the rules and regulations for fishing in Alaska.
• Kayaking Tours – For those seeking an adventure, there are some outfitters that offer guided kayak tours into the park. Kayaking in the open seas can be difficult, so it is not recommended for beginners.

There are a few other activities, like rafting, flightseeing, and bird watching, but the primary activities are listed above.

In addition to the hiking and tours above, there are Ranger led programs throughout the day. Check out the visitors center or the docks for a list of programs available.

Hopefully our guide helps you plan your visit to Glacier Bay National Park. As always, please feel free to comment below or contact us with questions!