Mendenhall Glacier Tours

Best Mendenhall Glacier Tours & Excursions

1. Juneau Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour

2. Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour

3. Glacier Walk & Helicopter Tour

4. Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip

5. Juneau Mendenhall Glacier & Salmon Bake Tour

6. Dog Sledding & Helicopter Tour

7. Mendenhall Lake Canoe Tour

8. Kayaking & Mendenhall Glacier Viewing

 

Visiting Mendenhall Glacier

If you're in the Juneau area, a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier is a must-do activity.

Mendenhall Glacier is a massive and mighty river of ice that extends 13 miles. Featuring vivid blue ice and awe-inspiring views of the magnificent Coast Mountains, the Mendenhall Glacier is a natural wonder. It is part of the Juneau Icefield, located within the Tongass National Forest. 

 

Visiting Mendenhall Glacier

When you visit, you’ll step back in time to the last ice age, when Juneau Icefield spilled forth with 38 glaciers, including the Mendenhall with its with rugged, icy crevasses. Have your camera ready as you wander along the well-maintained trails to view black bears, salmon streams, and even bald eagles.

You can get to the glacier via one of our scenic Medenhall Glacier tours, taxi, or car.

 

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor's Center

When you arrive at the visitor’s center, take a short walk on Photo Point Trail, about 0.15 miles, to a beautiful viewpoint, great for taking photos of the glacier. The trail is paved and accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Once you’ve taken the perfect glacier photo, head to the U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center to learn more about the glacier and watch a 15-minute video. You can also pick up a trail map from the National Forest Service. Many people enjoy learning about the science of the glacier, along with the area’s rich history. The visitor’s center charges a small fee for entry, but you can use the restrooms and visit the bookstore for free. 

 

Nugget Falls

If you have more time, take a 15-20 minute walk along the trail to Nugget Falls to reach a large and beautiful waterfall. Enjoy the spectacular sight of the waterfall spilling into an iceberg-filled lake, with the glacier in the background. This is the closest you can get to the glacier from this side of the lake.

The Nugget Falls Trail is 2 miles roundtrip and takes about an hour to accomplish. It is a well-maintained, gentle trail with dirt and gravel.

 

Spotting Wildlife: Salmon and Black Bears

Those visiting the Mendenhall Glacier in late July through September can look for views of black bears fishing for salmon. Head left from the roundabout onto a series of boardwalks for the Steep Creek Trail. If you’re lucky, you’ll find black bears chasing the salmon that have spawned in the creek. (Don’t worry, bears can’t get up to the platforms where you’ll be.)

Steep Creek Trail is a 0.25 mile loop, and takes about 20 minutes to see. The trail is easy for most visitors, alternating between pavement and raised boardwalks.

 

Mendenhall Glacier Weather

Mendenhall Glacier weather is typically mildest in May through September. During the summer, expect highs in the 60s and always bring a rain jacket - just in case. (But don't let rain discourage your trip! The glacier is beautiful on cloudy days.)

Overcast days can bring some of the best glacier views and photographs, so don’t let a little rain discourage you! You can find the current Mendenhall Glacier weather conditions on our page.

 

Cool Mendenhall Glacier Facts

In addition to its splendor and beauty, the Mendenhall Glacier offers fascinating insights into science and history.

 

Why is the Ice Blue?

The ice appears blue, because it absorbs all of the colors of the visible light spectrum except blue, which it reflects. Other ice may appear white, because it is highly fractured with air pockets and scatters the visible light spectrum. The ice is bluest in the areas least exposed to air.

 

How Did the Glacier Form?

Year after year, snow accumulates and compacts underlying snow layers from previous years into solid ice. Snowfall in the Juneau Icefield often exceeds 100 feet, which creates excellent conditions for glaciation. Mendenhall Glacier is one of 38 glaciers that flow from Juneau Icefield.

 

The Glacier Looks Still; Is it Moving?

Yes, the glacier is always moving, shaping the landscape as it goes. While the movement is very, very slow, the glacier is always moving and flowing downhill like a river.

 

How Did Mendenhall Glacier Get its Name?

The glacier was actually orginally known as Sitaantaagu (“the Glacier Behind the Town”) or Aak’wtaaksit (“the Glacier Behind the Little Lake”). Naturalist John Muir named the glacier Auke Glacier in 1888. Then, in 1891, it was renamed in honor of Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, who served as Superindendent of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1889 to 1894.  

 

Choosing Your Excursion

There's a Mendenhall Glacier tour for everyone. You can ride atop Mendenhall Lake by kayak, canoe, or raft or you can fly to the glacier via helicopter. For a truly exciting trip, the Ice Adventure tour can include a visit to the famous Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves if conditions are favorable.

For even more to do in Juneau, check out our list of the best things to do in Juneau.

 

FAQs

What are the best Mendenhall Glacier tours?

The best Mendenhall Glacier Tours are:

• Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure
• Juneau Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour
• Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Tour & Guided Walk
• Mendenhall Lake Canoe Tour
• Glacier View Sea Kayaking

 

Can you walk on top of Mendenhall Glacier?

Yes, you can walk on top of Mendenhall Glacier. Our Mendenhall Glacier helicopter tour lands on top of Mendenhall Glacier and allows you to walk around and experience the glacier.

 

Why is the Ice Blue?

The ice appears blue, because it absorbs all of the colors of the visible light spectrum except blue, which it reflects. Other ice may appear white, because it is highly fractured with air pockets and scatters the visible light spectrum. The ice is bluest in the areas least exposed to air.