Mendenhall Glacier

While Mendenhall Glacier can be visited independently from Juneau, save the hassle of driving on Alaska's icy roads and opt for a combo tour to the glacier instead. Such tours typically combine Mendenhall with whale-watching experiences, glacier hikes, and salmon bakes, and include guides and round-trip transportation. Adventurous travelers can also paddle down the river in a raft, kayak, or canoe to see the glacier up-close or visit Mendenhall on a guided hiking and ice exploration.

• The visitor center houses various exhibits, an observatory with telescopes, and a theater that shows a film about the glacier every 20 minutes.

• If you plan on walking, dress accordingly and be prepared for changing weather conditions.

• Those visiting by cruise ship can take a tour of Mendenhall Glacier as a shore excursion.

• No food or drink (except water) is allowed from May through September, due to bear activity.

• Look out for Nugget Falls, a salmon-viewing platform overlooking Steep Creek, and for six hiking trails of varying difficulty.

• The visitor center is wheelchair accessible, but paths closer to the glacier may not be.

Mendenhall Glacier is located about 12 miles (19 kilometers) outside of downtown Juneau, at the head of Glacier Spur Road. You can reach the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center by taxi, car, or bus. The city bus drops visitors roughly 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) from the visitor center, so plan accordingly.

From May through September, the visitor center is open daily between 8am and 7:30pm. October through April, it’s open Friday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm. The trails and outdoor areas are open all year.

If you've got a taste for glacier exploration, consider adding one of the world's other most impressive glaciers to your itinerary. Argentina's Perito Moreno is a classic, situated within the sweeping Patagonia National Park; Iceland's Vatnajökull is among the world's largest glaciers; and New Zealand's Franz Josef Glacier is a favorite for adventure travelers.

The best way to see Mendenhall Glacier is by kayak, paddling up to the glacier’s face in Mendenhall Lake. Of course, the easiest way to see the glacier is by visiting the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and wandering the trails. At .6 miles, you can access Photo Point; at 1 mile, you can get to Nugget Falls.

Yes, you can go to Mendenhall Glacier on your own; the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center sees some 500,000 travelers every year. From there, you can explore the exhibits and witness the glacier from several viewing points and trails that snake through the beautiful area. Of course, with a guide, you could kayak, helicopter, or get closer to the glacier via backcountry trails.

Yes, you should book Mendenhall Glacier tours in advance, especially in summer. The glacier is one of Alaska’s most well-known attractions, and you’ll want to beat the crowds by booking early (and with a small-group operator). Take your pick of hiking, paddling, helicopter, and even dog-sledding tours to witness the blue ice.

The best time of year to visit Mendenhall Glacier is May and September–October. During those months, the weather will be reasonably mild, the roads and trails are less likely to be covered in snow, and the cruise-ship crowds will be fewer. Summer is good, too, but you’ll have substantially less elbow room.

When visiting Mendenhall Glacier, you’ll want to wear clothing that stays warm even when wet. Layer wool or polar fleece on top of a base layer and under a rain jacket, and you should be set. Hats, gloves, and sturdy hiking footwear are also strongly recommended for anyone going beyond the visitor center.

Yes, there are restrooms at Mendenhall Glacier, just outside the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. They’re located between the center and the main parking lot, next to the information station. There are no restrooms on the trails, so take care of business before you set out on your hike.