skagway glacier bay tours

Skagway Shore Tours & Excursions

The best shore excursions in skagway.

Grizzly Falls Ziplining Expedition

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Glacier Point Wilderness Safari

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Experience True Nature

Wilderness adventure tours beyond imagination, glacier bay cruises | glacier bay tours from juneau, welcome to the ice age - join alaska's famous glacier bay cruise .

Glacier Bay National Park - with its high mountain peaks, ice-sculptured fjords, an abundance of marine wildlife and massive tidewater glaciers - is one of Alaska's most spectacular National Parks and best seen during your Glacier Bay Cruise. When Captain George Vancouver sailed through the ice-choked waters of Icy Strait in 1794, Glacier Bay was little more than a dent in a mountain of ice. In 1879 John Muir made his legendary discovery of Glacier Bay and found that the end of the bay had retreated 20 miles from Icy Strait. Today, glaciers still cover 27 percent of the Park. There are more than 50 named glaciers of which seven are active tidewater glaciers that calve icebergs into the sea. Two of them, Johns Hopkins and Margerie Glaciers, are advancing. Encircling the park to the west is the Fairweather Range, the highest coastal mountains in the world at 15,000 feet. Experience Glacier Bay from the comfort of the catamaran during a Glacier Bay Cruise. The bay is rich with marine life, including the endangered humpback whale, orcas, threatened Stellar sea lion, harbor seals, sea otters and porpoises. In addition Glacier Bay is home to a large bear population, both brown and black, as well as the blue glacier bear, a rare color phase of the black. Sitka blacktail deer and mountain goats thrive in the park. Popular activities are kayaking, glacier viewing and whale watching tour to Point Adolphus .

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Skagway Alaska Tours

• Flight Seeing

Skagway Flight Seeing Tours

Port: Skagway, Alaska

Stand on a living glacier,  and enjoy a helicopter tour featuring dozens more.  This Skagway Tour includes a 40-minute helicopter tour where you will get up close and personal with ancient glaciers, towering waterfalls, and the bottomless depths of the deepest fjord in the world.  You will spend another 40 minutes touring a living glacier on foot with an experienced guide who will show you features such as crevasses, moulins, and crystal-blue glacial pools.  

Before your flight, you will be equipped with glacier boots and a safety vest, and then shown a short video designed to familiarize you with all necessary safety precautions.  This tour is recommended for all ages.  Persons over 250 pounds will be charged an additional $100 (+tax).  Infants up to 23 months are free.  Sunglasses, a camera, and a jacket are recommended.  

Tour Description:  Your tour starts by being picked up by a uniformed Temsco driver, next to the cruise ship dock or downtown (your ticket outlines your pickup location). When you arrive at Temsco, you will be outfitted with glacier boots and shown a brief safety video. You and your group will then be led to the helicopter landing pad and loaded into the chopper. Once you are safely buckled into your seat, you will put on a pair of high-tech headphones so you can easily communicate with your experienced pilot. You will spend 40 minutes in the air and 40 minutes on the glacier. Your flight will be customized to the day's weather and pilot preference. When you land on the glacier, you will be met by a glacier expert who will safely show you around the ancient ice, pointing out features such as crevasses, moulins, and seracs. Glaciers are literally alive and always in motion, so your experience will be unique. There will be ample time to take photos and have a few laughs with family and friends. Be sure to keep an eye out for ice worms!

Glacier Fun Facts : If you’re taking a Skagway helicopter excursion, you probably want to know a few things before you go. What exactly is a glacier? In short, it’s a massive chunk of ice formed by the accumulation of snow. As snow accumulates at higher elevations, it compresses into dense ice and begins to flow downhill. This means that glaciers only form when more snow falls than melts. In fact, it takes 100 feet of snow to create one foot of glacial ice. Wow.

During the last ice age which ended about 12,000 years ago, far more snow fell than melted every year. Glaciers became larger and larger. The glacier that covered Skagway was over a mile thick! That is a whole lot of ice. 

Today, the planet is warming at a very high rate, especially during the last 75 years. Because of this, snow is melting faster than it can accumulate, which means glaciers are receding. The heavy, dense ice still flows downhill but the overall amount of ice declines every year. Still, the glaciers are so large that it will still take a long time for many of them to melt entirely. 

There are 100,000 glaciers in Alaska. Only 10 of them are advancing. One is the Hubbard Glacier, about 90 miles west of Skagway. The Hubbard Glacier is also a tidewater glacier, which means it can be seen calving as it advances. Calving is when a tidewater glacier breaks apart and large chunks of ice fall into the water. People on Skagway excursions enjoy watching glaciers calve because it makes a loud noise and is very exciting. 

Even though the glacier that covered Skagway has been gone for nearly 12,000 years, the effects of this massive piece of ice are still being felt. The ice covering Skagway was so heavy that it compressed the ground and bedrock underneath. Because of this, Skagway is rising between one and two inches every year. This process is called isostatic rebound. 

When you consider the fact that the Klondike Gold Rush was around 124 years ago, this means that Skagway has risen about 17 feet since that time! Indeed, photos from the Gold Rush show that the high water line was near what is not the middle of town. Science sure is something!

What glacier does the Skagway helicopter excursion visit? Whenever you visit a place or geographical feature, it’s interesting to know what it’s called so you can tell people, “I took a Skagway helicopter excursion to the (name here) glacier.”

Most Skagway helicopter excursions land on the Meade Glacier, which is located only a few miles east of town. Why is it called the Meade Glacier? Nobody knows. Perhaps the person that named it after his beloved Meade Notebook from grade school. Maybe it was named after some guy named Billy Meade. Feel free to use your imagination. 

What is known is that the Meade Glacier is very pretty and one of the largest glaciers on the Juneau Ice Field. 

What is the Juneau Ice Field? It’s a field of ice, silly! But seriously, the Juneau Ice Field is a 1,500 square mile field of glacial ice from which many of the most famous glaciers extend. The Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is also a part of the Juneau Ice Field. This means that it extends all the way from Downtown Juneau to Skagway. That’s enough ice to keep a cooler full of beer cold for 100 billion years!

What makes the ice flow downhill? Even though the glacial ice is very dense and heavy, it is still water. What does water do? It flows downhill! This means that glaciers are always moving because the solid water is flowing downhill. 

Why does the ice flow downhill? Gravity. Gravity is a natural force that makes things attract other things. The planet earth is big but the glacier is small by comparison, so the glacier flows toward the mass of the earth. This means that glacial ice is constantly being replenished. So, while a glacier can be 30,000 years old, ice still only takes around 250 years to flow from top to bottom. 

Not all glaciers are from the same time period. While larger glaciers like the Meade Glacier and Hubbard Glacier are quite old, some glaciers were formed relatively recently, during an era called the Little Ice Age.

The Little Ice Age was not truly an “ice age” but it extended from around 1300 to 1850. However, experts agree that it was cold enough to make glaciers advance and for some to form. When you’re traveling through Southeast Alaska and see small glaciers at high elevations that look relatively small, it was likely formed during the Little Ice Age.

In Skagway, if you look southwest across the fjord, you will see a glacier on top of Mount Harding. This glacier is creatively named Harding Glacier. Both the mountain and the glacier are named after President Warren Harding, who knew nothing about glaciers but happened to visit Skagway. Since he is the only president to visit Skagway, he got some stuff named after him. 

Anyway, the little glacier at the top of the mountain was formed during the Little Ice Age. Harding Glacier is quickly receding and will eventually dry up entirely if the climate keeps warming. 

What kind of helicopter will I ride in? There are a lot of different kinds of helicopters. When you take a Skagway helicopter excursion, it’s normal to wonder what kind of helicopter you’re flying in. 

The helicopters used by Temsco for their Skagway helicopter tours are A-Star Helicopters, which are also known as Airbus AS350s in other parts of the world. But you’re in Alaska, so it’s called an A-Star.

These helicopters (also called “choppers” by cool people) have a single-engine and three-blade primary rotor, whatever that means. They are very maneuverable and quick. A-Stars are also easy to start up and switch off, which is nice. Because they are one of the largest non-military helicopters, they are ideal for hauling a half dozen tourists to a glacier. 

A-Star helicopters are one of the most popular commercial aircraft in the world. And you get to ride in one! They are routinely used by law enforcement, medical teams, and those nightly news traffic guys that fly around telling you about bad traffic and highway police chases. A-Stars are also very reliable at high altitudes, which is good when you’re flying over Alaska mountain ranges to land on large chunks of ice. 

If you’re undecided whether to take a Skagway helicopter tour while in port, remember the immortalized words of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1987 movie Predator when he said, “GET TO THE CHOPPA!”

You won’t regret it.

• Duration: 2.00 hours
• Adults: $399.00
• Children: $399.00

Port: Skagway

This is the ultimate Alaskan adventure , suitable for all ages.  This Skagway Tour includes a helicopter tour to the remote Denver Glacier, where you will be dropped off for your own dog mushing experience on real snow.  Snow pack atop the glacier allows for summer-long adventures, where you get to experience the life of an Iditarod musher.  

This tour includes approximately 25 minutes of flight time on the helicopter, and nearly an hour on the glacier at the mushing camp.  Camera, jacket and sunglasses recommended.  There will be an additional $100 (+ tax) fee for persons weighing over 250 pounds.  

Tour Description:  Your tour starts when you're picked up near your cruise ship dock (or downtown) by a friendly and uniformed Temsco employee who will drive you to their headquarters, less than a mile away. You will then be shown a safety video and outfitted with stylish safety boots and a sporty safety vest. You and your group will then be lined up on the helicopter pad and loaded into your own fancy helicopter. Once inside, you will buckle in and place state-of-the-art headphones on your ears. The headphones will allow you to hear and communicate with your skilled pilot. In total, you will spend about 25 minutes flying in the helicopter, so your flight to the dog camp may be around 15 minutes, give or take a few minutes depending on weather and a variety of other factors. Make no mistake, you will have a few laughs on the flight before you land on the glacier, where the dog camp is situated. After getting off your helicopter, you will have time to look at dogs and perhaps even see some adorable little Alaskan husky puppies. Rest assured, they are all good boys, yes they are. This is when the excitement really begins because you get on a sled and the huskies will pull you all over the snow-covered glacier. You will spend about 55 minutes on the glacier. It will be something you will never forget. When you're done with your sled ride, you will get to the choppa and fly back to the heliport. You will then have the option to be transported back to your ship or Downtown Skagway. Either way, you will undoubtedly start sharing your dog sledding on social media, making everyone you know back at home very jealous, especially if they're at work. 

• Adults: $659.00
• Children: $659.00

Marvel at Alaska's Crown Jewel, Glacier Bay , on this one-hour flight that features pristine wilderness, frequent wildlife spottings, and dozens of glaciers.  The East Arm of Glacier Bay is known for its glaciation, and your pilot Paul will provide you with closeups of both land-based and tidewater glaciers on this incredible Skagway tour.

No weight restrictions on this tour.  Infants up to two years old are free.  Sunglasses and camera recommended.  Paul can accommodate groups and families of up to eight people on one flight.  Landings are also available for an additional $75 per person, so if you are interested please inquire about this option.   

Tour Description:  You will meet your pilot, Paul, at the Skagway International Airport. Paul will assist you as you step into his custom DeHavilland Beaver for your flight over Glacier Bay. Once inside the airplane, you will buckle up and put on a pair of noise-canceling headphones so that you can hear and talk to your friendly pilot. This is a good thing because Paul will share a number of humorous stories guaranteed to provide you and your party with a few laughs. Every flight over Glacier Bay is unique as glaciers are living bodies of ice and always in constant motion. It's not uncommon to see wildlife and Paul will safely ensure you get a good look when possible. If you're lucky enough to enjoy a landing, you will have an opportunity to get out of the Beaver and explore for a while, taking pictures and enjoying the remote beauty of Alaska's pristine wilderness. When your flight is over, you will land safely back at the airport with a big smile on your face.

What exactly is flightseeing? Flightseeing is another way of saying that a person is getting on an airplane to fly over some interesting stuff so that passengers can see it. There are a number of reasons why a person might go on a flight. It might be to visit family during Christmas or for a vacation. Soldiers fly in airplanes during combat missions and businessmen fly in airplanes to make money. 

When you travel to Alaska, you should go on a flight to look at the fantastic scenery. Sure, everything is very pretty while you’re standing on the ground but when you see mountains and glaciers from an airplane it will blow your mind right out of your skull. It’s that pretty. You will also quickly learn that you are in the middle of nowhere surrounded by mountains, ice, and the ocean. 

What kind of airplane is used on the tour? The airplane is called a DeHavilland Beaver. The DeHavilland Beaver is the most famous bush plane in all of Alaska because it’s safe, reliable, and perfect for flightseeing. Pilot Paul’s Beaver is fully customized for flightseeing. It is very comfortable and comes equipped with headphones for every passenger. This allows Paul and his passengers to talk and tell stories and laugh at funny jokes.

Is the Glacier Bay flightseeing tour safe? Paul has been giving flightseeing tours for decades. He’s conducted thousands of flights. These facts alone show that flightseeing with Mountain Flying Service is safe. 

Consider this: Most people traveling to Alaska live in or near a metropolitan area. They drive on the Interstate and local roads for hours every day. When you consider how many people are in accidents every day, the logical conclusion would be to say it’s not safe. But everyone keeps driving anyway. 

Flying in Alaska is no different. Skagway residents often have to fly to Juneau in a tiny airplane. Some locals call these airplanes “puddle jumpers” because Skagway people have a good sense of humor. So, you see, flying in small airplanes is a part of everyday life in Alaska, just like driving in traffic is an everyday part of life in the Lower 48.

What can you tell me about Glacier Bay? Some people call Glacier Bay the Crown Jewel of Alaska. That’s because its unspoiled beauty is arguably the most striking and beautiful in the entire state of Alaska. And that’s saying something!

Glacier Bay is 3.3 million acres of rugged Alaskan beauty. As you fly over Glacier Bay, you will see endless mountains, countless glaciers, deep fjords, and pristine coastlines. Mush of Glacier Bay is a temperate rainforest filled with all sorts of animals that have thrived there for a very long time.

Glacier Bay is also part of a 25-million-acre World Heritage Site that includes Kluane Provincial Park, Wrangell-St. Elias, and Tatshenshini-Alsek. This is one of the World’s largest international protected areas and it’s larger than the state of New Jersey! It smells a lot better too.

Glacier Bay is commonly divided into two sections, the East Arm and the West Arm. When you look at these two arms, it looks like there are actually two bays. However, when Glacier Bay was named, the southern end was nothing more than a massive tidewater glacier. Then it melted into what you see today.

Some of the largest mountains in North America are found in the West Arm of Glacier Bay. On any Glacier Bay flightseeing tour, guests get to see tidewater glaciers, which are glaciers that end in the water. 

Sometimes unusual formations appear on glaciers, like glacial arches, but glaciers are always moving so these features don’t last long. You could travel to Alaska every year and actually see the glaciers change. That is simply amazing.

Do people see wildlife on the Glacier Bay flightseeing tour? Absolutely. But remember that it’s not a wildlife tour. The goal is to see the beauty and majesty of Glacier Bay, so seeing wildlife is an added bonus. What kind of animals might you see on your Glacier Bay flightseeing excursion?

Mountain Goats - When you fly over mountains in Alaska, there’s always a chance to mountain goats. Makes sense.

Moose - As you fly over muskeg and meadows surrounded by trees, look for moose. This is the kind of terrain moose like because it’s where they eat and find mates. 

Bears - It’s possible to see a black or brown bear just about anywhere, even on a glacier. There is a variety of bear sometimes spotted in Glacier Bay called a glacier bear. These are actually black bears that have a gray or blonde color morph. They are very rare. If you see a glacier bear, you are very lucky and should tell all of your friends about it.

Where does the airplane land? Paul offers landings for an affordable additional fee. There are a number of places to land, depending on the time of year. 

During the spring, it’s often possible to land right on top of a glacier. Paul’s Beaver can be outfitted with skis, which allows him to plop that puppy down right on the snow-covered glacier. It’s like something out of an IMAX movie. 

During the summer and fall months, guests can land on the beach. This is especially exciting on flights to the Pacific Coast near Yakutat where the Glacier Bay plateau descends to the mighty ocean. 

Paul arranges custom flights to this area with fishermen who like to have the best Alaskan fishing experience possible. He lands his Beaver right next to the Alsek River so that anglers can catch king salmon in the summer and coho salmon in the fall. 

Flightseeing guests who want to experience something truly unique and off the beaten path should consider a flight over Glacier Bay that includes a landing. Everyone on the cruise ship will be jealous. 

How many glaciers are there in Glacier Bay? There are more than 1,000 glaciers in Glacier Bay. That’s a whole lot of ice. Margaritas anyone? When you take a Glacier Bay flightseeing excursion, you have a chance to see some of Glacier Bay’s more famous glaciers. Let’s talk about a few of them.

Johns Hopkins Glacier - This glacier is very big. In fact, it is about one mile wide and 200 feet deep where it meets the water. This is also the only advancing tidewater glacier in Glacier Bay. This is one of those glaciers that looks like it’s covered in something gray or black. That is debris, actually rock, carved from the mountain as the glacier flows downhill. Crazy!

Every year, this glacier flows downhill at a rate of about 3,000 feet. That’s almost 8 feet per day! 

Grand Pacific Glacier - This glacier is prominent when you fly to the Alsek River and land on the beach. The glacier is more than a mile wide at the terminus. There is a large amount of rock and debris on this glacier which makes parts of it look “dirty,” as people sometimes say.

Margerie Glacier - This is arguably the most famous glacier in Glacier Bay because cruise ships travel up the East Arm so that passengers can get a close look at it. It’s even more impressive from a Skagway flightseeing excursion. 

The Marjorie Glacier is about 200 feet high at its terminus. As big chunks of ice fall into the ocean, it makes a tremendous sound. This is called calving for some reason. The glacier is also 100 feet below the water, which makes it 300 feet total. That’s a big piece of ice for sure. 

Muir Glacier - This glacier used to be the most famous glacier in the National Park. It was a beautiful tidewater glacier named after the famous naturalist. But it is fully grounded now and no longer a tidewater glacier. The retreat of the glacier began in 1899 and the calving rates were extreme. 

If you’re ready to book a Skagway flightseeing excursion, you will learn a lot more about glaciers. Better yet, you will get to see them with your own eyes before they all recede just like the Muir Glacier.

• Duration: 1.00 hours
• Adults: $350.00
• Children: $0.00
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201 2nd Ave Skagway, AK 99840 Phone: 907.983.3900 • Fax: 907.983.3915 Mailing Address: M & M Tour Sales P.O. Box 1027 Skagway, AK 99840 Email: [email protected]

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Our private photography tour takes you to  the best locations in the Chilkat Valley- whether you are looking for dramatic landscape or Alaskan wildlife.

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Treat yourself to a small group rafting and scenic driving tour through the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.

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Enjoy a scenic drive up into the mountains to visit the amazing Yukon Suspension Bridge. Look down upon the turbulent waters of the Tutshi River below.

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Work directly with your private guide to choose a location that suits your group- drive up the dramatic White Pass Summit or travel along the scenic coast to undiscovered Dyea. 

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— Highest Standards  – We are committed to providing an unforgettable experience and superior service for you, our guests.

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Glacier discovery by helicopter.

Leave all traces of civilization behind and experience the infinite beauty of Alaska’s remote glaciers. Lift off from the historic Skagway waterfront and head into a rugged region of sheer mountains, majestic valleys, and massive glaciers. Once you land on the glacier, you will be given the rare opportunity to explore one of Mother Nature’s greatest marvels on foot. Enjoy a walking tour of a lifetime as our experienced glacier guides answer all your questions and work to explain the awesome forces at work.

Jagged peaks towering over the Chilkat Glacier, cascading waterfalls, surrounding the Ferebee Glacier, or the spectacular river of ice known as the Meade Glacier, may be among the wonders you encounter. Flight routes and landing zones are selected daily to ensure that you receive the best that the area has to offer.

Duration: 2 hours

The tour includes approximately 40 minutes of helicopter time and 40 minutes on the glacier. Times will vary due to weather and glacier conditions.

Tour Dates: May-September

Dog Sledding and Glacier Flight Seeing

Combine helicopter flightseeing with Alaska’s favorite sport, dog sledding. After a thrilling flight over spectacular glaciers, you’ll land at a dog camp on the Denver Glacier.

Experienced guides will introduce you to the world of mushing and the art of dog sledding. Drive the team or relax in the sled while observing the breathtaking environment around you. Meet professional mushers and friendly dogs on this unique Alaskan experience.

The tour includes approximately 30 minutes of helicopter time, approximately 30 minutes with the mushers at the dog camp located on the Juneau Icefield within the Tongass National Forest, and approximately 30 minutes of dog sledding. Allow up to 30 minutes for transportation from dock to dock, viewing our safety video, and outfitting of glacier boots and safety vests.

Tour Dates: May-August

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Icy Strait Premier Whale Watching Adventure

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Every summer, humpback whales come to Hoonah in huge numbers to feed on the nutrient-rich waters before migrating south again in the winter. On this tour, you'll have the chance to spot humpbacks and orcas in the beautiful Al READ MORE...

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This small capacity (up to 6 guests) marine tour takes guests to some of the most stunning locales for whale watching and wildlife viewing. Guests will want to keep an eye out for seals, otters, and birds in addition to whal READ MORE...

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About glacier bay national park tours.

Glacier Bay offers some Alaska's most amazing scenery and wilderness. While you're in Sitka or Icy Strait Point, you can visit Glacier Bay National Park to find out what makes it truly spectacular .

You can take a boat tour on a fjord that was formed from a melted glacier. If you want to view majestic wildlife, we recommend a  whale watching tour  via catamaran. Or, if you're interested in history and adventure, you can ride on a hand-carved Tlingit dugout canoe. The boat & land combo tour offers visits to Japonski Island to learn about Sitka's role in WWII.

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A beginners guide to visiting Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Among North America's best-known national parks, Glacier Bay is a bit of an outlier.

Unlike Yellowstone or Yosemite, you can't visit Glacier Bay on a road trip. There are no roads leading into the park, and the only way to reach it is by small plane, boat or ship.

There's also little infrastructure within the park. It does have a visitor center and lodge, located at its very edge. But its biggest attractions — its giant tidewater glaciers — are viewable only from the deck of a vessel. At its essence, Glacier Bay is a giant, fjordlike body of water lined with snowcapped mountains, forests and glaciers, and it's best seen from the water.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

It is for this reason that a large percentage of Glacier Bay's nearly 700,000 visitors a year arrive on a cruise ship. Indeed, you could almost call Glacier Bay a cruise ship park.

Only by arriving by cruise vessel (or another boat, including the park tour boat) can you fully experience the park by traveling up the 65-mile-long waterway to a glacier and back.

Even so, you'll only see a small portion of the park. Established as a national monument in 1925 and elevated to national park status in 1980, Glacier Bay covers more than 5,200 square miles — an area about the size of Connecticut. That makes it nearly as big as Yellowstone and Yosemite combined — though much of this area is relatively inaccessible.

As a longtime travel writer specializing in cruising, I've been to Glacier Bay many times, and it's one of my favorite places in Alaska. Its glaciers are its star attractions, for sure. But it also offers spectacular mountain scenery, wildlife and — for those who make an effort to come for a multinight stay — wonderful hiking, kayaking and other outdoorsy pursuits.

Related: How to find the right Alaska cruise for you

Getting to Glacier Bay

As noted above, most of Glacier Bay's visitors arrive by cruise ship. The typical cruise that includes a visit to Glacier Bay is a seven-night Alaska voyage out of Vancouver, British Columbia, or Seattle that also includes stops at the Alaskan towns of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. The visit to Glacier Bay fills just one day of the seven-night trip.

Two major lines with historic ties to the park — Princess Cruises and Holland America — offer the most sailings with a visit to Glacier Bay. The National Park Service allows just two ships a day into the park, and arrivals are governed by a permitting system that gives preference to lines that operated in the park before the permitting system began.

Norwegian Cruise Line , Seabourn , Cunard Line and Viking also have ships that visit the park, as do small-ship operators UnCruise Adventures , Alaskan Dream Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions and American Cruise Lines .

A trip on a cruise ship isn't the only way to get into Glacier Bay. Would-be visitors can also fly or take a ferry to Gustavus, a tiny town (population 642) on the edge of the park near the access point for a tour boat that travels into the park daily. Dubbed Baranof Wind and operated by park concessionaire Aramark, the tour boat departs from Bartlett Cove, which is just inside the park boundary and the home to the park's visitor center.

During the summer tourist season, Alaska Airlines offers daily service to Gustavus Airport (GST) from Juneau International Airport (JNU), 48 miles to the southeast. An air taxi company, Alaska Seaplanes, offers small-plane flights to Gustavus from Juneau year-round. Ferry service to Gustavus is through the Alaska Marine Highway System, which sends a ferry to the town regularly from Juneau.

The two main airlines that fly to Juneau are Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Park visitors also can arrive at the park by private or chartered boat.

Related: How to get to Alaska with points and miles

While Glacier Bay is open year-round, visitor services are extremely limited outside of the summer season, and nearly everybody who visits comes between May and September.

Most cruises that include a stop in Glacier Bay take place between April and September, and the Glacier Bay tour boat only runs in the summer months. The park's visitor center and only lodge (Glacier Bay Lodge), which share a building, also are open only in the summer.

Summer is the most pleasant time to be in Glacier Bay, temperature-wise. But even at the height of summer, it can be chilly, with temperatures topping out between 50 and 60 degrees during daylight hours. Rain is also common, with the area around Gustavus getting around 70 inches a year.

April, May and June are often the driest months. September and October tend to be the wettest. The bottom line is that, even at midsummer, you should be prepared for any sort of weather. Pack good rain gear, waterproof boots, wool or fleece layers and a warm hat and gloves.

No matter when you go, there's no fee to enter Glacier Bay, which is unusual for national parks. Nor are there fees for camping or boating permits. So you can leave your national park annual pass at home.

Related: Best time to cruise Alaska

What to see and do

As the name suggests, Glacier Bay is a park all about glaciers. It's home to more than 1,000 of them, and seeing a glacier up close is the big draw for most visitors.

Specifically, tourists come to view one of the park's seven-ish giant tidewater glaciers, which flow down from the mountains to the water. I say seven-ish as the park's rangers in the past couple of years have noted that some of the tidewater glaciers have melted back so much that they may not be interacting with the ocean water anymore. That's the definition of a tidewater glacier. The park rangers these days like to say there are "no more than seven" of the tidewater glaciers now, maybe fewer.

The reduction in the number of tidewater glaciers at the park is an ongoing trend. When I wrote an earlier version of this guide a few years ago, the number of tidewater glaciers at the park was nine.

Whatever the exact number, for those visiting Glacier Bay by cruise ship, the experience will revolve heavily around a stop at one of these glaciers to watch giant chunks of ice crash down from its face — a magnificent show.

Cruise ships arrive in the park for the better part of a day, and the experience goes beyond a stop at one of the park's glaciers. Sightings of puffins, harbor seals, Steller sea lions and even the occasional humpback whale or brown bear are part of the allure — all while traveling by water through an immense, glacier-carved landscape.

If you come on a big cruise ship, you'll be doing your Glacier Bay viewing from the deck of your vessel. Big cruise ships in Glacier Bay never dock, and nobody gets off them. Still, you'll get the full National Park Service experience. Park rangers and often a local Huna Tlingit cultural guide will board the vessel for the day to offer presentations and shipwide commentary over loudspeakers, lead activities for kids and answer questions.

Some small cruise vessels that spend the night in Glacier Bay do allow passengers to disembark.

For those visitors who travel by plane or ferry to Gustavus, more options are available. In addition to taking the Glacier Bay Day Tour up the bay on the park tour boat ($262.44 per adult; $137.11 for children ages 3 to 12), visitors will find opportunities to hike, kayak and camp.

The day tour on the park tour boat includes stops at two glaciers — Margerie and Grand Pacific. Each towers nearly 250 feet above the ocean and stretches another 100 feet beneath the water. The ice that calves from their faces is, on average, 200 years old.

Hiking trails within the park near Gustavus range from the 1-mile Forest Trail, which offers a leisurely meander through a lush forest, to the 8-mile-long Bartlett Lake Trail, a rugged trek to a tranquil lake. Most visitors head down one of the trails on their own, but for those looking for interpretation, park rangers based at Bartlett Cove offer a daily guided forest loop walk (at 1:30 p.m., as of the publication of this story).

Kayak rentals are available at Bartlett Cove, where the park service visitor center is located, for both day trips around the area and multiday outings deep into the park. Kayakers can go off on their own or sign up for a guided tour.

Birdwatching also is a popular activity in Glacier Bay. The park's diverse habitat allows for a wide variety of species (at last count, 281), including rainforest species such as the American three-toed woodpecker and neotropical migrant warblers, thrushes and other songbirds. There also are island and cliff seabird colonies of gulls, guillemots, puffins and cormorants.

In addition, daily cultural activities are available at Xunaa Shuka Hit (the tribal house) in Bartlett Cove. Unveiled in 2016, this is the first permanent Huna Tlingit clan house since the original Huna Tlingit villages of the area were destroyed by a glacier over 250 years ago. Located within a short walking distance of Glacier Bay Lodge, it offers the chance to learn firsthand about Huna Tlingit history, culture and life from tribal elders. Visitors can also experience dance performances and native foods and see historical photographs. Hand-carved totem poles tell the Huna Tlingit story.

A National Park Service visitor center is located on the second level of Glacier Bay Lodge. Park rangers are available much of the day to answer questions, and films on the park are available for watching in the visitor center's auditorium. A ranger program is presented in the auditorium each evening.

Visitors also can get an overview of Glacier Bay's mountains, ice and water from a flightseeing tour out of Gustavus or even the Alaskan towns of Yakutat or Haines.

Where to stay

If you're arriving at Glacier Bay on a cruise, you don't have to worry about a place to stay. You'll be spending the night on your ship.

Those planning to visit the park by way of Gustavus will find several places to bed down. Many visitors stay at the 48-room Glacier Bay Lodge , which is within the park about 10 miles from the town (rooms from $270.40 a night). Cozy and rustic, the lodge is nestled among Sitka spruce on the shores of Bartlett Cove, which also is home to the park's headquarters and the jumping-off point for daily tours on the park boat. Glacier Bay Lodge is the only lodging within the park.

Back in Gustavus, you'll find a handful of small inns, guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts. They include the 14-room Bear Track Inn (from $495 per person per day, including meals and ground transportation) and the five-room and five-cabin Glacier Bay Country Inn ($319 per person per day, including meals and ground transportation). Gustavus is not a big place; some venues here offer just a few rooms.

You also may face a bit of sticker shock when seeing the rates for lodging in Gustavus. In many cases, this is driven by the fact that the properties operate on a semi-all-inclusive basis, with all meals and transportation from the airport included in the base price.

Unfortunately for points and miles devotees, there are no points hotels in Gustavus. You can find a few points hotels back in Juneau, such as the Four Points by Sheraton Juneau (rooms in the summer start at $389, or 50,000 points) and a trio of Wyndham Rewards -affiliated properties (a Ramada, Travelodge and Super 8).

The park also maintains a free, walk-in campground in a rainforest setting at Bartlett Cove. Available on a first-come, first-served basis, it offers bear-proof food storage caches, composting toilets, a fire pit on the beach and a small warming shelter. Firewood is provided.

That said, most camping in Glacier Bay takes place in the wilderness. The park offers more than 700 linear miles of shorelines, beaches and islands open to camping. Campers can arrange for the park's tour boat to drop them off at one of several designated locations within the park and pick them up days later.

Campers must register upon arrival at the Visitor Information Station near the Bartlett Cove dock. Campers can call 907-697-2627 prior to arrival to inquire about space availability at the campground at Bartlett Cove.

Related: How to use points and miles to stay near national parks

Where to eat

Again, if you're arriving by cruise ship, you'll be eating on board your vessel.

If you're staying in the Gustavus area, you'll probably be eating at the lodge or inn where you're staying or at another one of the lodging properties in town. The town is so small that its dining establishments generally are tied to its lodging outlets. They're also only open in the summer.

Many of the lodging options offer a "full board" plan that includes three meals each day. Be warned that a la carte pricing at eateries can be high in the Gustavus area, as is true in many places in Alaska. This partly has to do with the high cost of getting supplies to remote parts of the state.

For those staying at Glacier Bay Lodge, the in-house restaurant, the Fairweather Dining Room , is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner for both lodge guests and outsiders. The dinner menu includes local Alaska salmon and halibut. Lunch brings burgers and sandwiches (including a halibut sandwich).

Also open to guests and outsiders is the restaurant at Glacier Bay Country Inn. It serves Alaskan cuisine, such as salmon, typically offered en croute with a green peppercorn sauce.

Bottom line

A visit to Glacier Bay is one of the iconic experiences of a trip to Alaska, and something you should try to do at least once in your life — if only to see the giant calving glaciers. For most visitors, experiencing the park will involve a voyage on a cruise ship that brings just a day in the park. But for those who want to explore deeper in the park, there are ways to do that, too.

Planning a cruise to Alaska or elsewhere? Start with these stories:

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Welcome to Skagway Airtours

Skagway Airtours offers unforgettable bird’s-eye views of stunning Alaska! Soar over majestic mountains and glaciers, spot wildlife, and witness breathtaking sights on our guided air tours departing from Skagway.

Embrace Your

We encourage bravery.

Welcome to Skagway Air Tours , your premier destination for unforgettable aerial adventures in the stunning Alaskan wilderness.

Our company was founded with a passion for showcasing the natural beauty and wonder of Alaska from a unique and exhilarating perspective. We believe that there is no better way to truly appreciate the rugged terrain, towering mountains, and majestic glaciers of this incredible region than from the air.

At Skagway Air Tours, we specialize in providing safe, exciting, and informative air tours that allow our guests to experience Alaska in a way that simply can’t be replicated on the ground. Our fleet of state-of-the-art aircraft is carefully maintained to the highest standards, and our experienced pilots are among the most skilled and knowledgeable in the industry.

We offer a variety of tour options to suit every interest and budget, from quick introductory flights to full-day excursions that take in the very best of Alaska’s breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family adventure, or a corporate team-building experience, we have the perfect tour for you.

But don’t just take our word for it – we invite you to explore our website, read our customer reviews, and see for yourself why Skagway Air Tours is the ultimate choice for your Alaskan aerial adventure. Thank you for considering us for your next unforgettable experience, and we look forward to soaring with you soon!

Destinations to Visit

Destinations.

During our Skagway helicopter air tour, you’ll have the opportunity to see popular destinations such as glaciers, mountains, waterways, and the stunning coastline of Alaska.

These tours offer a breathtaking aerial view of the glacier and the surrounding landscape, and provide visitors with an unforgettable experience that they will treasure for a lifetime.

Bret Alexander Mazzei Glacier

Skagway, Alaska is a land of unparalleled beauty, filled with breathtaking scenery and natural wonders that capture the hearts of visitors from all over the world. One of the most awe-inspiring attractions in Skagway is the Bret Alexander Mazzei Glacier, a stunning glacier that towers over the surrounding landscape, offering visitors a glimpse into the stunning natural beauty of Alaska.

Alpine Adventure

Explore the area and take in the stunning natural beauty that surrounds you. Whether you are interested in photography, wildlife viewing, or simply soaking in the awe-inspiring scenery, there is something for everyone.

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Skagway Air Tours is the best way to explore the beauty of Alaska. Our guide was knowledgeable and showed us some of the most breathtaking views. I highly recommend Skagway Air Tours for anyone looking for a great outdoor experience!

Traveler Testimony

What travelers, experienced.

At Skagway Air Tours, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional helicopter tour experiences in the stunning natural beauty of Skagway, Alaska. Our goal is to create unforgettable memories for our customers by offering personalized and unique tour packages. But don’t just take our word for it. Read on to hear from some of our satisfied customers and their experiences with Skagway Air Tours. From the breathtaking scenery to the skilled and friendly pilots, our customers rave about their unforgettable experiences with us.

Skagway Air Tours offers a range of thrilling tour packages for helicopter enthusiasts looking to explore the natural wonders of Skagway, Alaska. 

Our experienced pilots will guide you through the stunning scenery of the region, from towering mountains and winding rivers to shimmering glaciers and pristine forests. Here is an overview of our tour packages:

Coastal Tour:

Take in the stunning beauty of Skagway’s coastline on our Coastal Tour. You’ll fly over fjords and waterways, and see wildlife such as bald eagles, seals, and whales. Your skilled pilot will guide you over the breathtaking landscape and offer insights into the natural wonders of the region. This tour is perfect for those who want to experience the natural beauty of Alaska’s coast from a unique perspective.

Glacier Discovery Tour:

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Alaska’s glaciers on our Glacier Discovery Tour. Take to the skies in a state-of-the-art helicopter and soar over towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and shimmering glaciers. Your experienced pilot will guide you over the stunning Bret Alexander Mazzei Glacier, where you’ll witness the natural wonder of blue ice and crevasses. This tour includes a landing on a glacier, where you’ll step out onto the icy expanse and take in the breathtaking views.

Alpine Adventure Tour:

Experience the thrill of landing on a mountain peak on our Alpine Adventure Tour. Take off in a state-of-the-art helicopter and fly over the rugged terrain of the Tongass National Forest. You’ll land on a mountain peak and step out into the alpine wilderness, surrounded by stunning views and pristine nature. This tour is perfect for those who want a thrilling and unforgettable adventure in the heart of Alaska.

Never Ending Journey

Experience the natural beauty of Skagway, Alaska like never before with Skagway Air Tours. Our thrilling helicopter tours offer a unique perspective on the stunning glaciers, mountains, and coastline of the region, providing unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on the adventure of a lifetime – book your Skagway Air Tours experience today!

Get In Touch

For more information or to book your helicopter tour experience with Skagway Air Tours, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Glacier Bay (Alaska)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Alaska

Local Time 2024-06-07 18:13

Port Glacier Bay cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Glacier Bay, Alaska. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Glacier Bay is located on the coast of southeastern Alaska, approx 160 km (100 mi) northwest of Juneau . Glacier Bay has length of nearly 80 km (50 mi) and is noted for the unique display of 16 active glaciers descending from the ice-draped St Elias Mountain Range (to the east) and Fairweather Mountain Range (to the west).

Cruise ships are required to pick up a Park Ranger from Galcier Bay's entrance and proceed under his direction. Most vessels proceed down the bay's northwest arm to Tarr Inlet, Margerie and Grand Pacific glaciers. Chances to view calving of ice into the sea are very good there.

Nearby is Johns Hopkins inlet that contains 9 separate glaciers including the advancing John Hopkins Glacier. Glacier Bay's northeastern arm is Muir Inlet. It leads to 2-mile wide retreating Muir Glacier. The landscape ranges from lush forests of hemlock and spruce to rocky ice-swept terrain. Wildlife includes the mountain goat, black and brown bear, seal, sea lion, puffin, whale, cormorant and eagle. The entrance to the bay is good for whale spotting.

Starting season 2019, the cruise ship passenger fee for Glacier Bay was increased from USD 5 to USD 8,28 per person. With these fees are charged Alaska-based cruise companies accessing Glacier Bay National Park. The new contracts also govern the number of vessels entering the park per year. Each of the contract bidders are asked detailed questions about how their shipping operations affect the park's ecosystem. In 2017, Glacier Bay was visited by around 550,000 tourists, of whom over 330,000 were cruisers.

On March 22, 2019, the US National Park Service announced a new concession plan allowing only 7 major cruise companies to be able to visit the National Park and Preserve in the period 2020-2030. Glacier Bay's daily limit is 2 liners. Cruise ship tourists spent ~8 hours inside the waterway. The 2020-2030 concessions plan includes NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line , the Carnival Corporation -owned companies Holland America and Princess , also Viking Ocean , Seabourn and Royal Caribbean . Annually are scheduled no more than 153 ship calls.

In 2019, RCI-Royal Caribbean received permission its vessels to navigate Glacier Bay NP. Following the permission, in 2020 Radiance OTS became the first RCI liner to visit Glacier Bay. Ship's 7-day Alaskan cruise (itinerary May 15-22, 2020) was revised with Juneau and Skagway replaced by Glacier Bay NP.

Popular for cruising destinations in Glacier Bay NP include LeConte Glacier, Taylor Bay, Dundas Bay, Tidal Inlet, Tarr Inlet, Bartlett Cove.

Glacier Bay cruise terminal

As there is no dedicated port, big-sized cruise ships to Glacier Bay often stop so their passengers can enjoy the national park's mesmerizing "icy scenery". As the ship will be also rotating 360-degree to maneuver, be sure to find a good vantage point onboard to view the glaciers and take pictures. Some liners anchor at Bartlett Cove.

Smaller ships may offload their passengers via Zodiacs (large-capacity, motorized inflatable boats). Luxury cruise ships and mega-yachts additionally offer sea kayaking and other water sports activities via their aft-located marina 

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June 1 - 14 2025

13 replies to this topic

Fly into & out of Anchorage (ANC).

... If you are active people (hikes/or good walks) and it is only 7 nights, I'd drop Homer, Denali , and W.St.Elias. to reduce the time spent in a car . So this would be:

---- south as far as Seward , north as far as the Matanuska Glacier (to get a professionally guided trek), with all points in between (Anchorage, Girdwood, Portage/Whittier area). Minimze your time in Anchorage (it's great, but the rest of AK is even better)

--- if you want more locations, then you really need to add more days.

---- google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/V86JrX8F4dEWB8g48

Appreciate your thoughts on limiting the driving and have considered dropping Denali since the road is closed from mile 43 anyway. I will be the only driver.

Thanks for reply

The Alaska Marine Highway ferry runs from Gustavus Juneau 2 or 3 times a week......the ferry schedule for next year will not be published until Jan 2025, though ........But Seaplanes has regularly scheduled flights between Juneau, Gustavus, Haines and Skagway so if the ferry didn't work out, the smaller planes would work as Plan B......

You wouldn't need to rent a car in Gustavus but renting a car in Haines makes a lot of sense.....if you stayed in Haines for a couple of days you could take the fast ferry to Skagway if you are interested in taking the train......it operates several times a day and you wouldn't have to spend the night there.....

Fly Seaplanes or take ferry back to Juneau and fly Alaska Air to Anchorage to pick up your rental car there for your final week.....

It just takes a little planning but you would have a great trip......These links might help

https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/map.shtml

https://www.flyalaskaseaplanes.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImf2tvtbFhgMVlS6tBh12RR_HEAAYASAAEgLD2_D_BwE

https://www.hainesskagwayfastferry.com/

member thankyou. Good tip to go straight to Gustavus

Another option: fly to Anchorage for a 7 day land tour (you don't have time for all the places you listed, though--it would help to let us know what you intended to do in each place). Then take this 7 day southbound cruise which includes Glacier Bay:

June 7, 2025: Sapphire Princess , Schedule: Whittier, Alaska (07 Jun d2030); Hubbard Glacier , Alaska (08 Jun 1500-2000); Glacier Bay, Alaska (09 Jun 0915-1930); Skagway, Alaska (10 Jun 0700-2030); Juneau, Alaska (11 Jun 0630-1600); Ketchikan, Alaska (12 Jun 1000-1800); Vancouver, Canada (14 Jun 0730-1800)

BTW, check the above itinerary directly on the Princess site to make sure it's accurate, I got that from a cruise search site and on rare occasion I've caught a mistake (which they immediately corrected when I told them about it.)

There are direct flights from Vancouver to ANC (1 per day, with Air Canada, usually in the afternoon), or if you don't mind a plane change, there are numerous flight options if you head back to Seattle then on to ANC.

Thankyou @maple_marshmallows,

This was our original plan but in reverse. May 31st saphire Princess northbound.

Wrangell St Elias tour to mine

Kenai Fjords cruise full day

Homer kayaking.

In my 30s I spent 3 months campin inland BC and Alaska but missed Glacier Bay hence its a must and wanting to share the magic with my daughter who has never been. I've been to Juneau , Valdez, Haines and Skagway but she hasn't.

Mmmm yes unfortunately a possibility

Re Wrangell St. Elias, did you mean the Bonanza Mine hike? That's a 10 mile round trip and isn't even offered until June 15: https://www.steliasguides.com/trips/bonanza-mine/ Driving to McCarthy adds 12+ hrs. of driving (round trip from Palmer) and means you need to either rent a vehicle allowed on gravel roads (McCarthy Rd.) or take a flight or shuttle from Chitina or Glennallen, info at bottom of this page: https://majohnsonshotel.com/getting-here/ That would take up at least 3 of your days....

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NATIONAL PARKS TO VISIT ON AN ALASKA NATIONAL PARK CRUISE

Alaska is arguably one of the most sought-after cruise destinations in the world!

With a little planning, you can turn your Alaska Cruise into an unforgettable Alaska National Park Cruise and get to see and explore some of the most jaw-dropping National Parks.

Alaska National Park Cruise

With major ports in Seattle Washington, Whittier Alaska, and Seward Alaska, the majority of Alaska Cruises either depart and/or end in Alaska and Washington giving you access to 11 of the 63 National Parks plus numerous other National Park managed sites.

Alaska itself has 8 designated National Parks and a total of 24 National Park Sites

Washington provides yet another 3 Designated National Parks and a total of 15 National Park sites.

Some of the longer voyages start in San Francisco California which boasts 9 Designated National Parks and a total of 28 National Parks sites!

Alaska itself is an adventure but making it an Alaska National Park Cruise makes it the ultimate adventure!

Seattle, Washington 

Seattle is typically the beginning and/or end of an Alaska Cruise. You can take a seven-day roundtrip inside passage cruise that stops at ports like Juneau, AK, Skagway, AK, Ketchikan, AK, Icy Strait Point, AK, Sitka, AK, and Victoria B.C.  They also have a scenic cruising day for either Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm Fjord.

There are also Seven-day voyages that either travel Northbound or Southbound with South end ports being either Seattle, San Francisco , or Vancouver BC and the North end ports being Seward, AK, or Whittier, AK for Anchorage.

Here is a list of National Park options for each port of call.

Olympic National Park is one of the prettiest sights you will ever take in. It doesn’t matter if you are standing on Hurricane Ridge starring out at snow-capped mountain peaks, walking through the Hoh Rainforest , trying to see how far you can reach your arms around the Giant Spruce Tree, or walking the ocean beach you will be taking home a lifetime of memories!

Mount Rainier National Park demands your attention, especially on that rare nice sunny day.  It is easily seen all over Western Washington including Seattle. The views from the mountain are epic too! My advice is to take the skyline trail where on a sunny day you can see Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood at the same time! Don’t forget about the wildflowers too! They tend to be in bloom around June depending on the weather and the snowfall.

North Cascades National Park borders Canada and has one of the most scenic drives in the National Parks system. Highway 20 (Open Seasonally due to the amount of snowfall) has breathtaking views of the mountains. Stopping to see Diablo Lake and Ross Lake is a must along with lacing up your boots and exploring its pristine wilderness!

Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Site- Seattle Unit is located in downtown Seattle and tells the story of Seattle’s role of the stampede to the Yukon Gold Fields!

Wing Luke Museum Affiliated Area (Seattle) is your opportunity to understand what it is/was to be an Asian American in the Pacific Northwest.

Scenic Day of Cruising at Glacier Bay National Park  

Glacier Bay National Park is mostly seen by cruise ship visitors, in fact, less than 1 percent of all park visitors visit Glacier Bay by land!

This is mostly due to its remoteness and lack of services anywhere near this gem.

The good news is that a Park Naturalist is often onboard the cruise ship as it sails inside Glacier Bay.  Park Rangers will set up a pop-up visitor center available for cruise ship guests. They also assist in spotting wildlife and explaining Glacier Bay. Visitors can see Humpback whales, Orca Whales, puffins, bears, Stellar Sea Lions, Sea Otters, Bald Eagles and numerous other seabirds!

Park Ranger John Pro Tip:

For those 1 percenters that make it to Glacier Bay National Park by either flying into Gustavus, Alaska, or taking the ferry are in for a great experience!

The park has four designated trails, a beautiful lodge, a campground, and a park visitor center with a dining room and gift store.

There is also a tour boat that has full-day excursions into Glacier Bay. I enjoyed this boat tour as it is much smaller than a cruise ship and was able to get much closer to the shores, the massive glaciers,  and wildlife and had a much more personal experience.

Juneau, Alaska

Juneau is the capital of Alaska. It is also only accessible by boat or plane as there are no roads leading out.

It is also where I experienced a Duck Fart for the first time at the Red Dog Saloon, a truly Alaskan experience!

While there are no National Parks in Juneau, you can still have a great time outdoors!

Mendenhall Glacier is part of the Tongass National Forest and is a common cruise ship excursion stop. For a great reason too, it has amazing views of the Mendenhall Glacier!  It also has several Ice Caves. The most photographed are quite challenging to reach and are on the West flank of the Glacier.

Whale Watching Excursion

is one of the most popular excursions in Juneau. I love this tour and have seen numerous Humpback and Orca Whales. I even saw Humpback whales bubble net feeding and breaching out of the water!

Skagway, Alaska

Skagway is best known for the gold rush and the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad which runs vintage locomotives past the famously steep Chilkoot Trail offering incredible views of the mountains as it climbs to Canada

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Alaska Unit

in August of 1896, gold was found in the tributary of the Klondike River in Canada’s Yukon Territory. This set off one of the greatest gold rushes in history as gold seekers boarded ships from places like Seattle and headed to Skagway and Dyea where their journey began a 600-mile trip to the goldfields of the Klondike River. A big part of the city of Skagway is preserved as part of the park and tells all about the experiences of being in Skagway during these times.

You can also take one of the Train Excursions up the pass and the railroad parallels the path the gold miners took to get to the gold fields. Sit back and relax and wonder how difficult it must have been carrying a year's worth of supplies up this mountain pass!

There is also a Wildlife excursion that takes you to Haines Alaska just across the bay. This was one of my favorite trips as we saw several Grizzly bears!

Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan is known for Creek Street, and its Native American Totem Poles that are located throughout town. Totem Bight State Historic Park had 14 restored or replaced poles in large with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps(CCC) before World War 2 began.

Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness is a part of the Tongass National Forest along with Mendenhall Glacier. Its 2.2 Million acres of wilderness was set aside by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. There are two options; take a floatplane and see the Misty Fjords or take an approximately 4.5-hour boat tour to get to Misty Fjords.

Totem Bight State Park

is an incredible State Park with 14 remastered Totems, and a Clan House all along a beautiful forested trail!

Sitka, Alaska

Sitka has a population of well under 10,000 inhabitants. It also shows its Russian roots with the Russian Orthodox St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Russian Bishop’s House. There is a very nice visitor center and a nice hiking trail with several Totem Poles spread throughout the forest.

Sitka National Historic Park

preserves the site of a battle between invading Russian traders and indigenous Kiks. and Tlingit.

Visitors should also take the park's coastal trail with totem poles from the Tlingit and Haida.

Seward, Alaska, and Whittier Alaska for Anchorage Alaska

Cruise ships don’t actually arrive in Anchorage; they dock in either Whittier or Seward.

Both cities are a good hour from Anchorage. Luckily Kenai Fjords is in Seward and well worth visiting!

Perhaps the most popular activity is taking a day boat trip to Aialik Bay from Seward.

Wildlife is abundant here and I have seen Humpback Whales, Orca Whales, sea otters, sea lions, black bears, puffins, and numerous other species!

You can also drive up to the  Exit Glacier area where there is primitive camping and hiking.

For those wanting an adventure, you can hike the Harding Ice Field Trail up to the Harding Ice Field.

Warning: this trail will test you as its 8.2 miles out and back and has over 3000' in elevation gain.

Kenai Fjords National Park is located in Seward Alaska. The Harding Icefield is Kenai Fjords crowning feature with nearly 40 glaciers flowing from it!

Here you can also see the effects of climate change through its shrinking glaciers.

I was shocked to see the change in eight short years!

You can take a hike to the Harding Icefield or perhaps take a boat tour and hopefully see one of its many glaciers calving.

Denali National Park and Preserve is one of the jewels of the National Parks System! It boasts six million acres with only a single road traveling into its interior! Cruise ship passengers doing the North to South or vice versa Alaska Cruise have the option of adding on an optional tour taking them to Denali National Park. Visitors have a great chance of seeing the Big 5 animals: moose, bear, Dall sheep, caribou, and Gray Wolves! Those lucky enough must have a keen eye and continue scanning the tundra and bush.  Did you know that Denali has working sled dogs? They are vital for Denali, and you can visit the Kennels! The kennels are typically open year-round from 8 am-5 pm except when they are in the park (frequent in the winter).

I would also highly suggest taking the Tundra Wilderness Tour.

This narrated bus tour is a 5-5.5 hour roundtrip bus tour that takes you up the main park road well past where personal vehicles are allowed in the summer giving you the opportunity to see Mount Denali, the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet in elevation!

Wildlife is abundant along this road so keep your eyes peeled.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco is full of history! It also has perhaps the sexiest bridge in the world. The San Francisco Bay area alone boasts 11 National Parks sites in the immediate area with two more big National Parks only a couple hours away.

Muir Woods National Monument is an unbelievable place to visit! You are 15 miles from downtown San Francisco, and yet you feel that you are completely in tune with nature. There is not a single building in sight, no sounds from the city, only a stand of trees including the massive California Redwoods. Every city in the world should only be so lucky to have a treasure like this!

Yosemite National Park is another of the National Park Crown Jewels! Guaranteed you will never forget the first time you look into the Yosemite Valley. Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridal Veil Falls will become your new standard for epic views!

Just remember that Yosemite now requires a reservation to enter the park between April and October. Make sure to click this link and make a reservation

Pinnacles National Park is located south of the bay area. We were attracted to the National Parks 59 th of 60 National Parks in search of the California Condor.

We saw many varieties of birds but were unable to catch a glimpse of a Condor.

Pinnacles is also known for some epic hikes. Just make sure to show up early enough to get a parking spot.

Make sure to check out my post on the 12 National Park Sites in the San Francisco Bay Area !

Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy on  REI.com  and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Make sure and also check out all the great National Parks in California , National Parks in Washington , and Alaska National Parks . If you like cruising,  make sure to also check out Cruising to America's National Parks - Caribbean Ports of Call and Cruising to America's National Parks - Hawaii Ports of Calls for more ideas on cruises to take.