Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier

Nature, Parks, & Gardens • Juneau, Alaska United States

Mendenhall Glacier stands as a breathtaking wonder in Juneau, Alaska, offering visitors a glimpse into the magnificent power and beauty of nature. This massive river of ice, stretching over 12 miles in length, captivates all who have the privilege of witnessing its grandeur firsthand. As one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska, Mendenhall Glacier draws in tourists and nature enthusiasts from around the globe with its awe-inspiring presence and unique features.

The glacier's crystal blue ice formations, massive crevasses, and towering ice walls create a mesmerizing landscape that seems to come alive under the sunshine. Visitors can explore the glacier up close through various guided tours, hikes, and boat cruises, allowing for an intimate encounter with this natural marvel. The surrounding Mendenhall Valley offers a lush backdrop of vibrant green forests and cascading waterfalls, enhancing the glacier's already surreal beauty.

As a hub for scientific research, Mendenhall Glacier provides valuable insight into the effects of climate change on our planet's glaciers and ecosystems. Educational programs and exhibits at the visitor center offer a deeper understanding of the glacier's significance and the importance of preserving such natural wonders for future generations. Whether admiring its icy splendor from a distance or venturing into its icy realm, Mendenhall Glacier leaves an indelible mark on all who visit, a testament to the enduring power and majesty of the natural world.

49°F

High: 49°F / Low: 47°F
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$249 Tour Provided by Viator
4.93 (7610 reviews)

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

This wildlife viewing excursion takes you on a journey to see two of the major highlights in Southeast Alaska. You will be guided to the Mendenhall Glacier for a 45 minute self-exploration followed by our wildlife whale watching tour. Once you have had a chance to explore the glacier park on your own, we will take you to the whale watching harbor where you will come aboard one of our state-of-the-art vessels to search for majestic Humpback Whales and other water wildlife we may find along the way. Our expert captains and naturalists are so familiar with these amazing creatures that we can actually guarantee you will see whales in their natural habitat from a safe distance. Our boats are equipped with restrooms and heated cabins to make this journey extra comfortable. Our fleet of fast jet boats all have plenty of outdoor deck space so you can choose to watch the wildlife in the open air or from the comfort of the cabin. This is an Alaskan adventure you won't want to miss!

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$199 Tour Provided by Viator
4.81 (234 reviews)

Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour

Although we are the original whale-watching company in Juneau (operating since 1994), we are still small and family-owned and operated! We want you to feel like part of the family, and we pride ourselves on prioritizing local hires in order to give back to our community and give you the best possible tour experience. We want our guides to love Juneau as much as you do! This tour offers an additional hour at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. This gives you an hour and forty-five minutes to two hours to look at salmon, visit the Visitor's Center, and make the hike to Nugget Falls! Our fleet consists of only mammal-friendly jet boats, and the small size and intimate setting will make you feel right at home with the whales. We pride ourselves on our quick transfers between vehicles! We don't want you to wait any longer than you absolutely have to!

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$199 Tour Provided by Viator
4.75 (952 reviews)

Mendenhall Glacier Park and Ultimate Whale Watch Combo

Join us for Whale Watching in our cool Alaskan waters and then view one of 38 glaciers from the Juneau Ice Fields - the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier. We guide you on a 2 hour whale watching tour, spotting Humpback whales and other wildlife. Then off to the Mendenhall Glacier to spend some time hiking, watching fish spawn at Steep Creek or enjoy an outstanding view from the Visitor Center. You get 1.5 hours at the park, but don't worry! That is the perfect amount of time to walk to nugget falls and take in the displays at the visitor center.

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$189 Tour Provided by Viator
4.71 (234 reviews)

Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour

Although we are the original whale-watching company in Juneau (operating since 1994), we are still small and family-owned and operated! We want you to feel like part of the family, and we pride ourselves on prioritizing local hires in order to give back to our community and give you the best possible tour experience. We want our guides to love Juneau as much as you do! Our fleet consists of only mammal-friendly jet boats, and the small size and intimate setting will make you feel right at home with the whales. We pride ourselves on our quick transfers between vehicles! We don't want you to wait any longer than you absolutely have to!

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$83 Tour Provided by Viator
4.62 (722 reviews)

Mendenhall Glacier Express

Discover the breathtaking Mendenhall Glacier with the Glacier “Blue Bus” Express, direct and scenic transportation from the cruise ship terminal in downtown Juneau. Ideal for travelers looking to explore on their own, this immersive experience provides the perfect blend of convenience and adventure. You will enjoy captivating commentary and scenery on your way to the Mendenhall Glacier that brings to life the rich history and vibrant culture of the region. Arriving at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, you’ll have two hours to explore this stunning natural wonder. Here you can choose to wander trails, photograph the glacier from the distance, or explore the Visitor’s Center. With various walking trails available, visitors of all fitness levels can enjoy spectacular views of the glacier, Mendenhall Lake, and the untouched wilderness. Entry to the Visitor’s Center is included where you can enjoy interactive exhibits and educational presentations.

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$79 Tour Provided by Viator
4.49 (774 reviews)

Mendenhall Glacier Trolley Tour

Specially designed for guests coming on cruise ships! This is a 3 hour Tour. We meet at the downtown cruise ship dock. Enjoy the 30 minute narrated tour, past downtown Juneau out to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. Explore the visitor center, trails and photo opportunities for 2 hours. Then your guide will be ready to take you back to the downtown dock area with great ideas for the rest of your visit to Juneau.

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$10 Tour Provided by Viator
2.00

Juneau Scenic Drive on Your Own 70 Mile Self Guided Audio Tour

Turn Juneau's out-the-road scenic drive into a story: 70 miles and 42 GPS stories that play automatically — glacier viewpoints, Eagle Beach, the Shrine of St. Therese, the Amalga ghost town, and the sunken Treadwell gold mine. Hear the Áakʼw Ḵwáan history, the wreck of the Princess Sophia, and the island that gave up millions in gold before the ocean swallowed it. One price covers everyone in the car; audio plays through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or Bluetooth. Written by a born-and-raised Southeast Alaskan and fully offline — the dead zones don't matter. To be clear: this is an app on your own phone, not a live guide — and the vehicle isn't included. Drive either direction, pause anywhere, finish any day — 2 to 4 hours at your pace, no date, no time limit, no expiry. Setup takes about 2 minutes — full steps are on your Viator ticket and in your confirmation email (check spam). In the app, your tour appears as "Juneau Driving Extended Tour."

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$50 Tour Provided by Viator

Juneau Shore Excursion Pass 8 Self Guided Audio Tours Glacier

One pass, eight Juneau audio tours — Mendenhall Glacier, Nugget Falls, Mount Roberts, the Perseverance Trail, the 70-mile scenic drive, and downtown — plus a quick 90-minute glacier-drive edition for short port days. One purchase plays from one phone for everyone with you. Written by a born-and-raised Southeast Alaskan; GPS triggers each story automatically, hands-free. To be clear: this is a self-guided app experience — no live guide, no paper ticket, no bus schedule. Download before you sail — everything works with zero cell service. This is the Juneau the crowded bus tours skip — rainforest trails, gold-rush ruins, the bears at Steep Creek — for less than one seat on a bus tour. No date, no time limit, no expiry. Driving audio plays through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; transcripts in six languages. Setup takes about 2 minutes — full steps are on your Viator ticket and in your confirmation email (check spam). In the app, your pass appears as "The Ultimate Juneau Experience."

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$25 Tour Provided by Viator

Mendenhall Glacier on Your Own 4 Self Guided Audio Walks

See Mendenhall Glacier on your own schedule: four self-guided audio walks — the glacier overlooks, Nugget Falls, the Trail of Time, and the East Glacier Loop — 43 GPS story stops. One purchase plays from one phone as your group walks together; stories by a born-and-raised Southeast Alaskan trigger automatically, hands-free, fully offline. To be clear: this is an app experience on your own phone — no live guide and no paper ticket. Get there by bus, shuttle, or rideshare and explore at your own pace. Walk to Nugget Falls and hear the legend of Romeo the wolf. Find the tunnel blasted through solid granite on the East Glacier Loop. Stand where the ice reached in 1937 on the Trail of Time. In salmon season, watch black bears work Steep Creek. No date, no time limit, no expiry. Setup takes about 2 minutes — full steps are on your Viator ticket and in your confirmation email (check spam). In the app, your pass appears as "Mendenhall Glacier Explorer Pack."

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