Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
National park · Gustavus, Alaska
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Park of fjords, mountains and glaciers that reach the sea, west of Juneau, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Boats depart from Bartlett Cove, near Gustavus, and travel up the bay to the glacier fronts, with humpback whales, sea otters, seals and bears along the way.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
When navigator George Vancouver passed through the region in 1794, the bay was a large glacier that extended to Icy Strait. In 1879, naturalist John Muir found the ice withdrawn dozens of kilometers, leaving a long bay surrounded by mountains. Today Glacier Bay has more than 100 km of fjords, and retreat continues in much of the glaciers.
The area became a national monument in 1925 and a national park in 1980, covering about 13,000 km². It is part of a complex of protected areas in Alaska and Canada listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region is the ancestral land of the Huna Tlingit, and in Bartlett Cove a traditional tribal house, built with the park, welcomes visitors.
The one-day boat trip leaves from Bartlett Cove, about 15 km from Gustavus, and travels up the bay to the tidewater glaciers at the head, such as Margerie and Johns Hopkins, which shed ice into the water. Along the way park rangers comment on the scenery, and humpback whales, sea otters, seals, sea lions, mountain goats and bears often appear along the shores.
In Bartlett Cove there are trails in the temperate rainforest, a visitor center and kayak departures. Most park visitors arrive on cruise ships, which enter the bay without disembarkation.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About eight hours for the boat trip through the bay; half a day for the trails and the Bartlett Cove visitor center.
Best time
From June to August, during the daily-boat season and with the most wildlife. On rainy days the glaciers remain visible, with low clouds on the mountains.
How to get there
From Juneau, by plane to Gustavus on a short flight, or by state ferry. From Gustavus to Bartlett Cove it’s about 15 km by road, with transport for boat passengers. There is no park entrance fee; the boat trip is paid and requires a reservation.
Tip
Book the daily boat in advance and bring a waterproof jacket, hat and binoculars: it’s cold near the glaciers even in summer.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
How to visit Glacier Bay National Park?
On the one-day boat trip that departs from Bartlett Cove, near Gustavus, or on a cruise ship that enters the bay.
Do you have to pay to enter Glacier Bay National Park?
The park does not charge an entrance fee. The boat trip through the bay is paid and requires a reservation.
Which glaciers can you see in Glacier Bay?
At the head of the bay are tidewater glaciers such as Margerie and Johns Hopkins, which calve ice into the water.