8 Adventurous Mendenhall Glacier Tours: Fly, Trek, or Paddle
We love to embrace when there’s more than one way to travel, which is why we’ve curated this list of the best Mendenhall Glacier tours inclusive of helicopter flights, hikes, and paddling adventures!
As local Alaskans, we’ve had the pleasure of personally meeting some of the owners and operators of some of the best local tour companies in Alaska! But, thanks to these experiences, we’ve also witnessed firsthand how wrong an excursion can go if you’re traveling with the wrong company.
Located just 12 miles from downtown Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier is easily the most popular attraction in the state’s capital city. With its half-mile-deep crevasses and vibrant glacial ice, it’s no wonder why this glacier has been called “the crown jewel” of Southeast Alaska and the Tongass National Forest.
Don’t have time to read the entire post? No problem!
The Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour is easily the #1 tour on this list! Ice cave adventures, canoe rides, and even hiking on top of the glacier are all part of this grand tour, and roundtrip transportation is included.
⭐ Over 1,100 5-star reviews! ⭐
This list has both practical tours for families with young children and adventurous excursions for those willing to get out of their comfort zones for a better view of the glacier!
From fast-paced aerial views from inside a helicopter to heart-pumping paddling excursions onboard a canoe or kayak, you can get up close to this 36-mile receding glacier.
8 BEST Mendenhall Glacier Tours
🗻1. Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour
What’s Included? ⤵️
- 5 hours in duration
- Transportation from downtown Juneau
- Local wilderness guides/experts
- Bottled water, snacks, & hot drinks
- Rain jacket and pants
- Waterproof boots
- Life vest
- Helmet
- Trekking Poles
With over 1,100 5-star reviews, the Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour is one of the best glacier experiences you could possibly take in your lifetime. There’s a reason it’s mentioned as the #1 tour on this list in the introduction!
You start the day off with a beautiful kayak ride over to the glacier itself before making your way to the takeout that also acts as the start of your Mendenhall Glacier hike to the ice caves and moulins (similar to what a crevice looks like).
When you arrive, your experienced guide will take you on an hour-long hike around the glacier so you get a true up close and personal experience with one of the world’s largest icy land masses known as the Juneau Icefield!
🗻2. Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike
What’s Included? ⤵️
- 5.5 hours in duration
- Bottled water & snacks
- Professional local guide
- All paddling and glacier equipment needed for the tour
- Rain gear and rubber boots
- Safety rundown
The Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike combines two tours into one! Providing the most bang for your buck, guests will get to enjoy a stunning 5-6 mile canoe ride up to the glacier where they’ll exit the water and begin a 2-mile roundtrip hike.
This is a small group tour so no more than 12 people will participate. Safety is always the top priority here, making this the ultimate tour for families with energetic kids (minimum age is 12)!
🗻3. Juneau Shore Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe, Paddle and Hike
What’s Included? ⤵️
- 5.5 hours in duration
- Bottled water & snacks
- Professional local guide
- All paddling and glacier equipment needed for the tour
- Rain gear and rubber boots
- Safety rundown
Whether you’re arriving via cruise ship or plane, this is the ultimate Juneau Shore Excursion to Mendenhall Glacier!
You’ll get five and a half hours to paddle right up to the glacier passing by Mendenhall Lake and the iconic Nugget Falls along the way. Once you arrive at your pull-out point, you’ll be taken a couple of miles through rocky terrain to the edge of the glacier!
An incredible tour option for active adults and adventurous travelers, anyone looking to do some paddling and hiking would greatly enjoy this tour.
🗻4. Juneau Shore Excursions: Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike
What’s Included? ⤵️
- 6 hours in duration
- Professional hiking guide
- Backpack, rain jacket, and pants
- Bottled water and snacks
- Forest Service Permits
Having hiked dozens of miles through Alaska’s wilderness on our own, we can honestly say there were quite a few points where we wished we weren’t alone out on the trail.
Bears and other wildlife pose a large threat to unprepared hikers, so having a local guide with you who knows what to do in case you come across a large animal is essential!
On this 8-mile (12-kilometer) roundtrip hike, guests will navigate their way through the Tongass National Forest to the Mendenhall Glacier viewpoint. Active travelers who are in good shape will find the trail decently challenging, and will get to enjoy lunch with views of the glacier!
🗻5. Mendenhall Glacier Express Tour
What’s Included? ⤵️
- 3 hours in duration
- Narrated bus tour
- Roundtrip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Park entrance fees
Now, we know not everyone likes to hike, paddle, or do any extra flying than they have to on their vacation. Or you may simply not have enough time for a full-day outing to the glacier!
Whatever the reason may be, this 3-Hour Mendenhall Glacier Express Tour is just the answer. You’ll get a knowledgeable guide to drive you to and from the glacier from downtown Juneau, providing history and information about the glacier along the way.
On arrival, you’ll have two full hours to explore the grounds surrounding the glacier as well as the Visitor Center on your own. The region is fitted with walking trails of every level, so you could easily pack yourself a lunch and enjoy your own afternoon at the glacier!
If you’re just flying in for a quick overnight and don’t want to rent a car, this is a fantastic way to get to Mendenhall without giving up your entire day.
🗻6. Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour
What’s Included? ⤵️
- 4 hours in duration
- Roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship docks
- Bottled water and hot beverages
- Snacks
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants, boots, & gloves
If you’ve only ever kayaked in your life, I can personally vouch for just how much fun canoeing actually is! It’s an entirely different style of paddling and offers a smooth experience just slightly more out of the water than if you were in a kayak (which keeps you drier!)
Plus, the engine-free method will give you the element of surprise if you’re hoping to spot some beautiful Alaskan wildlife during your tour. If walking on a slippery glacier doesn’t sound like a good fit for you or your group, then this Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour is a great option!
You’ll only be in a canoe for the duration of this trip, so there won’t be any walking involved. Perfect for anyone with limited mobility or hoping for a more relaxing view of the glacier!
🗻7. Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike
What’s Included? ⤵️
- 6 hours in duration
- Professional local guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Snack & bottled water
- Mountaineering gear, backpack, rain jacket, & pants
Another fantastic choice for those wanting to hit the trails during their trip to Alaska, the Mendenhall Glacier Trek offers a scenic 7-mile hike through the rainforest.
Guests will enjoy stunning panoramic views from the top of the ridge located after breaking through the treeline in Tongass, making this one of the best hikes near Juneau!
🗻8. Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier
What’s Included? ⤵️
- 4.5 hours in duration
- Gorgeous views of Mendenhall Glacier
- High probability of spotting humpback whales
- Round-trip transportation from Juneau
- Numerous daily departure times
- Snacks & bottled water
- Live commentary from an expert naturalist guide while on board
This Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier tour happens to be one of our favorites on this list for a few reasons. The first is that they pick you up right at the cruise terminal, so there’s no guessing where the shuttle is once you dock in port.
The second is they drive you to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center for you to learn about the history of the glacial mass and how it’s evolving over time before making your way to the viewing platforms to see the glacier itself.
And last, you’ll get to board one of Juneau’s best whale watches for an exciting tour in search of the region’s humpback and orca whales (depending on the season you visit) among other amazing wildlife!
Getting to Mendenhall Glacier from the Cruise Port
To get to the Mendenhall Glacier from the cruise port, you can take a private shuttle from downtown Juneau to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Juneau Tours and M&M Tours offer individual rates which you can see by visiting this link.
Private shuttles are expensive considering they don’t provide a tour of any kind, so if you’d prefer to save some money you can also look at Juneau’s public transportation schedule.
Shuttles can run in accordance with the Alaska cruise ship arrival and departure times, so be sure to provide your specific arrival and departure needs to the company before booking. Or, you can book a taxi to make your journey even faster!
It’s only about 12.7 miles (a 22-minute drive) from Juneau’s cruise port to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor’s Center, so if all else fails, you can also book a taxi through your hotel!
Mendenhall Glacier Trekking Season
If you want to go with a guide, the trekking season in Juneau lasts only from May through September.
Solo winter treks are doable, but rarely done amongst tourists since the best places to visit in Alaska in winter are farther north Like Fairbanks where it’s possible to see the northern lights.
You can hike in April, though the trails are usually still quite wet and icy at this time.
Mendenhall Glacier Packing List
Your packing needs may vary slightly depending on which type of tour you decide to do, so we’ve included separate items for each type of tour below in addition to the standard necessities you’ll need regardless.
Essentials
- Warm Layers: Temperatures around the glacier can vary massively from downtown, so especially if you’ll be getting close to the glacier via flight, trek, or ocean excursion, you’ll want to make sure you’re warm! Thermal underwear, fleece pullovers, and warm socks are all necessary. If it’s quite warm, just pack them in your day bag!
- High-Quality Rain Gear: It rains in Juneau throughout the summer, so it’s best to assume you’ll get a bit wet on your tour. Be sure your rain gear can withstand several hours of consistent rain. I love this one by 33,000 feet and Sean is a fan of this Columbia!
- Waterproof Boots: You won’t need these if you’re traveling via helicopter, but for every other option they’ll be necessary thanks to the area’s wet, muddy trails. You can go with water-resistant boots or shoes if you already have them, but if it ends up being extra rainy on your tour date then your feet will likely get wet.
- Day Backpack: Nothing massive, but 20-30 liters will be enough to hold some water, snacks, your dry bag, an extra camera battery, sunblock and sunglasses, and some extra layers in case you get cold. I love this 20L Osprey and Sean usually sticks with his 30L Osprey Kamber.
Water Tours
- Dry Bag: Perfect for keeping your camera gear and valuables dry while out on the water! This 20-liter dry bag is completely waterproof and floats if it falls in, so we always have it with us.
- Bathing Suit: It’ll likely be too cold and uncomfortable to wear just your bathing suit in the canoe or kayak, but it’ll save your underwear from getting wet when water ultimately slides down the paddles and into your lap!
Hikes & Helicopter Rides
- Hiking Backpack: The hiking backpacks I mentioned above are both great options for day hikes since they come with supportive chest and shoulder straps. We always double our hiking backpacks as day backpacks since we usually pack quite light, and those Ospreys are very versatile.
- Hat, Gloves, & Thermal Socks: Especially when you start getting close to the glacier, high above the tree line, or high in altitude, temperatures drop quickly in Juneau. You’ll want these in your day bag in case you need them!
FAQ
In this section, we’ve answered some important questions regarding the best time to visit Mendenhall Glacier, whether these tours are worth the cost, and how to see the glacier without a tour.
What are the Best Mendenhall Glacier Tours?
Two of the best Mendenhall Glacier tours include the Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour and the Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike!
These three tours are some of the top-rated tours in Juneau with the #1 tour often being the Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour for its outstanding reviews and combination of canoe ride and trekking.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Mendenhall Glacier?
While winter may be one of the best times to see the northern lights in Alaska, the best time to visit the Mendenhall Glacier is during the summer months and no later than October when it is more accessible and safer for trekking.
If you’ll just be accessing the glacier via the viewpoint near the Visitor’s Center, then summer also provides better chances of good visibility.
Can You Walk on Top of Mendenhall Glacier?
While it is possible to walk on top of Mendenhall Glacier, you do so at your own risk. Some tours provide guided treks out onto the ice, but due to the receding nature of the glacier, they’re often canceled due to unsafe conditions.
You will also need proper gear such as ice axes, crampons, and warm winter clothing. It is not recommended for inexperienced hikers due to the extreme terrain and potential dangers associated with crevasses and melting ice.
You technically can go out and walk on the glacier without a guide, but we’ve never met anyone in Alaska who has done it themselves or recommends it due to the unstable nature of the glacier.
Can You Go to Mendenhall Glacier on Your Own?
You can certainly go to Mendenhall Glacier on your own, but joining a guided tour has its major perks like roundtrip transportation, a local expert and guide, food, unique views other than just the classic viewpoint photo that every other traveler gets, and so on.
If you decide to go on your own, you’ll need to rent a car in Juneau and drive to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, find parking, and walk up to the photo point. Otherwise, you can opt to join this Mendenhall Glacier Trolley Tour if you don’t want to rent a car.
What is the Best Way to See Mendenhall Glacier?
The best way to see Mendenhall Glacier is by joining a guided tour! No, we’re not just saying that. If you go on your own, you’ll be restricted to the trails surrounding the Visitor’s Center and the viewpoint or be forced to travel deep into the forest without a guide.
Unless you’re a native with a lot of experience in the area and know how to keep yourself safe from bears among other wildlife, it’s not a good idea to go roaming around on your own.
Of course, if you’re perfectly satisfied with going to the Visitor’s Center and seeing the glacier from the viewpoint, you won’t need a guide. But, if you want to get a unique perspective and are hoping for a more adventurous day out in Juneau, then a guided tour is the way to go.
The Mendenhall Glacier is easily one of the best things to do in Juneau, so you don’t want to do it haphazardly.
Is Going to Mendenhall Glacier Worth It?
The Mendenhall Glacier is absolutely worth seeing! This glacier has become a landmark in Juneau and is among the most popular sites in Alaska.
In our opinion, it actually rivals the Aialik Glacier you can see on the world-famous Kenai Fjords Tours out of Seward!
How Long is the Mendenhall Glacier Tour?
The length of a Mendenhall Glacier Tour depends on the specific tour type you choose. Some tours, such as helicopter tours, only last for an hour or two, but other more comprehensive excursions can last up to six hours or more!
It is important to take a look at the length of each specific tour and make sure that it is the right fit for you and your group before making any bookings. Generally speaking though, most Mendenhall Glacier Tours range from 2-8 hours in duration.
How Much Does It Cost to Get into Mendenhall Glacier?
Access to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center requires a fee of $5 per person for adults, while children under the age of 15 can enter for free. If you’re visiting with a larger group or planning on multiple visits, an annual pass is available for $15.
This fee grants access to the visitor center, which features informative exhibits, a theatre, and the best view of the glacier from an indoor space. Some guided tours may include this entry fee in their overall rate, so be sure to check before purchasing your tickets separately!
How Much Time is Needed at Mendenhall Glacier?
Outside of your guided tour, you don’t need more than 30 minutes or so at the viewpoint. If you’ll be hiking or paddling up to the glacier, you’ll naturally get more time, but it’ll likely be with a much more unique vantage point!
Regardless of how you get there, it’s best to set aside between a half and full day to see the glacier including roundtrip transportation from downtown Juneau.
Jump to the bottom of the post? No problem!
The Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour is easily the #1 tour on this list! Ice cave adventures, canoe rides, and even hiking on top of the glacier are all part of this grand tour, and roundtrip transportation is included.
⭐ Over 1,100 5-star reviews! ⭐
The Mendenhall Glacier is an incredible sight to behold, and the best way to explore Juneau and appreciate its majestic beauty is with a guided tour. The best part is that it doesn’t matter if you’re arriving via plane or Alaska cruise ship, there are tours with every type of accommodation you could hope for.
From thrilling hikes and kayak adventures to boat excursions and helicopter rides, every experience will be an unforgettable journey! With this ultimate list of the most enticing Mendenhall Glacier tours out there, you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for your travel group.
