Mendenhall Glacier Explorer

Your journey begins with a narrated tour of downtown Juneau and the city's highlights as you make your way to Mendenhall Valley - home of the mighty Mendenhall Glacier. Upon arriving at the Mendenhall, your guide will point out many of the attractions that you'll want to see during your approximate 2.5 hour stay.

Included are scenic Photo Point and the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center where you'll want to take time to watch the short film about the Mendenhall and the 37 other glaciers that make up the Juneau ice field. The area boasts several self-guided scenic trails that allow you to learn about the role the glacier had in carving the landscape.

One of these, Nugget Falls trail, takes you to the base of a long glacier-fed waterfall and offers the closest views of Mendenhall in the area. Meander through the Tongass National Forest as you explore the Moraine Ecology Trail and the Steep Creek Trail - the latter of which offers multiple views of wild sockeye salmon during the mid to late summer months.

Each of these trails offers a different view of the Mendenhall through trees or along the shores of Mendenhall Lake. Due to occasional bear activity, food consumption is prohibited in the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area.