My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska. Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars! I always use Expedia's easy-to-use platform to compare the best rates. To keep cell service if you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi. For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance. Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.
Getting to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
To be quite honest, getting to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center area can be a bit tricky. If you have your own car or have rented one (which is what I recommend), then the drive itself is quite easy and only takes about 20 minutes. Once you get there, parking is free, but you'll need to pay a recreation fee of $5 per person to enjoy the area.
If you haven't rented a car, you still have a few options. You can either book a tour that includes transportation, or take one of the local taxis (there's Evergreen Taxi or Mendenhall Glacier Taxi). My last resort would be to take Juneau's public bus system. Rides are $2 per adult and can be paid in exact cash when you get on the bus, however routes from the Downtown Transit Center to the Mendenhall Glacier Area can take up to 1.5 hours each way. If possible, I would try to get on the "8 Valley Express" which is the fastest route to the Dredge Lake Road bus stop, but it's worth noting that this stop is still about 1.5 miles away from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Camping in the area is possible at the Mendenhall Lake Campground, I recommend getting reservations as early as possible. They have multiple RV, tent, and walk-in sites - depending which type of site you're looking for prices can range from $20-$36 per night.
My Favorite Tours in Juneau :
- Whale Watching Tour - Mendenhall Glacier Express Tour - Helicopter & Icefield Adventure
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Complete Guide
Once you make it to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Area, there's a couple of things you'll want to do. The first is to of course visit the Visitor Center! This last summer the visitor center was open Sunday-Friday, from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and is free for everyone who's purchased a day recreation pass ($5 per person).
At the Visitor Center you can learn about the glacier itself, enjoy the views from the glacier observation area, and watch a 15 minute video about the ever changing landscapes of glaciers. Across the parking lot there's also a short boardwalk, titled the "Steep Creek Trail" where you can see salmon and if you're lucky some black bears! At 1/4 of a mile, you can leisurely enjoy the views and make it around the entire loop within 20 minutes. If you want to keep going, there's the Moraine Ecology Trail that continues off the Steep Creek Trail - at just 1 mile long it'll bring you to some beautiful lake & glacier views!
Just past the Visitor Center is the Photo Point Trail, another easy 1/3 mile, paved loop that brings you to a beautiful, unobstructed view of the glacier and surrounding lake. If you don't feel like heading out to Nugget Falls, this might be the one for you!
There are a few other trails in the area, like the Trail of Time (1 mile loop) and the East Glacier Trail (3.5 mile loop) - however if your time is limited then I recommend prioritizing the Photo Point Trail and the Nugget Falls Trail.
Nugget Falls is the most popular hike at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. This (mostly) paved trail is fairly flat and is about 1 mile each way, making it an easy attraction to get to. The waterfall itself is about 377 feet tall and is absolutely stunning - making it one of my favorite waterfalls in Alaska. Because it's so popular, you can expect large crowds, especially on days when there's a cruise in town. I also recommend wearing shoes you don't mind getting wet or muddy!
The main attraction at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is of course the glacier itself. Although there are some great viewing points at the Visitor Center and on the different hikes, the best way to see the glacier up close is on a guided tour. These tours take away all the stress of logistical planning, and I recommend looking into either a guided hike or a guided canoeing/kayaking trip on the lake!
Watch my Juneau Adventures here!
Other Alaska posts you might be interested in :
-> Best Summer Things to Do in Juneau -> Port Day in Juneau, Complete Guide -> Best Places to Eat in Juneau
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Hi, I'm Deborah! In 2021 my husband Tyler convinced me to move to Alaska. After living here for a year (then leaving to take a year long world trip) we realized there was no place we loved more. So now we're back - and I'm here to share all my best tips and hidden gems to make Your Alaskan Adventures the best they can be. \\\ My blog is free to read, but some links may be affiliates. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. \\\ |
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