Visiting Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska
For some of the most spectacular photo ops of your life, drive or take one of the continuously running shuttle buses from the cruise ship docks ($45 round-trip, discounts for National Parks Pass holders) to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (6000 Glacier Spur Rd.; 907/789-0097; 8am-7:30pm daily May-early Sept., reduced winter hours; $5). Admission to the visitor center is included in the price of a shuttle bus ticket. If you’re on a tight budget, the city bus will get you to the intersection of Glacier Spur and Mendenhall Loop—about 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from the visitor center–for just $2 ($1 ages 6-18, free under 6). You’ll have to walk the rest of the way.
Hiking
It’s easy to spend a full afternoon here, especially if you take one of the excellent hiking trails (trail guide available in the visitor center). Two of the most popular highlights include the 2-mi (3.2-km) round-trip hike to the massive curtain of water that is Nugget Falls (you can see it from the visitor center deck) and the much shorter, less than 0.1-mi (0.16-km) walk down to Photo Point, where you can enjoy completely unobstructed views of the glacier’s face.
Wildlife Viewing
Visitors linger on the elevated boardwalks over nearby Steep Creek, a stream that draws spawning salmon and, sometimes, black bears that catch and eat the fish. Wildlife sightings are hit or miss here, but it’s absolutely worth a look if you’re here. Because of the wildlife, you’re not allowed to eat here, and you’re not even supposed to pack food, so plan your mealtimes accordingly.
Ice Caves
Some of the most iconic images taken in this area come from the Mendenhall Glacier ice caves, which are inherently unstable and dangerous to explore. The safest option is to admire from a distance. If you must explore near the glacier, hire a guide service like Above & Beyond Alaska (907/275-4441; from $199 for a guided hike or $399 for a guided paddle and hike) or Liquid Alaska Tours (800/892-5504; $249 for a guided canoe tour or $359 for a guided hike). These providers have the technical skills and experience to take you close to the glacier.
Kayaking
The waters around Juneau are heavenly for sea kayakers. One of the best kayak outfitters and rental shops around is Alaska Boat & Kayak Shop (11521 Glacier Hwy.; 907/209-6088; 9am-6pm daily May-Sept.), and one of the most popular paddling trips is the water trail between Point Bridget and Oliver Inlet on Admiralty Island, which has the highest population density of brown bears in the world.
Camping
If you’d rather pitch a tent than stay in a hotel, one of the most popular and accessible campgrounds is 600-ac (243-ha) Eagle Beach State Recreation Area (Mile 29, Glacier Hwy; 907/465-4563; $20 per site). The campground has 16 primitive campsites (RVs 35-ft/10.5-m maximum) and three walk-in sites, plus access to a white-sand beach with great beachcombing in the intertidal areas. Three nearby primitive Alaska State Parks public-use cabins ($60-80) sleep 4-8 people: Saturday Creek Cabin, Berry Patch Cabin, and Marten Cabin. See www.reserveamerica.com for cabin reservations and more information on these cabins and the eight other public-use cabins near Juneau, five of which are accessible only by boat or floatplane.
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