Our Local Expert's Guide to Mendenhall Glacier

This blog was written in conjunction with our partners at Above & Beyond Alaska. 

Mendenhall Glacier: What Makes it So Special?

As a Juneau local and the co-founder of a guiding company since 2002, Becky Janes has had the pleasure of taking adventurers from around the world to experience one of Juneau’s true gems—Mendenhall Glacier. Just 12 miles from the heart of the state’s capital, this 13-mile-long glacier offers something truly unique. Most glaciers in Alaska require access by plane, helicopter, or boat but here, you can nearly drive right up to the visitor’s center and start exploring. That accessibility, combined with its ever-changing beauty, makes Mendenhall Glacier stand out. Every time you go, you see something new—whether it's the glacier's vibrant blue hue after a rainfall or a fresh chunk of ice calving into Mendenhall Lake. It's this dynamic, evolving nature that keeps both locals and visitors alike coming back.

Where is Mendenhall Glacier Located?

Mendenhall Glacier is nestled in the Tongass National Forest, just a quick 20-minute drive from Juneau. For those looking for a scenic route, you can hop on a shuttle or even take the city bus, which drops you just 1.5 miles from the main visitor area. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center offers stunning views and informative exhibits, with plenty of trails branching out to let you experience the glacier’s wild surroundings. Whether hiking, paddling, or simply soaking in the sights, it’s an easy and rewarding adventure. 

The History of Mendenhall Glacier

Named after the geologist Thomas Corwin Mendenhall in the early 20th century, the glacier has been retreating, uncovering the Mendenhall Valley where many Juneau locals now reside. What’s amazing is that over thousands of years, this slow-moving river of ice has sculpted the landscape, and even as it retreats, it leaves behind a rich history and geology to explore.

Visiting Mendenhall Glacier Today

Today, Mendenhall Glacier can be seen as a backdrop to Mendenhall Lake. Most tours no longer include walking directly on the glacier due to glacial recession, with the exception of helicopter tours. Instead, you’ll get panoramic views and explore its surrounding rocky moraines. At the visitor’s center, the U.S. Forest Service’s Trail of Time gives visitors a deeper look into its history while also offering some of the best spots to see black bears fishing for salmon during the peak summer months. Nugget Falls Trail is another well-maintained trail that leads to a towering waterfall cascading into the glacier-fed lake with easy access from the visitor’s center.

When to Visit?

May and June are ideal months to visit Mendenhall Glacier. With long daylight hours, less crowds, clear skies, and fewer rainy days, you'll have ample time to explore. These early summer months also mark the beginning of wildlife activity, with opportunities to spot mountain goats, eagles, beavers, and the occasional bear. The added magic of Alaska’s long daylight hours means you can make the most of your time in Juneau.

What You'll See When You Arrive

As soon as you arrive at the visitor center, you’ll be greeted by a panoramic view of the Mendenhall Lake, framed by towering mountains. Depending on the season, you may see icebergs drifting in the lake, a reminder of the glacier’s ongoing retreat. Inside the visitor center, interactive exhibits shed light on the glacier's history and its impact on the surrounding landscape. Outside, scenic trails lead to views of mountain goats clinging to nearby cliffs, or arctic terns nesting for the summer. The Mendenhall Towers—massive rock spires—rise in the background, giving the whole scene an epic, untamed feel. 

Our Favorite Tours & Excursions Near Mendenhall Glacier

For those wanting an adventure beyond the visitor’s center, there are plenty of active and exciting tours to choose from. 

Mendenhall Glacier Paddle & Hike: 

For a close-up view of the glacier, the Mendenhall Glacier Paddle & Hike tour lets you canoe across the serene Mendenhall Lake before hiking along its rocky moraine. You can get within 200 yards of the glacier, making for an unforgettable adventure. The journey can be challenging with unpredictable winds, but it's rewarding and the closest you can get to the ice without taking a helicopter.

Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike: 

If hiking is more your style, the Mendenhall Glacier Hike takes you through the Tongass National Forest, climbing to a viewpoint with sweeping views of the glacier and surrounding wilderness. It’s a strenuous hike, but the vistas are well worth the extra effort.

Private Tour Options

For a more personalized experience, private tours allow you to explore at your own pace, with a guide tailoring the adventure to your interests. 

Private Paddle & Hike: 

Take a private canoe out on Mendenhall Lake, where you set your own pace and focus on what excites you—whether it’s wildlife spotting or exploring the rocky moraine of the glacier.

Private Glacier Hike: 

The private version of the hike lets you linger at scenic spots, learning more about the flora, fauna, or the glacier’s history, all while moving at a speed that suits you.

An Untouched Adventure: The Norris Glacier Fly-In Tour

The beauty of Mendenhall Glacier is its accessibility, and that means that it gets a lot of foot traffic. If you’re looking to go further off the beaten path, the Norris Glacier Fly-In tour offers a world-class experience. After a scenic flight from Juneau, your pilot will scout out a landing at a pristine glacier lake, where the adventure really begins. From packrafting to glacier hiking, this tour takes you into some of Alaska’s most remote and untouched wilderness with some of the best guides in the area.

Mendenhall Glacier is a natural wonder that captures the essence of Alaska—wild, majestic, and ever-changing. Whether you’re paddling across a glacier-fed lake, hiking through a temperate rainforest, or simply marveling at the sights, every visit here offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So if you find yourself in Juneau, don’t miss the chance to explore this hallmark glacier. We’d love to take you out on tour!

FAQs: 

Does it get colder on the glacier than in town? 

Summer temperatures in Juneau usually range between 55°F and 70°F (13°C to 21°C), with an average of 56°F (13°C). Near the glacier’s edge, it tends to be about 5 degrees cooler, but it can feel up to 15 degrees colder due to katabatic winds—cold, downslope winds flowing off the glacier. Be sure to bring layers, including a warm hat and gloves, to stay comfortable.

Will I have a chance to walk on the glacier on the tours outlined in this blog? 

Norris Glacier: Yes, this tour offers the opportunity to walk directly on the glacier! If experiencing glacier ice up close is what you're after, this is the perfect choice.

Mendenhall Glacier: This tour does not include walking on the glacier itself. Instead, it focuses on exploring the glacier’s edges, offering safe hikes on the surrounding bedrock. The distance to the glacier varies each season, but you can expect to get within 300 yards of the glacier’s face.

Are there ice caves on these tours?

Norris Glacier: While this tour includes trekking on glacier ice, ice caves are exceptionally rare and form unpredictably. They should not be expected, but if one does appear, it will be considered a special and unexpected experience.

Mendenhall Glacier: Currently, there are no accessible ice caves at the Mendenhall Glacier. Glaciers are dynamic and constantly changing. In an earlier phase, ice caves were present, but the glacier has now entered a new stage marked by frequent calving events, exposing the deep blue ice once celebrated in the Mendenhall Ice Caves.

What will we be paddling on these tours? 

Norris Glacier: You’ll be paddling in small single or double packrafts, known for their exceptional maneuverability and durability.

Mendenhall Glacier: You’ll paddle either a 29-foot or 22-foot canoe. The larger canoe accommodates up to 12 guests and 2 guides, while the smaller fits up to 7 guests and 1 guide. These canoes provide superior speed and stability compared to kayaks.

Do these tours have physical requirements? 

Yes, these are classified as active tours. Participants must weigh no more than 250 lbs and have full mobility. Depending on the tour, guests will need to safely enter and exit packrafts or canoes, as well as hike and paddle for up to three hours. Additionally, they may need to drag watercraft short distances and should be physically capable of both getting in and out of the vessels and paddling continuously.