Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

About

Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in southeast Alaska is one of the world's most dramatic places to witness the power of ice and water. Massive tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into deep blue fjords while humpback whales breach in the distance. It's a place that feels untouched, wild, and profoundly alive.

Most visitors arrive by cruise ship or smaller tour boats, gliding through the bay to watch glaciers up close. The park's hub at Bartlett Cove offers a visitor center, lodge, and a network of trails through temperate rainforest. Rangers lead daily programs including guided walks, evening talks, and boat-based excursions that bring the park's ecology to life.

Wildlife viewing here is extraordinary. Brown and black bears roam the shorelines. Sea otters float in kelp beds. Mountain goats cling to steep cliffs above the ice. Bald eagles are everywhere. For birders, the park hosts over 240 species.

The Bartlett Cove area is the most accessible part of the park, with the visitor center, a campground, and the Glacier Bay Lodge - the only overnight accommodation inside park boundaries. The lodge operates seasonally, typically from late May through early September. Kayaking is popular for the adventurous, and guided day boats take visitors deep into the bay's western arm for close encounters with glaciers.

Keep in mind that Glacier Bay is remote. There are no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska. You'll fly in from Juneau (about 30 minutes) or arrive by water. Weather can shift quickly, so layered clothing and rain gear are essentials regardless of the season.

Whether you're watching a wall of ice thunder into the sea from the deck of a boat or walking quietly through moss-draped forest at Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay offers an experience unlike anything else in the national park system. It's raw Alaska at its most spectacular.

Accessibility

The Glacier Bay Visitor Center, exhibits, and park theater are located on the upper level and are accessible via elevator or stairs. The grounds around Bartlett Cove feature gravel and wooden walkways, and wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available.

ADA-accessible rooms are available for overnight lodging at the Glacier Bay Lodge. Contact the lodge directly when booking to confirm room availability and specific accommodations for your needs.

Most visitors experience the park's glaciers and wildlife from boats, which can be more accessible than trail-based exploration. Cruise ships and day tour boats offer viewing from decks, though accessibility features vary by vessel - check with your specific operator before booking.

The park offers the America the Beautiful Access Pass, which provides free lifetime entry and discounts on services for visitors with permanent disabilities.

Trails at Bartlett Cove include the Forest Trail and shoreline paths, though terrain can be uneven with roots and soft ground typical of temperate rainforest. Wheelchair users should contact the park directly for current trail conditions and which paths are most suitable.

Service animals are permitted throughout the park. For visitors who are deaf or have hearing loss, the park provides captioned videos and other visual resources. For visitors who are blind or have low vision, large print brochures, audio-described videos, and braille materials are available at the visitor center.

Because conditions and facilities can change seasonally, contact Glacier Bay National Park at (907) 697-2230 for the most current accessibility details before your visit.

More accessible places in Alaska

• Alaska SeaLife Center (Seward)
• Alaska Aviation Museum (Anchorage)
• Alaska Botanical Garden (Anchorage)
• Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center (Fairbanks)
• University of Alaska Museum of the North (Fairbanks)
• Gates of the Arctic National Park (Gates of the Arctic NP)

Photo credits

• Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve - ak-glacier-bay-national-park-preserve-us-national-park-service-1: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve - ak-glacier-bay-national-park-preserve-us-national-park-service-3: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve - ak-glacier-bay-national-park-preserve-us-national-park-service-4: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)