Mendenhall Glacier Tours

About

Mendenhall Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world, sitting just 12 miles from downtown Juneau. This river of ice flows 13.6 miles from the massive Juneau Icefield down into Mendenhall Lake, where visitors can watch icebergs calve and float across turquoise waters. It's a place where the raw power of nature feels close enough to touch.

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, operated by the U.S. Forest Service, sits on the shore of the lake with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the glacier and surrounding peaks. Inside, you'll find interpretive exhibits about glacial science, the Tongass National Forest ecosystem, and the Tlingit people who have called this area home for thousands of years. Rangers lead talks and programs throughout the day, and a well-stocked gift shop and warm cups of cider make it easy to settle in.

Outside, several trails branch out from the visitor center. The Photo Point Trail is a short, paved path leading to a stunning glacier viewpoint at the lake's edge. For those wanting more adventure, longer trails wind through old-growth rainforest to Nugget Falls, a thundering 377-foot waterfall fed by glacial melt. Black bears, bald eagles, and salmon are common sights, especially in summer and early fall.

Getting there is straightforward. Capital Transit buses run from downtown Juneau, and many cruise lines offer dedicated excursions to the glacier. If you're arriving by cruise ship, shuttle services and tour operators provide regular transport from the cruise port. The visitor center charges a nominal entry fee, and federal recreation passes are accepted.

The best time to visit is May through September, when the visitor center is fully staffed and trails are clear. Summer days in Juneau are long, giving you plenty of daylight to explore. Dress in layers and bring rain gear - Juneau gets over 60 inches of rain a year, and weather can shift quickly. Pack binoculars for wildlife spotting, and leave food in your vehicle, as bear activity in the area means food consumption is prohibited near the glacier.

Accessibility

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is fully ADA compliant. The building features both a wheelchair ramp and an elevator, ensuring all levels of the visitor center are accessible. Inside, the exhibits, restrooms, and viewing areas are designed to accommodate wheelchair users and visitors with mobility challenges.

The Photo Point Trail, the most popular short path from the visitor center, is paved and leads to a lakeside glacier viewpoint. Other trails in the area are natural-surface paths that may present challenges for wheelchair users due to roots, gravel, and uneven terrain.

For cruise passengers, several lines offer wheelchair-accessible glacier excursions with lift-equipped buses. Norwegian Cruise Line and others provide dedicated accessible tours with the same content as standard excursions. Note that some accessible tour buses can accommodate manual wheelchairs but not motorized scooters, so check with your specific tour operator before booking.

Local transportation in Juneau is accessible as well. Capital Transit operates several buses equipped with wheelchair lifts on routes that serve the glacier area. Care-a-Van Transportation provides prescheduled para-transit service for visitors who need door-to-door transport (call 907-463-6194 to arrange).

The visitor center's indoor viewing area with panoramic windows means visitors who cannot access outdoor trails can still enjoy spectacular glacier views in a comfortable, climate-controlled setting. Rangers are available to assist visitors and answer questions about accessibility throughout the site.

Contact the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center directly for the most current details on trail conditions, seasonal accessibility, and any temporary closures that might affect your visit.

More accessible places in Alaska

• Juneau & Mendenhall Glacier (Juneau)
• 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)