Glacier Bay National Park

The thunderous splash of calving glaciers is a common sound in Glacier Bay National Park. Located on the border between Alaska and Canada, the massive park contains a huge number of glaciers, which descend from high snow capped mountains into the bay to create spectacular displays of ice and iceberg formation.

And that’s only part of experiencing the scenic, natural, and historic wonders of Glacier Bay National Park. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a number of exciting activities in the park, including backpacking, birding, camping, fishing, hiking, photography, white-water  rafting, and wildlife watching.  

Glacier Bay National Park also includes dramatic range of plant communities from rocky terrain recently covered by ice to lush temperate rainforest, and a large variety of animals, including brown and black bears, mountain goats, seals, and eagles. You may even spot whales breaching and, of course, the ever popular falling glaciers.

Practical Info

Glacier Bay National Park is located 150 miles (241 kilometers) west of Juneau, in the Alaska panhandle. As no roads lead into the park, you can only enter the park by plane or boat. Many boats depart from Bartlett Cove, which is 65 miles (104 kilometers) from the park. The park visitor center is located at Bartlett Cove, upstairs in Glacier Bay Lodge. The center has information and park exhibits. Planes generally depart from Gustavus, which is 10 mi (16 km) to the east.