Juneau Tours Mendenhall Glacier Are you interested in? Simply get off the boat and walk up to one of the many booths selling tickets. An amazing fact about the Taku is that its one of only a handful of glaciers in the world thats advancing. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. Set out on a coach tour that includes highlights of Downtown Juneau, Douglas Island, and the Mendenhall Glacier. Once youve taken the perfect glacier photo, head to the U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center to learn more about the glacier and watch a 15-minute video. Your guide will teach you kayaking techniques, then board the two-person kayaks either with your traveling companion or a new friend. Do go out to the various look out points on the way. Well done. The blue color fades as the ice is exposed to air and the crystalline structure breaks down. Book Now 2 hours on-the-water whale watching for Humpback whales, sea lions, bald eagles, and other wildlife. Commercial operators offer tours in the summer, including hiking, biking, rafting, canoe and kayak trips, and bus, van, taxi and shuttle tours. Just the luck of the tour I guess. What hotels are near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center? From the colorful port, to the busy capitol building, to the famous whale statue, this unique city has a surprise around every corner. Glaciers put off a mystical blue color caused by a unique crystalline structure that absorbs and reflects light, giving the ice its unique hue. Take in the magnificent sights during your free time at the glacier before being taken to an authentic Alaskan feast at Gold Creek. Roberts Tramway, making it ideal for a shore excursion or quick trip. Beautiful Side Trip to Mendenhall Glacier. This natural settingboth summer and winteris one of the most spectacular and interesting in the Alaska, and the visitor center is considered world class with museum quality exhibits that draw about 500,000 visitors a year. During the summer, expect highs in the 60s and always bring a rain jacket - just in case. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour round trip to walk to the waterfall and glacier, but the tour only gives you an hour before the bus leaves. He said he would be back to pick us up in an hour at 11 o'clock. (But don't let rain discourage your trip! Commuter air services provide year-round daily flights from Juneau. If you want to be the lucky few who can face the majestic Mendenhall Glacier under a very limited U.S. Forest Service permit, this is the right tour for you! Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (Juneau): All You Need to Know. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? If youre lucky, youll find black bears chasing the salmon that have spawned in the creek. Juneau Shore Excursion: Paddle with Whales! We would be coming from cruise port. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our, What are the pros and cons of taking public transit vs the blue bus to the glacier besides cost and the extra mile walk on the bus. He passed them around for purchase which just made it awkward. Day boat tour companies offer tours of the twin Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm Fjord southeast of Juneau. https://juneaucapitaltransit.org/, How and where to find Alaskas glacierssome of the states most beautiful natural attractions. Every tour is unique and space is limited, making this Juneaus most exciting and sought-after adventure tour. Discover the people and places that make Juneau extraordinary every day. There are also pay for tours to the glacier and other sites. You'll find whale watching, local art and music, more, Fresh food from the ocean to the table, craft breweries, gin & whiskey, food tours. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. Enjoy a one-hour hike to 400-foot-tall Nugget Falls. BEST SELLER. If youre on a tight schedule, a trip to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center provides fascinating information as well as excellent views of this ever-changing wonder. We walked up to the Visitor Center, quickly browsed the gift shop, and decided to skip the video, opting instead for the waterfall. In the end, we got back about an hour later, flustered, and did not see our bright orange bus at the terminal. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The Visitor Center added an informative dimension to our glacier hike, well timed, fun and useful (not to mention clean restrooms). View ourPrivacy Policyto learn more. Picked up from ship; driver came back at agreed time. One of 38 glaciers flowing from the massive 1,500-square-mile Juneau Ice field. $489 Embark on a rugged hike through the ever-changing glacial icescape of Juneau, Alaska! Featuring vivid blue ice and awe-inspiring views of the magnificent Coast Mountains, the Mendenhall Glacier is a natural wonder. Its a must-see destination for any Alaska vacation. Can we walk from ship port to Mendenhall Glaxier? Mendenhall, one of the most beautiful and accessible glaciers in North America, is just 13 miles from downtown Juneau and a few minutes from the airport. It's a must-see destination for any Alaska vacation. The Visitors Center, open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM in the summer months sits on the edge of the Mendenhall Glacier, one of 38 large glaciers that flow off the Juneau Icefield. I recommend the walking tour to the water falls. 100% of travellers recommend this experience. Additionally, I booked a tour earlier that didnt meet our port times and Liquid Alaska managed to move us to another tour that worked better. Use Promo Code. Save your favorites. Mendenhall Visitor Center is only 13 miles from downtown Juneau. This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. The trail is paved and accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. The two stop points in Juneau were ok Right behind the mountains that surround Juneau is a 1500 square mile icefield which is larger than the size of Rhode Island. Here you will discover the magnificent ice features up close. TheTrail of Timeshows the power and long-term impact that the glacier has on the surrounding environment. Spectacular views of Mendenhall Glacier and icebergs floating in the lake. At its widest point, the glacier is more than a half mile wide, with ice 300 to 1,800 feet deep. Be among the select few to travel by canoe for an unprecedented experience of the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. Spotting scopes will bring the glaciers shimmering face close. Its active face regularly calves big icebergs and brash into its lake. McGinnis. Which one is right for you? Nice little side trip. For ambitious backcountry hikers, the 3.4-mile (one way) West Glacier Trail skirts the western shore of the lake, leading to a trail junction with a route to Mt. The terrain rises about an inch per year, and fresh earth emerges along the shores. But with the worry that the Ship will leave without you and not knowing if the blue bus is still running, that takes the pleasure out of it. Hike through the Tongass National Forest and around the majestic Mendenhall Glacier on foot. Here you'll have the opportunity . On the return trip, the driver will answer questions and give recommendations on local shopping or places to drink or dine. more. The Glacier Shuttle schedule is set to the arrival and the departure of the cruise ships each day. Buses leave every 30 minutes on most days (check the schedule for times). more, View the Juneau events calendar and you will find events ranging from gallery walks, open mic nights, IRONMAN more. Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation requests in writing. Please note: prices are per boat, which holds 1-14 passengers. The ice appears blue, because it absorbs all of the colors of the visible light spectrum except blue, which it reflects. Everyone in the group enjoyed the time. On this half-day tour, enjoy spectacular views of the glacier from the viewing platforms and walkways, and learn more about the mighty glacier at the Visitor Center. However, there are no public trails to the Mendenhall Glacier ice caves, and while beautiful, glaciers are ever-changing and may be dangerous. On this half-day tour, enjoy spectacular views of the glacier from the viewing platforms and walkways, and learn more about the mighty glacier at the Visitor Center. The tour was ok, about average. We particularly liked the size of the group. Definitely a must do tour. Its great, but slightly misleading since you dont get to really explore the glacier. Our facility and lands are managed by the federal government through the United States Forest Service. Whale watching and visiting the Mendenhall Glacier are two of the most popular activities around Juneau. This unique adventure provides two hours to explore and master glacier trekking techniques. Fortunately, about 20-30 mins later, Tammy returned my call and told us we could catch their next shuttle back. Mendenhall Glacier weatheris typically mildest in May through September. Your pilot will guide the aircraft over the glacier, giving you an eagle's-eye perspective of its ice spires, blue-tinted crevasses and meltwater pools. Board a modern turbine-powered helicopter for a flight to the world-famous Mendenhall Glacier! Explore different ways to experience this place. Excellent tour. There is something for everyone; whether this is your first time or you're experienced! Knowledgeable and hilarious driver/tour guide!! I would recommend this trip to everyone who visits Juneau! Make a wishlist on Viator and win up to $7,000 towards your dream getaway. The Mendenhall Glacier has plenty of activities you can do yourself but there are a number of fun charter tours that help you get the most out of your visit. Thousands of visitors each year also take flightseeing tours by helicopter or fixed-wing planes. Yes, you can walk on top of Mendenhall Glacier. The U.S. Forest Service maintains several hiking trails near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, which provide a high-quality recreation experience emphasizing glacial phenomena, ecosystems, and protection of fish and wildlife. The Blue Bus trip to the Mendenhall Glacier was excellent. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The sound can be louder than a cannon shot. You'll be off to the north side of Douglas Island for panoramic views of the Mendenhall Glacier and Auke Bay, where you'll board a two-person kayak sailing as the Aleut Indians did! We had and unforgettable time. The spirited dogs will be waiting to whisk you away on a mushing experience you'll not soon forget! They are informed, effective, diligent and a pleasure to be around. View from the water, go for a glacier trek, or view from above on a flightseeing tour. For the less experienced, there are guided canoe tours you can book through many cruise lines. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks, PDF of short hikes near Mendenhall Visitor Center. She was so informative giving us the highlights of the tour. After your transfer to the helicopter base, you'll take off on a scenic flight over Mendenhall Lake, on your way to the dogsled camp situated atop the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier. If you have further questions please email [emailprotected] or if it is an urgent matter you can call 1-888-586-8489. **THIS TOUR IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE 2023 SEASON**
Experience the perfect day sightseeing at the most popular attraction in Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier, followed up by an all-you-can-eat Alaskan salmon bake. After about 2 miles, the Loop road makes a sharp left turn while Glacier Spur Road continues straight toward the mountains. Equipment was great and guides were wonderful- great adventure. Canada is not far away. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experiences start time. It was great being in a small group (only 8). Learn about local history and conservation, Skip the hassle of a rental car with a coach tour, Mendenhall Glacier Visitor's Center admission fee is included, Confirmation will be received at time of booking, This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers. A half-mile wide, with ice up to 1,800 feet deep, its little wonder this is Juneaus most popular destination. The arm is filled by glaciers, icebergs and wildlife - whales, bald eagles, and even the occasional black bear. The shuttle returns to town from the BEAR Shuttle Stop at the top and bottom of the hour. HEMLOCK natural growing poisonous plant growing wide beware. On a sunny day, it's beautiful, with blue skies and snow-capped mountains in the background. You have up until 7 days prior to your tour date to cancel for any reason.