Herbert Glacier Tours and Tickets

Visiting the Herbert Glacier can be free, if you choose to hike to it—it’s a 4.9-mile (8-kilometer) 1-way trek that takes most hikers about five hours round-trip; at the end, you look up at the glacier from below. To stand on the glacier, you'll need to take a helicopter ride with a glacier landing, which starts at roughly US$200 per person.

Most visitors access Herbert Glacier either by hiking on their own—it’s a moderate 4.9-mile (8-kilometer) 1-way trek—or by joining organized tours with transportation. Popular options include helicopter tours, guided hiking excursions, and a combination helicopter-hiking experience. Most organized tours depart from Juneau and typically run from May to September.

Yes, experienced hikers can access Herbert Glacier via the Herbert Glacier Trail, a moderately challenging, nearly 10-mile (16-kilometer) round-trip hike. Guided tours are recommended for safety and the expert knowledge they include. Note: The trail ends beneath the glacier. To stand on the glacier, you’ll need a helicopter tour.

On a Herbert Glacier tour, dress in layers with waterproof outer clothing, sturdy hiking boots with good traction, a warm hat and gloves, and sunglasses. If you’re taking a helicopter tour that lands on the glacier, you’ll need ice cleats or crampons; check if your tour operator provides them.

Herbert Glacier is more remote and less crowded than Mendenhall Glacier, offering a more serene, wilderness-filled experience. Herbert Glacier tours often involve challenging hiking or helicopter access, while Mendenhall has easier accessibility and visitor facilities. Mendenhall has a visitor center with exhibits, a small theatre, and a network of trails.

The optimal season is May through September when weather conditions are most favorable, and tours operate regularly. July and August offer the warmest temperatures, the longest daylight hours, and the biggest crowds. As long as it's a nice, sunny day, it’s a great time to go glacier-adventuring.