Tours and Tickets to Experience Portage Glacier
19 results
What are people saying about Portage Glacier
Sonia_G, Aug 2025
Matt, our tour guide, made the excursion unforgettable
Travelers are on a lake to witness the incredible portage glacier. We sat inside the boat so it wasn’t very cold or bumpy. My husband was with a walker and the cruise was very accessible but getting in and out of the shuttle was challenging but doable. Matt our tour guide made the trip informative and interesting. He is also a special person and was very attentive.
Christopher_H, Aug 2023
Great personalized tour!
Other than a hiccup with the dining at the top of the tram not being available, we had a great day on Turnagain Arm. Dawn was a wonderful guide--offered good information along the way but also was sensitive to our need for "quiet time" as we were tired from two weeks of traveling in Alaska. Good balance overall, and a gorgeous day to see Portage Glacier!
FRANCESCA_M, Nov 2025
I booked this small group...
I booked this small group tour instead of the large group excursions offered during our cruise. There were just 4 of us (we traveled with 2 friends). Christina was incredibly flexible with the itinerary. We had tickets on the first glacier boat trip of the day. Only 12 people on board compared with 120 who were booked for the 11.30 departure. We stopped off at a salmon run, had plenty of time at the Alaskan Conservation Center & made several side stops for photos & to enjoy the scenery. It was a really wonderful day. For a virtually private trip lasting almost 7 hours, we paid half the price of the cruise Hubbard Glacier trip - lasting 2 hours with 200 people on board.
Elaine_D, Sep 2025
Glacier cruise and Alaska conservation tour
Great fun with tour guide Matthew.
Loved the informative tour. The boat ride didn’t occur due to mechanical issues, so went to a salmon spawning stream.
Ended up to seeing a brown bear in a stream! Which was much more thrilling!!!
Mary_W, Sep 2025
Wonderful Tour and Experience
The group traveled along Turn Again Arm and visit many stops including the Wild Life Center. Gary hosted, drove and provided information about the places where we visited. He had great stories about Alaska. I felt bad for him since the group was mostly quiet. Nevertheless, he kept the information and stories flowing and I listened.
Erik_T, Aug 2025
Portage Glacier
We were in Anchorage just for the weekend and Portage Glacier was recommended. Glad that we booked a tour with them. Our tour guy - Matt - was awesome. We learned so much about Alaska culture during this tour. Matt is very acknowledged about Anchorage, well organized, fun to be around, and took good care of his group. Highly recommended this Portage Glacier tour. Our family really enjoyed this tour and keep up with the great work, Matt.
Judy_A, Jul 2025
Highly recommend!
The tour guide was awesome and very knowledgeable about the area. I would highly recommend this company for any tours in the Anchorage area.
John_B, Aug 2024
Great day tour from Anchorage!
The Portage Glacier boat ride. Phil was a very knowledgeable and amiable guide. Took us to many hidden gems.
David_C, Sep 2025
Two thumbs up... make that six.
A wonderful and educational trip.
We had a blast. My family highly recommends this trip.
If you are lucky and have Matt as your guide we think you will be as blown away as we were. We learned and saw so much.
He is pure fun and info.
Mita_P, Jul 2025
Scenic, Informative, and Worth the Trip!
The Portage Glacier and Wildlife Tour was a great experience. Seeing the glacier up close and learning about local wildlife was memorable, but what stood out most was our guide, Gary. He shared stories and insights that gave real depth to what we were seeing. His knowledge and genuine connection to Alaska added a lot to the tour without ever feeling scripted. It was informative, relaxed, and a really solid way to spend the day.
Michael_G, Sep 2025
Good glacier experience
Good tour guide and a lot of sites to see. I would recommend this tour to anyone. Thr cost wasn’t bad either.
Juan_R, Jul 2024
Porter Glacier
leaving from Anchorage took us about 1 1/2 - 2 hours driving, our tour guide stops on the most incredible views trough out the road to the Portage Glacier while there a boat took us right in front of the glacier while you there you can walk around and or go to the top deck of the boat that was a great tour if you got chance is 100% recommended.
Portage Glacier
5.0
(5,072)
Know before you go
Ways to explore
How to get there
When to visit

Portage Glacier is a must-see for any first-time visitor to Anchorage.
Be sure to dress in layers; it can get chilly out on the water.
Tours to the Portage Glacier typically include a one-hour cruise.
Most tours include round-trip transportation from Anchorage.
People Also Ask
How much is a Portage Glacier tour?
That depends on the tour option that you choose. The most cost-effective tours typically begin at around $70 per person and are around half a day long, including round-trip transit from Anchorage. More extensive tours—which can last the whole day and include hiking and Portage Lake cruises—go up to several hundred dollars per person.
How long is Portage Glacier?
The exact length of the Portage Glacier is difficult to measure (as the glacier fluctuates in size), but it is estimated to be around 6 miles (10 kilometers) long and is 10 stories high. Its impressive scale and proximity to Anchorage make it one of Alaska’s top tourist attractions.
Can you touch the Portage Glacier?
That depends. While it’s impossible to walk on the glacier itself, this active glacier regularly “calves” chunks of ice into Portage Lake. If you head to the nearby Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, rangers regularly share samples of that ice for visitors to touch (and even taste).
Can I walk on Portage Glacier?
Generally, no. The only official trail close to Portage Glacier is the 2-mile (3-kilometer) Portage Pass Trail, which offers excellent views but doesn’t lead up to the glacier itself. While some intrepid hikers cross Lake Portage when it freezes in the winter to reach the glacier, that’s risky and not recommended.
Is Portage Glacier melting?
Yes and no. Portage Glacier has fluctuated throughout the years, advancing and retreating in different phases. Over the last century, the glacier has retreated significantly, revealing Portage Lake and disappearing from view from the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, although its current position hasn’t changed significantly since 1999.
Can you drive to Portage Glacier from Anchorage?
Yes, you can drive up to the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. The journey takes roughly 1 hour via AK-1 S and is considered one of the most scenic drives in the U.S. However, if you wish to see the glacier itself, you’ll need to embark on a boat trip or hike.
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