Tours and Tickets to Experience Mendenhall Glacier

The best way to see Mendenhall Glacier is by kayak, paddling up to the glacier’s face in Mendenhall Lake. Of course, the easiest way to see the glacier is by visiting the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and wandering the trails. At .6 miles, you can access Photo Point; at 1 mile, you can reach the trail to Nugget Falls.

Yes, you can go to Mendenhall Glacier on your own and don’t need Mendenhall Glacier tickets. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center sees some 500,000 travelers every year. From there, you can explore the exhibits and witness the glacier from several viewing points and trails that snake through the beautiful area. Of course, with a guide, you could kayak, helicopter, or get closer to the glacier via backcountry trails.

Yes, you should book Mendenhall Glacier tours in advance, especially in summer. The glacier is one of Alaska’s most well-known attractions, and you’ll want to beat the crowds by booking early (and with a small-group operator). Take your pick of hiking, paddling, helicopter, and even dog-sledding tours to witness the blue ice.

The best time of year to visit Mendenhall Glacier, and all of Southeast Alaska, is May and September–October. During those months, the weather will be reasonably mild, the roads and trails are less likely to be covered in snow, and the cruise ship crowds will be fewer. Summer is good, too, but you’ll have substantially less elbow room.

When visiting Mendenhall Glacier, you’ll want to wear clothing that stays warm even when wet. Layer wool or polar fleece on top of a base layer and under a rain jacket, and you should be set. Hats, gloves, and sturdy hiking footwear are also strongly recommended for anyone going beyond the visitor center.

Yes, there are restrooms at Mendenhall Glacier, just outside the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. They’re located between the center and the main parking lot, next to the information station. There are no restrooms on the trails, so take care of business before you set out on your hike.