Mendenhall Glacier Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Mendenhall Glacier. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

• Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center & Ultimate Whale Watch Combo

• Mendenhall Glacier and Whale-Watching Tour

• Mendenhall Glacier Trolley Tour

• Mendenhall Glacier Express

There is no fee to see the Mendenhall Glacier, although it costs US$5 per adult to enter the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Many visitors choose to see the Mendenhall Glacier by boat, such as on whale-watching tours that offer glacier views, which cost from around US$190 per person. Trolley tours from Juneau start around US$80.

Yes, Mendenhall Glacier is worth visiting. Located a short drive from downtown Juneau, the glacier offers a glimpse of Alaska's renowned natural beauty. Many visitors choose to hit the hiking trails to see nearby Nugget Falls or join a guided tour that combines a whale-watching excursion with the chance to see the glacier up close. 

Per one customer who booked the Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier tour, "The tour was very organized and gave you plenty of time at Mendenhall Glacier. It was a beautiful area and worth going and seeing. The bus then took us over to the marina, where you got to the whale-watching portion of the tour. We sailed with Michelle, Genevieve, and Ash and they were all outstanding. They were very professional, charming and funny. We were lucky enough to see a pod of orcas and multiple humpback whales. You can tell that the staff love what they do and are very knowledgeable about the sea life and area."

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.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Mendenhall Glacier. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Juneau, Alaska:

• Mt. Roberts Tramway

• Juneau-Douglas City Museum

• Herbert Glacier

• Alaska State Museum

• Alaska State Capitol Building

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Juneau.