Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Juneau, USA
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Paddle across Mendenhall Lake, past icebergs and waterfalls, on this guided Alaskan adventure. Explore the Tongass National Forest and hike near Mendenhall Glacier with expert guides. Enjoy breathtaking views and experience wildlife up close. This small-group tour offers a unique and unforgettable wilderness experience.
- Paddle across Mendenhall Lake with expert guides
- Hike near the stunning Mendenhall Glacier
- Spot wildlife and giant waterfalls along the route
- Transportation from downtown Juneau included
What's Included
- Transportation from downtown Juneau
- Expert Wilderness Guides
- Bottled water, snacks, and hot beverage
- Rain Jacket & Pants / Waterproof Boots
- Life Vest / Helmet / Trekking Pole
- Gratuities for your guides
- Photos (feel free to bring a camera)
- Warm layers (beanie, wool socks, gloves and non-cotton layers are recommended)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Goldbelt Tram490 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
Meet your tour guide outside of the red GoldBelt Tram Tramway building. They will be holding a blue sign with your tour name. ***ALL NCL ENCORE AND NCL BLISS GUESTS*** Meet your guide in front of your ship on the AJ dock. They will be holding a blue sign with your tour name.***
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
After meeting your tour guide and group in downtown Juneau, benefit from having transportation included, to help you get to the start point with ease.
Traversing the Alaskan wilderness with a guide and small group means no danger of getting lost and fascinating insights along the way.
The first stop is Mendenhall Lake, where you’ll set off in a kayak and paddle along a spectacular route that showcases icebergs, waterfalls, and mountain peaks of Tongass National Forest.
To ensure you see the local landscape from all angles, the trip stops at a remote beach, where you’ll go on an interpretive hike to see glacial scenery up close.
As the ice is constantly moving, every tour is different, promising an exciting adventure, whenever you go on this tour. The trip then ends right back at a familiar location—the place where you met the group.
Traversing the Alaskan wilderness with a guide and small group means no danger of getting lost and fascinating insights along the way.
The first stop is Mendenhall Lake, where you’ll set off in a kayak and paddle along a spectacular route that showcases icebergs, waterfalls, and mountain peaks of Tongass National Forest.
To ensure you see the local landscape from all angles, the trip stops at a remote beach, where you’ll go on an interpretive hike to see glacial scenery up close.
As the ice is constantly moving, every tour is different, promising an exciting adventure, whenever you go on this tour. The trip then ends right back at a familiar location—the place where you met the group.
1
Mendenhall Glacier
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
Tongass National Forest
4 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
- Minimum age 12 years old
- Minimum weight: 90lbs
- Maximum weight: 240lbs
- This tour DOES NOT provide access to walk on glacier ice
- Full use of limbs for up to 2 hours canoe paddling and 1.5 hours of trekking
- Ability to hike over steep uneven terrain for approximately 1-2 miles
- Signed liability waiver
- Not recommended for guests with back or hip problems
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
We had an outstanding excursion with Ed & Luke. Communication was great prior to the meet-up. From the moment we connected with Luke, he began educating us on Juneau, glaciers, etc. We had a lovely paddle to view the glacier, then hiked a bit to get a little closer and learn more about the vegetation and rock formations in the area. Ed & Luke were knowledgeable and sprinkled in humor and light-hearted banter. Friends recommended this trip to us, and we’re so glad we did this. Of our three excursions during our cruise, this was by far the best.
Reviews
5.0
based on 1,473 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
The Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour with Liquid Alaska was nothing short of amazing! Our tour guides, Courtland and Tor made the day trip so much fun! We were well informed during the safety briefing. We got a thorough workout paddling, albeit with plenty of breaks to take in the beautiful scenery and rest our arms, shoulders and core. Had some great laughs along the way. It was absolutely worth the reward of getting up close to Nugget Falls and the Mendenhall Glacier. Closer than most of the other tours. We had the surprise finale of seeing a black bear along the beach while we were approaching the end of our tour. We highly recommend this particular tour, especially with Liquid Alaska. Our small group of 8 were mighty and we all felt like friends by the end of our day sipping hot chocolate and having some laughs. Thank you so much Courtland and Tor! (and a special message to Coutland’s mom: he is doing just fine! 😉)
Fit 72 &76 year olds managed the rowing and hike just fine. Brady and Elymes took great care to pace the activity and provide information and humor to create a fun time.
We loved our excursion including the Canoe, hike and hearing from our guides Brady and Mike about the area and the nature.
Would recommend this tour to be able to explore and learn more about Juneau and the Mendalhall Glacier.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Brady and Mike are kings of the lake! A trip with them is one to remember. Thank you for the review!
Hannah and Elymus were very knowledgeable and a fun duo. Highly recommend the tour! Our original tour got cancelled and our short stop in Juneau was saved by Hannah and Elymus. We got to canoe in Mendenhall Lake, walk by the glacier and got up close to the Nugget falls.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hannah and Elymus are two of the best guides on Mendenhall Lake! We're thrilled you had such a good time with them. Thank you for the review!
The most fabulous excursion ever! Tor and Elymus were incredibly knowledgeable and patient. It was strenuous but so well worth it!
Great experience! Tor and Elymus were awesome and made the day super fun and they were also very knowledgeable. It’s a great way to experience the beauty of Alaska!
We loved this experience! Sophie and Tor were the best guides. They were knowledgeable, kept us safe and really funny! They had us laughing throughout the canoe ride. It was really neat to canoe across the lake and then hike so close to the glacier. There was hardly anyone else there, so it was peaceful and the views were so beautiful. A really fun day!
We had a great time. The crew was very helpful and informative. I would highly recommend this if you like going the extra mile.
This was the best activity we did in Alaska - it was extremely rewarding and we'd do it again without a second thought if we were visiting Juneau again. We got lucky with great weather for the paddle and the hike to the glacier face, giving us great conditions and visibility for the entire experience. The paddle across the lake was mildly challenging but nothing excessive for someone with a good level of upper body fitness, just enough to make you feel like you've earned the close up views of the glacier face. Our guides, Cortland and Joe, were brilliant - they really made the experience shine with their light-hearted approach, and from the way they ran the trip it was clear they are both extremely professional and love sharing the wilderness experience with guests. 10/10: we'd come back for their dad jokes and canoe pep talks any time.
This was a really fun and energetic day out. The guides Joe and Elymus were very knowledgeable and funny. The gear was well organized and in good condition. The canoe trip was hard work but totally worth it. This trip is not for anyone with back or shoulder problems, everyone has to paddle- no exceptions.
Overall it was a brilliant excursion thanks to Joe and Elymus!!
Had a great time with the family on this excursion. Mike and Elisha were knowledgeable about the area and they made sure we were safe with their instructions and all the equipment was provided even snacks and drinks. If you want a fun and active experience, this is it.
Incredible. Fun and good exercise. Beautiful scenery, learned a ton and laughed with our guides Hannah and Sophie. They were very professional, skilled and helpful. Dress in layers. The rain didn’t stop us from enjoying the full experience
My husband and I booked this tour with my nephew as a highlight for our trip to Alaska. We absolutely love to connect with nature and this tour offered us something no one else could- the opportunity to get up close to Mendenhall Glacier, away from the crowds, and appreciate the true majesty of Alaska.
What made this tour amazing was the crew. When Mike, crew leader, met us at the pick-up point, he was very honest about the katabatic winds and how sunny days increase the winds to be very, very strong. He shared it would be a hard paddle and no other tourists had signed up so we would have to work hard.
We were determined to work hard for the reward. Mike called the owner and, going above and beyond, they called in some additional experienced paddle guides to make the trip happen (at their cost, not ours).
These four men (Mike, Joe, Brady, and Elisha) were incredible! Positive spirits, enjoyable company, we got to know them as we all paddled hard to make it to the beach next to Mendenhall Glacier. Wow- it was worth it!!!
Joe led us on a beach hike around the bend and explained to us the geography and fauna we were seeing. As we got to the other side we had an up-close and surreal moment in front of the glacier. We had it all to ourselves and it was an impactful moment we will always remember.
On the paddle back we visited Nugget Falls and saw the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center from the water. We were literally the only boat on the lake surrounded by birds and nature. The quiet stillness and just being immersed in this beautiful area was an experience we will never forget.
We are extremely grateful to this crew for their professionalism and this company for ensuring we had a safe tour even at the cost of hiring two additional crew members to make this experience for us happen. We hope this review will help to bring this great company business because good people deserve to have good things happen to them.
Thank you to Mike, Joe, Brady, Elisha (and the boss) for allowing us to make a memory that will always stay with us.
Took a wonderful paddling and hiking trip to Mendenhall glacier with Cortland and Brady. Pick up went smoothly despite the rainy weather. Rain jacket, rain pants, gloves, boots and life jacket all provided for. They gave routine paddling breaks to give our arms a break. Cortland’s “dad jokes” kept the mood light. Hiking through the “desolation zone” to Mendenhall glacier was other worldly. After a hot chocolate to celebrate our excursion, we were taken back to the cruise ship with plenty of time to spare.
This excursion was an absolute 10/10 and easily one of the highlights of our trip. It felt like stepping into the pages of a National Geographic magazine. We spent about an hour paddling by canoe to the glacier, hiked for around 30 minutes to get even closer, and then made the hour long paddle back. We even got to get up close to Nugget Falls! Cortland was an absolute GOAT of a guide, and Hannah was an incredible captain who navigated the canoe through the wind like a pro.
Afterward, they offered hot chocolate, coffee, apple cider, or their Mendenhall Mocha (AKA half coffee/half hot chocolate). My family is still talking about that mocha. It was the perfect way to warm up after an unforgettable adventure. I couldn’t recommend this experience more.
This was a fantastic adventure. Our guides, Elymus and Elisha, was great - very friendly, informative and interacted well with the group. The experience of being up close to the Mendenhall glacier was awesome.
It was a great way to get very close to Mendenhall Glacier, and our tour guides Elemis and Sophie were fantastic! The combination of canoeing and hiking was a lot of fun, especially for our teenage boys.
This is a great tour. Unbelievable scenery. Very beautiful. We really enjoyed canoeing across Mendenhall Lake. Our tour guides were Elymus and Brady and they were awesome. Great guides,
very knowledgeable about the area and they were also hilarious. Lots of fun. Great tour.
Highly recommend
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the glowing recommendation! We're thrilled you had a great time with Elymus and Brady on tour. Thank you for choosing Liquid Alaksa Tours!
This tour was a huge highlight of our time in Alaska. We decided to book this tour instead of going through the cruise line and I'm so glad we did. We are not experienced with canoeing or hiking but had no issues with either. We couldn't have gotten any closer to the Mendenhall Glacier than we did with this tour. The views we got canoeing and hiking were absolutely incredible. We made such good time we even got to row right next to Nugget Falls. Our guides, Cortland and Elisha, were so much fun and made our time even more exciting and informative. They have such a great sense of humor that kept the mood light and fun the entire time. The entire tour from start to finish was so well planned and executed. We are so thankful for this core memory on our trip!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the glowing 5-star review! We are so glad that our glacier tour was a seamless, stress-free highlight of your vacation. Cortland and Elisha are an amazing duo, and they’ll love hearing that their humor and planning made your trek to the glacier and Nugget Falls so memorable. Thanks for choosing Liquid Alaska Tours!
Great tour guides: energetic and knowledgeable. Enjoyed being with small group canoing across the lake.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
All of our tour guides bring and energy, a passion, and an enthusiasm that makes the paddle that much better! Thank you for the kind review!
Wow! What an incredible experience. Our family had an amazing adventure with our awesome tour guides, Cortland and Elimus. They both were super friendly, engaging and knowledgeable. We enjoyed canoeing across the gorgeous lake, seeing nugget falls and then the grand finale of the breath taking, Mendenhall Glacier. We can’t thank Cortland and Elimus enough for giving us a once in a lifetime experience.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We are thrilled to hear your family had such an amazing adventure! It is wonderful that Cortland and Elymus helped make your time on the lake, at the falls, and up at the glacier so memorable. Thank you for choosing Liquid Alaska Tours!
Excellent guides who made the experience memorable, pleasant, and safe for all. Highly recommended. They made everyone feel safe, welcomed, and showed great skills and a caring tone.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the kind words! We are delighted to hear that our team provided such a welcoming and safe experience. It is our goal to ensure every guest feels well cared for, and we appreciate your high recommendation. Thank you for choosing Liquid Alaska Tours!
Elymus and Elisha our guides were excellent! They were personable, knowledgeable and very safety conscious. The canoe and gear provided was top notch. The glacier, lake and waterfall were gorgeous and it was a spectacular feeling to know we were one
of only relatively few who experience Mendenhall from this vantage point!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
It is wonderful to hear that Elymus and Elisha provided such an excellent experience! We are proud of our equipment and thrilled that you felt both safe and well-informed while taking in those spectacular, unique views of the Mendenhall. Thank you for choosing Liquid Alaska Tours!
Lots of gear and quite a canoe workout but worth it for the views and experience. The guides Elymis and Brady were so funny and entertaining. They also were passionate about the environment. A great experience!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We are glad to hear the effort was well worth the reward! It’s great that Elymus and Brady could keep the energy high with their humor while sharing their passion for the environment. Thank you for choosing Liquid Alaska Tours!
There are people who do something because it's a job. Then there are those like Elymus and Tor our guides for this tour who are in it wholeheartedly driven by true passion. From pick up until drop off, Elymus and Tor made it an unforgettable excursion to see the Mendenhall glacier close up whilst showering us with interesting geological, historical, ecological etc. facts and a boatload of punny jokes. Important to note that they are clearly professionals in this field and made us feel safe during and wiser after this trip.
A must sign up for anyone visiting Juneau!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
It is heartening to hear such high praise for Elymus and Tor. We take immense pride in our team, and knowing that their passion, professionalism, and humor made your experience both educational and safe is exactly the feedback we love to receive. Thank you for your glowing recommendation and for choosing Liquid Alaska Tours!
we had the BEST time on this excursion!! the guides were so knowledgeable, so funny, and made sure we got back to the cruise ship port on time. 100% would recommend. 100% would do this excursion again!!!! hannah and sophie were our guides… see attached selfie 😉
Response from Host, May 2026
What a great selfie! Sophie and Hannah are the queens of the Mendenhall, and we are happy to hear the tour lived up to the hype! Thanks for adventuring with us!
To start with pick up was a breeze. Short ride out of town to the lake before getting outfitted with all our gear. There Mason and the guys got us in the canoe. Now this is definitely a bit of a paddle so be prepared but it is totally worth it. We got extremely close to the glacier after paddle across the lake. When there we got out of canoe and talked about glacier and had our “rock talk” which was very interesting then got to “hunt” around for gems. Got some awesome photos with glacier so close in the background. On the paddle back stopped by the massive falls. Unfortunately the porcupines were not around this day but did see a lot of bald eagles. Even the rain at the end didn’t dampen our spirits. This tour was the highlight of our trip.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We're thrilled to hear we were the highlight of your trip! The effort put into paddling always makes the views that much more special. Mason is the King of Mendenhall. His trips never disappoint! Thank you for the wonderful review.
This is a must do! My whole family loved the experience. My daughters had no problems with the rowing.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thanks for the review!
Our guides Jordan and Mason made sure we had an awesome experience from the time we were picked up, canoeing to the glacier, hiking near the glacier and return. Safety, fun and expert info were paramount. Then we finished with hot mocha or apple cider. Great experience. Enjoy!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Jordan and Mason are wonderful guides and some of Alaska's finest! After a paddle with them, a nice, hot beverage is the cherry on top of a beautiful day on the Mendenhall. Thank you so much for the five-star review!
I’m sure all Liquid Alaska guides are great, but Jordan and Luke take it to a whole new level. They were entertaining and educational. Their knowledge of the glacier, the impacts and changes and the rock formations and evolutions was extraordinary. Above all else they were super nice and friendly.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Luke and Jordan go above and beyond for each of their guests. A trip with them is unparalleled. We're thrilled you had a great time out there. Thank you for the review!
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