Attention visitors, residents, and workers in Bartlett Cove and the Glacier Bay Park Headquarters area: Be aware of upcoming power outages related to local maintenance work. All lasting from approx. 9 am - 1 pm: Saturday, 5/23 - An outage will occur park-wide (all of Bartlett Cove local area). Sunday 5/24 - Outage at the park generator building, including the Bartlett Cove fuel dock. Monday 5/25 - Outage at the park maintenance building. Thursday, 5/28 - Outage at the Glacier Bay lodge.
Expert Verdict & Insider Tips
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a hidden gem located in Alaska. While many tourists flock to the major parks, this national park & preserve offers a much more peaceful and intimate experience with nature. It is preserved for its unique history, diverse habitats, and local significance.
About Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a national park & preserve located in Alaska. Summer temperatures average 50° to 60° F (10° to 15° C). Rain is the norm in lush southeast Alaska. It is best to be prepared to enjoy the park in any kind of weather, especially rain. Suggested clothing includes waterproof boots, rain gear, a hat, gloves, wool or pile layers or a warm coat. Good rain gear is essential here. April, May and June are usually the driest months of the year. September and October tend to be the wettest.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve lies west of Juneau, Alaska, and can only be reached by plane or boat. The only road in the area merely connects the small town of Gustavus and its airfield to park headquarters at Bartlett Cove (10 miles). Alaska Airlines provides daily jet service from Juneau to Gustavus in the summer months. Year-round scheduled air service is also provided by a variety of small air taxis and charters. The Alaska Marine Highway ferries also provide regular service from Juneau.
💰 Entrance Fees & Passes
Entry to Glacier Bay is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.
🥾 Things to Do
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Arts and Culture, Cultural Demonstrations, Auto and ATV, ATV Off-Roading, and 27 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.
📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist
Custom items selected for activities at Glacier Bay
📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Glacier Bay
- →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Glacier Bay before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
- →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 1 active alerts for Glacier Bay. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
- →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Glacier Bay get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
- →Wilderness Survival: As a remote Alaskan unit, visiting Glacier Bay requires complete self-sufficiency. Bring bear deterrents, dress in synthetic layers, and verify survival check-ins before departures.
Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is known as Homeland to the Huna and Yakutat Lingít, and is a highlight of Alaska's Inside Passage. From sea to summit, Glacier Bay offers limitless opportunities for adventure and inspiration.
Seasonal Visitor Guides
Frequently Asked Questions about Glacier Bay
About the Author
James R. Mitchell
Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data
James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.
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