Booking choice: The glacier ice adventure with a canoe crossing and moraine trek, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Book this Compare the options below
Mendenhall Glacier is about 13.6 miles long and flows from the Juneau Icefield, a field of ice of about 1,500 square miles that the Forest Service calls a remnant of the last ice age. From the visitor center you look at its lower end across Mendenhall Lake, and on the shore trails you can get close to the water and Nugget Falls, but not to the ice.
The glacier has been retreating for a long time, about 1.75 miles since 1929. In November 2025, scientists said it had separated from the lake; Eran Hood of the University of Alaska Southeast described it as functionally no longer a lake-terminating glacier. It is projected to be out of sight from the visitor-center viewpoint around 2050. For now, the way to stand beside it is a guided canoe and moraine tour.
The quick answer
No, you cannot walk on Mendenhall Glacier from the visitor center: the ice is across the lake, and since 2025 it ends on land beyond the far shore. The Ice Adventure Tour (about 5 hours) and the Canoe Paddle and Hike (about 5.5 hours) cross the lake by canoe and hike the rocky moraine at the glacier's edge; the Ice Adventure listing provides a helmet, trekking pole, rain gear, boots and Forest Service permits. Never go under or into the ice. Dress in layers with a rain jacket, rain pants, a warm hat and gloves.
Can you walk on Mendenhall Glacier from the visitor center?
No. From the visitor center the glacier is across the lake, and there is no trail onto the ice.
The visitor center trails, Photo Point and the path to Nugget Falls, follow the near shore and the lake flats. They give you the classic view and the waterfall, but the ice stays on the far side. The retreat has made the gap wider: the fastest retreat came between 2007 and 2011, at roughly a football field a year, and the glacier now ends on land rather than in the lake.
The shore walk is described in the Nugget Falls Trail guide. To reach the ice edge, you need a boat and a guide.
How do you get to the edge of the ice?
On a guided canoe and hike tour. Two tours on this site cross Mendenhall Lake by canoe, land near the glacier and hike the rocky ground at its edge.
The table compares them, per the listings. Permitted tour companies operate in the recreation area, and the Ice Adventure listing includes the Forest Service permits.
| Tour | Length | On the water | On land | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier Ice Adventure Tour | About 5 hours | Canoe across the lake, beach break | Guided hike on the rocky moraine | Age 12+, 88-243 lb, not pregnant |
| Canoe Paddle and Hike | About 5.5 hours | Up to 7 miles in 8- or 12-person canoes | Landing by the glacier, hike over rocky ground | Age 12+, up to 250 lb, minimum 4 guests |
Canoe across the lake and hike the moraine beside the ice, with helmet, trekking pole and permits provided.
Book thisWhat is the Ice Adventure Tour like?
About 5 hours from the cruise docks: a canoe crossing, a break on the beach, then a guided hike to the glacier's rocky moraine.
The Ice Adventure Tour meets at the cruise docks in the Mount Roberts Tramway area; the listing names the AJ Dock for guests of two specific ships, so check the voucher. Included: helmet, trekking pole, raincoat, rain pants, boots, gloves, life jacket, dry bag, Forest Service permits, snacks, water and a hot drink.
The listing sets limits: no under-12s, no pregnant travelers, no mobility impairments, and a weight range of 88 to 243 lb. It goes ahead in wet weather, but strong katabatic winds coming down off the ice can cancel it. Free cancellation runs up to 24 hours before.
From the cruise docks to the moraine at the glacier's edge, with helmet, rain gear, boots and permits included.
Book thisWhat about the longer paddle and hike?
The Canoe Paddle and Hike is the bigger day: up to 7 miles of paddling, a landing by the glacier and a hike over rocky ground, moderate to strenuous.
The canoe paddle and hike picks up downtown, at the C sign near the docks on South Franklin Street, or at Mendenhall Valley hotels. It runs in 8- or 12-person canoes with one or two guides, by the nesting grounds of Arctic terns and through the spray of Nugget Falls. Gear, waterproof clothing, a snack pack and water are included.
Read the conditions: at least 4 guests, a maximum of 12, no under-12s, no one over 250 lb, not suitable for back, heart or breathing problems or low fitness, and a signed waiver. Free cancellation ends 15 days before the tour, a much earlier cutoff than the other tours here.
Is it safe to go close to the ice?
With a guide on a permitted route, the tours are built for it. On your own, keep your distance, and never go under or into the ice.
Ice caves and overhangs look tempting in photos. Never go under or into the ice. Stay on the route your guide chooses, keep your helmet on where it is issued, and follow instructions on the wet rock and around meltwater. If you are visiting on your own, enjoy the glacier from the shore trails; the lake and the moraine beyond are guide territory.
If a moraine hike is more than you want, the lake canoe tour gives you icebergs and the glacier view from the water without the hike.
Icebergs and glacier views from the water, two hours of paddling and no moraine hike.
Book thisDo you need special shoes to walk on a glacier?
On the guided tours, no: the Ice Adventure listing includes rain boots, and the paddle and hike provides gear and waterproof clothing. On the shore trails, walking shoes with grip are enough.
The moraine is wet, rocky ground rather than smooth ice, so sturdy footing matters more than crampons. On the Ice Adventure Tour you change into the boots provided, with a trekking pole for balance. For the paddle and hike, check the voucher for the exact kit list.
For the Nugget Falls Trail and Photo Point, ordinary walking shoes are fine; the falls trail is gravel and can be muddy. Weighing the other tours? See the best Mendenhall Glacier tour.
How cold is it on Mendenhall Glacier?
Colder and windier than in town. The air next to the ice is chilled, and winds blowing down off the glacier can be strong enough to cancel canoe tours.
The canoe listings call these katabatic winds and warn that they can cancel a trip on the day. Out on the lake, you are exposed to wind and spray.
Rain is the other constant. Juneau lies in a temperate rainforest, and rain gear features on the tours' bring lists and gear lists. Plan for wet and cool, and you will be comfortable whatever the day brings.
How should you dress for Mendenhall Glacier?
In layers, with a rain jacket and rain pants on top, plus a warm hat and gloves. The guided tours provide the waterproofs, but your own warm layers go underneath.
- A base layer and a warm mid layer such as fleece; the 4-hour whale tour listing asks for thermal layers.
- A rain jacket and rain pants, provided on the canoe and moraine tours.
- A warm hat and gloves; gloves are included on the canoe and Ice Adventure tours.
- Shoes with grip for the trails; boots are provided on the Ice Adventure Tour.
- A small bag for snacks and a camera; the canoe tours include a dry bag.
For the rest of a port day, see the Juneau cruise day guide.
Up to 7 miles of paddling and a hike over rocky ground by the glacier, for fit groups of 4 to 12.
Book thisFrequently asked questions
Can you touch Mendenhall Glacier?
Not from the visitor center trails. The guided canoe and moraine tours bring you to the rocky ground at the edge of the ice.
Do I need experience for the moraine tours?
The listings do not ask for experience, but set age, weight and fitness limits; the paddle and hike is moderate to strenuous.
Is the glacier still in the lake?
No. Since late 2025 the ice has ended on land, beyond the lake's far shore.
What happens if the wind is too strong?
Katabatic winds can cancel the canoe tours on the day; the operator decides, per the listings.
Ready to book
Choose your glacier tour
Free cancellation on every option, per each listing. Booked on GetYourGuide.
Glacier Ice Adventure: Canoe & Moraine Trek
A canoe crossing of the lake, then a guided hike on the rocky moraine at the glacier's edge, with helmet, trekking pole and rain gear provided
Canoe Paddle & Glacier Hike
Up to seven miles of paddling in 8- or 12-person canoes, landing by the glacier for a hike over rocky ground; moderate to strenuous
Mendenhall Lake Canoe Tour
- Minivan transfers from the Mount Roberts Tramway building near the cruise pier
- About two hours of paddling on Mendenhall Lake with an expert wilderness guide
- Rain jacket, rain pants, rain boots, paddling gloves and a dry bag
