Glaciers in Alaska:12 Stunning Ice Formations Worth Visiting

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It’s been a minute since I’ve been to Alaska, but to this day I still give it the title of one of the most beautiful states in the USA. Alaska’s landscapes, diverse wildlife, and pristine glaciers attract millions of visitors annually, and was actually the reason for my visit! I traveled to Alaska in the winter to try my luck at viewing the Northern Lights and maybe a few of the glaciers in Alaska too.

Both goals were achieved.

That said, the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, even in winter, the glaciers in Alaska are year round. The state boasts over 100,000 glaciers, many too small to bear names, but all magnificent to visit year-round.

However, I’m not from Alaska, and I haven’t been that often. What do I know about exploring all the glaciers in Alaska?

Very little. The answer is very little.

However, I do know someone who does know their way around Alaska’s landscape! Karen from Alaska Trippers has graciously volunteered to help me put together this resource of all the best glaciers in Alaska to visit, whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth!

Let’s jump right in!

Best Glaciers in Alaska

Now, technically you could try go to all of the glaciers mentioned on this list, they’re definitely worth it, buuuut that would be a lot. So unfortunately, you’re going to have to narrow it down. Deciding which glaciers to visit often comes down to accessibility and budget. Some are
reachable by road and visitors can walk on the ice with crampons or spikes – it’s a super dope experience and is usually cheaper too. However, the more remote glaciers are best explored with an experienced guide, and those can often offer unparalleled views. Truly unreal stuff.

And then others, such as Harvard or Hubbard Glacier, are best seen from the sea; boats and cruise ships will become your best friend in Alaska, only to be topped, no pun intended, by helicopter tours over the glaciers.

Again, budget and accessibility are the determining factor. So with that in mind, here are some great options to consider for your trip!

Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier is a must-see attraction in Alaska’s capital. When arriving by sea at Juneau’s downtown cruise port, it’s a 30-minute drive to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.

The Visitor Center provides informative exhibits on the glacier’s history and retreat, as well as
maps of the nearby hiking trails. Take a leisurely stroll to Nugget Falls, which ends
at a thunderous waterfall close to the glacier’s terminus.

Helicopter excursions are available in summer for aerial views of Mendenhall, part of the
Juneau Icefield. Depending on conditions, some flightseeing tours include a glacier landing. In the summer, visitors can also enjoy dog sledding on Mendenhall to get up close and personal with the Iditarod athletes!

Columbia Glacier

Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound is one of the largest and most active tidewater
glaciers in Alaska. It’s accessible to those visiting Valdez or stopping at the lesser-known town on a port day. Due to heavy ice flow in the channel, access is only available from late May to September.

Columbia Glacier covers an area of 400 square miles and is known for its rapid retreat.
Stephens Cruises offers a 6-hour tour, including scenery and wildlife viewing. Along with great
calving action, enjoy the Chugach Mountain views and opportunities to spot seals, puffins,
bears, and goats.

Margerie Glacier

Located in Glacier Bay National Park, Margerie, and Johns Hopkins Glaciers are reached by boat or cruise ship. These tidewater glaciers in the UNESCO World Heritage Site are favored for different reasons.

Margerie, with its gorgeous turquoise hues, offers impressive calving displays. Cruise ships
often spend an hour or more there, allowing guests to listen for the cracking before the ice
breaks and falls off.

The glacier stands several hundred feet above the water, and large sea otters frequently visit
the surrounding waters. To its right, the Grand Pacific Glacier is less impressive, retreating, and
covered in dirt.

Knik Glacier

Knik Glacier, about 50 miles from Anchorage, isn’t so accessible on your own. While there are
lengthy trail options to reach it, a boat is required to cross the river.

So, the preferred way to explore the Knik Glacier is by boat or air. Boat tours up the Knik River
are relatively inexpensive and allow access to crevasses, large icebergs, and towers of ice. Dall sheep, bears, and mountain goats are commonly sighted. Between May and June, moose
and their young are spotted too.

Johns Hopkins Glacier

Located in Glacier Bay National Park, Johns Hopkins Glacier is a stunning example of the many tidewater glaciers in Alaska. Situated in a narrow bay, it’s valued as a harbor seal breeding ground.

Due to harbor seal activity, ships can’t get as close. Although, visitors can observe seals and
their pups resting on floating ice chunks with binoculars. Unlike most icefields in Alaska, which
are retreating, this one is slowly advancing. Ships that visit Johns Hopkins Glacier pass by Lamplugh Glacier. Like Margerie, this one can exude turquoise hues.

Taku Glacier

Taku Glacier, like Mendenhall, is part of the Juneau Icefield in Southeast Alaska. It offers a
stunning and remote wilderness experience, accessible by boat, plane, or helicopter.

Many visitors opt for a floatplane flight, which includes multiple glacier sightings and a feast at
Taku Glacier Lodge. With fresh salmon cooking on an Alderwood fire, the meal is often accompanied by black bears.

Portage Glacier

Portage Glacier, an hour’s drive from Anchorage, provides an excellent short excursion for
families. The one-hour boat tour to see the glacier is budget-friendly at under USD 50. This ice
mass sits on a lake and is only accessible by boat in summer and hiking in winter.

The boat tour on MV Ptarmigan across Portage Lake offers up-close views of the glacier. The
Begich, Boggs Visitor Center provides exhibits on glacial history, ecology, and the region’s 1964
earthquake that destroyed the town of Portage. Since Portage Lake freezes in winter, boat access is available from Memorial Day to Labor Day when the lake has thawed.

Matanuska Glacier

Matanuska Glacier is Alaska’s largest glacier accessible by road. It’s accessed after a 100-mile
drive northeast of Anchorage. It offers year-round opportunities for exploration and is favored
by those who want the experience of walking on an icefield.

Guided ice trekking tours are available, with operators supplying safety equipment, poles, and
ice spikes. The surrounding Matanuska Valley provides stunning views and opportunities for
photography.

Harvard Glacier

Harvard Glacier is a tidewater glacier in College Fjord, Prince William Sound. The glaciers in this fjord sit side-by-side and are named after the famous colleges in the United States. The largest Harvard lies at the end of the fjord and is known for its impressive width of over one mile.

The glacier is best viewed from cruise ships or day tours. A small boat excursion with Phillips
Cruises from the port in Whittier is preferred. Harvard Glacier’s dramatic calving events, snow-
capped peaks, and wildlife viewing make for unforgettable views.

Exit Glacier

Exit Glacier, part of Kenai Fjords National Park, is a popular destination for those visiting the
Kenai Peninsula. It takes a short drive from Seward to reach the glacier’s edge and its one of the best glaciers in Alaska if you love hiking.

Several hiking trails offer glacier views, including the Edge of the Glacier Trail. Harding Icefield
Trail provides panoramic views but is best reserved for the more challenging trekkers.

Hubbard Glacier

Hubbard Glacier is North America’s largest tidewater glacier in Disenchantment Bay. Its face is
seven miles wide and 400 feet tall, dwarfing even large cruise ships. Often referred to as “the
galloping glacier,” it’s one of the few advancing glaciers in Alaska.

Hubbard is one of my favorite glaciers due to its magnificent calving action. First, we hear the
thunder, then the cracking, and a huge splash as the ice hits the ocean.

Since ice always falls from its face, it reveals stunning blue tones beneath. These colors make it
one of the most photogenic glaciers in Alaska.

Aialik Glacier

Aialik Glacier, in Kenai Fjords National Park, is 15 miles from the port of Seward. The glacier is a popular destination for kayakers and boat tours. The glacier terminates in Aialik Bay, creating a picturesque setting.

Adventurers can paddle among icebergs and witness calving events up close. Wildlife sightings, including seals and sea otters, are common in the area. It takes a day trip to kayak to Aialik Glacier, so those limited in time can opt for Holgate Glacier instead. While it’s closer to Seward, it doesn’t provide as much calving action.

Glacier Tours And Excursions

Okay, so we just went over twelve amazing glaciers in Alaska and yes, there are a good amount you can tackle by yourself. But as we’ve covered, some are best explored through various tour options. Here’s what to expect on the various tours that take you directly to the coolest glaciers in Alaska, from soaring above in helicopters to kayaking through fjords.

Flightseeing Tours

Flightseeing provides a bird’s-eye view of Alaska’s glacial landscapes, but often comes with
sticker shock. Popular ports such as Juneau and Skagway offer helicopter excursions.

Interior Alaska has fixed-wing aircraft tours, which cover more ground. Less expensive than a
helicopter, these excursions showcase multiple glaciers in one trip. Flightseeing tours typically
last 1-3 hours and range in price from USD 250 to USD 600+ per person.

Boat Tours

Glacier cruises offer a unique perspective from sea level. Day trips from Whittier to Prince
William Sound or Seward to Kenai Fjords National Park are particularly impressive. Tour durations vary from 3-8 hours, with prices ranging from USD 100 to USD 300 per adult.
Tours run rain or shine, so make sure you’re dressed for changing conditions.

Many small boat cruises get closer to glaciers in Alaska than large cruise ships. The trip often includes wildlife sightings like seals, sea otters, and occasionally whales. Both Seward and Whittier offer options for kayaking tours. Shorter excursions are ideal for beginners, but multi-day trips only suit experienced kayakers.

Guided Hikes And Ice Climbing

For a more adventurous glacier experience, guided hikes and ice-climbing tours are the way to
go. Experienced guides will assess the ice’s stability to ensure your safety. Guided hikes on Matanuska Glacier or Exit Glacier are available for most fitness levels.

However, ice climbing tours cater to thrill-seekers who have a higher level of fitness. Since
guided tours don’t require an expensive helicopter ride, these are much more budget-friendly at around USD 100 to USD 200.

Self-Guided Trails And Walks

For self-guided exploration, Mendenhall and Exit Glaciers are the best options. You can’t access
Mendenhall Glacier from the east side of Mendenhall Valley. Instead, drive to the west side
parking area, and take the West Glacier Trail.

Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park features well-maintained trails. The interpretive signs
along the way provide valuable information about glacier ecology and retreat. While it’s
complimentary to hike, the area requires a minimal park fee.

Root Glacier, near Kennecott Mines, provides another option for exploring independently. It’s a
lengthy drive to reach Kennecott, but the hike to Root Glacier has little elevation gain.
Remember your crampons or ice spikes for ice exploration.

Visitor Resources Before You Go

Alaska’s glaciers are fluid and forever changing. Some feature ice caves one year but are gone
the next. Check trail conditions and area closures at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
before attempting a hike.

In Glacier Bay National Park, park rangers will board large cruise ships for the day. They will set up an information kiosk with brochures and tips for glacier viewing. It’s an opportunity to
collect a national park stamp.

For those exploring independently, ensure you’re dressed for the weather, as it can feel much
colder at an icefield than in a city. Planning ahead guarantees a safe and unforgettable glacier experience. Visitor centers and online resources offer valuable tips to help you fully enjoy Alaska’s icy wonders.

Conclusion

Just as I suspected, I’m not ready to book a flight straight to Alaska! It really is a beautiful state, with so many incredible glaciers in Alaska to see. I want to thank Karen for all the great info and helping us all see the best of what Alaska has to offer!

If y’all want more info on Alaska and what to expect as a visitor, definitely check out their site for loads of incredibly helpful information!

While you’re in Alaska, be sure to spend at least 3 days in Fairbanks, one of my favorite cities in the state! Have you ever seen any of the glaciers in Alaska? Which one? Let me know in the comments below!

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