Mendenhall Glacier
A glacier just 20 km from the city center that you can reach on foot. Its blue ice tongue flows straight into Mendenhall Lake and is Juneau's top attraction.
Mendenhall Glacier is about 22 km long and flows from the Juneau Icefield, with its ice tongue reaching into Mendenhall Lake. The visitor center has exhibits and viewing windows, and summer admission is about $5. Many trails start nearby. The walk to Nugget Falls is about 3 km round trip, and on the Steep Creek Trail in July and August you may see black bears catching salmon. The glacier has retreated noticeably in recent years, and glacial lake outburst floods occasionally occur, so follow official advisories. Sightseeing buses run from downtown and take about 20 minutes.
Opening hours
Visitor center approx. 08:00–19:30 in summer
Nearby sights
- Nugget Falls
- Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure
- Alaskan Brewing Company
- Auke Bay Whale Watching
- Macaulay Salmon Hatchery
- Eaglecrest Ski Area
- Mount Juneau Trail
- Alaska State Museum