Mendenhall Glacier From Juneau Alaska
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Seeing an actual, real-life, glacier has always been on my bucket list. Part of the entire reason I decided to take an Alaskan Cruise was to get up close to one.
This is the best place to see a glacier is during a cruise stop in Juneau Alaska.
If you’re planning an Alaska cruise, check out our full guide to Cruise Ports in Alaska.
Mendenhall Glacier From Juneau Alaska: (Jump To)
See Mendenhall Glacier On Your Own
There are plenty of shore excursion options available from your cruise company of choice. They will sell you helicopter tours of the glacier which will allow you to walk on the ice. There are also dog sled tours and various other Alaska-specific excursions. These tours are very expensive but also offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
During our visit, we simply wanted to see the glacier and take a nice hike. However, the shore excursion to the glacier would have cost us just over USD$200. That’s a lot of money for a bus ride and a hike.
We decided to do it on our own, and we’re happy we did. It was easy and seamless. Plus we saved over $100 on the journey.
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Shuttle From Juneau To Mendenhall Glacier
Look for the shuttle from Juneau to Mendenhall Glacier for an easy way to see the Glacier from the Port of Juneau.
As soon as you exit your ship there will be a line of wooden stands. You can line up at any of the stands to buy a round-trip ticket to the glacier. During our visit (July 2022) the tickets cost USD$45 each. The journey from the cruise port to the glacier is about 15 minutes. Shuttles come very frequently but there will likely be a line and you may have to wait up to 30 minutes for a shuttle.
On the return, the shuttle picks you up from where it dropped you off.
Taxi From Juneau To Mendenhall Glacier
A taxi to Mendenhall Glacier from Juneau Alaska might be a cheaper option for large groups or families.
According to the tourist information kiosk nearby, the cost of a taxi to the glacier (one way) is about USD$65. With a tip, you would break even with three passengers, and save money with more than three riders. A great option if you’ve made cruise friends or are traveling with a group.
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City Bus From Juneau To Mendenhall Glacier
The Juneau Alaska bus to Mendenhall Glacier is the most cost-effective option but it involves a walk and some extra patience.
The real cheapest option is to take the local city bus. The nearest stop to the glacier is Mendenhall Loop Road and Mendenhall Loop Road (Dredge Lake). From there it is a 1.5-mile walk to the start of the glacier loop trail. The bus departs from Downtown Transit Center which is about a half-mile walk from the cruise dock. Look for the Number 2 bus and expect to spend around an hour on the bus.
This is the option we would have normally taken, but our cruise was only scheduled to be in Juneau from 7 am to 3 pm. We were nervous about timing, so we ended up on the $45 shuttle.
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Mendenhall Glacier Hikes
The Juneau Mendenhall Glacier hike options are easy and accessible for most.
From the parking lot, you’ll get one of the best views of the Mendenhall Glacier. There is a visitors center that you can visit to deepen your knowledge before heading out on the trail. There are exhibits, a short informational documentary screening, and a bookstore.
Mendenhall Glacier Photo Point Trail
This is your best option for a self-guided Juneau glacier tour.
Link: AllTrails
This is the must-do hike. It is a 1/3 mile round trip hike across very easy paved paths. The trail takes you out onto a peninsula into Mendenhall Lake where you can see the glacier from the perfect angle.
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Don’t forget to pack a good pair of travel binoculars to spot wildlife from the ship!
Check out our What to Pack Guide for more suggestions.
Nugget Falls Trail
Link: AllTrails
This waterfall hike at the Mendenhall Glacier is one of the only places where you can safely get close to a glacial waterfall.
The second feature of your trip to Mendenhall Glacier is the chance to see Nugget Falls. This roaring glacier waterfall would be an attraction on its own if not for the giant glacier next door.
The coolest part about this hike is that you can get almost close enough to the falls to touch them.
The round-trip trail is approximately one mile from the parking lot. We combined it with the photo point trail.
The trail is a wide sandy gravel path that is almost completely flat. It’s an easy hike for nearly anyone.
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Steep Creek Trail
Link: AllTrails
This Mendenhall Glacier hiking trail is possibly the best way to see bears in Juneau with little effort (If you’re lucky).
This is another short and easy paved hike. It is about 1/4 mile and would take about 20 minutes to hike. The entrance is opposite the visitor’s center.
The highlight of this hike is that it is the best place to possibly see some bears in the wild. It is rare to see them when the area is crowded with your fellow cruise passengers, but even without wildlife spotting, you will have an enjoyable short walk through the forest.
Returning To Juneau
Hop back on the blue bus to Juneau Alaska and you’ll be back at the Juneau Cruise Port in minutes.
We spent about ninety minutes hiking and exploring the trails around the glacier. I’m so glad we made time to visit.
We boarded our bus and were back in downtown Juneau in about 15 minutes. We had some time to do a little light shopping and exploring in Juneau before getting back on the ship and heading to the next Alaskan Port, Ketchikan.
Also, check out our post on things to do in Icy Strait Point.
How To Get To Mendenhall Glacier From Juneau
Take a cruise-sponsored shore excursion (approx. $100 per person)
Take a tour shuttle from the port ($25-$45 each)
Take a taxi from the cruise port ($65 one way, $130 round trip)
Take the local city bus, then walk 1.5 miles to the trailhead ($2 per person)
