Glacier Bay National Park and PreserveAbout Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a large protected area in southeast Alaska that encompasses coastal fjords, tidewater glaciers and temperate rainforest. It protects extensive glaciated landscapes and marine waters and is prominent for glacier viewing and marine wildlife.
Top visitor attractions are tidewater glaciers and the deep fjord corridors where cruise and tour vessels navigate to view calving ice and wildlife such as seals, sea birds and whales. The park’s drama comes from glacier fronts, steep fjord walls and abundant coastal ecosystems.
The area was first protected in earlier 20th-century conservation actions and was designated as a national park and preserve under federal legislation in 1980; management balances wilderness protection, subsistence use and visitor access. The park’s glaciers have advanced and retreated over recorded history, shaping the landforms seen today.
Glacier Bay lies in the Alaska Panhandle, northwest of Juneau, and is reached primarily by boat or small aircraft; much of the park is coastal and maritime in character, with settlements and staging points located at the fjord entrances.
- Scale: The park and preserve together cover over three million acres of coastal temperate rainforest, fjords and glacier-carved terrain.
- Best approach: Most visitors experience the park by water - cruise ships and tour boats travel the park’s fjords for glacier viewing and wildlife sightings.
What to See#
- Margerie Glacier: Margerie Glacier - an active tidewater glacier within Glacier Bay that is often visible from tour vessels and known for periodic calving events.
- Johns Hopkins Glacier and inlet: Johns Hopkins Inlet and Glacier - a deep inlet historically accessed by boats and used as a gateway for visitors in portions of the park.
Best Time to Visit Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
The best time is the summer months (June-August) when visitor services run, weather is mildest and cruises offer the best chances for wildlife and glacier viewing.
Weather & Climate near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 10°C. Heavy rainfall (2249 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -9° - -4° | -13° | 215 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -7° - -2° | -10° | 182 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -6° - -2° | -9° | 172 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -3° - 2° | -5° | 132 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 1° - 6° | 0° | 115 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 3° - 8° | 3° | 92 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 5° - 10° | 6° | 110 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 5° - 10° | 6° | 157 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 4° - 8° | 3° | 265 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -1° - 4° | -3° | 312 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -5° - -1° | -9° | 248 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -7° - -3° | -11° | 249 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park has no road connection from Alaska’s road system; access is by air or water. Most visitors travel from Juneau: scheduled small aircraft fly from Juneau to Gustavus (about a 20-30 minute flight), from which it’s a short drive (10-20 minutes) to Bartlett Cove/park facilities or you can join park boat transfers. Alternatively Glacier Bay is commonly visited by day and multi‑day cruise ships out of Juneau; cruises and ranger‑boat tours put you ashore or operate in‑park viewing from the water.
Tips for Visiting Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
- Access Glacier Bay primarily from Gustavus (Bartlett Cove) or by boat/cruise - there are no road connections into the park, so plan transport and bookings (cruise berth or air/boat shuttle) well in advance.
- Start at the park's Bartlett Cove Visitor Center to get up-to-date information on closures, glacier calving safety and ranger programs; it's the best orientation point before heading into the fjords.
- If you want to avoid the biggest cruise-ship crowds, take a day trip or overnight trip from Gustavus on a small-boat or book a flightseeing tour to reach quieter inlets and more secluded coves than the main cruise corridors.