This is page 3 of this article. To start at the beginning, click here.
6. Tlingit Trail
This short trail follows the shoreline of the Cove and offers a more cultural experience through Glacier Bay. Along the way, learn about the Native American Tribe, the Huna Tlingit — Glacier Bay is their spiritual homeland. See a hand-carved Tlingit Canoe and read about the native people of this beautiful region.
What You Need to Know
This is an easy trail along the shoreline. Interpretive signs are provided to teach you about the Tlingit and their way of life, plants, and wildlife. The Tlingit Trail is a 1-mile round trip.
Be sure to stop by the Huna Tribal House while exploring this area.
Getting Here
This trail begins at the Visitor Information Station and dock, then travels along the shore past the Glacier Bay Lodge.
7. Halibut Point Whale Watching
The humpback whales of Glacier Bay completely steal the show! Standing on the beach, you can easily spot several whales making their way through Glacier Bay, eating, diving, or jumping.
What You Need to Know
While you can spot a whale from anywhere near Bartlett Cove if the timing is right, my favorite place to whale-watch is Halibut Point. This area is where Bartlett Cove meets up with the main channel of Glacier Bay. Not only are the views incredible, but you have a great chance of spotting a whale….sometimes you will even be up close and personal if they are feeding close to shore.
June through August is the best time to see whales, with July being the peak month.
Getting Here
As you walk out of the VIS, take a left across the parking lot and take the trail toward the campground. Pass the campground and continue until the views open up into the main channel of Glacier Bay. Find a nice rock to sit on and let the whale watching begin!
8. Beach Trail
Wander in the wilderness and soak in the stunning ocean views. Glacier Bay has very few official trails, so you can create your own adventure!
What You Need to Know
You can create your hike by following the shoreline as far as you would like to go. You’ll find it easiest to hike along the shore when the tide is going out so that you don’t have to walk up in the trees or the brush.
Wear shoes with good traction because it can get slippery. The beaches are generally rocky, making it easy to lose your footing.
Let someone know where you are going if you are planning on traveling far. If you want to check in and out with the rangers at the VIS, they will be happy to jot down where you are in case something happens.
The Beach Trail is especially good for viewing wildflowers in the summer. If you are feeling adventurous, be sure to check out this secret hike along the beach of Glacier Bay!
Getting Here
As you walk out of the VIS, take a left across the parking lot and take the trail toward the campground. Pass the campground and continue until the views open up into the main channel of Glacier Bay. From there, I suggest heading south and walking along the main channel of the Bay.
9. Bartlett Lake Trail
Wander through the rainforest of Bartlett Cove to a lake that formed when the glaciers retreated from the area. Look out for giant boulders that don’t seem to belong, evidence that a glacier passed through and deposited things it had likely carried with it for miles!
What You Need to Know
This trail is 10 miles round trip, and you will hike through some of the most unique features you have probably ever seen. The glacial moraine has been covered with moss, leaving lumps along the landscape that don’t make a lot of sense. The destination lake is serene and still with beautiful views of the Beartrack Mountains.
Use caution on this trail. It is not very well maintained, and the ground is mossy, wet, and slippery. You may not be able to hike as fast as usual because of the unique terrain of the trail, so plan a little extra time.
Carry bear spray, let someone know where you are going, and plan for rainy weather.
Getting Here
From Gustavus, take the Mountain View Road and then turn left onto the Park Road toward Bartlett Cove. As the road begins to curve around and head down towards the Park Headquarters, you will see a parking area on your right. This is the trailhead for the Bartlett River Trail and the Bartlett Lake Trail. Click here for a map.
To get to Bartlett Lake, take the Bartlett River Trail for 0.7 miles. You will then take the right fork when the trail splits off. Follow this trail for another 4 miles to reach the lake, and then head back the way you came.
10. See the Glaciers
This park is full of glaciers, and each one has its own personality! Get ready to visit the Margerie Glacier, where you can witness calving, which is ice chunks breaking off the glacier and plummeting into the water below. Snap a photo of the Johns Hopkins Glacier with its dramatic mountain backdrop and seals hanging out on the drifting ice. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of “Lamplugh the Blue.”
What You Need to Know
From Bartlett Cove, you cannot see the glaciers. To see them, you must head “up-bay.” North. By a boat of some kind. A few adventurous people kayak to the glaciers. This gives you the flexibility to stop where you would like but does take some intense planning (unless you decide to take a guided tour!).
The easiest way to head north to the glaciers is to take the boat tour provided by the Glacier Bay Lodge. It is best to make a reservation before you go. Click here for more information. This is a full-day tour that includes lunch, beverages, and a guided ranger program.
Getting Here
The tour takes off from the dock, a straight shot down to the water from the VIS.
Have a great time in Glacier Bay National Park! Happy Trails!
Do you have any clothing recommendations for visiting Glacier Bay (kayaking and hiking)? I’ve read that I shouldn’t bring down jackets because of the humidity. What about shoes? Do you have any favorites? I assume they should be waterproof. Thank you!
Wear synthetic/quick-dry material {no cotton} and bring lots of layers. The weather changes fast, but it often “mists” even if it’s not full-on raining. So definitely some good rain gear. We always wore gore-tex rain gear and xtratuf boots as park rangers. For hiking, I would often just wear my waterproof Merrell hiking boots. You’ll want some good warm layers as well…the summer temps often hover around 50-60 degrees. I hope that helps!
Love your writing! We just left the Tetons and we’re planning a trip back to Alaska… we were all over up north in our RV two summers ago. Is there a way to bring and park the RV in Glacier Bay area (I know we can’t drive there)? We live full time with our dogs and can’t just leave them behind for a few days. Thanks!
The campground in the park is tent-only, but you may be able to find something in Gustavus. The Alaskan Marine Highway {ferry} now stops in Gustavus, so take a look at that for getting your vehicle over there. Good luck!
Hi, I was wondering how long it took you to kayak until you could actually see the glacier?
If leaving from Bartlett Cove, you’ve got to go a long way to see any glaciers. Most people take the boat to one of the drop-off locations further up-bay to start closer to the glaciers. That’s what I would do!
Your personal accounts of these parks are so beautiful and helpful! I have the opportunity to spend my summer working in one of the National Parks, but I have yet to choose which one. What would you recommend between Denali and Glacier Bay? What would be your top three parks be to live in for the summer if you had to choose? Trying to get some expert advice here before I make anything final. Thanks so much for your input!
I just emailed you :)
Great Stuff! We just spent 4 weeks exploring Alaska and it was Amazing! So many adventures to list a few off the top of my head that we loved… Our new favorite city is Juneau Alaska. We did it all from Hiking, Glacier Ice Climbing, Ice Caving, Gold Panning, Heli-hiking, to Cruising. One huge one was wild bear viewing and camping in Lake Clark NP. It is a worlds top 100 travel adventure and an experience of a lifetime.
Sounds amazing!! I love Juneau…the whole Southeast Alaska area is incredible! Lake Clark is still on my to-do list. I’m hoping to get up there for a good amount of time so that I can explore all of the Alaska parks. Thank you for sharing your adventures!
Sounds amazing. I am heading to Juneau in 2 weeks & was wondering about camping in the area ? Is it safe to camp solo ? Too cold ? Any favorite campground with people around ? Bears ? Any favorite hikes ? Also how many days are enough in Juneau ? I have 8 days total & trying to figure out what is the best way to split it up to both see & do some hikes & activities . Thinking may be 4 days in Juneau & 2 nights in Glacier Bay ? & pehaps an overnight trip to Haines — is that too much to pack in 8 days ? Is Is 3 days in GB NP too much ? Is it scrary to camp @ the camp ground in the park ? Bears ??
Thank you so much for any help or tips ?
I actually didn’t spend a lot of time in Juneau…did the main touristy things. It’s a cool city though! 2 nights in Glacier Bay would probably be enough, depending on what you want to do. You’ll definitely want to try your hand at kayaking and you’ll want to take the Bay Cruise to see all of the glaciers. The campground in the park has food storage areas to keep the bears away from the campsites, but you’ll definitely want to bring bear spray!
Have a great time!
Ash
Hi, I LOVE your blog posts, I remember you saying that you were hoping to get to Banff at some point, and I highly recommend it if you haven’t yet made that happen.
Anyways, I was just wondering about the kayaking you recommended. We are planning on visiting and own a canoe, I don’t know if we could use that or if it would make a difference. I would like to ask you what your take on the safety rating of doing that though with so many whales in the area? Is there a lot of people that do it safely or has there been people that have had boats overturned by whales? I can’t imagine having a 100ft whale directly underneath a 12 foot canoe and what we would do if it were to overturn us.
Thank you, and I can’t wait to read more about your adventures. Be sure to check out my blog to see what we cover on our one month roadtrip through Canada, Alaska, and the west coast.
Bri Engle
It’s really not much of a problem, although it is a scary thought to have a huge whale right under you! The thing about kayaking in Glacier Bay is that it often rains/is cold, so you’ll probably want a kayak with a skirt instead of an open canoe if you plan on being on the water for an extended amount of time. Sounds like a great road trip! Safe travels!
Nice article
I know its not technically Glacier Bay, but I would add Mendenhall and the ice caves to this list; this would really help your viewers out.
Many people call it the most beautiful thing they have ever seen.
Thank you for the suggestion! I was lucky enough to visit Mendenhall when I was in the area and when I write a post about other activities in the near vicinity, I will be sure to include it!
I love it! Great article. And, yes, I will take a little of the blame for your #1 phobia of fishing. I just hope Jackson will be a little more open to playing with fish parts.
Thanks! I’m sure he will have to be between you and John taking him fishing :)
Hi there! I’ll be performing on a Cruise out in Alaska from April – August. I’m from the UK originally. We have no dangerous animals over here, other than ourselves haha. Should I be overly concerned about bears? Because I currently am.
Other than this, how do you recommend I get the most out of my time visiting? I’ll be frequenting Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Whittier.
Thanks very much!
Very cool! And yes, Alaska has a lot of wild animals, so you’ll definitely want to be prepared for that :) I would definitely invest in some bear spray while you’re there, and try to travel in groups of 2 or 3 when you’re out exploring!
OMG that’s an enormous fish you caught! It looks gorgeous there :)
I had never seen a fish that big…it was a ton of fun. You should plan a trip out there!
What a delight to read!
Monday I’m heading into the Beardslees with my brand new Ashli’s!
Thank You for remembering!
How fun! You guys will have a great time….just wish I was there with you!
I LOVE your “can’t miss” posts. While I’m not getting to Alaska anytime soon, I will be taking the family to Yellowstone this fall. Hopefully I’ll see a post for that. :)
Angee, you will be seeing a Yellowstone post very very soon!!!
I just discovered your blog and I love it!
Having only seen Glacier Bay from the deck of a cruise ship, I would love to return and have a more “thorough” experience.
What is the best place to stay and base out of? Gustavus?
Thanks
Hi Bill, I’m so glad you stopped by! Glacier Bay is beautiful from the cruise ship, but it is definitely worth another visit. Gustavus has many lodging options, and often times the lodges will shuttle you the 10 miles to Bartlett Cove. The only hotel in Bartlett Cove is the Glacier Bay Lodge, which provides you the best location but may be a little more pricey. Either way you really can’t go wrong!
Hi Ash,
Is it feasible to visit Glacier Bay on day-trips from Gustavus? I’m not keen on taking a cruise, but I’m not sure if I’m up to Alaska backpacking either. From Bartlett Cove, is there much to see within a day’s paddle? Also, how do visitors staying in Gustavus travel the 10 miles to Bartlett Cove? Thanks for your help!
Hi Abby,
Many people stay in Gustavus to visit Glacier Bay….it’s only about 10 miles from Bartlett Cove. Many lodging options have shuttles that will take you into the park, or you can also rent a car or catch a taxi. If you kayak from Bartlett Cove, you could explore part of the Beardslee Islands (gorgeous) in a day no problem. Even kayaking around the cove is great, as there are usually whales right there for you to see. Visiting Glacier Bay without a cruise is an amazing adventure — you’ll love it!!!