They will drop you at the glacier following your tour, allowing you time to explore Mendenhall Glacier and its surrounding terrain on foot. Our facility and lands are managed by the federal government through the United States Forest Service. Wonderful tour to the Glacier. Very knowledgeable and passionate. The ice appears blue, because it absorbs all of the colors of the visible light spectrum except blue, which it reflects. The two stop points in Juneau were ok They both were knowledgeable and extremely excited about the tour and making sure everyone on the tour had a good time! Show Map Glacier Tours Wings Airways & Taku Glacier Lodge 1 Map Website Season: Apr 24 to Sep 29 $290+ 40 min - 3 hrs If youre lucky, youll find black bears chasing the salmon that have spawned in the creek. Lots to see and do. Take the spur road another 1.5 miles to the visitor center. in short the complete package exceeded expectations. Our driver Kenny was so entertaining! Naturalist John Muir named the glacier Auke Glacier in 1888. Juneau Highlights and Mendenhall Glacier Tour. He was so much fun! Thanks, Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews, Unique and Fun Adventure with Best Tour Guides, Great but dont get to explore on glacier. Mendenhall Glacier is worth seeing! You can study the elevated view of the glacier on display as well as interactive geological exhibits explaining glacial formation. By shuttle: For a fee, the Glacier Shuttle is quick and convenient with one leaving from downtown every 30 minutes. By boat: There are a number of day cruises which combine whale-watching and a visit to the glacier. Glacial ice has a unique crystalline structure that absorbs and reflects light, giving the ice its blue appearance. About 400 residents live there year-round, while the population swells to about 1,000 in the summer. $75.00. **THIS TOUR IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE 2023 SEASON** Experience the perfect day sightseeing at the most popular attraction in Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier, followed up by an all-you-can-eat Alaskan salmon bake. Matt and Kelby (our tour guides) were really fun and knowledgeable. Our guide was amazing and shared alot about the area. Pick up and drop off is located at the cruise ship terminal. Up close, watching the ice melt. The 2 stops before that were short, but acceptable because we had time to take a few photographs. Equipment was great and guides were wonderful- great adventure. City tour part was a real disappointment. It was a nice walk and great oportnist to take amazing photos. It's a must-see destination for any Alaska vacation. The Nugget Falls Trail is 2 miles roundtrip and takes about an hour to accomplish. Juneau City Sightseeing and Mendenhall Glacier Tour - Viator As you view the Mendenhall Glacier from the sea, your adventure may include seeing porpoises, seals, sea lions, eagles, herons, or even whales. Mendenhall glacier was very pretty. It needs to be at least 75 minutes; 90 minutes would be better. Juneau Shuttle To The Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau Tours If its cancelled due to poor weather, youll be offered a different date or a full refund. The visitor center was very educational. You have up until 7 days prior to your tour date to cancel for any reason. Both tour guides are very knowledgeable, friendly, kind, and fun. If you want to be the lucky few who can face the majestic Mendenhall Glacier under a very limited U.S. Forest Service permit, this is the right tour for you! A federal order published Friday bans mineral extraction activities such as mining in an expanded area of land . She was so informative giving us the highlights of the tour. I dont like exercising but I will paddled again through that beautiful lake. Could have gone without all the sales pitches for his music and photos. The Trail of Time, a .5-mile paved interpretive walk, features signs marking the glaciers recession. We can't find that wishlist, please refresh the page and try again. Visitor centre has a small store and bathrooms as well as some exhibits. (Dont worry, bears cant get up to the platforms where youll be.). Spend as much time feasting, exploring, and enjoying the entertainment before heading back to your cruise ship. In Alaska, glacier viewing is often best on overcast and rainy days. There is plenty of free parking on site. Was the first time for me and my husband doing paddle and Paul and Bryce have been exceptional guides, super professional but also funny and friendly, you can really feel the passion behind the job! Very easy to find the bus, right where the cruise ship shuttle boats docked! A gentle landing brings you to the ice itself . Learn about local ecosystems and conservation in Alaska during this half-day itinerary. While out on the water, there is no doubt that you'll see humpback whales - this is the time of year they travel to Alaska to feed on thousands of pounds of krill a day. Bryce & Kevin are on time, nice, knowledgeable about the area. On your way to the ice, you will be surrounded by breathtaking scenery of mountain peaks nestled in the Tongass National Forest. Mike, Kevin and the excursion were awesome, knowledgeable, funny, service oriented. There you can also visit the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center for an elevated view of the glacier as well as interactive geological exhibits explaining glacier formation. It was beautiful, along with nugget Falls. Hike through the Tongass National Forest and around the majestic Mendenhall Glacier on foot. Fortunately, about 20-30 mins later, Tammy returned my call and told us we could catch their next shuttle back. You won't believe your ice! Cut-off times are based on the experiences local time. The drivers were nice and very informative. Then, in 1891, it was renamed in honor of Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, who served as Superindendent of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1889 to 1894. The Mendenhall Glacier is a tongue of ice stretching 12 miles from the Juneau Icefield to Mendenhall Lake. The experience of being up close to Mendenhall was second to none!! If you would like to exchange one tour for a different one, you must create a new reservation for the new tour and send us an email to cancel the other tour. First of all, the bus started about 10 to 15 minutes late due to waiting for a few passengers. He said he would be back to pick us up in an hour at 11 o'clock. Juneau City Sightseeing and Mendenhall Glacier Tour, Premier Whale Watch and Mendenhall Glacier Combo, Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Highlights and Mendenhall Glacier Tour, The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall Glacier, Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure in Juneau, Best of Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching and Salmon Bake, Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. Maximize time in Juneau, Alaska with this combination sightseeing tour. Some great views of the glacier can be found within the centre. Driver Jim was excellent. There is no beverage or food service available to prevent bears from becoming food-conditioned. Wear comfortable shoes and have fun! Alaska's Juneau City & Mendenhall Glacier Tour - Shore Excursions Group Maximize time in Juneau, Alaska with this combination sightseeing tour. Juneau Whale Watching Tours and Excursions | Juneau Tours - Juneau, AK Best of Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching and Salmon Bake. Find tickets & tours worldwide. This tour is the same as our Juneau Dog Sledding & Glacier Helicopter Tour except that it will take you on a thrilling mushing ride across the Mendenhall Glacier. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Plan carefully. Visiting the glacier and getting walk around the bay was amazing. From $75.00 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Reserve Now & Pay Later Secure your spot while staying flexible Free cancellation Up to 24 hours in advance. When you get to Mendenhall Glacier . Travel Juneau uses cookies to improve our site and provide a better userexperience. Once you arrive at Juneaus natural treasure theMendenhall Glacier,youre free to explore this wonder from a variety of perspectives likeNugget Creek Falls,Photo Point Trail, which winds along Mendenhall Lake to an unobstructed view of the glaciers face, or the East Glacier Loop. The Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneau's most impressive natural wonders, stretching over 13 miles (21 kilometers). There are options in port to bookif they are full (as they were when we were there) take the bus trip into the National Forest, its worth a look. You can choose to hike to Nugget Falls (plan 1.5 hours for a leisurely walk or at least 1 hour if you hurry), take the Photo Point Trail (20 round trip), look for wildlife along the Steep Creek trail, or stroll up the easy walk to the Visitor Center. We are happy to send you the visitors guide in the mail or you can view the latest guide online. This trail (2-3 hours) is a little steep but makes for a perfect outing for school-age children. Mendenhall Glacier (Juneau): All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Set out on a coach tour that includes highlights of Downtown Juneau, Douglas Island, and the Mendenhall Glacier. Another bus driver with M&M Tours told us he could do nothing and did not offer to call the office. Snowfall in the Juneau Icefield often exceeds 100 feet, which creates excellent conditions for glaciation. Learn about local history and conservation, Skip the hassle of a rental car with a coach tour, Mendenhall Glacier Visitor's Center admission fee is included, Confirmation will be received at time of booking, This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers. Spotting Wildlife: Salmon and Black Bears, Those visiting the Mendenhall Glacier in late July through September can look for views of black bears fishing for salmon. Shuttle service is provided under a permit with the USDA Forest Service. $489 Embark on a rugged hike through the ever-changing glacial icescape of Juneau, Alaska! Venture within yards of the massive, awe-inspiring face of the living Mendenhall Glacier. What a great experience. The trailhead on the lakes southwest corner off Skaters Cabin Road beyond the Mendenhall Campground. Overcast days can bring some of the best glacier views and photographs, so dont let a little rain discourage you! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. HEMLOCK natural growing poisonous plant growing wide beware. Join the ultimate Alaskan adventure that takes you up close and personal with the Mendenhall Glacier. He is the best driver/tour guide ever! For the tour they provides transportation, jackets, pants, helmets and boots of great quality, we had also a good hot chocolate and snacks during the tour; from the beginning to the endwas definitely the best part of our trip in Alaska (But don't let rain discourage your trip! Get ready for a wilderness adventure you won't forget. We ended up working our butts off just getting through the head wind. Don't think it was worth what we paid. Juneau City Sightseeing and Mendenhall Glacier Tour - Tripadvisor Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. The Glacier Shuttle is a quick and convenient way to travel to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center. Beach available to see waterfall and glacier. The full cancellation policy can be found here. 8150 Mendenhall Loop Rd Tongass National Forest, Juneau, AK 99801. The walk was not challenging but the view was awesome. 96% of travellers recommend this experience. The glacier is receding quite a bit, so we only got to walk on a little bit of it and since that bit had been pushed up from the bottom - it was very silt covered, so looked like rock not ice (although it felt very wet and muddy). 5 Juneau, Alaska 99801. Steep granite walls tower over the water's surface. Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour. (Exploring the caves without a professional guide is highly unwise as the glaciers ever-changing shape can make them dangerous.). per adult. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. 4.6 / 5 | 523 Reviews Review This Tour Juneau City and Mendenhall glacier Tour. https://juneaucapitaltransit.org/, How and where to find Alaskas glacierssome of the states most beautiful natural attractions. Lena and Kels were great guides! Mendenhall Glacier & Juneau Whale Watching Combo Tour In winter, the visitor center is open Friday-Sunday from 10am to 4pm and closed on federal holidays. 98% of travellers recommend this experience. It was great being in a small group (only 8). Juneau City & Mendenhall Glacier Combo From $60 Discover Alaska's capital city! The only glacier in Southeast Alaska accessible by road, Mendenhalls grand edifice plunges from the immense Juneau Icefield, dropping 4,500 feet over 13 miles. The payoff was nice though you don't get too far out on the glacier, very few groups will get to go where you do. With more time to spend, there are plenty of additional options as well. Do go out to the various look out points on the way. Now that's one big ice cube. The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers questions. Tour Highlights. What's the Secret to Catching Salmon in Alaska? Juneau's most popular attraction (and the most easily accessible Alaska glacier) is the mighty, magnificent Mendenhall Glacier, located just 13 miles from downtown Juneau and only a few minutes from the airport. A short helicopter flight over the mountains will take you into British Columbia, just 40 or so miles away. They should let the tour be 2 hours at the park. Actually enjoyed nugget falls more than the glacier. Glad we booked with Viator. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Mendenhall Glacier & Guided Walk - Juneau - True Alaskan Tours Shuttle service is provided under a permit with the USDA Forest Service. Juneau Tours Mendenhall Glacier Are you interested in? Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour Alaska Shore Tours No visit to Juneau is complete without a close-up look at the Mendenhall Glacier, one of Alaska's most popular attractions. Board a modern turbine-powered helicopter for a flight to the world-famous Mendenhall Glacier! Everyone in the group enjoyed the time. Upon arrival at the Visitot Center, the driver recommended that we should first find out the next showing time of the 15 minute video, watch it, then decide if we could fit in the 45-min round trip walk to the waterfall. Every tour is unique and space is limited, making this Juneaus most exciting and sought-after adventure tour. The blue color fades as the ice is exposed to air and the crystalline structure breaks down. Disembark at the Mendenhall Glacier and explore both this landmark and its visitor center. In the end, we got back about an hour later, flustered, and did not see our bright orange bus at the terminal. Book Now 2 hours on-the-water whale watching for Humpback whales, sea lions, bald eagles, and other wildlife. The driver introduces passengers to Juneau history, points out famous sites, and gives tips on how to make the most of a visit to the glacier. Highly recommend this your. Impressive and beautiful views of the Mendenhall Glacier both from the visitors center and from the ends of the walks thru the woods. Thanks for the memories!!!! The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall Glacier. more, View the Juneau events calendar and you will find events ranging from gallery walks, open mic nights, IRONMAN more. From the colorful port, to the busy capitol building, to the famous whale statue, this unique city has a surprise around every corner. from. There's a Mendenhall Glacier tour for everyone. Search experiences that may have limited interaction with crowds. Journey across Mendenhall Lake, listen to your knowledgeable guide's explanation of the breathtaking nature surrounding you, and the history and ecology of the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls while navigating the iceberg studded pristine water. This constant movement gives glaciers the power to shape the landscape as they go. The busses run about every 1/2 hour so there is virtually no standing around waiting for a bus. I liked getting pictures with our cruise ship in the background. It does have an elevator for those who would struggle to walk up the ramp. If you have further questions please email [emailprotected] or if it is an urgent matter you can call 1-888-586-8489. Search experiences with increased health and safety practices. Can it be done in that short of time? BEST SELLER. What restaurants are near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center? 90% of travellers recommend this experience. Do the walk to Nugget Falls, it's short. There are city busses that take you to a bus stop that is still a mile walk to the visitor center and then trails to close up of the glacier. Its active face regularly calves big icebergs and brash into its lake. Spectacular views of Mendenhall Glacier and icebergs floating in the lake. The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall Book your Mendenhall Glacier tickets online and skip-the-line! Disembark at the Mendenhall Glacier and explore both this landmark and its visitor center.