Guide to Glaciers in Alaska
Often considered America’s last frontier, Alaska is an exciting destination for the adventure traveler. In addition to the glaciers of the Inside Passage that are so familiar to cruise ship passengers, Juneau and the Southeast Panhandle is home to Sitka National Historic Park and its many recreational activities, as well as the town of Skagway, staging point for the Klondike Gold Rush. In addition to viewing glaciers, wildlife, and spectacular scenery, visit all the well-known ports of Alaska’s Inside Passage.
Anchorage Glaciers
Perhaps Alaska’s most famous city, Anchorage is also it’s largest and most cosmopolitan. Situated on a broad peninsula in Cook Inlet, the city enjoys sweeping views of the Chugach Mountains. Anchorage stretches nearly 50 miles from Eklutna to Portage Glacier, covering almost 2,000 square miles, roughly the size of Delaware. Anchorage boasts a great selection of attractions, restaurants, and shopping, so be sure to plan a visit to the city as part of your Alaska vacation.
Portage Glacier
A 45 to 60-minute drive from Anchorage will take visitors to the Portage Glacier, located south of Portage Lake and 4 mi (6 km) west of Whittier. The Begich Boggs Visitor Center is a good place to start, featuring exhibits and videos. Purchase a ticket here to take a boat cruise to the actual Portage Glacier.
Matanuska Glacier
The Matanuska Glacier is one of Alaska’s oldest glaciers and is spectacular to see. The glacier, which is over 25 mi (40 km) long and has an elevation of 13,000 ft (3,960 m), is easily seen along the Glenn Highway between Palmer and Anchorage.
Copper Center AK Glaciers
Hubbard Glacier
The Hubbard Glacier is Alaska’s longest and most active tidewater glacier, spanning from its source in the Yukon on Mount Logan, 76 mi (122 km) to sea at Yakutat and Disenchantment Bays.
Juneau Glaciers
The Juneau region’s most well-known feature is the world-famous Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park—visited every summer by the world’s luxury cruise ships. Fishing, camping, hiking, and rafting are among the activities that attract visitors to the park. When in Juneau visit the interesting exhibits at Alaska State Museum and learn about the area’s natural history, native peoples and Russian and American influences. Juneau is located on a saltwater channel, so you can see orcas and sea lions from downtown – it’s really quite amazing.
Mendenhall Glacier
The Mendenhall Glacier extends 12 mi (19 km) in length from the Juneau Icefields to Mendenhall Lake. A visitor center onsite provides tourists with information and exhibits about the glacier as well as viewing platforms and windows. The Mendenhall glacier is the only active glacier within the municipal limits of any U.S. city. It is a short 15 ride from the center of downtown, and numerous companies offer excursions to explore this glacier and the adjacent Juneau Icefields. Glacier treks range in difficulty from moderate to extreme, and all require a helicopter ride to a remote location atop the glacier. 13 mi (21 km) from Downtown | Juneau, AK | 99801
Juneau Icefield
A massive conglomeration of snow and ice, the Juneau Icefield is North America’s fifth-largest icefield, covering an area of over 1500 sq mi (3885 sq km). Located in the Coast Mountain Range, north of Juneau, visitors can experience this natural wonder by soaring over the fields with flightseeing or helicopter tours offered by local companies.
Palmer AK Glaciers
Palmer is a farming community and has become a bedroom community for Anchorage, located 42 mi (68 km) to the southwest. A national scenic byway connects the two cities and as in most of Alaska, Palmer has its share of mountain peaks and outdoor adventure. The nearby Knik Glacier can be viewed by boat at the head of the Knik River, while the Matanuska Glacier—one of the state’s oldest and most spectacular glaciers—is a popular destination for sightseeing flights, glacier landings, and treks.
Knik Glacier
Located in the Matsu Valley near Palmer, the Knik Glacier’s face shows itself at the head of the Knik River, as well as along Lake George. The glacier is approximately 200 ft (61 m) thick and visitors can view it by jet boat or sightseeing flights. Palmer, AK
Matanuska Glacier
The Matanuska Glacier is one of Alaska’s oldest glaciers and is as spectacular in size as it is in age. The glacier, which is over 25 mi (40 km) long and has an elevation of 13,000 ft (3,960 m), is easily seen along the Glenn Highway between Palmer and Anchorage. Glenn Highway | Palmer to Anchorage, AK
Whittier Glaciers
The City of Whittier, Alaska, is located in Prince William Sound, a fjord at the head of Passage Canal, 65 miles southeast of Anchorage. Established as a strategic military facility during the Second World War, Whittier’s ice-free port remains a focal point for marine activity and freight transfer from sea train barges serving South-Central Alaska. Prince William Sound is situated at the top of the Gulf of Alaska. Deep within the Sound lies the beautiful College Fjord, home of 16 glaciers named for the Ivy League colleges that sponsored the Harriman Expedition in 1899.
Only 60 miles from Anchorage, Whittier beckons with all the beauty of Prince William Sound – a place where you learn the real meaning of the word “fjord”. The Sound is made up of many deep fjords with tidewater glaciers that calve before your eyes, and islands around every turn. Sight Seeing Cruises from Whittier visit spectacular sceneries such as Surprise Glacier. Whittier is also surrounded by the Chugach National Forest, the second largest in the United States and a vast wilderness.
Portage Glacier
4 Miles west of Whittier will take visitors to the Portage Glacier, located south of Portage Lake and a 45-60 minute drive from Anchorage. Portage Glacier is the crown jewel in a valley studded with alpine glaciers. Enjoy Portage Glacier by boat or by hiking a USFS trail. The glacier is part of the Chugach National Forest, located south of Portage Lake. Anchorage, AK
Premier Alaskan Day-Cruises offers day tours leaving from several different locations in Alaska, including Juneau, Gustavus, Seward, Sitka, and Whittier. They offer glacier, wildlife, and whale-watching tours boat tours, as well as combination cruise/motorcoach tours. They also offer ferry service between Gustavus and Juneau. 907 789-5701
Alaskan Cruises
Alaska is a land you must explore to appreciate, and there’s no better way to explore Alaska than on a cruise where you’ll see the breathtaking Alaskan interior, the majestic fjords, and the beautiful wildlife! Alaska is a land you must explore to appreciate, and there’s no better way to explore Alaska than on a cruise where you’ll see the breathtaking Alaskan interior, the majestic fjords, and the beautiful wildlife.
Alaska cruises have become one of the most popular ways to visit Alaska. Cruises feature glaciers, wildlife, great food, entertainment, interesting ports of call and fascinating tours along way… and you only have to unpack once! There are a number of different cruise itineraries in Alaska offered by most of the major lines. We highly recommend the Gulf of Alaska cruise itinerary offered by Princess Cruises. These week-long cruises travel between Seward and Vancouver, BC with either a northbound or southbound itinerary. Highlights include Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord in Prince William Sound, and interesting port towns like Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. Shore excursions are available in each port, from historic railroad trips to landing on a glacier by helicopter.
Princess Cruises offers the newest ships in this Alaska market featuring the Sun Princess, Coral Princess, Dawn Princess, and Island Princess. These fabulous ships are often called floating cities, with features like numerous restaurants, lounges, Broadway-style entertainment, casinos, health clubs, movie theaters, libraries, and more. Alaska cruises represent a great value – combining your transportation, meal, entertainment and sightseeing expenses into one fare. More on our Alaskan Cruise Guide page