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We had some time in Juneau and decided to take a taxi out to Mendenhall Glacier, since it's not very far away. On the drive, we saw a black bear on the side of the road so that was neat. When we got to the park, we took the short trail to Nugget Falls that is also within view of the glacier. The waterfall is huge and the scenery is awesome. After walking back, we stopped into the visitor center and spent a little time looking around as well. Highly recommend a visit here.
This Forest Service Park is very well maintained and has some excellent trails, though the short trails are very crowded. To escape the crowds, Try the approximately 5 mile east glacier loop and the trail of time, the latter has interpretive signs describing the glaciers reach in the past versus now. Along Glacier loop you will find AJ falls and views of Mendenhall Lake. This trail has some elevation gain with switchbacks and a long area of platform steps to give you a bit of a workout. Also check out views of Nuggets falls from some of the beach areas of the Lake. The wildflowers are amazing in the summer - pink, red, purple, yellows.
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center was fun to visit. Informative displays and a good variety of souvenirs to purchase. The trails around the visitor center were short - I love short trails where you get an idea of the fauna. There were some great views of Mendenhall Glacier from the visitor center too!
My visit here was so fun. I went to photo point & also walked to nugget falls which was so pretty! The visitors center has a map of all the trails available. There's also a small museum, telescopes to see the glacier and souvenirs.
Really unique place until the glacier melts then they might have to change the name to Medenhall Glacier Memorial Park. We were able to drop by this on our way to the whale watching tour. We were able to do the short trail, walk up to the lake. If you have time, you can walk up to the Nugget Falls trail in 30min. It's a lot of snow melt, and it's pretty. The visitor center is small, but informative. They do have Junior Ranger program. Small parking lot and facilities to make the time at the park enjoyable. We were really lucky as the sun was out, despite the rainy season. Nice park, great views that near Juneau has to offer.
OK, so I'm gonna have a very biased experience. We had really amazing beautiful skies clear. The sun was out weather our whole entire trip so I definitely recommend doing this and bring your camera.
A must visit if you are in Juneau. We had transportation to the park courtesy of a cruise excursion and arrived there around 9:30 AM, before the visitor center had even opened. At that time there was only a moderate amount of people, and we were able to walk to the mendenhall glacier overlook and have a nice time viewing it and taking pictures. The walk is easy and mostly level. A little while later, the park was mobbed, so we were glad for our early arrival. Unfortunately, we had a short turnaround before the bus was leaving, not long enough to hike to the Falls, a disappointment. But the visitor center is nice, with displays, and a great informative video. The center's high vantage point provides a great overview of the glacier and surrounding lake for pictures. The center has dramatic scenes of how the glacier has receded, a sad reality as you realize you're not seeing it in all its glory. Pro tip: if you are short on time to get back to your bus, take the elevator down to the bottom!
The visitor center is located about 15 minutes from downtown Juneau. We went on a Sunday afternoon with several cruise ships that were docked at the Juneau Cruise ship docks at the time. It was insanely busy. There were way too many people there. We actually had to wait our turn for a spot to clear up to even get dropped off or picked up. You'll definitely have to wait your turn and fight for space to get views of the glacier and or for photographs. Because of the congestion, we only had time for the short trail. The short trail is cement and not dirt and very easy to walk. The longer trail is about 2 miles round-trip and you'll actually get to go to the nearby waterfall. Since our tour bus was coming back at 5:10 PM we decided to wait the rest of the time in the visitor center. You will have to walk up several flights of stairs or wait in line for an eternity for the elevator. Again it was way too congested inside a visitor center , with nowhere to sit and people bumping into each other. We could not even fit in the gift shop to look for any souvenirs. The park rangers do close the inside bathrooms about 15 minutes before closing which caused complete chaos at the bathrooms outside. I would highly recommend going very early in the morning to beat the crowds, and to just rent a car or take an Uber instead of a tour.
The Mendenhall Glacier is the main attraction on our Cruise stop in Juneau. We took a taxi to the visitor center which is much more convenient and less expensive than booking the cruise's excursion. The center is small but offer great views of the area. The center provides nice information and exhibits on the glacier. Afterwards we take a hike on Nugget Falls Trail to Mendenhall Falls for photo ops. A must visit when you are in Juneau
This was a great spot to see a glacier up close. It's very informative but also very sad and sobering. They do a good job of demonstrating the impact of climate change.
The most amazing experience I've ever had seeing a Glacier and a wonderfully waterfall. The trails are very easy, and not long. It a place you absolutely need to visit if you want breathtaking views.
Our long hiking journey to the falls... The Mendenhall Glacier is a must to visit while in the area. This was a stop in Juneau via a Alaska inland cruise trip. If you take the cruise tour you will pay some outrageous price. Please do what's best for your journey and health. This trek was not for all. We decided to walk to the bus station (15min walk from port), the bus takes approx 35min to arrive along a walkable path that takes you 1.5miles one way. You will meet other hikers and bikers on your journey. The path is clearly marked, again keep in mind you are in the wild, you may encounter a bear, no eating. Take bear spray with you for safety. We met a lovely couple and walked together. One you arrive at the park have your national park pass or purchase one at the visitor center. The visitor center was clean bathrooms, nice gift shop, helpful guides, a film to view, food and seating to rest. They have a upstairs and down stairs for viewing. We decided to walk another 2miles to the waterfall in the park. Yes, more walking, Lol! You are in bear country, so make noise and no eating along the trails. The waterfall was so beautiful, it was indeed worth the journey! Now its time to make the long journey back walking the reverse. This was a trip to remember. Once we got back to town we walked all over Juneau to see more sites. Each of us finished out the day with around 30,000 steps for the entire day! "You Can Do It" @glampedlife
There's a reason the Mendenhall is the most-visited attraction in Juneau. It's a glacier you feel you can almost reach out and touch with your hand, no ice ax or crampons required, no dangerous crevasses to avoid, no need to set up your North Face tent on the ice for a chilly overnight stay. You can visit this glacier, take some pics, do some hiking, and still be back in town by noon to enjoy a beer and a cup of clam chowder. This was my third cruise to Alaska, and thus my third time visiting the Mendenhall. It's just as exciting and impressive as it has always been. For this visit, we rented a car via Turo, so we had as much time as we wanted/needed to check out the visitor center and all things around it. Our favorite part was the 1 mile loop hike behind the visitor center. It was a beautiful, soul-refreshing hike through the rain forest, crossing many steams and creeks. Highly recommend! I loved that, by renting a car, we were able to spend as much time as we wanted to at the visitor center. Next time, hopefully the weather will be a bit better and we can check out the waterfall again, too!
17 days ago
If you're visiting Juneau, the hike to Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls is an absolute must. The views are breathtaking from start to finish, and seeing the glacier up close with Nugget Falls cascading beside it is something you won't forget. Money-saving tip: Skip the expensive excursions and take the Juneau Capital Transit bus from downtown to Dredge Lake Rd., which is the closest bus stop to Mendenhall. From there, it's about a 1.7-mile walk to the Visitor Center, followed by an easy 1.5-mile hike to Nugget Falls. The trail is well maintained and suitable for most people. The bus costs just $2 each way. Be sure to bring exact change or download the Token Transit app from the App Store to pay your fare. The bus system was easy to navigate, and we had no trouble figuring it out. In my opinion, this is one of the best values in Juneau. You get the same incredible glacier views and unforgettable experience that many people pay hundreds of dollars for on organized excursions. If you're comfortable walking a few miles, this is absolutely the way to do it! read more
Very accessible Visitor Center with views of the Glacier just a short distance from the bus and shuttle drop off location. Visitor center has an elevator to the 2nd floor that provides insight, views, and toilets. If in Juneau via a cruise ship you can access the park via both shore excursions and tour operators. No real complications on May 5, on that clear dry day, though 5 cruise ships were in port making the park entrance busy with both tourists and transports. It was a nice way to see a glacier, but the initial park area was crowded, so do not expect to escape from the bustle of tourists unless you explore deeper into the park. read more
Extraordinary! If you are in Juneau or coming into port from a cruise, you need to come here! I actually went at the end of April. It was raining, but just bring an umbrella! EXPERIENCE: You must do the Nugget Falls trail. It's flat, easy, and takes you to the waterfall in less than a mile. The waterfall is stunning. You will be very close to the glacier from there! The trail itself is a fairy tale. Greenery, ferns, moss, rocks, and small waterfalls surround you. You will want to stop and take pictures of everything! OVERALL: This is almost an emotional experience. I want to go back one day and I'm so grateful I was able to experience it. read more
We had some time in Juneau and decided to take a taxi out to Mendenhall Glacier, since it's not very far away. On the drive, we saw a black bear on the side of the road so that was neat. When we got to the park, we took the short trail to Nugget Falls that is also within view of the glacier. The waterfall is huge and the scenery is awesome. After walking back, we stopped into the visitor center and spent a little time looking around as well. Highly recommend a visit here. read more
This Forest Service Park is very well maintained and has some excellent trails, though the short trails are very crowded. To escape the crowds, Try the approximately 5 mile east glacier loop and the trail of time, the latter has interpretive signs describing the glaciers reach in the past versus now. Along Glacier loop you will find AJ falls and views of Mendenhall Lake. This trail has some elevation gain with switchbacks and a long area of platform steps to give you a bit of a workout. Also check out views of Nuggets falls from some of the beach areas of the Lake. The wildflowers are amazing in the summer - pink, red, purple, yellows. read more
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center was fun to visit. Informative displays and a good variety of souvenirs to purchase. The trails around the visitor center were short - I love short trails where you get an idea of the fauna. There were some great views of Mendenhall Glacier from the visitor center too! read more
My visit here was so fun. I went to photo point & also walked to nugget falls which was so pretty! The visitors center has a map of all the trails available. There's also a small museum, telescopes to see the glacier and souvenirs. read more
Really unique place until the glacier melts then they might have to change the name to Medenhall Glacier Memorial Park. We were able to drop by this on our way to the whale watching tour. We were able to do the short trail, walk up to the lake. If you have time, you can walk up to the Nugget Falls trail in 30min. It's a lot of snow melt, and it's pretty. The visitor center is small, but informative. They do have Junior Ranger program. Small parking lot and facilities to make the time at the park enjoyable. We were really lucky as the sun was out, despite the rainy season. Nice park, great views that near Juneau has to offer. read more
3 months ago
OK, so I'm gonna have a very biased experience. We had really amazing beautiful skies clear. The sun was out weather our whole entire trip so I definitely recommend doing this and bring your camera. read more
14 days ago
A must visit if you are in Juneau. We had transportation to the park courtesy of a cruise excursion and arrived there around 9:30 AM, before the visitor center had even opened. At that time there was only a moderate amount of people, and we were able to walk to the mendenhall glacier overlook and have a nice time viewing it and taking pictures. The walk is easy and mostly level. A little while later, the park was mobbed, so we were glad for our early arrival. Unfortunately, we had a short turnaround before the bus was leaving, not long enough to hike to the Falls, a disappointment. But the visitor center is nice, with displays, and a great informative video. The center's high vantage point provides a great overview of the glacier and surrounding lake for pictures. The center has dramatic scenes of how the glacier has receded, a sad reality as you realize you're not seeing it in all its glory. Pro tip: if you are short on time to get back to your bus, take the elevator down to the bottom! read more
The visitor center is located about 15 minutes from downtown Juneau. We went on a Sunday afternoon with several cruise ships that were docked at the Juneau Cruise ship docks at the time. It was insanely busy. There were way too many people there. We actually had to wait our turn for a spot to clear up to even get dropped off or picked up. You'll definitely have to wait your turn and fight for space to get views of the glacier and or for photographs. Because of the congestion, we only had time for the short trail. The short trail is cement and not dirt and very easy to walk. The longer trail is about 2 miles round-trip and you'll actually get to go to the nearby waterfall. Since our tour bus was coming back at 5:10 PM we decided to wait the rest of the time in the visitor center. You will have to walk up several flights of stairs or wait in line for an eternity for the elevator. Again it was way too congested inside a visitor center , with nowhere to sit and people bumping into each other. We could not even fit in the gift shop to look for any souvenirs. The park rangers do close the inside bathrooms about 15 minutes before closing which caused complete chaos at the bathrooms outside. I would highly recommend going very early in the morning to beat the crowds, and to just rent a car or take an Uber instead of a tour. read more
The Mendenhall Glacier is the main attraction on our Cruise stop in Juneau. We took a taxi to the visitor center which is much more convenient and less expensive than booking the cruise's excursion. The center is small but offer great views of the area. The center provides nice information and exhibits on the glacier. Afterwards we take a hike on Nugget Falls Trail to Mendenhall Falls for photo ops. A must visit when you are in Juneau read more
10 months ago
This was a great spot to see a glacier up close. It's very informative but also very sad and sobering. They do a good job of demonstrating the impact of climate change. read more
1 year ago
The most amazing experience I've ever had seeing a Glacier and a wonderfully waterfall. The trails are very easy, and not long. It a place you absolutely need to visit if you want breathtaking views. read more
2 years ago
Our long hiking journey to the falls... The Mendenhall Glacier is a must to visit while in the area. This was a stop in Juneau via a Alaska inland cruise trip. If you take the cruise tour you will pay some outrageous price. Please do what's best for your journey and health. This trek was not for all. We decided to walk to the bus station (15min walk from port), the bus takes approx 35min to arrive along a walkable path that takes you 1.5miles one way. You will meet other hikers and bikers on your journey. The path is clearly marked, again keep in mind you are in the wild, you may encounter a bear, no eating. Take bear spray with you for safety. We met a lovely couple and walked together. One you arrive at the park have your national park pass or purchase one at the visitor center. The visitor center was clean bathrooms, nice gift shop, helpful guides, a film to view, food and seating to rest. They have a upstairs and down stairs for viewing. We decided to walk another 2miles to the waterfall in the park. Yes, more walking, Lol! You are in bear country, so make noise and no eating along the trails. The waterfall was so beautiful, it was indeed worth the journey! Now its time to make the long journey back walking the reverse. This was a trip to remember. Once we got back to town we walked all over Juneau to see more sites. Each of us finished out the day with around 30,000 steps for the entire day! "You Can Do It" @glampedlife read more
2 years ago
There's a reason the Mendenhall is the most-visited attraction in Juneau. It's a glacier you feel you can almost reach out and touch with your hand, no ice ax or crampons required, no dangerous crevasses to avoid, no need to set up your North Face tent on the ice for a chilly overnight stay. You can visit this glacier, take some pics, do some hiking, and still be back in town by noon to enjoy a beer and a cup of clam chowder. This was my third cruise to Alaska, and thus my third time visiting the Mendenhall. It's just as exciting and impressive as it has always been. For this visit, we rented a car via Turo, so we had as much time as we wanted/needed to check out the visitor center and all things around it. Our favorite part was the 1 mile loop hike behind the visitor center. It was a beautiful, soul-refreshing hike through the rain forest, crossing many steams and creeks. Highly recommend! I loved that, by renting a car, we were able to spend as much time as we wanted to at the visitor center. Next time, hopefully the weather will be a bit better and we can check out the waterfall again, too! read more
This stop is a must for anyone visiting the area. It's an amazing chance to see a glacier in person and to look at nature in all its majesty. The visitor center is larger with great views from most angles. It's easy to access and the staff was really friendly. They engaged with our little one and walked her through earning a sticker and badge for little rangers, which she absolutely loved and still talks about. The building was clean and well kept. They have a bus pull in area for tours and the park is large with great trails. You can easily spread out and get great photos for lifetime memories here. Overall: A+ Gorgeous natural glacier visitor center with excellent views and access points. read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
After arriving in Juneau, we avoided the crowded cruise shuttles and grabbed a taxi to Mendenhall. The glacier is an unreal blue! Pictures does not do it justice. Definitely worth a stop. From here, we walked over to Nugget falls. Tip: The visitors center has a water bottle refill station. read more
Cool place in July! But I did work up a sweat hiking up the trail (in a raincoat) to see the famous Mendenhall glacier. This park has varying degrees of trails, overlooks, and facilities! Some are longer, more complex, while others are paved. It can accept those of limited mobility up to rock climbers! The parking lots can handle 2 wheelers to large tour busses. Infants to 90+ year olds. The visitor center is really well done and blends in well with the surrounding rock. As you look at the glacier, just remember it was once over a thousand feet taller thousands of years ago. I was enjoying the small icebergs as they had interesting looking shapes. If you are in the region, you should come here. The drive is beautiful! The park is well done. The views are great. The facilities are really good. It is well maintained. Better get here before the ice is gone! read more
3 years ago
We took the excursion to the site from our cruise ship. The visitor center is very nice inside and they have a short film that talks about the history of the glacier and the area. The beautiful Mendenhall Glacier (in Tlingit language "Sít") is a glacier about 13 miles long located in Mendenhall Valley, about 12 miles from downtown Juneau, Alaska. The glacier and surrounding landscape is a protected part of the Tongass National Forest. The glacier was awe inspiring on both land and from our cruise ship. We could hear cracking a few times and saw a small piece fall into the water. It truly is a breathtaking sight to see! read more
1 year ago
"You're digging for gold, you're throwing away A fortune in feelings, but someday you'll pay You're as cold as ice" (Foreigner) "Don't be surprised when a crack in the ice Appears under your feet" (Pink Floyd) Ever seen a thirteen mile long river of ice? Well, if that's on your bucket list, you can pop a check mark next to it when you visit the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. It's gorgeous here! You have great views of that big glacier, Mendenhall Lake, mountains, and icebergs drifting along in the water. They also have a Visitor Center/ Museum with a bookstore and gifts, and a few hiking trails that will get you beautiful views of waterfalls and salmon streams. There's plenty of wildlife out there, so keep an eye open for bears, porcupines, beavers, bald eagles, and salmon. What an awesome way to spend a few hours! read more
Came here as part of an excursion and initially I was disappointed. Disappointed because I can tell from global warming that this glacier is not what it used to be. I wish I was able to see it many years ago when It was much bigger. After thinking about this, I reflected that this is a once a in lifetime opportunity as someone visiting Alaska. There is a short hike that will provide great photo opportunities. Bring a zoom/telephoto lens. There's also a longer hike that bring you to a waterfall and even closer to the glacier. Due to time constraints we couldn't make the longer hike. Definitely worth checking out when visiting Juneau. read more
This is a must see if you come to Juneau. Beautiful majestic scenery abounds where you get great views of the Glazier and get a great history lesson on how glaziers are formed and see how the glazier has changed over time though nice displays throughout the visitor center. There are also some gentle scenic hiking trails at this park as well leading to a beautiful large Nugget waterfall that is very majestic in its own right. Relative to the educational element, the visitor center has great displays/photo's and on site Ranger presentations that show how the Glazier was formed and how much it has unfortunately shrank over the last fifty or so years which is shown through photo's and satellite shots. This was a bit disturbing and the most eye opening part of the excursion for me as a picture is worth a thousand words as they say and the pictures/displays here are painting a sad picture relative to this glazier. Overall, what I really found appealing about this excursion is that it offers a great balance of activity based walking to complement the beautiful scenery with an educational element woven into it. A perfect outing/excursion if you are a like minded person and one that should not be missed! read more
Worth your stop to Mendenhall glacier. Beautiful view from the visitor center. The is a flight of stairs but elevators are also available where the the trails to nugget falls start. There is a small gift shop and several displays. The kids can do a junior ranger activity and get a badge. There are also different displays and exhibit for viewing. read more
2 years ago
The soul of Alaska lies in its nature! Mendenhall Glacier is a visual feast that takes your breath away and captivates you to the core. Dream come true for me. We visited on a cruise excursion for a self guided tour. There is no entrance fee. The glacier is a true wonder of the world. The hike to Nugget Falls is definitely worth it! These are the biggest waterfalls I have seen in my life. Everyone needs to experience this! read more
Mendenhall is quite spectacular, do yourself a favor and catch a taxi from town to the visitor center. You have to pay extra to get them to take you all the way in. Here are the other options, 1. Catch public transportation and walk the 1.5miles to and from the center. 2. Get the taxi but not pay the entrance fee and walk 1.5 mi to and from the center 3. Take a tour/excursion bus ($50-$100 per person, princess excursion) . We chose the private taxi to and from town the total was $120 (Round trip) not bad. Doug was great, shared with us his story and all the knowledge he had of Juneau nice enough to give us his card so he can pick us up. The visitor center & discovery southeast book store hours are 8am-730pm 7 days a week. If we planned this in advance, I would've added a bit of hiking. We only learned of this place through some of the locals and decided on a whim to give them a visit, we were already a bit tired from our excursion in the a.m it was around 4pm when we got here. Go, you'll be glad to see this beautiful glacier and remember its only once in a lifetime! For Taxi service use Juneau Taxi and Tours - Doug Pegues 907-723-6219 or google them for the general # read more
To be in Alaska is to be with nature. I'm so happy I had the chance to visit one of the world's wonders in the US and witness a standing glacier. The surrounding landscape is breathtaking and captures the beauty that the world has to offer. The contrast of the glacier against the rugged terrain is a sight that reveals the powerful forces of nature and serves as a reminder of the Earth's enduring power. The scent of the outdoors is crisp, fresh, and clean. The glacier feels so close yet so far. We rented a car from our cruise dock to travel to the visitor center, the most convenient way to travel, especially for large parties, given the older age of some of our family members. Once you park, take the opportunity to learn about Alaska's history at the visitor center. You can mesmerize the glacier through their large telescope. You can walk along the long path to the waterfall (around a 15-minute walk). It will be worth it, I promise. Take lots of photos, enjoy the moment. It will be a wonderful memory you won't forget. read more
3 years ago
Mendenhall Glacier and the cascades are a surreal place to visit. The glacier and cascades are a once in a lifetime sight. The view will put you at awe, and the surroundings are utterly peaceful. This is a place you must visit in Juneau, Alaska. read more
Great spot with tons of options. There's paid trails for more specific views and harder trails but also free options for some great views of the falls. Clean and well kept and very accessible for everyone. Most of the trail to the falls was paved and shaded. Very relaxing stroll to a great view. Clean bathrooms at the start of the trails. read more
Mendenhall Glacier maybe back in the day was a 5 star experience...going back 10, 15 and 20 years ago. But, fast forward to this present day of August 2022, and Mendenhall Glacier is a shell of its former self. It has receded like no other glacier I have witnessed throughout my Alaskan travels. And in fact, the primary discussion or topic, or message that the Visitor Center (which is situated right in front of "The Toe" of the glacier) was relaying to all the tourists that came here...is how much Mendenhall Glacier has shrunk in size. And when you think about the bigger picture... Mendenhall Glacier will never return to its original form. It's only downhill from here, and forever. And when I contemplate about that reality, it's sorta depressing. I guess, I wish I had visited here many years ago to appreciate and admire the best of what this glacier once appeared like. And one more thing, just looking at the pictures from inside the Visitor Center and the recessional transformation that Mendenhall Glacier has taken on...yeah, the photos were staggering! But, still, I am satisfied for the most part to have come here and explored around. Here's a big problem I discovered... Woah...the amount of cruise ship passengers! Yes, Juneau, Alaska, is one of the main primary hubs for cruise ship vessels to stop in port for the day. And the #1 activity for sightseeing in Juneau is definitely this, coming to Mendenhall Glacier. Before I go into anymore detail, I'll just rundown some statistics from my experience... - Mendenhall Glacier and the Visitor Center are located 13 miles northeast of downtown Juneau and the cruise ship port. - While walking around downtown, I overheard tours and transportations being offered to the glacier for $45 roundtrip. I believe that's just letting you off at the Glacier/Visitor Center to then venture on your own. - For me, I had a car so no problem getting there. - It is $5 fee per person day pass. - The VC is open daily from 8am - 7:30pm. - There is a very small and limited gift shop inside the VC to buy souvenirs. - The VC hosts a 15-minute film about Mendenhall Glacier and the rapid recessionary reasons behind it. - There are a bunch of short hikes to casually walk about for unique viewing perspectives of Mendenhall Glacier. They include... 1. Photo Point - 1/3 of a mile walk to an observation point. 2. Steep Creek - 1/4 mile loop along a boardwalk. 3. Trail of Time - 1 mile loop. Step back in time learning the history of Mendenhall along a paved and gravel walkway. 4. East Glacier - "challenging hike through the rain forest". 3.5 mile loop for 2.5 hours. 5. NUGGETT FALLS - the most popular hike at Mendenhall Glacier - "leads to the stunning falls of Nugget Creek". 2 mile walk roundtrip and 1 hour time. Let me say a little more about Nugget Falls... This was the busiest of all the trails by far! Upon arriving at the Mendenhall Lake Shores...it's very hard to capture photos. The number of tourists/visitors standing around was overwhelming, imo. I had to work hard and patiently wait before snapping my best photographs. The waterfall was striking...and you can get as up close to it as possible without hindrances. My advice would be to hike the trail first thing in the morning when you arrive or wait till the end of the day, when people have to return to their buses and cruise ships. Interestingly, from the shoreline at Nugget Falls, Mendenhall Glacier used to be visible, but not anymore. The glacier is completely obstructed by the rocks now. I'd also like to mention...is just how Mendenhall Glacier wasn't too colorful. It appeared dirty, especially the top layer of it. I'm just saying that I have been to other glaciers that appeared white and glistened...and this one looked roughed up and in poor shape. So, if I had to rank the general appearance and attractiveness of Mendenhall Glacier in comparison to say...being on a boat cruise viewing another glacier from water...I'd rank this towards the bottom. Finally, lol, and I know I've written a lot...it's the amount of passengers coming here from cruise ships was ridiculously out of control! Way too many people here, and this was in late August, towards the end of the popular summer travel season. And with the hiking trails being easily accessible for people of all ages, the congestion was at a fever pitch! Ultimately...if you're looking to get away into nature...this place is definitely not it. Or, if you're looking to capture your most epic, memorable photos as reminders of why you visited Alaska...you won't get it here as well (imo). Mendenhall Glacier is unfortunately a prisoner to the hands of time. It'll never get any better than the day prior, and so on...and so on. And, at least for me, when I put the idea that "nothing lasts forever" into context, Mendenhall Glacier may be the epitome of this concept. read more
Mendenhall Glacier is a must-see when visiting Juneau. It's one of many attractions especially for those arriving on a cruise ship (which was what my parents and I did) that even if you're heading to Glacier Bay National Park, it's still a worthwhile visit. As many have mentioned, the glacier is located 12 miles outside of Juneau to the north. If you are traveling solo and have some time, I'd recommend taking the public bus from Juneau out here, since it's only $2 compared to the $45 roundtrip charge for the tourist shuttles. For the shuttle - it's a pricey ask for the convenience but if that amount isn't a concern, then definitely roll in and enjoy the commentary by the bus drivers; they are a hoot! The glacier itself is magnificent - rain or shine. Photos really don't do it justice. Once you arrive to the parking lot, it's a short five minute walk to the Visitor Center (clean bathrooms upstairs) and a fork in the road, taking you either through to Nugget Falls (a mile hike) or to a viewpoint for the Glacier. Depending on your party's interests, you can spend 2-3 hours here easily if you include everything in the surrounding area. Bring a warm jacket as it will likely rain and be sure to snap photos, but also put the phone down to really admire the natural beauty of the glacier. read more
3 years ago
Can you even say you've been to Juneau if you don't stop take in all the cool stuff Mendenhall Glacier Park and visitors center had to offer? With all the shuttles, buses and cars there's too many ways to get here to not stop by to enjoy its beauty. There are many stairs to climb to the center. But also a elevator for those unable to access them. There's a gray short movie to watch, bathrooms and many picture opportunities. Please be respectful of the area. It's breathtaking, especially if you hike one of the many trails nearby . My favorite was Definitely to Nuggets Falls a few miles in and out from the center. read more
3 years ago
On a Tuesday morning in May, my family and I drove here from the cruise ship, it wasn't too bad at 3pm. It is a steep incline to walk to visitors center. Once inside, very crowded inside and hard to look for merchandise because people are in the way. Also it was very warm inside. I left right away once I seen how crowded and hot it was. Beautiful glaciers and waterfall. Parking available. read more
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Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center - visitorcenters - Updated August 2026
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