Glacier Bay National Park is located in Southeast Alaska west of Juneau. This national park has about 3.3 million acres with glaciers, rugged mountains, wild coastlines, deep sheltered fjords, and temperate rainforests. The two major arms of Glacier Bay National Park are the East Arm and the West Arm. It also has more than 50 named glaciers. Animals like mountain goats, whales, moose, seals, brown and black bears, eagles, and many other species of birds are found in the Glacier Bay National Park.
Entrances to Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park is situated in the west of Juneau, Alaska. It can be reached by boat or plane. There is a road that connects the small town called ‘Gustavus’ and its airfield to the Glacier Bay National Park’s headquarters at Barlett Cove which is 10 miles away. During summer, there is a jet service provided by Alaska Airlines from Juneau to Gustavus. There is also a year-round air service provided to Gustavus by many different air taxis and charters. Many people go to Glacier Bay as passengers on tour boats, charter boats, onboard cruise ships, and by their private vessels. Visiting Glacier Bay will be the highlight of Alaska’s adventures.
How to reach Glacier Bay National Park?
By Air
Alaska Airlines allows a daily jet service from Juneau and Gustavus during the summer season. And the Juneau has jet service daily from Anchorage and Seattle.
Small-plane flights are allowed daily year-round between Juneau and Gustavus by Air taxi companies.
And the companies also fly a network of routes that joins Juneau and Gustavus to Skagway, Haines, and few other towns. Air taxis will assist you to get into Glacier Bay’s wilderness. It’s about 30 minutes flying time from Juneau to Gustavus.
Glacier Bay National Park at Dry Bay has an air taxi service from Yakutat. There is also daily jet service to Yakutat from Juneau and Anchorage.
By Sea
Alaska Marine Highway System
The Ferry LeConte stops in Gustavus twice a week from Juneau during the summer season. The ferry dock lies in Barlett Cover which is about 9 miles from Glacier Bay park headquarters. If you wish to bring your private vehicle, be aware that vehicle-based activities will be limited. If you want to take Ferry to Gustavus, you will have to ride the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Juneau to Gustavus.
There are many cruise ships and tour vessels are scheduled in a day in their Southeast Alaska routes. There is also a daily boat tour in the park that conducts trips from Barlett Cove to the tidewater glaciers. The private charter boats conduct multi-day adventures limited to small groups.
There are dangerous crossings where some of the kayakers paddles from the communities which are nearby like Haines, Hoonah, Juneau, or Pelican. Few bring their kayak to the park on a ferry or they will rent one in Glacier Bay or Gustavus.
Ground Transport
Buses and taxis run between Bartlett Cove and Gustavus. There are also bicycles where you can rent from lodges and local inns.