Photo: MusikAnimal, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Two hundred years ago this whole bay was buried under ice. Today it is open water, and the glaciers sit at the far ends of long inlets, cracking and calving into the sea while humpback whales feed nearby. No road reaches the park: you fly or sail to Gustavus, then follow a short road to Bartlett Cove, the only developed corner. From there, most of the park is seen from the deck of a boat or the seat of a kayak. Bring rain gear and patience, and you will see a landscape still being born.
TRAILS
1 OF 5
Glacier Bay Day Boat
Difficulty
Easy
Length
Full day (about 8.5 hr)
Elevation gain
None
Bartlett Cove to the West Arm — This is the trip that makes the park. The boat leaves Bartlett Cove early and runs all the way up the bay to the tidewater glaciers, with a ranger on board pointing out whales, sea otters, mountain goats and brown bears on the shore. The highlight is sitting off the face of Margerie Glacier, listening for the crack before the ice falls. Pack a warm hat and gloves; it gets cold fast near the ice.
⚠︎ Summer only. Book through Glacier Bay Lodge. Weather and wildlife closures can change the route.
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2 OF 5
Forest Trail
Difficulty
Easy
Length
1 mi loop
Elevation gain
Minimal
Bartlett Cove — A short loop through spruce and hemlock rainforest, thick with moss, on dirt paths and boardwalk. It passes quiet ponds and ends back on the beach by the lodge. Rangers lead walks here in summer, and it is a fine way to stretch your legs after the flight in. The boardwalk gets slick in the rain, which is most days.
Photo: National Park Service, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
3 OF 5
Bartlett River Trail
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
4 mi
Elevation gain
Minimal
Bartlett Cove — A forest walk to the tidal mouth of the Bartlett River, one of the best wildlife spots you can reach on foot. Watch for seals, river otters and waterbirds, and salmon running up the river in late summer. Moose and bears use the same shoreline, so give yourself time to sit still and look. Plan on four hours or so with stops.
⚠︎ Bear country, especially when salmon run. Make noise and carry bear spray.
Photo: Pi3.124, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
4 OF 5
Point Gustavus Shoreline Walk
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
Up to 12 mi
Elevation gain
None
Bartlett Cove beach — Walk the beach south from Bartlett Cove toward Point Gustavus, as far as you like. Low tide opens up tide pools, mussel beds and long gravel flats, with seabirds overhead and sometimes whales offshore. Turn around whenever you have had your fill. Carry a tide table and start on a falling tide.
⚠︎ Rising tides can cut off parts of the beach. Check the tide table before you set out.
Photo: Dankarl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
5 OF 5
Kayak the Beardslee Islands
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
Varies
Elevation gain
None
Near Bartlett Cove — A maze of low, forested islands just up the bay from Bartlett Cove, close enough to paddle straight from the beach. The channels are sheltered and full of birds, harbor seals and sea otters. Local outfitters rent kayaks and run guided day trips, no experience required. Tides decide where you can go, so plan around them.
⚠︎ Water is near freezing. Overnight trips need a free permit and orientation from May 1 to September 30.
Photo: National Park Service, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Plan your Glacier Bay trip
The Nova Bound app builds the whole trip around these trails: where to stay, where to charge, and what to see each day. Coming soon to the App Store.
Distances are round trip unless noted, from NPS.gov and rounded. Trails, permits and road openings change; always check nps.gov before you go. Trail write-ups by Nova Bound.