Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

Visitor center · Juneau ·

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

Visitor center · Juneau ·

Visitor center with exhibits on glacier, souvenirs, Nugget Falls

Information

6000 Glacier Spur Rd, Juneau, AK 99801 Get directions

@travelleisure

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The Essential Guide to Tongass National Forest

"This visitor center is a helpful starting point for learning about the glacier and surrounding landscape, offering short educational films, exhibits on local flora and fauna, maps and ranger advice; visitors can watch a video about the glacier before setting out on nearby trails and viewing areas." - Sharael Kolberg

https://www.travelandleisure.com/guide-to-tongass-national-forest-11747770

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

@atlasobscura

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12 Natural Wonders You Can Visit Via Public Transportation

"Mendenhall Glacier, not far from downtown Juneau, is is one of the few Alaskan glaciers with an “EZ-pass”: It’s surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, but you can easily get there by car, by air, by foot, and even by cruise ship. This 13-mile ribbon of ice flows from the Juneau Ice Field, a 1,500-square-mile frozen plateau that feeds 38 major glaciers. Leftover from the last ice age, the ice field and its solid river offspring have been in a period of retreat, and the wilderness surrounding Mendenhall has found itself in a good news/bad news scenario. The bad news is the ice, which has been steadily receding since the time of the Little Ice Age (a global cooling period between the 16th and 19th centuries) continues to shrink as the planet continues to warm. The good news is that the expansion of Mendenhall Lake – which was born in the early 1930s from the melting ice – as well as concentrated conservation efforts, have resulted in a stronger, more resilient ecosystem for the forest and its native fish and wildlife populations, such as mountain goats, bears, beavers. Mendenhall is located on land owned by the federal Forest Service, which provides facilities, park rangers, a visitor center, and year-round exhibits and educational outreach. The trails from the visitor center – some lazy and looping, others more challenging – will get you up-close and personal with the glacier and its waterfall neighbor, Nugget Falls, raining down just next door." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/natural-wonders-public-transportation

Bob Familiar / CC BY 2.0

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

Amber

Google

What an absolutely beautiful area, and hike. I decided to go last minute here and went alone, if you have the chance, definitely go! You can see the glacier without hiking but the hike leads you to a gorgeous waterfall area. They have a lot of wildlife, be prepared to check the treetops if you’d like to see eagles! You will also find some smaller furry lads on the ground, hopefully. The hike to the waterfall was not bad at all, if you are in even moderately good shape. The bathrooms were clean enough and well maintained. Enjoy the hikes around the park, it’s beautiful. Parking is available at a huge lot down the road and the walk isn’t bad. I definitely want to add: DO NOT take rides from the guys that are “taxis” right at the park. They will scam and nickle and dime you. Either order a ride share, take a tour, or drive up on your own. I say this because I was visiting alone and was made to feel bad, unsafe, and got yelled at because I refused the ride from them. Overall, this didn’t sour my experience but I want others to be aware. Stay safe, and enjoy seeing the world!

Brian B.

Google

If your in the area it's a really cool spot to check out. You can see the glacier from the parking lot and the waterfall is an easy hike, maybe 2 miles round trip. Children can easily walk it and the path might even be wheelchair accessible until you reach the waterfall. It then turns to gravel and may be difficult but still really cool!

Dane

Google

4 Stars – Beautiful Glacier Experience with Some Limitations We visited the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as part of a cruise excursion, and overall it was a memorable stop. The visitor center itself is very well done, full of fascinating exhibits, interactive displays, and helpful rangers who provide great insight into the glacier’s history and the surrounding environment. It’s definitely worth spending some time inside before or after exploring the trails. There are three main hiking trails, and we were able to complete two of them during our visit. The most popular trail leads to a stunning waterfall, which was one of the highlights of the day. Standing so close to the powerful rush of water was amazing, and the hike itself was easy and accessible. Just keep in mind that from the waterfall viewpoint you’ll see very little of the glacier’s face, so don’t expect a dramatic glacier backdrop from that angle. One thing to note is that the glacier has receded quite a bit over the past decade, and while it’s still impressive, it’s not quite as massive or striking as older photos might lead you to believe. That said, it’s still a remarkable sight. When we visited, it was both rainy and very crowded, which made it a little less enjoyable. Be prepared for unpredictable weather and large groups, especially if you’re visiting during cruise ship season. Despite those challenges, Mendenhall Glacier is absolutely worth a visit if you’re in Juneau. The combination of the visitor center, easy-to-access trails, and natural beauty makes it a must-see stop, even if the glacier itself isn’t as commanding as it once was.

Cindy B.

Google

This area is beautiful and peaceful. We went on Saturday so the visitor center itself was closed,but the museum and bathrooms were open. There are many paths that can be taken and one leads to an amazing view of the waterfall and glacier. It is about 2 miles back and forth plus more for any other path in the area. All worth the fun walk around. It is not super strenuous.

Google

We went in September. We took bus to the outside of the park..it took about 30 min to walk to the park entrance and see the glacier. You can walk down to the water, but not actually on the glacier. We also went to the falls which was another 30 mins. It was awesome though. This walk is not just a casual stroll even though the paths are concrete. Walking into the park, walking around to falls, then out to bus stop is probably 6 miles. (Or so it seemed). It's all worth it though.

Greg

Google

This was our second stop in Juneau after a successful whale watching boat tour. Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls are amazing. In fact, all of the Alaska's scenic landscapes are beautiful. If you haven't visited the state, I highly recommend you get it on your destination list.

Bolu J.

Google

Great hiking experience in Juneau. The trail is well maintained, I recommend layering up and comfortable hiking boots. Casual 3.5 mile trail was a lot of fun! Be ready for those steps though! Bring your own snacks but PLEASE don't litter. have fun!

Suresh J.

Google

It's located 2nd floor, you have the option of elevator or steps. Has useful information, displays and rangers are present to explain glacier history and answer your questions regarding the same. Nugget falls is 1 mile hike (one way from here), photo point is about .3 miles (oneway) You will experience the most beautiful falls if you do plan to hike ( mostly flat).