Visiting Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: The Complete Guide for 2024

If you are planning a trip to Glacier Bay National Park and need some help planning your trip, this is our started guide for visiting Arches National Park. We often have detailed in-depth guides reached to Glacier Bay National Park trip planning and will link to these where appropriate to make your trip planning as easy as possible.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with trip planning and would like a national park expert to help plan your trip, we offer a Custom National Park Itinerary Planning Service. Fill out a simple questionnaire and let us do the planning for you.

Best of Glacier Bay National Park in a Nutshell

MAPS: Glacier Bay Maps

HIKES: Best Glacier Bay Hikes

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The Quick Guide to Visiting Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Map of Glacier Bay National Park

Click on the Glacier Bay Map above to download the official brochure map. If you’d like a PDF copy of this Glacier Bay Map click here.

RELATED: Glacier Bay National Park Maps: The Complete Collection

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Basics

Region: Alaska / West Coast / Pacific / Pacific Northwest

State: State of Alaska

Total Size: 3,281,789 acres (5,128 sq miles) (13,281 sq km)

Park Size: 3,223,383 acres (82.00 sq miles) (13,045 sq km)

Preserve Size: 58,406.00 acres (91.26 sq miles) (236.36 sq km)

Location: Hoonah-Angoon Census Area and Yakutat City and Borough

Closest Cities: Juneau, Alaska

Busy Season: May to September

Visitation: 89,768 (in 2021) (Usually averages about a half million)

Official Website: NPS.gov

How much does Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Cost?

Glacier Bay National Park does not charge an entrance fee:

When is Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Open?

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is open year-round.

Are dogs allowed in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve?

Yes, pets are welcome in Glacier Bay National Park but are only allowed on land in a few places. They are basically limited to the are in Bartlett Cove and aboard vessels . Please review the Glacier Bay Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Glacier Bay.

Where are Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve’s visitor centers?

Glacier Bay Lodge and Center – Summer Season

Glacier Bay Visitor Information Center – Summer Season

Yakutat District Ranger Office – Open Year Round

Land Acknowledgments for Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

The National Park known as Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve sits on Michif Piyii (Métis), Lingít Aaní (Tlingit), Dënéndeh land.

Thank you to the Native Land Digital for making the Indigenous territories accessible to all. They have mapped the known territories to the best of the current knowledge and is a work in progress. If you have additional information on the Indigenous nations boundaries, please let them know.

Native Land Digital is a registered Canadian not-for-profit organization with the goal to creates spaces where non-Indigenous people can be invited and challenged to learn more about the lands they inhabit, the history of those lands, and how to actively be part of a better future going forward together.

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When was Glacier Bay National Park Created?

Evidence of human occupation within Glacier Bay National Park is limited. Much of the park was glaciated and the glacier movement has probably removed evidence of human habitation. Archeological sites just outside the park have been dated back to 10,000 years so it’s safe to assume that the Haida, Eyak, and Tlingit were inside the park at various times.

The first recorded European visit was in 1786 by French scientific expedition lead by Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse. While not recorded, it is likely that Russian fur traders visited. The future park was visited in 1794 by George Vancouver and the Discovery. Russians maintained the fur trade until they SOLD Alaska to the United States.

Glacier Bay’s road to being a National Park starts in 1879 when John Muir visited the newly purchased territory of Alaska. Muir wrote several stories, articles, and books about his adventures in Glacier Bay. In doing this, Muir Glacier was named for him. As the US, started to explore Alaska, the Pacific Coast Steamship Company started running tours and visiting the park. The 1899 Harriman Alaska Expedition brought Muir back to Alaska where it was noted that a significant glacial retreat had happened.

The Harriman Alaska Expedition of 1899 was organized by railroad executive Edward Harriman who recruited Muir, George Bird Grinnell, photographer Edward S. Curtis, and several others to study the Alaska coast on a specially-outfitted ship, spending five days at Glacier Bay. The expedition noted significant glacial retreat. Muir’s writings attacked the attention for William Skinner Cooper who is an ecologist at the University of Minnesota. Cooper did several studies and wrote a paper for the Ecological Society of America. The Ecological Society started with Cooper started to push for the protection of Glacier Bay. In 1925, a portion of the park was protected as Glacier Bay National Monument.

In the 1930s there were calls to expand the part to protect the surrounding bear habitat. The efforts were unsuccessful until the 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).

Glacier Bay National Park and nearby Admiralty Island was designed as a Wold Bisophere Reserve in 1986. The park was included as part of the Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek World Heritage Site in 1992.

The purpose of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is to protect a dynamic tidewater glacial landscape and associated natural successional process for science and discovery in a wilderness setting.

Glacier Bay National Park Foundation Document

Fun Facts about Glacier Bay National Park

• The highest point in Glacier Bay National Park is Mount Fairweather which is 15,300 feet (4,700 m) above sea level.

• The lowest point in Glacier Bay National Park is the Gulf of Alaska which is 0 feet (0 m) in elevation.

• Glacier Bay National Park is larger than the U.S. state of Connecticut.

• Glacier Bay National Park ONLY has 10 miles of maintained hiking trail.

• Glacier Bay has over 1,000 Glaciers inside the park.

• The tides in the park can vary as much as 75 ft between high and low tide.

• Glacier Bay Wildlife
  • 329 species of Fish
  • 247 species of Bird
  • 12 species of Marine Mammals
  • 34 species of Terrestrial Mammels
  • 1 species of anphibians
  • 1 species of reptile

How Much Time Should I Spend Visiting Glacier Bay National Park?

One Day in Glacier Bay National Park

If you only have one day in Glacier Bay National Park, you should take the Glacier Bay Day Tour. This all day tour out to the Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers. Along the way, you’ll have a chance to see whales, stellar sea lions, seals puffins, and costal bears.

Multiple Days in Glacier Bay National Park

If you have multiple days to spend in Glacier Bay National Park, then you should do the Glacier Bay Day Tour and then do some hiking or consider going kayaking in Glacier Bay. There are options to rent a kayak or take a guided kayaking tour.

If you have more time, you can arrange to be dropped off in the park and camp, hike, or kayak for a couple of days.

Cruise Ship Visit to Glacier Bay National Park

Many Alaska Crusies include a stop in Glacier Bay National Park. The ships typically send a couple of hours doing a scenic tour of the parks glaciers.

Some smaller cruise ships such as Uncruise spend 1-2 days in the park and have premits do to hike and kayak in the park.

Things to do in Glacier Bay National Park

Hiking in Glacier Bay National Park

Like most Alaska National Parks, Glacier Bay National Park has a limited number of maintained hiking trails. All of these trails are located in Bartlett Cove.

If you have limited amounts of time consider hiking:

• Bartlett Cove Forest Loop Trail – 1.1 miles
• Tlingit Trail – 1.1 miles

If you have time for a longer hike consider hiking:

• Point Gustavus – 12.4 miles
• Bartlett River Trail – 6.8 miles
• Bartlett Lake Trail – 5.9 miles

Learn more about the best hikes in Glacier Bay National Park.

Where to stamp your National Parks Passport Book in Glacier Bay National Park?

The National Park Passport Book is the BEST and cheapest National Park souvenir. Every National Park Obsessed person should have one of these books.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT stamp your government-issued passport.

There are two official stamps for Glacier Bay National Park. Here is the list of National Park Passport Stamps you can get in Glacier Bay National Park:

• Dry Bay Ranger Station
• Gustavus, AK

Bonus Stamps

• Glacier Bay National Park With Image Of Glacier And Whale
• Junior Ranger

Glacier Bay National Park Passport Stamp Locations

Here are all the locations for the Glacier Bay National Park Passport Stamps. Not every stamp is available at every location.

• Day Tour Boats
• Dry Bay Ranger Station
• Inside Passage Cruise Ships
• Lodge Visitor Center 2nd floor
• Visitor Information Station by Docks at Bartlett Cove
• Yakutat District Office

Recommend Reading for Glacier Bay National Park

Stories from Glacier Bay National Park

• Travels In Alaska – This book is John Muir’s travel journals from this trip to Alaska and the future Glacier Bay National Park.

Best Glacier Bay National Park Guide Books

National Park Obsessed’s Detailed Guides to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

General Information on Visiting Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Glacer Bay National Park Activity Guides

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Frequently Asked Questions about Glacier Bay National Park

How many days do you need in Glacier Bay National Park?

Between getting to Gustavus from Juneau to visit the park and having the time to do a boat tour, you need at least 3 days to explore Glacier Bay National Park unless you are coming on a cruise ship.

What is the best time to visit Glacier Bay National Park?

Glacier Bay National Park is best visited from May to September. Most park services are only open during this time. The weather is the best during May to September and wildlife such as humpback whales are only in residence during summer.

Can I drive to Glacier Bay National Park?

No. Glacier Bay and its gateway town of Gustavus is only accessible during via water or air. So you either need to take a boat or a plane.

Is Glacier Bay National Park worth seeing?

Yes. Its a National Park after all. Plus its got an amazing collection of tidewater glaciers and a huge glacier field to explore.

Can you stay in Glacier Bay National Park?

Yes, Glacier Bay Lodge provides lodging in the park or you are welcome to camp in the Bartlett Cove Campground. Visitor can also backcountry camp in most of the park. Other lodging is available in Gustavus.

What is the closest city to Glacier Bay National Park?

The closest city is Gustavus. The small city has an airstrip and has regular flights from Juneau and other small cities in the region. If coming from Fairbanks and Anchorage, you will have to transit through Juneau.

Final Thoughts on Glacier Bay National Park

Do you have any questions about Glacier Bay National Park, let us know in the comments below or need help planning your National Park trips. Let me know in the comments or join me in my National Park Trip Planning Community!

Pin for Later: Visiting Glacier Bay National Park: The Complete Guide for 2022