Is Hubbard Glacier near Juneau?
The distance between
Mendenhall, one of the most beautiful and accessible glaciers in North America, is just 13 miles from downtown Juneau and a few minutes from the airport. It's a must-see destination for any Alaska vacation.
HUBBARD GLACIER: Flowing over 75 miles and calving into the sea with a face 6 miles wide, this glacier near Yakutat is the longest tidewater glacier in North America.
Hubbard is one of the largest glaciers to be seen on an Alaska cruise. It sits over 300 feet above the water and is 6 miles wide. However, cruise ships are limited by the sea ice on how close they can get and you only get to see half the glacier.
Most Alaska glacier cruises have at least one itinerary that includes a visit to the famous Hubbard Glacier. The good thing about Hubbard Glacier is that it's so big you can't miss it as your cruise ship sails by it. Hubbard Glacier in Alaska is a remarkable sight that you don't want to miss on your trip up North.
Juneau is a very walkable city. Most cruise ships dock right in downtown, and visitors can leave the ship and walk all throughout downtown, shopping and exploring. There are some attractions that are outside of downtown area. To reach those, a tour or taxi are a great option.
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is located approximately 13 miles from downtown Juneau and cruise ship docks. There are several transportation options from the Juneau cruise ship docks.
Hubbard Glacier is the longest tidewater glacier in North America. Roughly 76 miles long and as tall as a 30-story building, Hubbard Glacier is as large as the state of Rhode Island and is the biggest glacier you can see from a cruise ship.
You cannot reach the Hubbard Glacier by car. Unless you have a private boat, you will need to join an Alaska cruise to see the Hubbard Glacier. Or, you can take a scenic flight-seeing tour and witness the ancient glacier from the air.
Located in south-central Alaska north of Yakutat, with its origins in Yukon Territory, Canada, Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America.
How much does Hubbard Glacier cost?
Rates for Hubbard Glacier tour
$230 per person, plus applicable taxes (four-person minimum).
Cruise lines that visit Hubbard Glacier: Almost every cruise line that cruises in Alaska includes Hubbard Glacier on at least one itinerary — often on one-way sailings or longer round-trip cruises. The list includes small- and medium-ship cruise lines like Windstar and Lindblad.
When cruising by a glacier, there is no need to worry about which side of the ship is best. In Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier, the captain will turn the ship to give equal viewing to both sides.
The main attraction in Glacier National Park is the Going-To-The-Sun Road. The Sun Road is 50 miles long from West Glacier on the West Side to Saint Mary on the East Side. The West Side encompasses 35 miles of this Road and will provide you with the more scenic and picturesque drive.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is not only the most scenic drive in Glacier National Park, it's also one of the most beautiful drives in the United States. For 50 miles, this road twists and turns through the mountains and over the Continental Divide.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is a highlight not to be missed during your Glacier visit. The Road spans 50 miles and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. During your traverse you will see impressive glaciers, beautiful valleys, cascading waterfalls, towering mountains and colorful wildflowers.
Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska's scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship.
Call a cab.
The public bus system in Juneau might work for a few errands around town, but it stops short of some important landmarks, like the ferry terminal. So if you have a place you need to go, especially if it's a one-way trip, calling a taxi is always a good option.
“If ever there was a cruise itinerary built for a balcony, it's an Alaskan cruise. The landscapes are incredible and there's a high probability you'll see whales. We recommend you find a room with a balcony and avoid the inside staterooms.
While many people go to Mendenhall Glacier with a tour group or on a shore excursion, you can also get to the glacier on your own. You can take a taxi from Juneau, drive to the glacier with a rental car, or take the city bus to Glacier Spur Road and walk the rest of the way (1.5 miles).
Can you see Mendenhall Glacier without a tour?
Ice Caves at Mendenhall Glacier
There are public access trails to the ice caves at the park, but enter at your own risk if trekking alone. Though spectacular, it's recommended that glaciers should only be explored with a professional guide. Tours of the ice caves are offered from July through September.
There is a $5 entrance fee for 16 & over at the visitor center during summer months (May 1 to September 30) when the visitor center is open from 8:00am-7:30pm daily. Winter (October to April) is free (no fee required) and visitor center hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am - 4:00pm.
The Inside Passage with Hubbard Glacier offers a balanced itinerary built with repeat cruisers in mind. Passengers experience the unparalleled scenery of southeast Alaska while enjoying plenty of time on board to indulge in their ship's many amenities.
Hubbard Glacier is not in Glacier Bay National Park. The glacier is located north of Glacier Bay National Park at the tip of Disenchantment Bay, inside Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Cruise itineraries that do not include Glacier Bay often include Hubbard Glacier instead.
Weather report for Hubbard Glacier
There is a high chance of Precipitation near 70%. Temperature highs are likely to reach 32 °F. The whole day blows a light breeze (4 to 8 mph). Gusts to 22 mph are possible.
Hubbard Glacier is the largest of eight calving glaciers in Alaska that are currently increasing in total mass and advancing.
The Hubbard glacier is approximately 6 to 7 miles wide at the front and is 300 to 400 feet from the top to sea level.
Columbia Falls is the closest legitimate town near Glacier National Park, and the number of options for Columbia Falls hotels has grown a lot within the past few years. It continues to get prettier and prettier the more tourists head to this area.
Located between Alaska and Yukon Bay in Canada, Hubbard is one of the largest glaciers in the world.
What town is Glacier Bay near?
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve lies west of Juneau, Alaska, and can only be reached by plane or boat. The only road in the area merely connects the small town of Gustavus and its airfield to park headquarters at Bartlett Cove (10 miles).
Because calving speed increases rapidly with water depth, the increasing calving flux soon exceeds the mass flux out of the accumulation area, and an irreversible retreat begins. The rate of retreat often approaches 100ma −1. Hubbard Glacier retreated at an average rate of 80ma −1 between 1130 and 1891.
The long stretch of shoreline south of the Bartlett Cove docks allows for a pleasant stroll. You could walk for miles. An extended hike to Point Gustavus (six miles one way) can be completed in a full day. Low tide reveals a myriad of intertidal life.
| Glacier Quest Cruise 2023 Season | Adult Fare (ages 12+) |
|---|---|
| Self-Drive Glacier Quest Cruise | $173.95 ($149 + $24.95 tax/fees) |
| Coach with Glacier Quest Cruise | $262.95 ($238 + $24.95 tax/fees) |
| Rail with Glacier Quest Cruise | $298.95 ($274 + $24.95 tax/fees) |
Almost every cruise to Alaska includes a visit to a tidewater glacier, glaciers which flow into the ocean, often with powerful calving.
While you won't disembark from your cruise ship, it is likely that you will spend much of the day on deck capturing photos and making lifelong memories. Much like the rest of Alaska, Glacier Bay National Park may reach temperatures anywhere between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit during cruise season.
Best "Low-Motion" cabins
The "best cabins for seasickness" are located at the ship's edges (top decks, bow, and stern). The worst area in the front section, as the bow is first hit by waves. Higher deck front cabins fell more the up and down motion, while for the aft cabins the motion is less noticeable.
The best deck on a cruise ship to avoid seasickness is the lowest passenger deck. This is because the top of a ship sways from side to side much more than the bottom. To avoid motion sickness, choose a cabin close to the waterline.
Balcony cabins on cruise ships are more spacious due to the outside space. They have spectacular ocean views, fresh sea air, and a private seating area. Although these cabins are more expensive, the rewards of a private balcony sometimes outweigh the cost. If it fits within your budget, balcony cabins are worth it!
Saint Mary Lake, with its tour boats and iconic island—Wild Goose Island—is worth stopping for. Have some lunch, take a boat ride, go for a paddle or just soak up the views of glacial-carved valleys. The east side of Glacier Park has a unique wildness we love.
What should you not miss at Glacier National Park?
Popular hike trails here include Grinnell Glacier, Grinnell Lake, Iceberg Lake, Cracker Lake, and the Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail. Visitors can also take a boat tour of Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine with Glacier Park Boat Company.
West Glacier, Montana is the most popular entrance to Glacier National Park. Its proximity and easy access to Glacier International Airport in Kalispell makes it the best place to start or end your trip.
Columbia Falls is the best town to stay in when you're visiting Glacier National Park as it's the closest one to the park and it offers many facilities and amazing hotels like North Forty Resort.
The east side of Glacier National Park is generally drier, cooler and windier than the rest of the park. The base elevation is higher and the valleys are wider. That makes for some epic scenery and outstanding adventuring. Here are some of our favorite spots on the east side.
Drawing visitors from far and wide, a drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a must-do in Glacier National Park. It's a spectacular 50-mile road that winds over passes, crosses the Continental Divide and travels through incredibly varied terrain—from glacial lakes to jagged cliffs.
Lake McDonald is one of the most famous photo spots in Glacier National Park, and it's for good reason. From the lake you can get gorgeous reflections, amazing sunrises and sunsets, and stunning mountain views.
You'll also be near the Many Glacier area of the park. In fact, if you stay in West Glacier, it will take you over 2 hours one-way to get to Many Glacier! This makes staying on the east side of the park the best option if you are visiting the area solely for Glacier National Park.
May through September is the busiest part of the year, with about three million people visiting during each summer season. The parking areas at popular destinations, like Logan Pass and Avalanche Creek, begin filling before sunrise and remain congested for most of the day.
While many people go to Mendenhall Glacier with a tour group or on a shore excursion, you can also get to the glacier on your own. You can take a taxi from Juneau, drive to the glacier with a rental car, or take the city bus to Glacier Spur Road and walk the rest of the way (1.5 miles).
The view of the 377-foot waterfall with the glacier in the background is breathtaking – and it is as close as you can get to the glacier short of taking a tour to actually walk on it. One of the most amazing ways to experience this area is via kayak on Mendenhall Lake.
How do I get from Juneau to Mendenhall Glacier?
Take The Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle
Since one million cruise ship passengers visit Alaska and Juneau each year, there are daily shuttles to the visitors center during the summer months. Passengers can pick up shuttle buses outside the Roberts Tramway Ticket Office close to the cruise terminal.
Just 50 miles northwest of Juneau (25 minutes by air), Glacier Bay is the largest national park in Southeast Alaska, the world's largest protected marine sanctuary, and a World Heritage Site.
Walking on a glacier in Alaska is an activity that every adventurous traveler should experience firsthand. Juneau is one of the best places for this with many glaciers and different types of excursion options. Looking for the easiest and most affordable way to step foot on a glacier?
One of the most popular glaciers in Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier can be visited on this privately guided tour. Hike through the Tongass National Forest and around the majestic Mendenhall Glacier on foot.
You are guaranteed to see whales on this amazing and scenic Juneau whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier tour. Want to get out onto the open Alaskan waters? Our captains and naturalists will take you in search of humpback and killer whales, sea lions, porpoises and so much more!
Come prepared with clothing that is warm even when wet - such as wool and polar fleece - and with items that can be layered. Raingear, hats, gloves and sturdy shoes or hiking boots are strongly recommended.
Juneau is a wonderful place in Alaska where you can watch the Aurora phenomenon. Go hiking on some of the trails at Juneau to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Better still, kayak off the coast of Juneau to explore the Tongass National Forest or see the still waters of the Mendenhall glacier.
The loop will take the average visitor about 2.5 hours to complete but will offer guests an escape from the crowds and different views of the Mendenhall Glacier. We recommend using bug spray as the dense forest can often be full of mosquitos!
Overview. Secure easy and reliable transportation to the Mendenhall Glacier from Juneau with the Blue Bus Glacier Express. Skip the hassle of a rental car and admire views during the bus journey to the glacier.
Capital Transit operates a bus from Glacier Avenue and 9th Street to Mendenhall Loop Road and Dredge Lake Road hourly. Tickets cost $2 and the journey takes 39 min.
What is the closest national park to Juneau?
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve lies west of Juneau, AK and can only be reached by plane or boat. The only road merely connects the small town of Gustavus and its airfield to park headquarters at Bartlett Cove (10 miles).
Alaska Ferry Service to Gustavus/Glacier Bay!
Gustavus receives ferry service two days per week most of the year. With steady service, and only four-and-a-half hours by ferry from Juneau, it is simple to plan a short few days to this magnificent location, or stay longer to experience more of the nearby natural wonders.
The Salmon River meanders through town. Gustavus is considered the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park and is located 48 air miles (About a 30 minute flight) west of Alaska's State Capitol, Juneau, in Southeast Alaska.