What is the easiest glacier access in Alaska?
1. Matanuska Glacier. Matanuska Glacier is a 2-hour scenic drive north of Anchorage and it's the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States! This makes it not so much of a hike, but it's definitely one of the easiest ways to stand on top of a glacier in Alaska.
Alaska, USA
It also boasts arguably the most accessible glacier on the planet. Less than 20km from the capital city (Juneau) sits the Mendenhall Glacier (below), which, because of its easy accessibility via roadways, attracts several hundred thousand visitors a year.
Matanuska Glacier
This is the most popular glacier to visit from Anchorage, and for good reason. It's about 100 miles north of Anchorage, right off of the Glenn Highway at Glacier View. It is one of the most easily accessible glaciers too, and with crevasses and stunning views, it's easy to see why it's so popular.
Below is a list of some of Alaska's most accessible glaciers. The Matanuska Glacier is the largest glacier in Alaska that can be reached by road. It is 26 miles long and 4 miles wide at its terminus. It originates from within the Chugach mountain range of Southcentral Alaska.
Many people say Mount Oberlin is the easiest peak to climb in the park and the route to the summit is well marked and is frequently used. Even starting the trip may be a great adventure for a family.
According to the GLIMS data set, the three largest glaciers in the world are Vatnajokull Glacier in Iceland, Flade Isblink Ice Cap in Greenland, and Seller Glacier in Antarctica.
91% in Antarctica. 8% in Greenland. Less than 0.5% in North America (about 0.1% in Alaska) 0.2% in Asia.
Cirque glaciers are among the most common types of glacier on Earth, being found in nearly all alpine landscapes that support ice accumulation.
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.
Jackson Glacier is the easiest glacier to see in the park and it is the 7th largest.
Can I go to Matanuska Glacier by myself?
The only way to access Matanuska Glacier is by joining a guided glacier tour, available year-round. There's more camping even further south at King Mountain State Recreation Site, located at Mile 76 of the Glenn Highway.
Glacier National Park Glaciers You Can Hike Directly On Using an Established Hiking Trail (no bushwacking required) Hiking on the Sperry Glacier via the Sperry Glacier Trail. The Grinnell Glacier Trail takes you directly to the foot of Grinnell Glacier.
Denali National Park and Preserve is a treasured Alaska National Park and one that many visitors from around the world dream of visiting in their lifetime! It is also one of the easiest Alaska National Parks for an independent traveler to get to.
The main entrance to Glacier Park is the West Glacier Entrance – located just outside the town of West Glacier, MT. This Glacier National Park Entrance is open 24 hours a day all year around. It gives you access to the Going-To-The-Sun Road from the west side of Glacier Park.