Glacier Bay
Country: USA · Region: Alaska · Arrival: scenic · Currency: US Dollar
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Alaska's Panhandle featuring massive tidewater glaciers, abundant wildlife, and pristine wilderness accessible primarily by cruise ship, tour vessel, or kayak.
Top sights
Johns Hopkins Glacier, Beardslee Islands, Muir Inlet, Grand Pacific Glacier
Things to do
- Johns Hopkins Glacier
- A massive tidewater glacier in the bay's west arm that calves ice in such large quantities that ships can rarely approach closer than two miles from its face.
- Beardslee Islands
- A short distance from Bartlett Cove, this area is a great spot to see moose, bald eagles, bears, seals, and whales, with ideal conditions for kayaking day trips.
- Muir Inlet
- An inlet with much of the area off-limits to motorized boats during summer months, making it ideal for kayakers seeking tranquility and wildlife viewing.
- Glacier Bay National Park Visitor Center
- Located on the second floor of Glacier Bay Lodge in Bartlett Cove, staffed daily in summer with exhibits, park information, bookstore, and interpretive programs.
Beaches
- Bartlett Cove
- The main visitor hub featuring a free campground with 33 sites, a warming hut, bear-resistant food caches, and scenic shoreline access.
Where to eat
- Glacier Bay Lodge
- Located in Bartlett Cove, this restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with reasonably good food at high but not unreasonable prices.
Forecast for Glacier Bay
Loading the live forecast.
Weather in Glacier Bay by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F | 24°F | 25.6 in | 21 |
| February | 30°F | 23°F | 16.9 in | 18 |
| March | 31°F | 25°F | 15.4 in | 20 |
| April | 36°F | 30°F | 14.4 in | 18 |
| May | 44°F | 38°F | 11.4 in | 15 |
| June | 51°F | 43°F | 8.2 in | 15 |
| July | 55°F | 48°F | 10.0 in | 14 |
| August | 54°F | 47°F | 18.8 in | 17 |
| September | 48°F | 41°F | 24.2 in | 19 |
| October | 40°F | 34°F | 30.8 in | 20 |
| November | 33°F | 26°F | 23.6 in | 21 |
| December | 31°F | 25°F | 26.4 in | 22 |
Getting around
Most cruise visitors view the park from their ship with National Park Service naturalists on board; kayakers can rent equipment and use tour boat drop-off services from Bartlett Cove.
What to eat
The only dining option in the park is at Glacier Bay Lodge in Bartlett Cove; the town of Gustavus 10 miles away has additional restaurants.
Tips
Plan kayak trips to the Beardslee Islands carefully around tides that can vary by 25 feet in six hours, turning much of the area to mud flats at low tide.
Best for
Glaciers, Wildlife, Kayaking, Cruising
More ports in Alaska
Hubbard Glacier · Icy Strait Point · Juneau · Ketchikan · Seward · Sitka · Skagway · Victoria · Whittier