Juneau Shore Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe, Paddle and Hike

72 Reviews4.93 out of 5 stars Based on 72 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Juneau, USA
Paddling up to the Mendenhall Glacier
Juneau Shore Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe, Paddle and Hike Image 2
Small canoe holds up to 7 people
Juneau Shore Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe, Paddle and Hike Image 4
Juneau Shore Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe, Paddle and Hike Image 5
Juneau Shore Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe, Paddle and Hike Image 6
Juneau Shore Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe, Paddle and Hike Image 7

Loading Options

5 hours 30 minutes (Approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile Ticket

Overview

The Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike is our most sought-after adventure. Your journey begins at the Mendenhall Lake, where a canoe guide will provide paddle instruction. Equipped with gear, board your spacious canoe and set course for the Mendenhall Glacier. Witness Arctic tern nesting grounds and the cascading Nugget Falls as you glide past, with stunning views of the glacier in the distance. As the glacier draws near, keep your eyes peeled for freshly calved icebergs.

Exit the canoes and hike the rocky terrain, gaining intimate views of the glacier and learn about its rapid recession. Explore this ancient ice age wilderness and marvel at its ice features, including crevasses, ice fall at the toe of the glacier, and other deep blue mysteries. Constantly changing, the glacier offers a unique experience each day. This tour does not venture onto the glacier, but delivers front-row views. After immersing yourself at the glacier, board the canoes and paddle back across Mendenhall Lake.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

The “C” Sign, located near the cruise ship docks directly between Mt. Roberts Tramway and the green Taku Smokeries building, is our centralized downtown meeting location for all clients in the downtown area, including the majority of cruise ship passengers.Clients staying at major hotels in the Mendenhall Valley may be picked up directly from their hotel.Clients with their own transportation need to contact our office to arrange a meeting location.

OR
Meeting point

490 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA

Open in Google Maps

The “C” Sign, located near the cruise ship docks directly between Mt. Roberts Tramway and the green Taku Smokeries building, is our centralized downtown meeting location for all clients in the downtown area, including the majority of cruise ship passengers.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Description

Stop At: Above & Beyond Alaska, 2767 Sherwood Ln # C, Juneau, Alaska 99801

Guests will be transported from pick up location to gear warehouse. At the warehouse is the gear fitting, orientation, and chance to use restrooms.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Mendenhall Glacier, Mendenhall Valley, Juneau, Alaska

Pull on your boots, and step into the cool waters of the peaceful Mendenhall Lake as you stare at the mighty Mendenhall Glacier in front of you. During this tour, you will be guided on a canoe paddle across a lake fed by the glacier melt.
Once you round the rock peninsula, the face of the glacier confronts. Blocks of ice stand tall, waiting for the right moment to calve into the waters.
Once you make landfall you will hike a short distance across rocky terrain, and to the edge of the glacier which is in constant change as features that disappear and reappear over the course of the season.

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Stop At: West Glacier Trailhead, Skaters Cabin Road, Juneau, Alaska 99801

De-gear and return transport back to the main office, followed by transport back to meeting location.

Duration: 1 hour

Read full description

What To Expect

  • Reservations are REQUIRED for all bookings
  • Book Your Package On-Line and Receive Your Confirmation
  • Departure point: Detailed check-in instructions - including the address and parking information if applicable - will be included in your final confirmation email.
  • Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes (Approx.)
  • Return Details: Returns to original departure point

What's Included

  • National Park fees
  • Professional guide
  • Bottled water
  • Gratuities
See 4 More

What To Bring

  • Confirmation Voucher (printed or mobile)
  • Any required or suggested items listed on your confirmation email.
  • A Smile!

Additional Info

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
  • Age minimum of 12 years or older only
  • This tour requires a minimum of 4 to operate. If minimum requirement is not met, reservation is subject to change or cancellation
  • Maximum weight 250 pounds
  • All clients will be outfitted in 8 person or 12 person canoes, with 1 to 2 guides depending on the group size.
  • All clients must be in physically fit condition and capable of paddling 5-6 miles and hiking about 2 miles roundtrip. All clients must know how to swim.
  • With group departures we try to maximize our trip capacity and subsequently may need to alter the time to accommodate additional customers. If your trip's departure time changes we will notify you as soon as possible.
  • Glacier Access and feature exploration: The Mendenhall Glacier is receding daily. Because the glacier is in a state of constant change, not all features may be present or accessible. We will explore the edges of the glacier safely from the bedrock. This tour does not include trekking on the glacier.
  • A specific amount of time exploring the edge of the glacier cannot be guaranteed. The amount of time at the glacier is dependent on the group's pace and weather conditions.
  • Clients must disclose information regarding pertinent medical conditions/history, allergies and any type of restriction or limitation that might introduce a higher degree of challenge on this trip.
  • RELEASE OF LIABILITY/ASSUMPTION OF RISK FORM: Every participant on the trip must sign a Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk form at the start of the trip. Alterations and/or deletions to the waiver are not permitted.
  • Due to the inherent risks involved, we do not permit pregnant guests to participant.
  • You must include the following in the comments section when booking: raingear & shoe sizes for each passenger, (for adult men and women, S-XXL and youth, S-L) and any pertinent medical information. Smallest shoe size that can be accommodated is Youth 2 and largest is Adult 14.
  • Maximum weight limit is 250 lbs per person

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We’re here to help.
Live Chat, Text, Call, or Email our friendly customer support with your questions.

Activity code: C-5043P13

Reviews

4.93
72 reviews

Average 4.93 out of 5 stars based on 72 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
68
4 stars
3
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Similar Tours & Activities

Juneau Whale Watching Adventure

Juneau Whale Watching Adventure

 3 hours 45 minutes
from
$189

Juneau Gold Creek Salmon Bake

Juneau Gold Creek Salmon Bake

 1 hour 30 minutes  Free Cancellation
from
$79

Round-Trip Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle Service
Likely to Sell Out

Round-Trip Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle Service

 3 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$79

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Juneau Underground Gold Mine and Panning Experience

Juneau Underground Gold Mine and Panning Experience

 2 hours 15 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$89

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

 3 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$177.45

Round-Trip Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle Service
Likely to Sell Out

Round-Trip Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle Service

 3 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$79