Thanks to a cool climate and an abundance of snow, Alaska is home to thousands of glaciers. Gleaming walls of ice, these North American glaciers are constantly evolving, creating a dynamic and varied landscape. Their fertile deposits make glaciers a star of their ecosystem, supporting an abundance of wildlife, another top reason to visit them.
As they move through the landscape, these iconic landmarks of nature make for incredible vistas and major tourist attractions for those who visit this northernmost state each year. With so many stunning glaciers and extraordinary wildlife, it is hard to pick which ones to see, but there are a few that stand out for their beauty, size, and accessibility.
Here is a look at Alaska’s must-see glaciers.
Hubbard Glacier
One of Alaska’s most famous glaciers, and immensely popular with cruisers, is the famed Hubbard Glacier. It is a staggering 400 feet high and 7 miles wide. It is 200 miles northwest of Juneau and is only accessible by boat or cruise ship.
Named after Gardiner Hubbard, the first President of the National Geographic Society, it is located in Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The glacier has stunning striations of blue and white, set against the backdrop of impressive Mount Hubbard, which is just under 15,000 feet in elevation.
The Hubbard Glacier is in a state of ongoing movement, and the glacier often has sizeable chunks of ice breaking off (a process called calving), which provides spectacular views for visitors. The area is also known for wildlife, including humpback whales, who feed off krill. Orcas, along with other marine life like seals, as well as stately bald eagles, all help to make it one of the top-rated experiences in Alaska.
Mendenhall Glacier
Only 13 miles from Juneau, the capital of Alaska, the Mendenhall Glacier is accessible by road, which makes for an easy day trip. Set in the protected area of Tongass National Forest, the glacier is part of the Juneau Icefield, which covers 1,500 square miles. Leftover from the last ice age, the area has incredibly diverse terrain encompassing waterfalls and forests.
There are a few transportation options for the short journey from Juneau, such as bus, taxi, or car rentals. For those on a cruise, it is an easy do-it-yourself excursion and a nice break from often expensive cruise line excursions. Once there, the visitor center is a good starting point for any trip as it has an indoor viewing center as well as several exhibits about the glacier and local environment. Several trails of varying lengths make it easy to explore for visitors of different activity levels. Other popular activities include hiking, kayaking, and guided tours. Helicopter rides are the ultimate activity for those wanting the best views.
The park welcomes guests all year long, and a popular attraction is the lake, the terminus point for the 13-mile river of ice. It has icebergs floating in it and is home to a variety of animal life, such as black bears, porcupines, beavers, bald eagles, sockeye, and Coho salmon.
Glacier Bay
West of Juneau, this 3.3-million-acre nature preserve is set on a peninsula that is surrounded by water and ice fields. It is best seen by boat and can also be reached by plane via the nearby town of Gustavus, which has year-round flights. The park is open all year long, but it is most enjoyed in the summer months.
With impressive tidewater glaciers and incredible scenery that is outlined by rugged mountains, a temperate rainforest, and sheltered fjords, the park is said to have over 1,000 glaciers. Thanks to its ongoing transformation, including spectacular calving, visitors can witness chunks of the glacier break away, revealing vibrant inner layers in various shades of blue.
Visitors can enjoy the park with guided walks, hiking, camping, kayaking, river rafting, fishing, and boat tours. It is a wilderness sanctuary and has rich feeding grounds that attract a variety of animal life, making it a great place to see whales, bears, puffins, and eagles.
Portage Glacier
For easy access to a glacier, Portage is one of the best choices, given its proximity to Anchorage, Alaska’s most populous city, and a transportation hub for travelers. This convenient location makes it one of the most popular glaciers to visit. It is just over an hour outside of the city by car, with numerous transportation options for visitors.
It is located in the Chugach National Forest and is named in honor of its role as a portage route for early inhabitants traveling between Prince William Sound and Turnagain Arm. The best way to see Portage is by boat, although kayaking and hiking are other alternatives. There are campgrounds nearby for summer visits.
The Visitor Center has a number of exhibits on the glacier and the local wildlife. Local inhabitants include a variety of birds, as well as brown and black bears and mountain goats. Winter is also a great time to visit Portage, as the nearby lake freezes allowing people to ski, hike and ice skate.
Matanuska Glacier
Known as the largest U.S. glacier that can be reached by car, the Matanuska Glacier is among the most accessible, making it ideal for visitors. It can be reached within a 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage and Glennallen along the Glenn Highway.
Celebrated as one of the biggest and most impressive glaciers in Alaska, the Matanuska Glacier flows from the Chugach Mountains. It is considered a valley glacier, is 27 miles in length and 4 miles wide at the terminus. Visitors enjoy hiking, walking, river rafting, and helicopter tours.
One of the most popular activities is guided treks on the glacier. It is a well-rated experience by visitors, primarily due to its accessibility and excellent local guides. Experts lead guests through a variety of treks, ensuring they have the appropriate equipment for a safe walk on the glacier. Guests also enjoy a nearby 229-acre recreation area, which has spectacular views of the glacier and the headwaters of the Matanuska River. Visitors can spend the night at a local campground and take advantage of the Edge Nature Trail, which has additional glacier viewing platforms.
