Park of China
Overview
| Designation | UNESCO World Heritage (natural, 1979) US National Park |
| Location | Southern coast of Alaska, USA |
| Latitude, longitude | 58.7, -137.0 Google Maps |
| Area | 3,280,000 acres |
| Nearby cities | Juneau |
| Nearby sites | Wrangell–St. Elias National Park 462km Search nearby |
| Themes | Glacier, Bay, Wildlife, Snow Mountain, Ocean, Rafting & boat trips |
About
Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Glacier Bay National Park in the US, together with Kluane and Tatshenshini-Alsek in Canada, form a single World Natural Heritage site.
Visitor map
Travel tips
Getting there: the park is in the Inside Passage of southeast Alaska and has no road access. Small planes take about 30 minutes from Juneau to Gustavus, from which it is a short drive to Bartlett Cove, the park headquarters.
Cruise ships: many Alaska cruise ships spend a day in Glacier Bay without landing passengers; this is how most visitors see the park.
Day tour: a concession tour boat leaves from Bartlett Cove and runs about eight hours up the West Arm, seeing glaciers, seals and seabirds.
Kayaking: kayaks can be rented at Bartlett Cove, and a boat can take paddlers deeper into the bay; this suits experienced people.
Shore walks: the rainforest around Bartlett Cove has trails such as the Forest Loop and a shoreline path, good for a few hours.
Time: allow at least two days, with one or two nights, to fit in the boat tour and walks.
Season: May to September is easiest, with long days; facilities are closed in winter.
Where to stay: the Glacier Bay Lodge at Bartlett Cove has few rooms; there is a campground by the beach that needs a free permit; Gustavus has guesthouses.
Caution: it is rainy and cool, so wear waterproof clothing; brown bears live here and food must be stored as required.
More photos
Map
Photo credits: Glacier Bay National Park: MusikAnimal (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)