Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a landscape of ice, water, wilderness, and biodiversity. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Glacier Bay is situated on the southeastern Alaska coastline, between the Gulf of Alaska and Canada. This remarkable destination, spread over 3.3 million acres, draws in travelers from around the world to experience its glaciers, fjords, forests, and wildlife.
Glacier Bay's allure is undoubtedly anchored in its glaciers. The park is home to over a thousand glaciers, each with its unique personality and history etched in the ice. Among the most prominent are the Margerie, Johns Hopkins, and Lamplugh glaciers. Margerie Glacier is more than twenty miles long and approximately a mile wide. It is a tidal glacier known for its striking white-and-blue facade and the dramatic calving events, where chunks of ice, some as tall as buildings, crash into the bay with a thunderous roar. Witnessing a calving event is a humbling experience, highlighting the force and power of the ice. Further into the bay lies Johns Hopkins Glacier, a less frequently visited but equally fascinating icy giant. The National Park Service restricts access to this glacier due to the high concentration of seals that use the icebergs for pupping.
The park's forests and waterways are a sanctuary for diverse flora and fauna. Towering Sitka spruce and Western hemlock trees dominate the lush temperate rainforest, creating a canopy that spills into the more rugged terrains that are home to bears, mountain goats, moose, brown and black bears, mountain goats, lynx, porcupines, and wolves. More than 280 bird species are resident in the park including cormorants, puffins, murrelets, bald eagles, oystercatchers, shearwaters, hummingbirds, and petrels. Likewise, the vast expanse of Glacier Bay's waters is a playground for marine life. Humpback whales breach and slap the water with their tails, alongside orcas, sea otters, and harbor seals that navigate the icy waters.
Lynx in Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve
A wolf next a stream in Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve
A North American porcupine
A humpback whate breaches to surface in Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve
A brown bear in Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve
A mountain goat in Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve
Puffins
Glacier Bay is also a landscape steeped in cultural history. The ancestral homelands of the Huna Tlingit people encompass this area, with their lineage tracing back for centuries. The native communities have a profound spiritual connection to Glacier Bay, with narratives and names deeply rooted in the landscape. A significant cultural site within the park is the Huna Tribal House (Xunaa Shuká Hít), located at Bartlett Cove. This traditional longhouse serves as a cultural and educational center by sharing the Tlingit history, culture, and heritage with visitors.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a playground for active travelers. The vast expanse of wilderness offers outdoor activities suitable for all types of explorers – from avid hikers and kayakers to those seeking serene boat tours. Glacier Bay's trails range from short, leisurely walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. The Bartlett River and Bartlett Lake trails near Bartlett Cove offer relatively accessible routes through rich forest landscapes, ideal for spotting wildlife and soaking in the tranquil beauty. For the more experienced, exploring the remote regions of the park promises awe-inspiring vistas and personal encounters with the raw wilderness.
A boat tour or kayaking expedition is arguably the best way to fully experience Glacier Bay. Navigating the fjords and inlets, paddlers experience the scale and serenity of the towering glaciers and dramatic cliffs firsthand. Kayaking in Glacier Bay offers a unique opportunity to quietly observe wildlife up close, perhaps making eye contact with a curious sea otter or witnessing a whale breaching the icy waters. For fishing enthusiasts, Glacier Bay's waters are teeming with opportunities. The park's rivers and coastal waters are rich in salmon and halibut, offering the thrill of angling against the backdrop of the glaciers.
Protecting Glacier Bay as a national park and preserve underscores the importance of sustainability in maintaining such an extraordinary environment. The National Park Service collaborates closely with the native Huna Tlingit people to protect the cultural and natural integrity. Sustainable tourism is a focal point, emphasizing minimal impact practices to ensure the park's beauty and ecological balance remain intact for future generations.
Visitors are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles, participate in educational programs on conservation, and support local and sustainable tourism practices. By engaging with the park responsibly, each visitor contributes to the ongoing conservation efforts that make Glacier Bay the untouched wilderness it deserves to be.
Planning a visit to Glacier Bay involves embracing its remote and wild character. The gateway to the park is the small town of Gustavus, accessible by plane or ferry. From Gustavus, visitors can reach Bartlett Cove, the operational heart of the park, which houses the visitor center, lodgings, and the park's headquarters. Accommodations within the park are rustic, echoing Glacier Bay's pristine and unaltered environment. Glacier Bay Lodge offers comfortable stays with views overlooking the bay, perfectly situated for early morning wildlife sightings or evening glacier vistas.
For an immersive experience, camping in the backcountry is a popular choice. Permits are required, and campers must be prepared for the challenging conditions and practice strict wildlife protocols to ensure safety and sustainability.