Mendenhall Glacier
Juneau, USA
Mendenhall Glacier is a 13-kilometre-long river of ice located in the Mendenhall Valley, approximately 20 kilometres from Juneau. Formed during the Little Ice Age, this glacier is a stunning aspect of the Juneau Icefield, with its blue hues and surrounding emerald forests creating a striking contrast that draws many visitors year-round.
Prepare for a range of experiences, from walking along the 1.5-kilometre trail to Mendenhall Lake for views of the glacier calving, to exploring the visitor centre for insights into glacial science. Summer is ideal for hiking, while winter offers opportunities for ice skating on the lake, but be cautious of weather conditions that can change rapidly.
See it on a tour
Tours that visit Mendenhall Glacier
Hand-picked experiences that include Mendenhall Glacier on the itinerary — with what real travellers said after going.
Wildlife whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier visit in Juneau
4.9· 6374 reviewsFrom ₹24,393Four hours touring the Mendenhall Glacier followed by whale watching aboard a state-of-the-art vessel for guaranteed sightings of Humpback Whales.
“Despite the less than ideal weather, the crew—Michelle, Sophie, and Claire—impressed us with their knowledge. Michelle excellently navigated the boat through windy and rainy conditions, managing to spot whales. We enjoyed learning their names and other details. We wholeheartedly recommend Alaska Tales.”— I4368MOfrankp on the Wildlife whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier visit in Juneau tour
Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching tour in Juneau
4.8· 57 reviewsFrom ₹19,494Four to five hours on a jet boat — 1 hour at Mendenhall Glacier plus whale watching, with a family-owned local operator.
“We selected this tour for both Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching, and while we found it pricey, we anticipated the added benefits of hot chocolate and snacks. The crew was friendly, and Nia was particularly entertaining. The bus and boat were clean, but I likely would not choose this option again. First, other companies start right at the ship, but this one required a walk to the tram. During check-in, we received the wrong green card, nearly boarding the incorrect tour. When we got on the bus, one individual ended up without a seat. Fortunately, a young crew member called out names and discovered we had been sent to the wrong bus. Despite arriving early, we were the last to board the correct bus. We were informed that whale watching would be first, but we were taken 20 minutes away to an area where whales had previously been spotted. Ironically, we saw more whales coming into port where our ship docked than from this boat. On the return trip, hot chocolate and snack packs were served. Despite knowing the number of passengers, they only provided each of us with half a cup of hot chocolate and ran out of cup lids, which became essential later. Having been whale watching before, this experience did not meet expectations. Captain Jay frequently made poor navigational choices, staying far from the whales compared to other boats. We observed some whale blows and tails, but felt too distant to enjoy the sight properly. On the return journey, Jay seemed more concerned about reaching the dock than the sea conditions. We noticed wake waves from oncoming ships, but he appeared distracted, leading to a hard impact that spilled hot chocolate everywhere. A man's coat ended up completely soaked, while my seat and pants absorbed what remained of my half cup. After cleaning up, we received snack bags, but I expected local Alaska snacks and instead got children's items like applesauce, goldfish, and granola bars. Finally, we headed to Mendenhall Glacier. Lisa was a pleasant bus driver, but I would have preferred more commentary about Alaska rather than yard art. The visitor center was closed since it was after 5 PM, and it was dark by the time we finished the trail. There was no guidance for the trails; we only got transportation. While I appreciated Nia's contributions, overall, I left this tour feeling disappointed.”— family4MI on the Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching tour in Juneau tour
Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching tour from Juneau
4.7· 795 reviewsFrom ₹19,494A combined experience: two-hour whale watching followed by an hour and a half at Mendenhall Glacier Park for hiking and scenic views.
“DeeDee and our morning driver, who had long hair and a dark beard, were both friendly and knowledgeable. The whale watch crew, including Lauren, Brock, and M, provided an excellent experience. We spotted a pod of four humpback whales bubble feeding from about 100 yards away, which was incredible. I would certainly recommend this tour.”— Randall_M on the Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching tour from Juneau tour
Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching tour from Juneau
4.7· 147 reviewsFrom ₹18,515Half-day tour combining whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier visits, with small, mammal-friendly jet boats for an intimate experience.
“We participated in the Whales & Mendenhall Glacier tour in Juneau at the end of August, and while the tour itself was wonderful with whales as a standout feature, the experience turned stressful when our bus departed the glacier 8 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. We saw the bus leave while we were still walking from the far end of the loop. After incurring unexpected roaming charges, trekking to the park entrance, and taking a cab, we barely made it back to our ship with just 10 minutes to go. This whole ordeal was incredibly anxiety-inducing. We reached out to the tour operator, who promised to investigate but we haven't heard back after multiple follow-up emails over the past three weeks. It’s disappointing that they haven’t addressed this issue.”— dustinjenniferm on the Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching tour from Juneau tour
Mendenhall Glacier Express from downtown Juneau
4.5· 320 reviewsFrom ₹8,131Three hours total — direct bus from cruise terminal to Mendenhall Glacier with two hours of free time to explore trails and the Visitor Center.
“Kristal was knowledgeable and welcoming. We had the opportunity to observe many eagles resting on lampposts. The overall experience was enjoyable.”— Sherwin_E on the Mendenhall Glacier Express from downtown Juneau tour
Mendenhall Glacier trolley tour from Juneau
4.4· 592 reviewsFrom ₹7,739Three hours round trip from the cruise ship dock — narrated drive to Mendenhall Glacier, two hours at the visitor centre and trails for exploration and photos.
“Wayne was an excellent driver and provided insightful commentary about the city and surrounding areas. We appreciated having our own time to explore and enjoy the sights. The trail had some icy and slushy spots, so wearing sturdy shoes is advisable. Bring water and be ready for some walking; the path is relatively flat, making it suitable for various ages and those with good mobility.”— Mark_C on the Mendenhall Glacier trolley tour from Juneau tour
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