5 Days in Glacier Bay National Park
Five days threading Glacier Bay's fjords, glaciers, and temperate rainforests from Bartlett Cove.
Glacier Bay sprawls across 2.7 million acres of southeastern Alaska where mountains rise straight from the sea, and over 1,000 glaciers carve a landscape still emerging from ice. Temperate rainforests meet fjords, and tidewater glaciers calve into pristine waters where humpback whales breach and sea otters float among icebergs.
- 2.7M Acres
- 1,000+ Glaciers
- 8,000+ Sea otters
- 280+ Bird species
Day 1: Arrival & Bartlett Cove Orientation
Stay: Stay at Glacier Bay Lodge; premium rooms overlook the cove and surrounding rainforest.
First day orients you to the park's only lodging hub and prepares you for tomorrow's glacier cruise.
- Fly into Gustavus on Alaska Airlines, collect your gear, and ride the lodge shuttle 10 miles to Bartlett Cove.
- Check in at Glacier Bay Lodge, explore the visitor center exhibits on glaciers and wildlife, and take a short walk around the lodge grounds.
- Stop at the Fairweather Dining Room for dinner overlooking the cove.
Day 2: Glacier Bay Day Cruise to Margerie & Grand Pacific
Stay: Return to Glacier Bay Lodge for a late dinner; rest early to prepare for hiking tomorrow.
This is the only official day tour in the park, guaranteeing access to the West Arm's two most active tidewater glaciers and the best chance to see calving and marine wildlife.
- Board the high-speed catamaran at 7:15 am from the Glacier Bay Lodge dock for an eight-hour voyage into the West Arm.
- The ranger-narrated cruise reaches Margerie Glacier, a vibrant blue tidewater glacier extending 21 miles from the Fairweather Range, and neighboring Grand Pacific Glacier.
- Watch for humpback whales, sea otters, harbor seals on icebergs, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, and brown bears foraging on shorelines.
- Lunch and beverages are included.
Day 3: Bartlett River Trail Hike
Stay: Return to Glacier Bay Lodge for dinner; refuel with fresh Alaskan seafood at the Fairweather Dining Room.
A manageable forest walk that reaches an active river mouth where tide flows between sea and inland waters—a zone of ecological transition where bears and eagles converge.
- From the lodge, hike the Bartlett River Trail through dense temperate rainforest of Sitka spruce and hemlock.
- The trail winds along an intertidal lagoon before reaching the Bartlett estuary, where the river meets the sea.
- Watch for nesting bald eagles, black bears fishing the shallows, and gulls diving for smelt.
- Trails are muddy and slick; wear sturdy, closed-toe boots.
Day 4: Point Gustavus Coastal Walk
Stay: Return to Glacier Bay Lodge for dinner; enjoy views of Bartlett Cove from the deck before departing tomorrow.
This coastal traverse opens views across the Icy Strait toward one of the world's highest densities of humpback whales and rewards rocky scrambling with expansive horizons.
- Walk or bike the trail from Bartlett Cove toward Point Gustavus, the park entrance point on the Icy Strait.
- The route transitions from forest to rocky beach and open headlands; the final mile is largely an intense walk over barnacle-covered rocks and sandy stretches.
- Reach the point at roughly the midpoint or partial distance to catch views of whale-feeding waters and scan for orcas, sea otters, and bears.
- Return the same way before dark.
Day 5: Departure & Optional Morning Walk
Stay: Check out by 11 am; lodge provides shuttle service to Gustavus Airport.
A flexible final morning allows time for reflection and last-minute wildlife observation before your flight home.
- If your flight departs mid-morning or afternoon, take an optional early walk on the Tlingit Trail (0.5 miles one-way, accessible gravel path) or explore the lodge grounds one more time.
- Otherwise, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Fairweather Dining Room, shop for souvenirs at the gift shop, and catch the lodge shuttle to Gustavus Airport.
- Most return flights to Juneau depart mid-morning.
Common Questions
Do I need a permit to visit Glacier Bay?
No entrance fee is charged, but backcountry campers and boaters need permits. Backcountry camping is free but requires a 30-minute orientation at Bartlett Cove Visitor Information Station. Private boaters must apply for permits in January–March or 3 days ahead via the online portal; only 25 permits are issued daily June 1–August 31.
What's the best time to visit Glacier Bay?
July and early August offer the warmest temperatures (50–63°F), best whale watching, and 16+ hours of daylight. June is drier but cooler (50°F avg). Book flights and lodging at least 12 weeks ahead for peak season.
Can I hike to see glaciers from Bartlett Cove?
No hiking trails reach tidewater glaciers; the Glacier Bay Day Tour catamaran is the only way to reach Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers. Day hikes from Bartlett Cove focus on forests, estuaries, and coastal views.
What wildlife will I see?
Humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles, brown bears, and puffins are common in summer. Your best sightings happen aboard the day tour or from coastal trails at dawn and dusk.
Is Glacier Bay accessible for visitors with limited mobility?
Glacier Bay Lodge has ADA-accessible rooms and the dock features a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform. Trails are mostly muddy and uneven; the Tlingit Trail offers a flat, accessible gravel path. Contact the lodge ahead to arrange accommodations.
Sources & Further Reading
- Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve - Plan Your Visit — National Park Service
- Hiking - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Kayaking - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Permits & Reservations - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Glacier Bay Lodge — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Glacier Bay Day Tour — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Margerie Glacier - National Park Service — National Park Service
- Johns Hopkins Glacier - National Park Service — National Park Service
- Overview of Selected Glaciers in Glacier Bay — National Park Service
- Weather - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Visitor Centers - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Bartlett Cove Campground - National Park Service — National Park Service
- Private Boating in Glacier Bay - National Park Service — National Park Service
- Accessibility - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Wildlife Viewing Seasonal Calendar - Glacier Bay National Park — National Park Service
- Ride the Ferry to Gustavus, Alaska — National Park Service
- Sample Itineraries - Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Trip Planning - Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Getting to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
