Glacier Bay National Park Itinerary for Families
Four days chasing glaciers, whales, and rainforest trails from a treehouse lodge.
Glacier Bay sprawls across 2.7 million acres of pristine wilderness in Southeast Alaska, where tidewater glaciers calve into fjords and humpback whales breach offshore. The only lodging inside park boundaries sits among moss-draped rainforest on a boardwalk network, giving families intimate access to a landscape still emerging from the ice.
- 2.7M Acres of wilderness
- 245 ft Glacier face height
- June–Aug Peak whale season
- Free Entrance fee
Day 1: Arrival & Rainforest Welcome
Stay: Glacier Bay Lodge; check in at 4 pm. Request a bay-view room for whale watching from your window.
Families land at tiny Gustavus airport and ride the free shuttle to the lodge, then walk the Forest Loop Trail to acclimate to the rainforest and spot Barrow's Goldeneye ducks and Sooty Grouse.
- Fly from Juneau on Alaska Airlines (25–30 minutes).
- The lodge shuttle meets you at Gustavus airport and drives 10 miles through forests to Bartlett Cove.
- After checking in, walk the Forest Loop Trail starting at the lodge: a gentle 1.1-mile loop on boardwalks and dirt paths through moss-draped spruce and hemlock forest, with benches and viewing platforms overlooking Bartlett Cove.
- Listen for grouse calls and watch for ducks on the pond.
Day 2: Glacier Cruise & Calving Ice
Stay: Return to Glacier Bay Lodge for dinner. Rest early for tomorrow's hiking and kayaking.
The only scheduled day tour into Glacier Bay's West Arm, a high-speed catamaran reaches Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers where families watch calving ice while an NPS ranger explains the de-glaciation and see whales, seals, and sea lions.
- Board the catamaran at 6:50 am at Glacier Bay Lodge's dock.
- The boat departs at 7:15 am and travels 130 miles through Glacier Bay's West Arm.
- Midway, you reach the faces of Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers, two towering walls of ice 245 feet above the ocean, calving icebergs continuously.
- The park ranger narrates wildlife sightings—look for humpback whales breaching, Steller sea lions lounging on rocks, harbor seals, and rare puffins.
- Lunch and beverages are included; return around 3:30 pm.
Day 3: River Hike & Guided Paddling
Stay: Glacier Bay Lodge. Dinner at Fairweather Dining Room features local salmon and halibut.
Morning hike follows the Bartlett River through spruce and hemlock forest to an estuary where moose, river otters, and occasionally bears feed; afternoon guided kayaking in protected Bartlett Cove with a naturalist adds quiet water exploration for ages 10+.
- Hike the Bartlett River Trail from the lodge: 4.5 miles round-trip through lush spruce and hemlock forest, winding along an intertidal lagoon.
- The trail ends at the Bartlett River estuary where braided streams meet the bay—prime moose and river otter habitat.
- Return to the lodge by early afternoon.
- At 1:00 pm, join a guided half-day kayak tour (offered daily at 9 am or 1 pm) through Bartlett Cove.
- A naturalist guide leads paddlers along the shores of Lester Island and Point Gustavus, watching for seals, porpoises, bald eagles, and occasionally whales.
- Children must be age 10+ for kayaking tours; families with kids 10–12 can request a custom guided pace.
Day 4: Tlingit Culture & Departure
Stay: Checkout at 11 am. Shuttle to airport departs mid-morning for afternoon flights.
Before departing, families explore the Tlingit Trail to encounter the Huna Tribal House (Xunaa Shuká Hít), a 45-foot humpback whale skeleton, and Healing Totem Pole—three windows into Alaska's indigenous past and living culture.
- Walk the easy Tlingit Trail (0.5 mile one-way) from near the lodge dock along the forested shoreline.
- You'll pass the Healing Totem Pole and reach Xunaa Shuká Hít (Huna Ancestors' House), a beautifully carved wooden tribal house opened in 2016 where carved panels depict stories of four Huna Tlingit clans and their roots in Glacier Bay.
- Adjacent stands a pavilion sheltering the skeleton of Snow (Tlingit name: Tsalxaan Tayee Yáay), a 45-foot, 70,000-pound humpback whale who visited Glacier Bay until struck by a cruise ship in 2001—now a symbol of ocean stewardship.
- Return to the lodge, browse the gift shop, then head to the airport for your afternoon flight back to Juneau.
Common Questions
Can we visit Glacier Bay with kids under 10?
Yes. Hiking trails at Bartlett Cove are family-friendly for all ages, and the day glacier cruise accepts kids 3+. Kayaking requires age 10+ due to safety protocols in cold, tidal water. Younger families can substitute more hiking or the Visitor Center activities on Days 3–4.
What if our flight from Juneau gets canceled?
Fog occasionally grounds planes between Juneau and Gustavus. Most visitors who don't land on first attempt succeed on day two. The lodge can arrange an extra night, or you can stay in Juneau and retry within 24 hours. Both Alaska Airlines and Alaska Seaplanes offer daily flights June–August, so options exist.
Is Glacier Bay expensive?
Lodging at Glacier Bay Lodge is mid-range ($200–300 per room per night); meals are extra. The day tour costs $273–$143 per person. Flights from Juneau are $200 per person each way. Hiking and most Visitor Center activities are free. Budget $3,500–$4,500 per family of four for 4 days including flights, lodging, and tours.
Will we see whales and bears?
July–August sightings are likely but not guaranteed. Humpback whales are common on the day tour; harbor seals and sea lions are almost certain. Bears are shy and rarely seen on the day tour; they may appear on longer kayaking expeditions or backcountry hikes. Bald eagles and puffins are frequently spotted.
What should we pack for Glacier Bay?
Waterproof jacket and rain pants (essential year-round), warm layers (fleece, down jacket), sturdy hiking boots, waterproof pack cover, hat and gloves (July–August mornings are 50°F), sunscreen, and seasickness medication (optional—the catamaran is stable). Bring a day pack for hikes. The lodge has laundry facilities.
Sources & Further Reading
- Plan Your Visit - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Hiking - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Kayaking - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Glacier Bay Tour Boat - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Weather - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Operating Hours & Seasons - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Fees - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Directions - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Camping - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Permits & Reservations - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours - Official Booking Site — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Glacier Bay Lodge - Lodging & Camping — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Glacier Bay Day Tour — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Guided Kayaking & Rentals - Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Sample Itineraries - Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Trip Planning - Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Getting Here - Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Glacier Bay Seasons - Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Ranger Programs - Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Tour Glacier Bay - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Wildlife Viewing Seasonal Calendar - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Bear Safety - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Bear-Resistant Food Canisters - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Bear Track Inn - Gustavus, Alaska — Bear Track Inn
- Bear Track Inn - Rates — Bear Track Inn
- A Tale of Two Skeletons: Rearticulating Whale Bones from Glacier Bay — National Park Service
- Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska — Alaska.org
- Glacier Bay National Park - Alaska State Ferry to Gustavus — National Park Service
