Reid Inlet

The distant, sloped face of Reid Glacier as seen from the mouth of Reid Inlet on a clear day.

Reid Inlet is a sheltered cove where Reid Glacier descends directly from the Brady Icefield to the western shore—a rare convergence of tidewater glaciation and serene saltwater. The glacier's melt creates the signature milky-blue water, while the surrounding terrain displays active plant succession: lupine, fireweed, and dryas colonize bare glacial sediment, willows and alders establish footholds, and large spruce trees at the inlet entrance mark the frontier of forest recovery. This landscape captures glacial recession in real time—Reid's 1890 surveys documented the glacier reaching tidewater; today it terminates in the valley, a measurable retreat visible to every visitor.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 58.8613889, -136.8138889
Accessibility: Water access only—no road or trail access. Kayak or Park Service tour boat required. Beached inlet allows shore exploration for able-bodied visitors; no developed hiking trails. Visitors with mobility limitations should consult lodge staff regarding tour boat amenities.

Conditions & safety

Permits Required: 0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Beardslee Islands, Johns Hopkins Glacier, Margerie Glacier, Lamplugh Glacier, Muir Inlet, Grand Pacific Glacier, Geikie Inlet, Bartlett Cove, Mount Fairweather
Nearby Facilities: Glacier Bay Lodge at Bartlett Cove (meals, lodging, kayak rentals); Bartlett Cove Campground (tent camping, limited sites, 25 miles south); Gustavus Dock & Ferry Terminal (30 miles south)
Best Time To Visit: Late May through early September; peak viewing July when weather is most stable and glacial melt activity highest. Early morning tours (6am departure) offer calmest water and clearest visibility.
Tips Advice: Arrive on the early tour boat for calmest waters and clearest glacier views; afternoon fog common
Bring binoculars: harbor seals haul out on inlet beaches; bald eagles hunt over the water
Large spruce trees at the inlet entrance are planted by 1920s homesteaders—unique for Glacier Bay, as native conifers have not naturally recolonized recently deglaciated terrain
Reid Glacier is negotiable by expert mountaineers with crampons and rope to reach the Brady Icefield, but deeply crevassed snowfield makes this technical-only
Watch tidal timing: low tide exposes mudflats and sheltered coves; high tide provides better deep-water kayak access
Glacial melt water is silt-heavy ('glacial flour'), extremely cold (45–50°F), and not drinkable—never treat it as swimming water
Insider Tips: The spruce trees at the inlet entrance are planted by Joe and Muz Ibach in the 1920s—remarkable because native spruce forest has never naturally recolonized recently deglaciated terrain in Glacier Bay
Reid Glacier still moves, but slowly; the 1899 Harriman Expedition named the glacier after Reid's earlier surveys, and it is no longer considered tidewater except at extreme high tides—a visual record of retreat
Tidal range can exceed 20 feet; low tide exposes extensive mudflats and sheltered coves suitable for kayak exploration and wildlife viewing
Glacial flour (silt) in melt water is so fine it stays suspended, creating opaque milky blue water—not drinkable even when fresh from the glacier
Harbor seals regularly haul out on inlet rocks to thermoregulate; approach quietly and keep distance for best wildlife photography
The inlet is named after Harry Fielding Reid (1859–1944), a Johns Hopkins geophysicist and America's first expert on glaciers and earthquakes; his 1890–1892 Glacier Bay work established the baseline for all subsequent recession studies

More details

Park Area: West Arm, Glacier Bay
Family Friendly Notes: Park Service tour boats suitable for families with children age 6+. Kayaking requires moderate fitness, water comfort, and cold-water gear (immersion suit recommended). Independent kayaking for inexperienced paddlers inadvisable; navigation and open-water hazards demand prior experience. Shore exploration accessible for most mobility levels in calm weather.
Attraction Type: Glacial Inlet
Elevation Feet: 0
Distance From Entrance: Approximately 25 nautical miles north from Bartlett Cove Visitor Center (5–6 hour journey by Park Service tour boat)
Accessibility Level: Water access required; kayak or tour boat needed
How To Get There: By kayak or Park Service tour boat from Bartlett Cove. National Park Service operates concessionaire tour boats from Glacier Bay Lodge; reservations recommended during peak season. Independent kayakers depart from Bartlett Cove via Beardslees Passage northward.
Parking Availability: Not applicable—water access only. Vehicle parking available at Bartlett Cove Campground visitor area.
Road Type: Water access only; no road access to Reid Inlet
Seasonal Access: Late May through early September when ice clears and tour services operate; winter access rare, with extremely limited services and increased ice hazards
Entry Fees: No entrance fee required. America the Beautiful annual pass covers park access.
Main Features: Reid Glacier descending from Brady Icefield, calm inlet waters, glacial melt (milky-blue), pioneer vegetation (dryas, lupine, fireweed, willows, alders), homesteader-planted spruce trees, beach and shore meadows
What Youll See: Reid Glacier flowing from Brady Icefield to the inlet's western shore; glacial-flour milky water; active plant succession on recently deglaciated slopes; beach meadows with pioneer wildflowers; harbor seals on inlet beaches; bald eagles; large spruce trees marking forest recolonization frontier
Unique Characteristics: Named after pioneering glaciologist Harry Fielding Reid (1890–1892 surveys); 130+ year record of measurable glacial recession (1890 tidewater terminus to today's valley terminus); active plant succession in real time; homesteader-planted spruce forest relics; gold mining history (Ibach claim, mid-1920s)
Safety Considerations: Glacier hazards: calving ice and deep crevasses on Reid Glacier; expert mountaineers only. Water: tidal currents, 45–50°F temperature, hypothermia within 15 minutes—wear immersion suit and U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket. Wildlife: maintain 100 yards from bears/wolves, 25 yards from other wildlife. Weather: rapid fog/wind changes, afternoon squalls common. Never swim or wade in glacial melt water.
Best Viewpoints: From kayak on inlet waters for full glacier-to-water perspective; shore meadows and beaches at the inlet entrance for closer glacier and vegetation views; high tide provides deeper kayak access to glacier terminus
Photo Opportunities: Glacier descending to water (morning light optimal); reflection shots from calm water in early morning; vegetation detail shots (wildflowers, plant succession stages); harbor seal and eagle action; panoramic glacier-and-inlet composition
Photography Spots: Glacier-to-water panorama from mid-inlet; wildflower meadows for foreground interest; harbor seal compositions on beach rocks; eagle hunting sequences over water; alpenglow on Brady Icefield peaks (May and September only during extended daylight)
Stargazing Quality: Excellent in clear skies when visible; limited by 20-hour summer daylight June-July. Best stargazing in May and September with 15+ hours of daylight and dark night windows.
Sunrise Sunset Quality: 24-hour daylight mid-June to mid-July eliminates distinct sunrise/sunset alpenglow. Best sunrise/sunset quality in May and September with 15+ hours of light and low-angle sun.
Visitor Center Present: 0
Restrooms Available: 0
Restroom Type: None; nearest facilities at Bartlett Cove 25 miles south
Picnic Areas: 0
Interpretive Signs: 0
Cell Service: Unknown; satellite communication recommended for trip planning
Water Available: 0
Guided Tours Available: 1
Trailheads Here: No established hiking trails. Beach and shore meadow exploration available; technical glacier traverse to Brady Icefield (mountaineers only, crampons and rope required).
Connecting Trails: Beach exploration at inlet; technical glacier traverse to Brady Icefield (expert mountaineers only)
Nearby Services: Glacier Bay Lodge at Bartlett Cove (food, lodging, boat rentals; 25 miles south by water); Gustavus community (30 miles south by water): groceries, fuel, lodging options
Common Wildlife: Black bears, brown bears, harbor seals, humpback whales, bald eagles, mountain goats (high peaks), sea otters, stellar sea lions
Best Wildlife Times: Bears: May–July dawn and dusk foraging; humpback whales: June–July migration peak; harbor seals: year-round, hauled out on beaches; bald eagles: spring through fall active hunting; sea otters: year-round in inlet waters
Wildflower Peak: Mid-July through August (lupine, fireweed, dryas, silverweed, strawberries)
Fall Colors Peak: Limited fall color; deciduous vegetation sparse (willows, alders). Minor color shifts August–September.
Geological Formation Type: Glacial Tidewater Inlet; Outlet Glacier Valley
Scientific Interest: Active tidewater glacier recession documented continuously since Reid's 1890s surveys; glacial melt dynamics and sediment discharge patterns; plant succession in recently deglaciated terrain (primary succession); glacial isostatic rebound visible in raised beaches; crevasse field demonstrates glacier flow mechanics
Road Opening Dates: Year-round accessibility; tour boat schedule and ice conditions determine seasonal access
Snow Lingering: Mountain snow melts July–August; Brady Icefield retains year-round snow and glacial ice
Winter Access: Possible but rare; extreme limited services, ice hazards increase, daylight reduced to 4–6 hours December–January
Best Visit Times: Early morning (dawn departure) for calmest water and clearest light; mid-week reduces tour boat congestion
Best Season: Late May through early September; July is peak for stable weather and glacial melt observation
Weather Patterns: Afternoon fog and wind common; morning typically clearest. Rain possible any month. Summer temperatures 50–60°F. Afternoon thunderstorms possible July–August. Wind accelerates during glacial outflow periods.
Peak Fill Times: Not applicable—remote water-based destination; no parking lot
Busiest Season: July peak season; daily tour boat traffic from Bartlett Cove
Lake Size: Reid Inlet surface area approximately 1–2 square miles; depth varies with tides (shallow beaches to 50+ feet in central waters)
Fishing Species: Unknown for Reid Inlet specifically; Glacier Bay offers salmon and halibut fishing in other areas (check park regulations)
Fishing Nearby: 0
Swimming Allowed: 0
Boating Allowed: 1
Climbing Areas: 0
Review Summary: Visitors consistently describe Reid Inlet as the understated gem of Glacier Bay's West Arm—less crowded than Johns Hopkins Glacier but equally geologically significant. Most praise the calm water access and immediate glacier views; many express surprise at the visible plant recovery and historical artifacts. Kayakers and tour passengers alike rate it highly for photography and wildlife observation, particularly harbor seals and eagles.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Is Reid Inlet worth visiting if I'm time-limited?

Yes—most tour boats spend 1–2 hours here, ample time for glacier viewing, shore exploration, and photography. It is less crowded than Johns Hopkins Glacier and offers comparable geological immediacy within the itinerary.

Can I kayak independently to Reid Inlet, or must I take a tour?

Independent kayaking is allowed; no permit required for day visits. The inlet's calm waters suit moderate paddlers. Plan 25+ nautical miles round-trip from Bartlett Cove; navigation and sea conditions require prior experience.

Is Reid Glacier still advancing toward tidewater, or has it retreated?

It has retreated measurably. Geologist Harry Fielding Reid documented it reaching tidewater in 1890; today it terminates in the valley. This 130+ year record of recession is visible to visitors—a direct window into glacial response to climate.

How cold is the water, and what are the hypothermia risks?

Water is 45–50°F year-round. Immersion hypothermia begins within 15 minutes. Always wear a wetsuit or immersion suit and U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket. Never swim or wade in glacial melt water, even in summer.

Will I encounter bears at Reid Inlet, and how should I react?

Black and brown bears forage along inlet beaches and meadows, especially May–July. Maintain 100 yards distance, make noise while beached, never leave food unattended, and store gear in bear-resistant containers if camping.

What plants dominate the inlet shores, and when do they bloom?

Pioneer species (lupine, fireweed, dryas, silverweed, strawberries) peak bloom mid-July to August. Willows and alders are establishing; native spruce forest has not naturally reclaimed these slopes—visible proof of primary succession.