Mendenhall Glacier canoe and hike tour from Juneau

Paddle across a glacier-fed lake, then walk the rocky terrain directly in front of the ice.

The Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour is a guided canoe and hiking experience in Juneau that combines paddling across Mendenhall Lake past icebergs and waterfalls with a 60-minute interpretive hike on the moraine directly facing the glacier. The tour operates in the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States, and includes expert guides, all safety gear, transportation from downtown, and refreshments; space is limited to small groups.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Mendenhall Glacier and surroundings

• Paddle across Mendenhall Lake
• Pass icebergs and waterfalls
• Arrive at remote beach site
• Hike around rocky moraine near glacier

The Experience

The tour starts with a paddle across Mendenhall Lake, where you'll canoe past icebergs calved from the glacier, giant waterfalls, and wildlife while surrounded by mountain peaks. Your guides handle the route and the paddling logistics; you bring the effort for roughly two hours on the water. Once you reach a remote beach site, you beach the canoe and begin the hike.

The hiking portion takes you across the rocky moraine directly in front of Mendenhall Glacier for about 60 minutes. This is not a walk-on-the-ice experience—you're exploring the uneven terrain and boulders at the glacier's base, which means scrambling over steep ground for up to a couple of miles. Your guides lead the way and explain the landscape as you go. The entire operation stays within the Tongass National Forest, and the combination of paddling and trekking is what makes the day physically demanding: you'll need full use of your limbs and a high level of fitness to manage both the canoe work and the steep hiking.

Transportation from downtown Juneau, a life vest, helmet, trekking poles, rain jacket and pants, waterproof boots, bottled water, snacks, and a hot beverage are all included. The tour runs five hours total. Groups stay small, and every departure is unique depending on conditions and what the guides encounter on the day.

What’s included

• Transportation from downtown Juneau.
• life vest, helmet, trekking poles, rain jacket, pants, and waterproof boots.
• bottled water, snacks, and a hot beverage.
• expert wilderness guides leading the entire tour.

Good to know

Demanding physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Liquid Alaska Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to paddle across a glacier-fed lake and hike the moraine in front of the ice itself—the small-group format and expert guides mean the day is fully arranged, and the combination of canoe work and steep hiking is what makes this Juneau's most physically demanding glacier adventure.

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Top questions

What's the difference between this tour and a glacier viewing from a distance?

This tour puts you on the water and then on the moraine itself—you paddle across the glacier-fed lake and hike directly in front of the ice, not view it from a boat or a viewpoint. The 60-minute hike on the rocky terrain at the glacier's base is the core of the experience.

Do I need to be an experienced paddler to canoe on Mendenhall Lake?

No prior paddling experience is required. Your guides lead the canoe work, and the paddling portion lasts about two hours. You do need to be physically fit and able to paddle continuously, as the lake crossing is a core part of the tour.

Can I walk on the glacier ice itself?

No, this tour does not provide access to walk on glacier ice. You hike the moraine—the rocky terrain and boulders directly in front of the glacier—which is where the interpretive hike takes place.

How steep is the hiking, and how far do we walk?

The hiking covers up to a couple of miles over steep, uneven terrain with rocks and boulders. You'll need to scramble and have full use of your limbs. The hike lasts about 60 minutes and is the most physically demanding part of the tour.

What happens if the weather turns bad during the tour?

Rain jackets, pants, and waterproof boots are provided, so you're equipped for wet conditions. Your guides manage the route based on conditions and safety; they decide whether to proceed, adjust the itinerary, or return early if necessary.

Is this tour suitable for teenagers?

Yes, children are welcome from age 12 and up, provided they meet the physical fitness requirements and weight limits (90 to 240 pounds). The combination of paddling and steep hiking means they need to be comfortable with sustained physical effort.