Mendenhall Glacier canoe paddle and hike: 5.5 hours

Paddle toward calving icebergs, then walk the glacier's edge on rocky ground.

A 5.5-hour canoe paddle and glacier hike in Juneau starts at Mendenhall Lake with paddle instruction, then crosses toward Mendenhall Glacier while you watch for freshly calved icebergs and Arctic tern nesting grounds. After paddling past Nugget Falls, you exit the canoes and hike the rocky terrain to explore the glacier's edge (crevasses, ice fall and deep blue features), before paddling back across the lake. A professional guide, all paddling equipment, rain gear, boots, snacks and National Park fees are included. You'll need to be in strong physical condition and able to swim.

Step-by-step itinerary

Canoe, hike, and glacier views

• Transport to gear warehouse
• Gear fitting and orientation
• Canoe paddle on Mendenhall Lake
• Hike rocky terrain near glacier
• Return transport to main office
• Transport back to meeting location

The experience

The morning starts at a gear warehouse where you'll be fitted for rain gear and rubber boots, then transported to Mendenhall Lake. A guide walks you through paddle instruction before you board a spacious canoe (either an 8-person or 12-person depending on group size), and push off across the glacier-fed water. The paddle across the lake takes you past Arctic tern nesting grounds and Nugget Falls, with the glacier face growing larger as you round a rock peninsula. Blocks of ice stand tall in the water, waiting to calve.

You'll paddle roughly 5 to 6 miles total, then exit the canoes and hike about 2 miles roundtrip over rocky ground at the glacier's edge. This is where the day shifts from paddling to exploration. The Mendenhall Glacier recedes daily, so the features you'll see (crevasses, ice fall at the toe, the deep blue ice formations) change constantly. You won't trek onto the glacier itself, but you'll stand close enough to study its rapid recession and the ancient ice age wilderness it represents. The time spent at the glacier depends on your group's pace and weather conditions.

After exploring the glacier's edge, you paddle back across Mendenhall Lake to the warehouse, where you'll de-gear and return to your pickup location. The whole outing runs 5.5 hours from start to finish. Bottled water and snacks are provided throughout, and you'll need to bring nothing but your own physical fitness and swimming ability: the operator supplies everything else.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English.
• all paddling equipment.
• rain gear and rubber boots fitted to your size.
• bottled water and snacks.
• National Park fees.
• local taxes.
• pickup and return transport from your meeting location.
• gear warehouse orientation and paddle instruction.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 3 May 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Above and Beyond Alaska

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're in strong physical condition and comfortable paddling and hiking for a full morning: the 5.5-hour commitment and the 5-to-6-mile paddle plus 2-mile hike mean this is built for travelers who can sustain effort over several hours. Shared canoes with other guests keep the cost down and build the group energy that makes paddling across a glacier-fed lake feel like an expedition rather than a solo outing.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the paddle distance and hiking distance on this Mendenhall Glacier tour?

The canoe paddle covers roughly 5 to 6 miles across Mendenhall Lake, and the glacier hike is about 2 miles roundtrip over rocky terrain at the glacier's edge.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to paddle on Mendenhall Lake?

Yes, all clients must know how to swim. The tour also requires a high level of physical fitness and the ability to paddle and hike without assistance.

Will I actually walk on the Mendenhall Glacier?

No, this tour does not include trekking onto the glacier itself. You'll hike the rocky terrain at the glacier's edge to explore crevasses, ice fall and other ice features from the bedrock, gaining intimate views without stepping onto the ice.

What happens if the glacier looks different on the day I go?

The Mendenhall Glacier recedes daily and is in constant change, so not all features may be present or accessible on any given day. The operator explores the glacier's edges safely and adjusts the experience based on what conditions allow.

What gear and clothing do I need to bring?

You don't need to bring paddling equipment, rain gear or boots. All are provided and fitted to your size at the warehouse. Bring only your own physical fitness and swimming ability. The tour supplies everything else, including bottled water and snacks.

How many people will be in my canoe?

You'll be in either an 8-person or 12-person canoe depending on group size, with one or two guides assigned based on how many people are paddling.