Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Tour & Lake Paddle

Summary

Canoeing to mendenhall glacier’s face with guide pickup snacks

You’ll paddle across Mendenhall Lake with a local guide, feeling the chill wind off the glacier and spotting wildlife along steep forested cliffs. Get up close to the glowing blue ice at the glacier’s face before warming up with hot drinks in your canoe. Includes roundtrip pickup from Juneau cruise docks and full waterproof gear—just bring your sense of adventure.

What’s the experience like?

We slid our boots on at the edge of Tongass National Forest, rain jackets rustling as we tried not to look too clumsy in all the gear. The van ride from Juneau’s cruise docks was only half an hour, but it felt like we’d crossed into another world—trees thick with moss, air so clean it almost tasted sweet. Our guide, Jen, handed out gloves and cracked a joke about “Alaska summer” being four kinds of wet. I grinned at my friend; neither of us had paddled a canoe in years.

Pushing off onto Mendenhall Lake was quieter than I expected. The water barely made a sound against the hull—just this soft slap every time someone dipped their paddle wrong (usually me). We moved in a line behind Jen’s canoe, heads turning whenever she pointed out something: white dots on the cliffs (mountain goats), a flash of wings above (arctic terns). There was this moment when she stopped talking and just let us listen—the wind coming straight off the glacier, cold enough to sting your cheeks. I kept thinking how different it felt from seeing glaciers from afar. Here you could hear them crack sometimes, or maybe that was my imagination.

I didn’t expect to get so close to the blue ice. Jen steered us toward these wild crevasses near the toe of Mendenhall Glacier, and for a second I forgot about my numb fingers. The color isn’t something you can photograph right—it’s almost glowing under gray clouds. Someone asked if we could touch it; Jen laughed and said not unless we fancied swimming (no thanks). We huddled up for hot drinks after that—my cocoa tasted extra good with cold hands—and just floated for a while, nobody really talking.

The paddle back felt faster, maybe because we were all hungry or maybe just quiet from being out there. I still think about that view when I see ice in my freezer—it’s not even close, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Canoe tour to Mendenhall Glacier

• Pick up at cruise ship docks
• Transfer to West Glacier boat launch
• Gear up and receive paddle lesson
• Launch canoe on Mendenhall Lake
• Paddle through Tongass National Forest
• View wildlife along steep cliffs
• Canoe to glacier face viewpoints
• Experience Mendenhall Glacier up close

Top questions

How long is the Mendenhall Glacier canoe tour?

The tour lasts about 3.5 to 4 hours total, including transportation and around 2 hours paddling on Mendenhall Lake.

Is hotel or cruise ship pickup included?

Yes, roundtrip transportation is provided from Juneau’s cruise ship docks.

Do you get out and hike on this tour?

No hiking is included; this is a canoe-only experience on Mendenhall Lake.

What should I wear for the canoe tour?

You’ll be provided with rain jacket, pants, boots, and gloves—just dress warmly underneath.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the tour?

Bottled water, snacks, and a hot beverage are included during your time on the lake.

What wildlife might you see near Mendenhall Glacier?

You might spot mountain goats on cliffs and arctic terns overhead; other wildlife sightings are possible but not guaranteed.

Is there an age or weight limit for this canoe trip?

The minimum age is 12 years old; participants must weigh between 90lbs and 240lbs.

How physically demanding is this tour?

You need full use of limbs for up to two hours of paddling; good physical fitness is recommended.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip pickup from Juneau’s cruise ship docks straight into Tongass National Forest, all waterproof outerwear—rain jacket, pants, boots, gloves—a guided paddle across Mendenhall Lake with safety instruction and stories along the way, plus bottled water, snacks, and a hot drink served right in your canoe before heading back to town.