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Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls by Blue Bus

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/6

Duration3h

GroupUp to 50

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

The Blue Bus takes you straight from the ship to Alaska's most accessible glacier

You get roundtrip narrated transport from the cruise terminal, two hours to explore Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls on your own, and Visitor Center entry with exhibits included. The self-guided format means you choose whether to hike, photograph, or linger at the viewpoint, and the return timing is built around your ship's departure window.

Step-by-step itinerary

Take Glacier Blue Bus from Juneau terminal
Listen to scenic commentary en route
Arrive at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
Explore Visitor Center exhibits
Walk trails and photograph glacier views
Optionally hike to Nugget Falls
Return to bus for departure

The Experience

The glacier sits two hours of self-guided time in front of you, and the Blue Bus gets you there from downtown Juneau without the logistics. You board near the cruise ship terminal, ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver who narrates the route, and arrive at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center ready to move at your own pace. The Visitor Center entry is included, so you can walk through the interactive exhibits about how the glacier formed and what's happening to it now, or skip straight to the trails.

Most people spend their two hours split between the Visitor Center and the walking paths that branch out from the parking area. You can photograph Mendenhall Glacier and Mendenhall Lake from the main viewpoint without hiking, which takes five minutes. If you want to see Nugget Falls up close, the roundtrip hike runs 45 to 60 minutes, so timing matters — you'd do that first if you're going, then circle back to the Visitor Center before the return bus leaves. The trails are open to all fitness levels, and you're not locked into a pace or a guide's schedule.

The narrated ride back to the terminal gives you time to sit down after being on your feet, and you're back at the ship with enough buffer before departure. This works because it's built around cruise schedules — the return timing is planned so you don't have to sprint back or cut your glacier time short. Strollers work fine for the Visitor Center and the main viewpoint, and infants ride on an adult's lap during the bus ride.

What’s included

Your experience includes narrated roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship terminal in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver, entry to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center with interactive exhibits, and two hours of self-guided exploration at the glacier. You can walk the trails, photograph Mendenhall Lake and the glacier, visit the Visitor Center, or hike to Nugget Falls if you choose — all park entrance fees are covered.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by M&M Glacier and City Tours

Is this one for you?A good fit if you're docked in Juneau and want to see Mendenhall Glacier without arranging your own transport or worrying about timing back to the ship. The self-guided format means you set the pace, and the return is timed around cruise departures so you're not rushed.