Mendenhall Lake Kayaking: paddle past icebergs to a salmon bake

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.43 (23 reviews) 83% rated it 5 stars

1/6

Duration5h

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Glide beneath towering cliffs before warming up by a marshmallow fire pit

Kayak across Mendenhall Lake in two-person stable kayaks, navigating icebergs while your guide points out native wildlife and the history of Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. The activity includes full raingear, life jackets, instruction before launch, pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, and an all-you-can-eat salmon bake at Gold Creek with sides, salads, beverages and blueberry cake. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent; those 13 to 17 need a signed parental consent form. The tour runs 5 hours and is weather dependent.

The Experience

Mendenhall Lake sits in the Tongass National Forest, and the kayaking starts with your guide fitting you for life jackets and rain gear, then teaching you the paddling techniques you'll need before you board. You'll paddle in a two-person kayak—either with a traveling companion or a new friend—across water studded with icebergs. The guide navigates the route and explains the wildlife, the glacier's history and the ecology around you as you move across the lake. You'll get close enough to see the face of Mendenhall Glacier and the base of Nugget Falls, both within a safe distance.

The kayaking portion takes roughly two hours of active paddling, which means you need moderate fitness and upper body strength to handle it. Guests over 6'3" will steer with the oar instead of foot pedals, and there are weight limits tied to the kayak cockpit size (roughly 275 lbs maximum depending on waist size). The minimum weight is 40 lbs. Gloves and an extra pair of socks are recommended, though full raingear is provided.

After paddling, you head to Gold Creek Salmon Bake for the all-you-can-eat portion. The menu centers on Alaskan-caught wild salmon and includes BBQ ribs, Chilkoot baked beans, Tongass wild-rice pilaf, Alyeska au gratin potatoes, a selection of sides, salads and hot and cold beverages, plus blueberry cake for dessert. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. Beer and wine are available for purchase. The bake sits near a waterfall and old mining relics, with a marshmallow roasting fire pit and live entertainment.

The full experience runs 5 hours. Pickup and drop-off happen from designated meeting points, and the tour includes national park fees and permits. The activity is weather dependent, so check conditions before your departure date.

What’s included

Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points.
full raingear (pants, jacket, boots) and life jackets.
kayaking instruction before launch.
two-person stable kayak.
guide throughout the paddling and bake.
all-you-can-eat buffet at Gold Creek Salmon Bake with Alaskan salmon, ribs, sides, salads, hot and cold beverages and blueberry cake.
national park fees and permits.
live entertainment at the bake.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for back problems

Operated by Alaska Travel Adventures Inc.

Is this one for you?At 5 hours total, this activity fills most of a day but leaves room for other stops in Juneau before or after. The paddling itself takes roughly two hours of active upper body work, so you need moderate fitness and the ability to handle a kayak; it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries. The weather-dependent schedule means you'll want to confirm conditions the day before.