Kayaking

an aerial image of the beardslee islands on a clear day

If you’re visiting Glacier Bay on a budget, one of the more accessible wilderness areas of the park is the Beardslee Islands. Knowledge of current tides and conditions will afford you the experience of a lifetime, within close proximity to Bartlett Cove. Wildlife abounds in this protected group of islands that are slowly rising from the water every year. Birds, marine and land mammals teem in this interplay of ocean and land geography. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/kayaking.htm">Kayak</a> or camp in pristine waters and islands!

Pets are allowed on land in only a few select areas within the Bartlett Cove Developed Area, and may not be left unattended. Your pet must be leashed or physically restrained at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails, beaches, or anywhere in the backcountry, with the exception of pets that remain on board private vessels on the water.

If you’re visiting Glacier Bay on a budget, one of the more accessible wilderness areas of the park is the Beardslee Islands. Kayak through these peaceful, wild waters and look for wildlife along the shoreline for a true Glacier Bay adventure.

Tides are an important factor when planning a kayak adventure. Be sure to check tide predictions or speak with a ranger before embarking on your paddle.

Kayak the Beardslees

Coasts, Islands and Atolls

Glaciers

Mountains

Oceans

Scenic Views

Wilderness

Hiking

a wooden boardwalk in a dense, mossy rainforest

Walk through enchanting temperate rainforest, explore sea life in the intertidal zone, or soak in knowledge about the park's cultural history on a hike in Glacier Bay! There are four <a href="https://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/hiking.htm">trails</a> in the Bartlett Cove area: the Forest Loop Trail, the Bartlett River Trail, the Bartlett Lake Trail, and the Tlingit Trail. They vary in length, but can accommodate a variety of ability levels and ages. Though there is no trail, exploring the shoreline from Bartlett Cove is also an incredible way to experience the park. Visit the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/hiking.htm">Glacier Bay hiking page</a> for information on trail length and descriptions. Ranger Recommendation The wet climate of Southeast Alaska makes for muddy, often slippery trails and surfaces. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes with good traction. Rubber boots (SE Alaskan Sneakers) are popular here. Watch where you are stepping and take your time!

Bartlett Cove has the only developed trails in the park. The forests and shorelines offer great hiking opportunities through a beautiful setting and a chance to see all manner of wildlife. Spend some time, stretch your legs, and discover the wonders of the park!

Hike the Trails at Bartlett Cove

Rainforest

Lakes

Trails

Camping

Stays at the campground are limited to 14 days.

The campground is located about 1/4 mile by trail from the Bartlett Cove Public Dock and the Visitor Center.

Tucked into the mossy, temperate rainforest along the shores of Bartlett Cove, the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/campground.htm">Bartlett Cove Campground</a> makes an idyllic basecamp for all of your Glacier Bay explorations. Just steps from views of the surrounding waters and mountain ranges, camp sites are convieniently located near the public dock, the Glacier Bay Lodge, and the Visitor Information Station (1/4 mile). The campground facilities include bear-proof food storage caches, a fire-pit with free firewood, a small warming shelter. Ranger Recommendation Check out some of Bartlett Cove's excellent trail options or simply explore the shore during your stay. Whales, harbour porpoises, sea otters, moose- you never know what you might spot! Don't forget to stop by the Visitor Information Station for a campground permit and a required orientation session.

Visit the Visitor Information Center to recieve an orientation and camping permit.

The Bartlett Cove Campground is steps away from incredible views of the Fairweather Mountains and the bay. Spend a night in this enchanting rainforest campground and listen to whales from where you sleep.

Camp at Bartlett Cove

Arts and Culture

Gustavus is 10 miles by road from Bartlett Cove. It is accessible by ferry or plane from Juneau.

<a href="https://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/gustavus.htm">Gustavus</a> is considered the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park and is located 48 miles west of Alaska's State Capitol, Juneau. Gustavus spreads across a large plain created by receding glaciers and is completely surrounded by the distant mountains and icefields of Glacier Bay National Park on three sides and the ocean on the fourth. A coastal tourism and maritime community, Gustavus features the amenities of any small town and features a rich history. Many visitors enter and leave the park through this charming community. Spend some time as you pass through getting to know the town by visiting the Gustavus beach, the hub of town activity at Four Corners, or the the banks of the Salmon River. A unique community of interesting people, Gustavus offers a full range of accommodations and plenty of adventures for travelers.

Reservations may be required for lodging. See the <a href="http://www.gustavusak.com/">Gustavus Visitors Association</a> for information.

The town of Gustavus is considered the gateway to Glacier Bay. This charming Alaskan community offers plenty for travelers to explore as they make their way to the park.

Explore Gustavus

Colonization and Settlement

Explorers and Expeditions

Farming and  Agriculture

Forests and Woodlands

Industry

Maritime

Museum Exhibits

a large building in a forested area on a beach

The Visitor Center is located on the second floor of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/glacier-bay-lodge.htm">Glacier Bay Lodge</a> in Bartlett Cove, 10 miles from Gustavus, Alaska.

The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm">Glacier Bay Visitor Center</a>, located on the second floor of the Glacier Bay Lodge, is a great place to expand your knowledge of the park. In the summer, park rangers present evening programs, show educational videos in the Visitor Center auditorium, and lead walks in the area. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/join-a-park-ranger.htm">Check the activities schedule</a> to find out what's happening during your visit. The Visitor Center is a wonderful way for families, lovers of culture and nature, and avid explorers alike to spend an afternoon. There are exhibits to explore the park's geography, natural history, an information desk, an underwater hydrophone listening station, an <a href="https://www.nps.gov/glba/learn/bookstore.htm">Alaska Geographic bookstore</a>, quiet reading area, and an auditorium...and expansive views of Bartlett Cove.

The Glacier Bay Lodge is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">Check hours on the park's Basic Information page</a>.

Stop by the Glacier Bay Visitor Center to watch a program, join a ranger on a walk, or just explore the exhibits yourself. There's plenty to learn for visitors of all ages.

Stop by the Glacier Bay Visitor Center

Animals

Geology

Native American Heritage

Whales

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Programs and special events may be offered in the summer. 

a large building with traditional alaska native carvings on the front at sunset

The Huna Tribal House is located on the Tlingit Trail, near the Visitor Information Station.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is the ancestral homeland of the Huna Tlingit clans who sustained themselves for centuries on the abundant resources of the land and sea. Although villages inside the Bay were overrun by the Little Ice Age glacial advance of the 1700's, the Huna Tlingit re-established numerous fish camps and several villages in Glacier Bay soon after glacial retreat. The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/glba/learn/historyculture/huna-tribal-house-project.htm">Huna Tribal House</a> memorializes the clan houses that once lined the shores of present day Bartlett Cove, now the site of National Park Service headquarters in Glacier Bay.

Take a walk on the Tlingit trail to see the first permanent clan house in Glacier Bay since Tlingit villages were destroyed by an advancing glacier over 250 years ago.Learn about the Tlingit history of this land, and the current connection they have to their homeland in Glacier Bay.

Experience the Huna Tribal House

Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight of Alaska's Inside Passage and part of a 25-million acre World Heritage Site—one of the world’s largest international protected areas. From sea to summit, Glacier Bay offers limitless opportunities for adventure and inspiration.