Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike Juneau
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
The Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike is our most sought-after adventure. Your journey begins at the Mendenhall Lake, where a canoe guide will provide paddle instruction. Equipped with gear, board your spacious canoe and set course for the Mendenhall Glacier. Witness Arctic tern nesting grounds and the cascading Nugget Falls as you glide past, with stunning views of the glacier in the distance. As the glacier draws near, keep your eyes peeled for freshly calved icebergs.
Exit the canoes and hike the rocky terrain, gaining intimate views of the glacier and learn about its rapid recession. Explore this ancient ice age wilderness and marvel at its ice features, including crevasses, ice fall at the toe of the glacier, and other deep blue mysteries. Constantly changing, the glacier offers a unique experience each day. This tour does not venture onto the glacier, but delivers front-row views. After immersing yourself at the glacier, board the canoes and paddle back across Mendenhall Lake.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Age minimum of 12 years and older only
Please note, this tour requires a minimum of 4 to operate. If minimum requirement is not met, reservation is subject to change or cancellation.
Maximum weight 250 pounds
You must include the following in the comments section when booking: raingear & shoe sizes for each passenger, (for adult men and women, S-XXL and youth, S-L) and any pertinent medical information. Smallest shoe size that can be accommodated is Youth 2 and largest is Adult 14.
All clients will be outfitted in 8 person or 12 person canoes, with 1 to 2 guides depending on the group size.
All clients must be in physically fit condition and capable of paddling 5-6 miles and hiking about 2 miles roundtrip. All clients must know how to swim.
Due to the inherent risks involved, we do not permit pregnant guests to participant.
With group departures we try to maximize our trip capacity and subsequently may need to alter the time to accommodate additional customers. If your trip's departure time changes we will notify you as soon as possible.
Glacier Access and feature exploration: The Mendenhall Glacier is receding daily. Because the glacier is in a state of constant change, not all features may be present or accessible. We will explore the edges of the glacier safely from the bedrock. This tour does not include trekking on the glacier.
A specific amount of time exploring the edge of the glacier cannot be guaranteed. The amount of time at the glacier is dependent on the group's pace and weather conditions
Clients must disclose information regarding pertinent medical conditions/history, allergies and any type of restriction or limitation that might introduce a higher degree of challenge on this trip.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY/ASSUMPTION OF RISK FORM: Every participant on the trip must sign a Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk form at the start of the trip. Alterations and/or deletions to the waiver are not permitted.
Maximum weight is 250 lbs per person
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
The Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike is our most sought-after adventure. Your journey begins at the Mendenhall Lake, where a canoe guide will provide paddle instruction. Equipped with gear, board your spacious canoe and set course for the Mendenhall Glacier. Witness Arctic tern nesting grounds and the cascading Nugget Falls as you glide past, with stunning views of the glacier in the distance. As the glacier draws near, keep your eyes peeled for freshly calved icebergs. Exit the canoes and hike the rocky terrain, gaining intimate views of the glacier and learn about its rapid recession. Explore this ancient ice age wilderness and marvel at its ice features, including crevasses, ice fall at the toe of the glacier, and other deep blue mysteries. Constantly changing, the glacier offers a unique experience each day. This tour does not venture onto the glacier, but delivers front-row views. After immersing yourself at the glacier, board the canoes and paddle back across Mendenhall Lake.
What‘s Included
National Park fees
Professional guide
Bottled water
Snacks
All necessary paddling equipment
Paddling and safety instructions
Rain gear and rubber boots
Gratuities
Pickup points
Extended Stay America - Juneau - Shell Simmons Drive
1800 Shell Simmons Dr, Juneau United States
Juneau Aspen Suites Hotel
8400 Airport Blvd Juneau United States
Waterfront On Glacier
1711 Glacier Ave, Juneau, Ak 99801 Juneau United States
Best Western Grandma's Feather Bed
2358 Mendenhall Loop Rd, Juneau United States
Frontier Suites Airport Hotel
9400 Glacier Hwy, Juneau United States
Super 8 By Wyndham Juneau
2295 Trout St, Juneau United States
Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau
9200 Glacier Hwy, Juneau United States
Best Western Country Lane Inn
9300 Glacier Hwy Juneau United States
Options
2025 Season
2025 Schedule
Reviews
198 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Brilliant experience
O8185GGcharlotteb,,Sep 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An unforgettable experience getting so close to a glacier, albeit physical exertion required!! Hallie & Mike, along with the other guides brought the trip alive providing information & knowledge about what we were seeing & the local area. Despite it being a wet day, we still thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The wet weather gear provided was invaluable & the snacks & souvenir water bottle a lovely addition.
Very worthwhile! Saw the glacier up close!
tdb1214,,Jul 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recently did this canoe paddle and hike to Mendenhall Glacier and it was wonderful! I wish I could remember the 4 guides names' because they deserve a shout out! (Riza and Lisa were 2 of them) They worked so well together as a team. We started at their garage where they outfited each of us (and there were 19 on the trip!) with waterproof boots, pants and jackets. Topped it all off with PFD's that they came around and made sure were adjusted properly. They reviewed where we were going and then drove to the lake, had a safety briefing and some instruction. As a group, they expertly led us across the lake, to beautiful Nugget Falls before pulling out at a beach nearer the glacier. They shared their knowledge of geology, wildlife and the glaciers. They even packed us a delicious lunch in bento boxes! Arrived back at the starting point under an Eagle's watchful eye. I would highly recommend this adventure! Awesome experience!
Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork
Z4152DKrebeccam,,Jul 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This excursion out to the Mendenhall Glacier and back is worth your time! Lisa and Keaton lead our team of rag tag paddlers through glacial water and winds beautifully!
Mendenhall Glacier Paddle
James V,,May 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very fun adventure, rain gear, including boots are provided to keep you dry. Guides are very informative about the glacier and Juneau area.
Fantastic views & great team!
NH travelers 130,,Sep 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just returned from a great trip with Halle, Kayley, and Dan. The team was well organized, fun, enthusiastic, and very knowledgeable. We drove to their shop, suited up with waterproof outfits, boots, and PFDs and drove a short distance to Mendenhall Lake. After a brief safety/paddling instruction we boarded the canoes and paddled out to a beautiful waterfall and Mendenhall glacier. Each member of the team told us about some geology, the trees, and the glacier. Then we paddled back, stored the canoes, and returned. It was a great time and we highly recommend the adventure!
Mendenhall Glacier canoe paddle and hike
Martha H,,Sep 4, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a fantastic time canoeing across Mendenhall Lake then hiking near the Glacier. Dan was a wonderful, knowledgeable, and thoughtful guide who really made our experience memorable.
Juneau's must do Glacier experience
Simonne C,,Aug 21, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The whole experience was worth every penny! A small hike to the lake to get on our canoes and paddle our way to the Mendenhall glacier area and what a site. We even got off and hiked some more to get a closer look to the glaciers and mountains. And a nice workout too with a view!!!
Best Juneau Excursion!
Dream55564989212,,Aug 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our day was amazing despite the rain. Our guides, Kaylie and Maggie, were so fun and informative. We learned so much about the glacier eco system. We were truly amazed by Kaylie’s navigational chops. She guided us perfectly through fog so thick we could hear, but not see the canoe next to us or the surrounding mountains. We saw the glacier up close … which was breathtaking. Overall an incredible experience!
Amazing Experience!
Sherpa35408269617,,Jul 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We chose this excursion when we were in Juneau based on friends having done it and loving it. And we agree! It was an amazing experience! Hiking through the rainforest to get to the lake was super cool, the canoeing was definitely work but WELL worth it, seeing Nugget Falls from so close was way better than a peak from the visitor's center and having a private viewing and experience at Mendenhall Glacier was amazing. The pictures we got as a family were super special. My 16 yr old daughter and 12 year old son were able to canoe even though it was hard work. The guides were great and had such a love for the glacier and what they do. We learned so much and would do this excursion again in a heart beat! Also, the gear they give you is great!
Its a workout for sure .... but beautiful!
bdeadder,,Jul 21, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Even though it rained the entire time, we were appreciative of the rain gear and boots that were provided for us! This was a workout ... we paddled for about an hour to get near the Glacier and an hour back. We were beat but enjoyed our day!
From US$402.09
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