Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness on this 3.5-4 hour adventure to the Mendenhall Glacier. This adventure starts off at the cruise ship docks as an expert guide will transfer the guaranteed, small group on a narrated 30 minute journey to the West Glacier boat launch in the Tongass National Forest. Guests gear up in top quality waterproof gear and after a quick paddle lesson, will launch the canoe onto the Mendenhall Lake to start the journey. Surrounded by steep cliffs filled with Arctic terns, mountain goats, porcupines, and other wildlife; enjoy the serenity of this adventure deep into Alaska. Feel the cool brisk air coming off the glacier as the guide safely navigates the canoe to the best viewpoints of the blue crevasses and seracs on the toe of the Mendenhall Glacier. Be one of the few to step away from the crowds and get face to face with glacier. This Tour is canoeing only and DOES NOT INCLUDE a hike.
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
Minimum age: 12 years old
Minimum weight: 90lbs
Maximum weight: 240lbs
Not recommended for guests with back or hip problems
Pregnant guests will not be allowed on this tour
Full use of limbs for up to 2 hours canoe paddling
Signed liability waiver
Views of particular glacier features are not guaranteed
IMPORTANT NOTICE: THIS TOUR IS CANOE ONLY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE A HIKE
What To Expect
Liquid Alaska Tours
Liquid Alaska Tours pick up guests at the cruise ship docks and their experience starts right there. This is a 4 hour all inclusive tour, including 2 hours paddling around the Mendenhall Lake to see the Mendenhall Glacier and experience the wild of Alaska in the Tongass National Forest, the largest National Forest in the United States.
Mendenhall Glacier
Guests will get up close and personal with the Mendenhall Glacier as they canoe up to the face of the glacier and experience it from a canoe on Mendenhall Lake.
Options
Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe
Mendenhall Glacier Lake Tour Duration: 4 hours
What‘s Included
Rain Jacket, Pants, Boots, Gloves, PFD
Bottled water, snacks, and hot beverage
Roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau
Expert Wilderness Guide
This tour is canoeing only and DOES NOT INCLUDE a hike.
Gratituity for your guide (optional)
Photos (feel free to bring a camera)
Warm layers (beanie, wool socks and non-cotton layers are recommended)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1,354 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Experience Mendenhall Glacier with a Paddle and Hike!
nbcdirector,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible experience paddling on Mendenhall Lake and hiking to the Mendenhall Glacier with Elymus and Cortland from Liquid Alaska Tours. Cortland picked us up at the cruise port and on the way to the lake, he made the drive interesting with facts about Juneau. Once we arrived, they had great equipment to gear us up in (jacket, pants, PFD, gloves) for the paddle to the glacier. The canoes are unique in that they are quite large, giving off dragon boat vibes. As we paddled, they gave us more information about the history of the glacier and the ecology of the area we were in. Upon beaching at Desolation Point, we hiked very close to the Mendenhall Glacier, which was spectacular. We saw a mountain goat close by, and plenty of time was available for pictures with the glacier as a backdrop. On the return paddle, we got close enough to Nugget Falls to hear and experience the roar of the waterfall. All in, it was probably just under 6 miles of paddling and maybe 2 miles of hiking (rough estimate on the hiking). So not too difficult but having a base fitness level helps. If you’re visiting Juneau and want to have a truly unique adventure, I would highly recommend this tour and paddling with Elymus and Cortland.
Highly recommend!
stephaniehB2825SB,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide Brady was friendly, knowledgeable, and made our experience wonderful! I appreciated how close we were able to get to the glacier compared to other tours. My arms got a good workout but it was worth it for the view! I highly recommend booking this experience and with our tour guide Brady (especially if you enjoy dad jokes 😂)! Keep up the good work!!
Fun and unique adventure!
Compass38709150590,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My family loved our canoe tour of Mendenhall Glacier with Hannah and Brady! Afterwards, we mutually all said it was our favorite tour we did in Alaska. Hannah and Brady were friendly, knowledgeable and funny guides (ask them about their hedgehog call)! As we passed another Liquid Alaska tour paddling back from the glacier, it was clear from the back and forth banter of the tour guides that they have a full team of friendly extroverted guides. We all came away feeling like we had a proper adventure that we earned through the paddle rather than relying on motorized transport the whole way. My mom was concerned she would be cold, wet, or not strong enough to paddle the whole way. Thankfully, she came away warm, dry, and happy with her paddling ability. Since you’re on a large canoe with multiple people, paddling isn’t that hard. Highly recommended this tour, would do it again in a heartbeat.
Amazing glacier tour!
Flyer592737,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was amazing and Elimus was a terrific tour guide! He was super knowledgeable and also very friendly and engaging.
Wonderful paddle to the face of the Mendenhall Glacier
ingef617,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful canoe paddle to the face of the Mendenhall Glacier! Very engaging and knowledgeable guide—Elisha—who described what we were seeing and the history of changes in the glacier. Be prepared for a five mile paddle in occasionally rough water, paddling hard and in synch with the other 9 people in the boat. Fortunately Elisha called breaks when we needed. Highly recommended!
Fantastic up close paddle to the face of the Mendenhall Glacier
Inge F,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic views of the glacier! But be prepared to paddle hard and in synch with the other 9 people in the canoe. Great guide who gave commentary on everything we were seeing—and called paddling breaks when we needed.
The Juice was worth the squeeze!!!
timpU9345WB,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00WOW! My family and I decide to go with non-cruise sponsored excursion to get a more personal tour and an out of the ordinary experience. Elymus, our guide, didn't disappoint. He is extremely knowledgeable and experienced and was able to provide great insights into everything Alaska, not just the Mendenhall area. We had a very windy day on the lake, so this was NOT a casual paddle. With that said, if you're not into having to hard-core paddle for a few hours, this might not be for you. With that said, the views and overall experience were absolutely worth the effort. We had an awesome time and made some great memories!!
Canoe to Mendenhall glacier
dawnpN8254YR,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time! Our guide Glymus was very knowledgeable. Tour was 4 hours long. Would recommend this tour to everyone that can handle paddling alot! Lol
Best Canoe Adventure!
S7108DLvincentt,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Incredible experience and the guides, Hannah & Brady, were an amazing vibe, they made the whole adventure ten times better. Strongly recommend. + a good little workout. ;)
Fun Canoe Trip to the Glacier!
E7744JOjasminew,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the honour of Brady and Tor guiding our group. Super chill, quite the vibe, great instruction and educational bits. Top tier communication and guidance during the experience to Nugget falls and Mendenhall glacier. Thankfully the weather held up and we got pretty close (as safely as possible) to the glacier. Wish we had more muscle in our boat to get us there effectively but still had a blast! While paddling experience is not required, I would recommend some boat knowledge/fitness level if you want to cruise through the lake. The excursion was a little over three hours and I would say for the transportation, gear provided, guide safety, and overall experience it was well worth it. Not many other boats are on the lake so it was a pretty private experience. Thanks again to Brady!!
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Operated by Liquid Alaska Tours