Snowshoe Hike to Castner Glacier Ice Cave

Overview

Available languages

English

8 hours

Mobile ticket

Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime, family friendly experience as we guide you inside Castner Ice Cave in the heart of one of Alaska's famed glaciers! We will drive from Fairbanks, passing open tundra with herds of caribou, the Trans-Alaskan pipeline, and on clear days see the stunning Alaska Range.

Once we arrive at the glacier area we will gear up with snowshoes or ice cleats for your boots before heading out on a guided 1.5 mile hike to the Ice Cave! Please note that the hike itself is rather flat and easy-going, however extreme cold temperatures can make things difficult. Please come prepared!

We will learn about the history of glaciers in Alaska, geology, local history, and much more as we embark to the glacier. This will no doubt be an adventure to bring home and tell your friends and family about!

Licensed by Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior permit #2025-00551. Current photos from 24/25 winter season

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Fairbanks

Our starting point is in Fairbanks, AK. Travel south for the journey to the Ice Cave.

10 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

After gearing up at the trailhead, we step onto the glacier and begin our hike, trekking a little over a mile across the ice to reach the cave.

3 hours • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Bottled water

Snacks

Snowshoes (optional)

Air-conditioned vehicle

Trekking Poles

Ice Cleats

We will have snacks and water bottles. You may bring your own lunch or purchase at Delta Junction where there is a grocery store and Subway on way to glacier

Winter Shoes/Boots - Required

Winter Gear: Please dress accordingly

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Options

Snowshoe Hike to Castner Glacier Ice Cave

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

20 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Awesome
SambaSivaRao Y,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great experience and awesome location and definitely must visit place. Hike on lake with great panoramic views
Absolutely amazing guides...
HonYu N,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Absolutely amazing guides and views! The guides accommodate you as much as they can and know the good photo spots, and they even brought flashlights to enhance the views inside the ice cave!
Must do
Elena S,,Apr 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Can’t recommend more! It is an easy hike to the glacier, the views are incredible and the glacier cave is so cool! Kody was so helpful and knowledgeable and tour was so much fun!
Awesome
173beej,,Apr 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was awesome our guide Conner was lit and has the perfect personality for this type of thing, the walk was worth seeing it. Natures glory ❤️🙏🏽
Really wonderful tour guide!
Brittany S,,Apr 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Cody was a great tour guide and had lots of great info for us along the way which made the drive really enjoyable! The cave experience was spectacular and so special! Cody did a great job at making this a truly wonderful experience for me and our whole crew!
Castner Ice cave tour
Peggie C,,Apr 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Booked a tour to Castner Ice Cave with Kody. April 9th. We had a wonderful time. Kody is friendly, knowledgeable and professional. He helped us when our snow boots and made sure we were safe. The 1.5 mile hike wasn’t too hard and we stopped along the way to take photos. Definitely recommend Kody.
Awesome experience!
J7242JVfranciscob,,Apr 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Decided to visit this Glacier Ice Cave! It was awesome, the crew picked us up and drove us to the destination. About 2.5 hours out with a pit stop in between. Snowy roadways also slowed us down a bit. Made great conversation, talked a bit about the areas where we drove by, and witnessed a very scenic route. When we arrived to the location, they provided water and snacks, snow gear like ice heels and snow boots, as well as gloves and hot packs if necessary. It was around 1.4 mile inland hike to actually get to the cave, with plenty of stops in between for breaks. Along the way we were able to see the beauty of Alaska, an unforgettable experience. Plenty of photo ops along the way, and plenty at the cave! They went above and beyond to show us all this area had to offer and make sure we had a blast. After an hour, made the trek back, and they dropped us off back in Fairbanks. We appreciate everything from Colter & Coby for the experience. We were first-timers in Fairbanks and don't believe we would've been prepared for this without them! Great people and would love to book with CoveredGround Alaska Tours again? From Ruth + Francisco
Must Do Activity!
Jessica R,,Apr 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Cody was super knowledgeable and friendly! This was definitely one of the highlights of our Fairbanks trip! Hope to meet up with Cody again in Yellowstone next time :)
Great day trip!!
Calvin C,,Apr 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
So glad I booked this tour! I thought about visiting on my own, but it was definitely worth the cost to have the experienced, personable, and accommodating guides navigate the drive and hike to the glacier. Super friendly, very professional. Definitely recommend.
Wonderful !!
R1196OKkathyp,,Apr 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was amazing ! Tour was as advertised. Guide was very personable, knowledgeable, and considerate of our needs. Would recommend this to anyone interested in a glacier experience.