Guided Tours

Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Guided Hike

Experience a 5.5-hour guided adventure combining a canoe crossing of Mendenhall Lake and a scenic hike near the glacier, offering an immersive way to explore Juneau’s wilderness.

Paddle across the lake in a shared canoe with professional guides, then continue on foot along the shoreline for close-up views of the glacier and surrounding landscapes.

Travel between the meeting point and launch site with included round-trip van transportation, ensuring a seamless start and finish to your adventure.

Receive all necessary equipment, including paddling and glacier gear, rainwear, a dry bag backpack, safety equipment, a helmet, and trekking poles when needed.

Follow a permitted US Forest Service route, pause to observe natural shoreline features, enjoy hearty snacks along the way, and take home a souvenir water bottle.

5.5 guided tour around Mendenhall Lake and Glacier

Professional guides

Round-trip transportation to/from the meeting location

Paddling equipment

Glacier gear

US Forest Service permits

Rain gear (hooded jacket, rubber boots, and pants)

Dry bag backpack

Snacks

Souvenir water bottle

Shower at the end of the day

Professional photography

Gratuities

You can cancel these tickets up to 3 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Explore Mendenhall Glacier up close on a guided canoe across Mendenhall Lake and a glacier-edge hike in about 5.5 hours.

Getting started

Begin at the designated meeting location, where you check in and meet your professional guides. After a brief overview of the plan and required Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk Form, you board the round-trip van transport from the meeting location. On arrival near the lake, your guides review safety, outline the paddling route, and organize the group for canoe outfitting.

What to expect

Mendenhall Lake

This section of the tour takes you across Mendenhall Lake toward the edge of the Mendenhall Glacier in 8-person or 12-person canoes. Expect up to 5 to 6 miles of paddling, with one or two guides on the water depending on group size.

Features

Comfortable pacing: The group paddles together across Mendenhall Lake toward the glacier edge, adjusting pace for conditions and fitness while your guides manage direction and timing.

Equipment included: All paddling equipment and glacier gear are provided, so you do not need to bring technical equipment. You are outfitted in the group canoes with everything needed for the lake portion before setting off.

Rainwear provided: Rain gear, including a hooded jacket, rubber boots, and pants, is supplied along with a dry bag backpack so you can keep personal items protected in this all-weather operation, except in unsafe conditions.

Mendenhall Glacier

After reaching the shoreline near the Mendenhall Glacier, you step out of the canoe and transition to hiking terrain close to the glacier edge. The guided hike covers about 2 miles round-trip on varied surfaces with changing weather and glacier conditions.

Features

Safety is a priority: Every participant wears all safety gear including helmet and trekking poles if needed are available for the hike, and guides explain how this equipment supports both the paddle and the on-land portion near the glacier.

Guided experience: A guided hike is included, and your professional guides lead the group along the route near the glacier, setting a pace that matches group ability and prevailing weather. They decide how close you can safely get, since the Mendenhall Glacier is receding daily and not all features may be present or accessible.

Permits included: US Forest Service permits are included for this glacier area, so your access to the hiking zone is fully arranged in advance and aligned with local regulations that govern use of the site.

Hearty snacks: Healthy snacks are provided during a suitable break, giving you a chance to refuel before or after the hiking portion, depending on timing and group needs.

Souvenirs: A souvenir water bottle is included, which you can use for hydration throughout the tour and then take home at the end of the day.

After the hike and paddle back across Mendenhall Lake, you return your paddling and glacier gear, dry bag backpack, and rain gear, then board the van for round-trip transport back to the original meeting location.

What to bring

Wear weather-appropriate clothing, as the tour operates in rain and other outdoor conditions.

Inform your guides of any medical conditions, allergies, or physical limitations before the tour begins.

Accessibility

A moderate level of fitness is required, as participants must paddle approximately 5–6 miles and complete a 2-mile round-trip hike.

This tour is not suitable for guests who are unable to paddle 5–6 miles or hike about 2 miles round-trip.

Pregnant guests are not permitted to join this experience.

All participants must know how to swim.

Guests must be capable of paddling between 5 and 6 miles during the tour.

Participants must be able to complete a roughly 2-mile round-trip hike near the glacier.

Additional information

The experience includes a guided canoe crossing of Mendenhall Lake followed by a guided hike with a professional guide.

Participants are assigned to 8- or 12-person canoes, accompanied by 1 or 2 guides depending on group size.

The tour lasts approximately 5.5 hours and includes both paddling and hiking activities.

Each participant must weigh no more than 250 lbs.

The tour operates in all weather conditions except when deemed unsafe by the operator.

All guests are required to sign a Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk form without modifications.

A rescue fee of USD 250 per guest will be charged if a participant cannot complete the trek due to undisclosed medical conditions or limitations.

All relevant medical conditions, allergies, and physical restrictions must be disclosed before departure.

Due to ongoing glacier recession, certain glacier features may not be visible or accessible on the day of your tour.

Time spent near the glacier’s edge varies based on weather conditions and the pace of the group.

This experience does not include trekking on top of the glacier surface.

Avoid scheduling other excursions immediately before or after this tour, as timing may vary.

Detailed meeting instructions for cruise ship passengers, hotel guests, and self-drive visitors are provided with your ticket confirmation.

You can cancel these tickets up to 3 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.