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Glacier Bay National Park
PO Box 140
Gustavus, AK 99826-0140
907-697-2230
www.nps.gov/glba
Glacier Bay National Park -- Alaska's southernmost park -- is inaccessible by car, but flights to Gustavus from Juneau, Skagway, and Haines are conveniently scheduled. Surrounded by towering mountains, some of the tallest in Alaska, and presenting 16 massive tidewater glaciers to the sea, Glacier Bay is one of the most important wildlife habitats in the state. The park contains wildlife of all kinds, from marine mammals (humpback whales, minke whales, killer whales, porpoises, seals, and river otters) to large land mammals (Yukon moose, Alaskan black and brown bears, wolves, and black-tail deer).
Entrance fees: Admission is free.
Visitor centers: The visitor center is open daily from late May to early September.
Other services: One information center, four park lodges, and one campground.
Accommodations:
- Bartlett Cove Campground. Open from May through September. 907-697-2627.
- Four lodges are open variously from mid-May through mid-September.
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Visiting Glacier Bay National Park
When John Muir first visited Glacier Bay on his 1879 Alaskan trip, he called the place "a wonderland" and "one of the sublimest spectacles of nature." Glacier Bay is, indeed, just that. It is also a living laboratory where scientists can study the natural processes that occur during the retreat of a glacier. The ice here is moving back from the sea at a spectacular rate; it is the fastest glacial retreat on record.
Visitors to Glacier Bay are awed by the snow-capped mountain ranges, coastal beaches with protected coves, deep fjords, tidewater glaciers, coastal and estuarine waters, and freshwater lakes. Such diversity of natural habitats is one of the reasons Glacier Bay is among the crown jewels of the national park system. On the next page, read more about sightseeing in the park.
| Glacier Bay National Park Facts
Region: Southeastern Alaska Established: 1980 Size: 3,283,246 acres Terrain: Bay, fjords, glaciers, and mountains Highlight: Muir Inlet Wildlife: Moose, wolves, black and brown bears, ptarmigans, bald eagles, salmon, harbor seals, harbor porpoises, killer and humpback whales Activities: Ranger-led walks, films, slide shows, and evening programs; kayaking, fishing, boat tours, glacier viewing, whale and bird-watching, hiking, mountain climbing, cross-country skiing, aerial sightseeing, and backpacking |
