Alaskan Glaciers

NPS

McBride Glacier in the Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay

McBride Glacier, the only tidewater glacier in the East Arm, is approximately 40 nautical miles from Bartlett Cove.

If you are kayaking, McBride Glacier is a good destination because it attracts fewer motorized vessels and is a very active glacier. However never paddle (or take a boat) into McBride Inlet due to its hazardous entrance.

Tidewater glaciers consist of recurring periods of advance alternating with rapid retreat and punctuated by periods of stability. During portions of its cycle, a tidewater glacier is relatively insensitive to climate change.

For more information please visit http://www.nps.gov/glba/index.htm

AK DOT

Matanuska Glacier

Southcentral Alaska Glaciers

The Matanuska (Mat-Su) Glacier

One of the most beautiful glaciers in Alaska accessible by car. It is about two hours north of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway.

A state recreation site offers 12 campsites and trails to glacier viewing. For more information visit the Alaska State Parks website at
http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/matsu/matsuglsrs.htm

USFS

Portage Glacier

Portage Glacier

One of the most visited glaciers in the Chugach National Forest, an hour (50 miles) south of Anchorage off the Seward Highway.

The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is your gateway to the glaciers. The Center offers opportunities to learn about the Chugach National Forest and glaciers with fun and interactive exhibits.

From the center one can take a short boat trip to view the glaciers or hike along the nature paths.

Also, near the visitor center there are a total of 50 campsites at the Williwaw and Black Bear campgrounds.
For more information on Portage Glacier visit the Chugach National Forest website.

NPS Chris Smith

Boat tour at Spencer Glacier

Spencer Glacier

Also located in Chugach National Forest, can only be accessed by railroad from Anchorage or Portage.

A short hike (3/4 mile) allows visitors a view of the glacier and a raft trip down the river to the train if desired.

For more information visit the Alaska Railroad Spencer Glacier webpage.

NPS

Exit Glacier

Exit Glacier

Is one of the most visited glaciers in the state, and the only part of the Kenai Fjords National Park accessible by road.

Visitors can take a short walk to reach the face of the glacier or hike a little further to the Harding Icefield.

There are 12 campsites available from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
For more information visit the Kenai Fjords Naitonal Park website

Carl Tape

Columbia Glacier

Prince William Sound Glaciers

The Columbia Glacier

Named after the elite ivy-league school in 1899 by the Harriman Alaska Expedition.
It is approximately 400 square miles, 32 miles long and 1,800 feet thick.
The glacier can be viewed by boat tours or ferry from both Valdez and Whittier.

USGS

Worthington Glacier

Worthington Glacier

Located just north of Valdez by road.
The average amount of snowfall in the mountains that feed this glacier is over 250 inches per year.
There is a state recreation site which allows visitors to view the glacier and its moraines.
For more information visit the
Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation: Prince William Sound website

USGS

Mendenhall Glacier

Southeast Alaska Glaciers

Mendenhall Glacier

Formerly known as Sitantagu (meaning "The Glacier Behind the Town").
Located near Juneau in the Tongass National Forest.
The visitor center near the glacier is the first visitor center built in the nation (dedicated in 1963).
There are elevated access boardwalks for wildlife viewing and trails for more glacier observing opportunities.
For more information, visit the Tongass National Forest website

NPS

Malaspina Glacier

The Malaspina Glacier

Located in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.
This glacier is the largest piedmont glacier in North America; spanning 60 miles across.
It covers 850 square miles, which is almost the same size as Rhode Island.
For more information, visit the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve website

NPS

A bird flying through a glacier.

Experience Glaciers

Whether seen from the water at Glacier Bay, from the air, or up-close as you hike across a field of ice, your first sight of Alaska’s glaciers is breathtaking. You’ll find more glaciers in the Alaskan national parks than anywhere else, which keeps these ancient monuments of ice accessible to all, including scientists who are closely studying the role of glaciers in our changing climate.

For more information visit: http://alaskacenters.gov/experience-glaciers.cfm