Directions to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is only accessible by either boat or plane. The only road in the area simply connects the the park headquarters at Bartlett Cove with the small town of Gustavus, 10 miles away.
The park is actually located to the west of Juneau, Alaska, and Alaska Airlines do provide a daily service from there to Gustavus within the summer season. The flight takes around 30 minutes. Other year round air services are available to Gustavus from a number of charters and small air taxis.
The majority of visitors to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve travel as passengers on cruise ships, tour boats, charter boats or aboard their own private vessels.
Traveling to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve by Air
A daily jet service is provided by Alaska Airlines during the summer season, between the town of Juneau and Gustavus. There is also a daily jet service available to Juneau from both Seattle and Anchorage. Other options include the several air taxi companies which provide year round flights on their small planes between Juneau and Gustavus.
Companies flying from Gustavus Airfield contact;
Air Excursions LLC – (907) 697-2375
Fjord Flying Service – (907) 460-2377
Wings of Alaska – (907) 789-0790
Air taxis also fly a network of other routes which link Juneau and Gustavus with Haines, Skagway plus some other towns in southeast Alaska. The Glacier Bay National Preserve has an air taxi service at Dry Bay daily to Yakutat from both Juneau and Anchorage.
These air taxis may also be able to help your adventure by getting you right into the wilderness areas of Glacier Bay.
Traveling to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve By Sea
- Alaska Marine Highway System – this is an option during the summer months. The Ferry LeConte stops over in Gustavus from Juneau twice a week. The ferry dock is around 9 miles from Bartlett Cover, the location of the park headquarters. If you plan on taking your vehicle with you that’s up to you, but just remember that you might not be able to get far in your vehicle once you arrive at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve . . . just sayin’.
- Cruising in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve – there are lots of cruise ships and tour vessels taking in the wonderful sights, sounds and smells of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. If there’s a small group of you there’s always the alternative option of a private boat charter. Private boat users must obtain and necessary permits and reservations before they arrive at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve.