Glacier Bay National Park: planning guide
Tidewater glaciers and cold coastal waters in southeast Alaska. Most people visit by cruise or tour boat.
Glacier Bay National Park is in AK, United States. Reached by air or ferry to Gustavus, then a 10-mile road to Bartlett Cove. Haines is the closest mapped town — about 75.3 mi (121 km) away, not a drive.
When to go
Best window: mid-June through early September. Shoulder season: late May and mid-September.
Most roads, campgrounds, and visitor centres close from October to May, and daylight is very short in midwinter.
The usable season is short and weather closes in fast. Build spare days into any trip that depends on a flight or boat.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Haines | 75.3 mi (121 km) | Not a drive |
| Skagway | 89.4 mi (144 km) | Not a drive |
| Juneau | 94.4 mi (152 km) | Not a drive |
| Sitka | 117 mi (189 km) | Not a drive |
| Petersburg | 190 mi (305 km) | Not a drive |
| Wrangell | 222 mi (357 km) | Not a drive |
| Craig | 254 mi (409 km) | Not a drive |
| Ketchikan | 297 mi (478 km) | Not a drive |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bartlett Cove | First-come, first-served | Free walk-in campground. No Rec.gov payment. 14-day stay limit; about ¼ mile south of the Bartlett Cove dock. |
Where Glacier Bay National Park sits
Official Glacier Bay National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park sits close enough to Kluane National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Kluane National Park | 154 mi (247 km) | 4 hr 5 min |
Parks close by
- Kluane National Park
Yukon icefields and high peaks including Mount Logan. Huge glaciers; road access only to the fringes.
- Wrangell–St. Elias National Park
Huge mountain and glacier country in eastern Alaska. Remote roads and towns; scale is hard to grasp from one stop.
- Nááts'ihch'oh National Park
Mackenzie Mountains reserve protecting more of the South Nahanni watershed with Sahtu partners.
- Nahanni National Park
South Nahanni River country — Virginia Falls, canyons, and caves. A classic wilderness river corridor.
Common questions
Where is Glacier Bay National Park?
Glacier Bay National Park sits in AK, United States. Haines, about 75.3 mi (121 km) away on the map. Reached by air or ferry to Gustavus, then a 10-mile road to Bartlett Cove. That distance is not a drive.
When is the best time to visit Glacier Bay National Park?
Generally mid-June through early September, with late May and mid-September quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Glacier Bay National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 1 campground at Glacier Bay National Park. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.