Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska: Sights and Activities

Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska boasts snow-capped mountains, fjords, glaciers and freshwater streams. Located 60 air miles west of Juneau in southeast Alaska, nature did not make it easy to reach. No roads lead to Glacier Bay, and visitors can gain access only by boat or plane. Most people arrive by cruise ship or through the only airport in the area at the tiny town of Gustavus, the "Gateway to Glacier Bay National Park". The summer months see the population of Gustavus burgeon tenfold as thousands of visitors arrive to take in the breathtaking scenery and delve into Alaska's history and geological past.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is headquartered in Bartlett Cove, ten miles by paved road from Gustavus. Bartlett Cove hosts a large commercial lodge, restaurant and bar, a walk-in only campground and hiking trails. A 40-mile day-cruise to the glaciers leaves from here in the summer. Glacier Bay National Park encompasses over 3 million acres of dramatic scenery and wildlife and 11 tidewater glaciers, which can be experienced on the myriad boat or air tours that service the park. Visit Glacierbay.org for the most inclusive set of websites, tourism links and travel guides for Glacier Bay National Park and Gustavus.

Glacier Bay Boat Tours: Since most of Glacier Bay National Park is water, and much of the land is mountainous and thickly wooded with no roads or trails, visitors to Glacier Bay arrive by cruise ship, charter or tour boats. Visit "Glacier Bay By Boat" or Gustavus.com/tours for information on boat tour options. Visit "Ride the Ferry to Gustavus" for information on the ferry that travels from Juneau to Gustavus.

Flightseeing: For those who truly crave adventure, "flightseeing" is the best way to take in the true scale and majesty of the Alaskan wilderness. Visit "Getting Around Gustavus, Alaska" for a comprehensive list of air charters.

Recommended tourist attractions: The Beardslee Islands, Muir Inlet and Johns Hopkins Glacier are "must sees" for any visitor to Glacier Bay. The protected, narrow waterways of The Beardslee Islands, a short distance from Bartlett Cove, offer ideal kayaking conditions, while viewing moose, bear, bald eagles, seals, humpback and killer whales. Motorized boats are barred from the Muir Inlet during summer months, providing kayakers safe passage to the McBride, Muir and Riggs Glaciers. Bear, moose and wolves are just some of the animals visitors are likely to spot along the way. It is recommended that kayakers read this brochure before taking off. While all glaciers "calve" (huge blocks of ice break loose and crash into the water, creating icebergs), the Johns Hopkins Glacier calves such large masses of ice that ships dare not approach closer than two miles from its face.

Guided Sightseeing Tours and Whale Watching: No trip to Glacier Bay is complete without a trip to the glaciers and a whale watching trip in the Icy Strait, where sightings of humpback, gray and orca whales are commonplace. Visit Gustavus.com for a comprehensive list of whale watching tours.

Lodging: The Glacier Bay Lodge at Bartlett Cove is the only accommodations within Glacier Bay National Park. Lodges, inns, B&Bs and cabins can be found in nearby Gustavus. Visit Gustavus.com/lodging for details. Finally, for the truly adventurous, the Bartlett Cove campground is located a quarter mile by trail from the main dock in Bartlett Cove. Sites are rented on a first come, first serve basis, and campers are required to attend a camper orientation at the Visitor Information Station. The campground includes outhouses, a warming shelter and food caches. Backpackers must obtain permits for overnight backcountry travel. Visit this site for more information on camping in Alaska.

Sources: Alaska.Org; Gustavus.com; Glacierbay.org; Alaskawhaletours.com; NPS.gov.com; Bartlett Cove Campground