Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is comprised of 3.3 million acres in Southeast Alaska, near the community of Gustavus.
Accessibility: Gustavus is accessible by air or passenger ferry. The only road in the park links Gustavus with Bartlett Cove, the main access point for park exploration. Boats are the primary mode of transportation in the park. Tour boats, pleasure boats and kayaks are popular options.
History: In 1794, a survey crew described what is now called Glacier Bay as a five-mile indent in a glacier that stretched “as far as the eye could distinguish.” In 1879, when scientist/naturalist John Muir visited the area, he found the ice had retreated more than 30 miles, creating an actual bay. The glacier has continued to recede at a rapid rate.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve was named a national monument in 1925. In 1980, the area became a national park and preserve, and 2.7 million acres received wilderness designation. In 1986, the park became a biosphere reserve, and the area was named a world heritage site in 1992.
Unique features: Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is an example of one of the most rapid glacial retreats, offering an intriguing natural laboratory for scientists and a stunning area for visitor exploration.
No matter where you are in the park, you are no more than 30 miles from the coast. As marine waters make up nearly one-fifth of the park, Glacier Bay is rich with marine life, including the endangered humpback whale, threatened Stellar sea lion, harbor seals, sea otters and porpoises.
The park also boasts snowcapped mountain ranges towering 15,000 feet, coastal beaches and freshwater lakes.
Temperature: Summer in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve off ers highs between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter temperatures range from 25 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Activities and attractions: Most of the activities in the park are water-focused. Boat tours, kayaking, river rafting, fishing, glacier exploration and whale watching are popular options. Although there are limited trails in the park, there are opportunities for hiking, backpacking, bird watching, mountaineering, and ranger-led nature walks in the woods or along the coast.
Fees: There is no entrance fee in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.
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