Getting Around Glacier Bay: Transportation and Park Travel
Glacier Bay is unlike any other American national park. There is no main road to follow, no crowded shuttle, and no overflowing parking lot before 10 a.m. You can only enter the park by air or by sea, and that limitation is also what makes it so distinctive. The moment you set foot in Gustavus or arrive at Bartlett Cove, you know you're in a place few people reach.
The short answer. Glacier Bay isn't accessible by road from the rest of Alaska. You can get there only by plane or boat. Once you're there, you get around the park by boat, kayak, or on foot. No road enters the bay.
Getting to Glacier Bay
Glacier Bay isn't accessible by road or train from the rest of Alaska. Flights, ferries, and seaplanes from Juneau are all covered in the Glacier Bay access guide.
From Gustavus to Bartlett Cove
Bartlett Cove, the park headquarters, is 10 miles from Gustavus along the area's only road. A local taxi or the Glacier Bay Lodge shuttle can take you there from the airport.
Getting Around the Park
This is where Glacier Bay differs so dramatically from parks in the Lower 48. The road ends at Bartlett Cove. Beyond it, there's water, ice, and mountains. No shuttle runs through the bay, and no road follows the glaciers.
By Boat
Boats are the park's main means of transportation. From Bartlett Cove, a park concessioner operates a day trip that travels about 65 miles up the bay to the active glacier fronts in the north. It's the only way to see the glaciers up close without mounting your own expedition. The full-day trip lasts about eight hours.
Authorized cruise ships travel throughout the bay. If you're on board, the captain approaches the glaciers according to the day's ice conditions.
By Kayak
For visitors who want to go beyond a day trip, kayaking is the ultimate independent option. You can rent equipment in Bartlett Cove and head out for several days into the bay's arms. The experience is intense, with complete silence and glaciers calving in the distance. Conditions can change quickly, though, and distances on the water are deceptive. Check with the Bartlett Cove ranger station before setting out on your own.
On Foot
The trails accessible from Bartlett Cove, including the forest succession area and the beach, are entirely pedestrian. No vehicles use them. It's an easy walk that helps you get oriented when you arrive in the park. The Glacier Bay hiking guide covers these trails in detail.
Where to Park: Parking Areas
Parking at Glacier Bay is simple. There's one main parking area in Bartlett Cove, next to the Glacier Bay Lodge and the park campground. Capacity is limited, but demand is very low. Few visitors arrive by car because the road network ends at Gustavus, so the crowding you see at Zion or Yellowstone simply doesn't happen here.
If you're driving from Gustavus in a rental car or a personal vehicle brought over by ferry, park at Bartlett Cove and leave the vehicle there. There is nowhere else to drive in Glacier Bay National Park.
Distances and Travel Times Between Areas
You measure the park's scale by sea. From Bartlett Cove to the glaciers in the northern part of the bay, allow about 65 miles and four hours of travel one way. The side arms, including Muir Inlet and West Arm, add several more hours depending on your destination.
To plan your progress through the park around the time you have available, the Glacier Bay itinerary guide gives you a realistic framework based on how you plan to visit, whether by cruise ship, day trip, or kayak trip.
Special Cases: RVs, Vans, Accessibility, and Pets
RVs and vans. Bringing a motor vehicle to Glacier Bay means loading it onto the Alaska Marine Highway ferry to Gustavus. The 10-mile road to Bartlett Cove is easy for most RVs. There are no electric hookups or services along the way in the park, though, so plan your power needs before you enter.
Visitors with limited mobility. The Glacier Bay Lodge and Bartlett Cove facilities are partially accessible. The day boat has accessible spaces. Contact the park before your visit to confirm the available accommodations.
Pets. Dogs are allowed in the park, but important restrictions apply. They can't board the day boat or use the park's hiking trails. They're permitted in Bartlett Cove and on the beach. In practice, traveling with a pet in Glacier Bay requires careful advance planning.
Practical Transportation Information: Fuel, Cell Service, and Apps
Fuel. There is no gas station in Bartlett Cove. If you're driving from Gustavus, fill up there before you leave. Local resources are extremely limited.
Cell service. Coverage is almost nonexistent in the park and very limited in Gustavus. Don't count on your phone to navigate, look up information, or contact emergency services from the bay. Download offline maps before you leave, bring a paper map, and consider a satellite communicator such as SPOT or Garmin inReach if you're kayaking for several days.
Wi-Fi. Glacier Bay Lodge offers Wi-Fi, but speeds are modest. Wait until you're in Juneau for heavy internet use.
Useful apps. The NPS app lets you download park information for offline use. For weather, local Alaska forecasts are much more reliable than general-purpose apps. Weather changes quickly in Alaska, and a good read of the forecast can make all the difference on a kayak or boat trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get around Glacier Bay National Park?
You get around Glacier Bay mainly by boat or kayak. No road enters the bay beyond Bartlett Cove. The day boat from Bartlett Cove is the most common way to reach the active glaciers.
Can you visit Glacier Bay by car?
Glacier Bay isn't accessible by road from the rest of Alaska. You can arrive only by plane or boat. Once you're there, the only road connects Gustavus and Bartlett Cove, a distance of 10 miles. Beyond Bartlett Cove, a car won't do you any good.
Where do you park in Glacier Bay National Park?
Parking is concentrated in Bartlett Cove, next to Glacier Bay Lodge. Demand remains low because most visitors arrive by plane or boat rather than by car.
What's the best entrance to Glacier Bay National Park?
There is only one land access point, Bartlett Cove, 10 miles from Gustavus. Cruise ships enter the bay directly from the sea. The idea of choosing the “best entrance” from several options doesn't apply here as it does in other parks.
Is there cell service in Glacier Bay?
Cell coverage is almost nonexistent in the park and very limited in Gustavus. Download offline maps, bring paper maps, and consider a satellite communicator if you're heading out on your own expedition.
How much does it cost to enter Glacier Bay?
For entrance fees and annual passes valid at Glacier Bay, see the National Parks Fees & Passes page.
How much time do you need to visit Glacier Bay?
It depends entirely on how you plan to visit: one day from a cruise ship, two to three days with the day boat and Bartlett Cove trails, or a week or more on an independent kayak trip. Our Itinerary & Trip Length page can help you plan a stay that fits your schedule.