Where to Stay in Glacier Bay: Inside the Park, Nearby Towns, and Campgrounds

By Erika Müller · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Glacier Bay

Glacier Bay isn't a park where you simply settle in, as you might at Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. There's no road from the mainland and no town at the entrance. Here, your lodging choice directly determines how easily you can reach the glaciers. The main logistical base is Bartlett Cove, the park's only inhabited hub, connected by a 6.2-mile road to the small village of Gustavus. For a first visit, 2 to 3 nights lets you combine a bay cruise, a kayaking trip, and humpback whale watching. For a day-by-day plan, see Glacier Bay itineraries.

In a nutshell: Glacier Bay Lodge in Bartlett Cove is the ideal choice for total immersion, and you should book it 9 to 12 months ahead. Gustavus, 6.2 miles away, offers more affordable B&Bs with a shuttle to the park. Juneau, a regional air hub 20 minutes away by plane, rounds out the options for multi-destination trips or tighter budgets.

Where to stay: towns, lodges and campgrounds (6)

All Gateway townsLodgesCampgrounds

• Gateway town Gustavus entrance Bartlett Cove (≈ 10 miles) · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Juneau entrance Bartlett Cove (≈ 81 miles by plane/ferry) · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Haines entrance Bartlett Cove (≈ 90 miles by ferry) · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Skagway entrance Bartlett Cove (≈ 109 miles by ferry) · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Lodge Glacier Bay Lodge Bartlett Cove · late May - early September Directions ↗
• Campground Bartlett Cove Campground first come, first served · 33 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

⚠ Gateway town & Lodge data is undergoing editorial review.

Should You Stay Inside or Outside the Park?

At Glacier Bay, this isn't just a philosophical question. It's a practical matter of logistics.

You can reach the park only by plane or boat. The only road in the area connects Gustavus Airport with Bartlett Cove, a distance of 6.2 miles. Once you're in Bartlett Cove, you take to the water to reach the glaciers, fjords, and whales. The basic rule is simple. The closer you stay to Bartlett Cove, the more time you'll get on the water.

Choose Bartlett Cove, inside the park, if you want to board the day cruise first thing in the morning, go kayaking at dawn, or attend the rangers' evening talks without having to work around a shuttle schedule.

Choose Gustavus, 6.2 miles away, if Glacier Bay Lodge is full or over budget, if you're traveling with your family and prefer the feel of a local guesthouse, or if you've rented a bike to get to Bartlett Cove. The road is flat and pleasant.

Choose Juneau, the regional hub, if you're combining Glacier Bay with other destinations in Southeast Alaska, if your park visit is limited to a single day with a same-day round-trip flight, or if you want more hotel options at manageable rates.

For most visitors, Gustavus and Bartlett Cove make the best base. Juneau is the natural starting and ending point, not the place to base your stay.

Where to Stay in Glacier Bay: Park Lodging and Accommodations

Glacier Bay Lodge

Glacier Bay Lodge is the park's only hotel lodging. Located in Bartlett Cove, just steps from the dock and visitor center, it has about 50 rooms spread across wood buildings tucked into the temperate rainforest. The bay-facing terrace, where low evening light turns the distant glaciers gold, is the kind of travel scene that stays with you.

The lodge generally operates from mid-May to mid-September, in step with the park's main season. It closes outside that window. Pursuit, the concessioner that also runs the bay boat tours, manages the property, so you book lodging and cruises in the same place.

Expect honest, no-frills comfort, not a palace. Wi-Fi is limited, as you'd expect in Alaska. The rooms are simple but clean, and the soundproofing is what you'd expect from a wood building in the wilderness. In return, you get an on-site restaurant, a bar, and park rangers who lead interpretive programs in the common room in the evening. Immediate access to the Bartlett Cove dock and trails more than makes up for the rooms' simplicity.

One thing to know: July availability disappears within hours of reservations opening. Booking 9 to 12 months ahead isn't overcautious. It's the norm for visitors who want to stay here during peak season.

Camping in Glacier Bay: Park Campgrounds

Bartlett Cove Campground

Bartlett Cove Campground is the park's only official campground accessible without a boat. It's open during the summer season, and camping is free. The setting is decidedly rustic, with forested sites in the temperate rainforest, pit toilets, and drinking water at the nearby visitor center. The good news is that Glacier Bay Lodge, a few hundred yards away, has paid showers and a restaurant, making everyday life considerably more comfortable than true backcountry camping.

As for conditions, expect summer temperatures of 50 to 59°F during the day, with nights near 41°F, frequent rain, and often-damp ground. A warm sleeping bag, a four-season tent, and a high-performance rain jacket are essential here. April, May, and June are statistically the driest months according to the NPS. September and October are the wettest.

Backcountry Camping

If you want to venture deeper into the park, backcountry camping is allowed in most areas outside protected zones. You don't reserve a campsite. It's first come, first served in the wilderness. However, you must attend a ranger orientation before setting out, whether you're traveling by kayak or on foot. The briefing covers tides, since a camp pitched too low can end up underwater, bear safety, and areas temporarily closed to protect wildlife. Don't skip this step. The rangers insist for good reason.

Our Camping guide covers the logistics of this option, including the equipment list recommended by the NPS.

Where to Stay Near Glacier Bay: Gateway Towns

Gustavus

Gustavus is a village of a few hundred people set on a grassy plain between forest and mountains, 6.2 miles from Bartlett Cove. There are no supermarkets or traffic lights. This is rural Alaska in its most authentic form. In return, you'll find a handful of inns, B&Bs, and small family-run lodges whose owners have made hospitality their calling.

Gustavus Inn at Glacier Bay is one of the area's longest-established options. It's a former farm converted into an inn in the 1960s, where the meals, often included in packages, are part of the experience. Bikes are available, along with gardens and a home-like atmosphere. Annie Mae Lodge offers comfortable rooms in a wooded setting and has a good reputation for its local cooking. Several other B&Bs and vacation rentals round out the options, often run by residents who have known the bay for decades.

The shuttle between Gustavus and Bartlett Cove runs several times a day during peak season. By bike on the flat road, allow about half an hour to get from Gustavus to Bartlett Cove.

Who is it for? Families, travelers who enjoy local connections, and anyone with a week to spare who wants to alternate bay excursions with bike rides through the meadows.

Juneau

Juneau is Alaska's capital and the main gateway to Glacier Bay. Daily flights on Alaska Airlines, Wings of Alaska, and other regional carriers connect Juneau with Gustavus Airport in 20 minutes. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry makes the trip in 4 to 5 hours.

The city offers a full range of lodging, from national chains and downtown boutique hotels to B&Bs overlooking the Gastineau Channel. Rates are generally lower than in Gustavus, and the restaurant selection is in a different league from what you'll find in the village.

Who is it for? Travelers adding Glacier Bay to a Southeast Alaska itinerary that includes Sitka, Skagway, or Ketchikan, visitors seeing the park in a single day, and budget-conscious travelers who want to save on a night without giving up comfort.

When to Book Your Glacier Bay Lodging

Glacier Bay attracts visitors from around the world, but the lodging supply remains structurally limited. The park lodge has about 50 rooms, and Gustavus has fewer than 10 establishments. Demand exceeds supply in July.

Here's the practical rule. Book 9 to 12 months ahead for a July or August stay. June is slightly less competitive, with the added benefit of the year's driest days according to NPS weather data. Backcountry campsites aren't reserved in the usual sense, but the mandatory ranger orientation effectively shapes departures. Arrive at the visitor center in the morning so you don't lose a day.

If you spot a last-minute cancellation on the Pursuit website or with a Gustavus lodging provider, keep checking. Openings sometimes appear at the beginning or end of the season.

The best time to visit Glacier Bay depends on your priorities, whether that's whales, kayaking, weather, or crowds.

Lodging Budget: What Does It Cost to Stay in Glacier Bay?

The remote location and short season have a direct effect on rates. Here are some rough ranges:

You'll also need to add transportation to Gustavus. A round-trip flight from Juneau to Gustavus costs about $120 to $200 per person, depending on the airline and date. The ferry is cheaper but much slower. Camping is the no-cost lodging option, as long as you're equipped for Alaska's conditions.

Our Recommendation Based on Your Travel Style

First visit, comfort comes first. Book Glacier Bay Lodge as soon as reservations open, 9 to 12 months ahead. Plan on 3 nights: one day cruise, one day of kayaking, and a free half-day for the Bartlett Cove trails and the rangers' evening talks.

Families with kids. Gustavus often makes more sense than the lodge. The atmosphere is relaxed, owners are helpful, bikes are available, and kids can explore the village on their own. The shuttle to Bartlett Cove runs regularly, so the logistics are straightforward.

Tight budget. Stay in Juneau, take an early flight to Gustavus on the day of your cruise, and return that evening. You miss the dawn atmosphere, but you cut your lodging bill in half. Another option is camping at Bartlett Cove. Lodging is free, and the early-morning atmosphere, with mist over the bay, sea lions on the dock, and a silent forest, is an experience in itself.

Total immersion in nature. Complete the mandatory ranger orientation, then head out for backcountry camping. Paddle among icebergs on your own, watch a glacier twist and thunder at dawn, and go for miles without seeing another person. It's the park's most intense experience, reserved for experienced campers with the right gear. Read our Camping guide and Glacier Bay activities and must-see sights before you leave.

Photographers and wildlife watchers. Glacier Bay Lodge remains the most practical base. Board the first morning cruise, return for dinner, and head back out on the trails at sunset. Two or three nights cover the best light.

Frequently Asked Questions