Where to Stay in Glacier Bay: Hotels and Lodges in the Park and Gustavus

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

For an overnight stay in Glacier Bay, the top choice is Glacier Bay Lodge in Bartlett Cove, the only lodging inside the national park. If you want more flexibility on price or plan to stay several nights, Gustavus, the gateway town 10 miles away, offers a range of B&Bs and independent lodges run by year-round residents. Juneau, a 45-minute flight away, makes a third base for trips that combine Glacier Bay with other stops in Southeast Alaska.

Park lodges and gateway towns (5)

All LodgesGateway towns

• Lodge Glacier Bay Lodge Bartlett Cove · late May - early September Directions ↗
• 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 ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

⚠ Lodge & Gateway town data is undergoing editorial review.

In the Park or in Gustavus?

For a full comparison of immersion, budget, and logistics, the Glacier Bay lodging guide compares the options in detail. In short, the lodge in the park is worth the investment for one night of total immersion. Gustavus works well if you're planning several nights and want to try different properties. The two options also pair nicely for a two- or three-night stay.

Glacier Bay Lodge: The Park's Only Lodging

Built on the shore of Bartlett Cove, the park's headquarters, Glacier Bay Lodge is operated by an official NPS concessioner. It's a wood building listed as historic by the NPS, built in the style of America's grand national park lodges, with heavy exposed timbers, large windows overlooking the boreal forest, and an atmosphere somewhere between a mountain chalet and a trapper's lodge.

Atmosphere and Services

This isn't a resort. Expect functional, well-kept rooms with everything you need after a day of kayaking or cruising, without unnecessary frills. The real draw is the location, just steps from the docks, ranger programs, and the park's visitor center, which is located on the lodge's second floor. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner. It's also the only place to eat within the park.

When we visited, we ate Pacific salmon while looking out over a bay shrouded in mist. It's hard to beat that setting. The lodge's terrace faces Bartlett Cove directly. On calm mornings, you can hear Arctic terns there before you've even had your first coffee.

The visitor center, bay cruise reservations, and kayak departures are all based in Bartlett Cove. Staying there eliminates the need to arrange transportation back and forth each morning and evening. That's the real luxury of this option.

Book Ahead

Glacier Bay Lodge is open from late May through early September. Outside that window, no lodging is available in the park. The number of rooms is limited, and demand outpaces supply as soon as July approaches.

You can book through the concessioner's official website (visitglacierbay.com). Our advice is to reserve your nights as soon as your dates are set, several months ahead if you're aiming for June through August. For price ranges and the best windows for each season, the best time to visit Glacier Bay guide gives you the information you need to decide.

Gustavus: Hotels, Lodges, and B&Bs Outside the Park

Gustavus is a town of a few hundred residents, with an airstrip, a handful of businesses, and a remarkable concentration of distinctive small lodgings for a place its size. The road from Gustavus to Bartlett Cove is about 10 miles, a 15- to 20-minute drive or shuttle ride.

B&Bs and Lodges Run by Locals

Most Gustavus lodging is run by families who have lived in the area for years. These B&Bs, inns, and independent lodges are nothing like standardized chains. Each property has its own personality, often enhanced by a homemade breakfast and hosts who are happy to point guests toward the park's best spots.

Some well-established local properties include:

• Gustavus Inn at Glacier Bay: A local institution known for dinners served at a communal table and transportation arranged to the park. It feels like a large family home that welcomes travelers.
• Annie Mae Lodge: Spacious rooms, a tree-filled garden, and a hearty breakfast. A good fit for families or groups that need extra space.
• Bear Track Inn: A larger lodge with comfortable rooms and unobstructed views of the surrounding wilderness. It's for travelers who want a distinctly Alaska lodge setting rather than a country B&B.

Rates in Gustavus are generally lower than at Glacier Bay Lodge, often with breakfast included. The difference can be significant in peak season, so it's worth weighing carefully if you're planning several nights.

Shuttles and Transfers

Nearly all Gustavus lodging properties offer or arrange transportation to Bartlett Cove. Some include it in the room rate, while others charge extra or direct guests to local shuttle services. Ask when you book. It's an important logistical detail, especially if you aren't planning to rent a vehicle locally. The Glacier Bay access guide summarizes all the options for getting to Gustavus and traveling around the area.

What About Juneau as a Base?

Juneau is the unavoidable hub for reaching Glacier Bay. This is where you'll catch a flight or ferry to Gustavus. Alaska's capital has a much wider range of lodging, including national chains, boutique hotels, and hostels, with rates that can be competitive for travelers combining Glacier Bay with other stops.

For a trip focused on the park, though, using Juneau as your only base has one major drawback. The cost and logistical hassle of flying back and forth add up quickly, and a day trip doesn't give you enough time to experience Glacier Bay fully. If you're passing through Juneau on the way in or out, as most visitors do, plan to spend one night there during your transit. Our complete Glacier Bay guide works this stop into its suggested itinerary.

How Many Nights Should You Plan?

Two nights is the minimum if you don't want to miss the essentials. The first day covers arrival, settling in, and an initial look around Bartlett Cove, with a forest walk, ranger programs, and possibly a kayak outing. The second day is for the bay cruise. It's the centerpiece of the stay, giving you a chance to approach active glacier faces and watch orcas, seals, and porpoises in their natural environment.

With three nights, you gain a buffer day for the weather, which is highly unpredictable in Southeast Alaska. NPS data shows that September and October are the wettest months. An extra day turns uncertain weather into an opportunity instead of a lost day. The Glacier Bay itineraries lay out day-by-day plans for different trip lengths so you can get the most from each option.

When to Book and What to Expect to Pay

Glacier Bay Lodge's operating season runs from late May through early September. July is the busiest month. Rooms sell out quickly, and rates reach their highest level. According to NPS climate data, April, May, and June are statistically the driest months of the year in Southeast Alaska, making this an appealing window for greater availability, more accessible rates, and somewhat milder skies.

The same general logic applies to lodging in Gustavus. Demand peaks in July, while June and August offer better opportunities for lower rates. Most properties handle reservations directly, so plan to contact them several months ahead for peak season. The Glacier Bay weather guide breaks down conditions by time of year, and our When to Go page can help you decide based on your priority, whether that's budget, weather, or crowds.

Our Recommendation by Traveler Type

Total immersion: Spend one night at Glacier Bay Lodge so you wake up in the park, followed by one night in Gustavus at Gustavus Inn or Bear Track Inn for a homemade breakfast and a more flexible budget. It's the ideal two-night combination.

Families: Use Gustavus as your base, with Annie Mae Lodge or a B&B with a garden. Shuttles to Bartlett Cove run regularly, and you'll have considerably more space than at the park lodge.

Tight budget: Stay in Gustavus only, at an independent B&B. Include shuttle costs in your overall calculation. The total will still be less than a night at Glacier Bay Lodge in peak season.

A short trip from Juneau: Spend one night at Glacier Bay Lodge for the in-park experience, then return to Juneau. It isn't enough to see the entire park, but it's considerably better than a day trip.

Frequently Asked Questions