Paddle across Mendenhall Lake in a guided canoe and approach the glacier’s blue toe while eagles and mountain goats watch from the cliffs. This 3.5–4 hour tour from Juneau includes waterproof gear, guided instruction, and roundtrip transport from the cruise docks.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You push off from a quiet west-side launch and the lake answers in soft wakes. The canoe moves steady across steel-blue water, cliffs rise with the quick staccato of nesting Arctic terns, and the glacier ahead exhales a cold breath that shifts the air. For about two hours you’ll paddle through the Tongass National Forest’s edged calm until the Mendenhall Glacier fills the horizon with fractured blue ice and serrated seracs.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
3.5–4 hours
Fitness Level
Good cardiovascular fitness and upper-body strength are required to paddle for up to two hours; participants should be able to enter/exit a canoe and perform basic recovery moves.
Wildlife
History
Mendenhall Glacier formed during the Little Ice Age and has been an important landmark for the Tlingit people; the glacier and lake have been changing rapidly with 20th–21st century warming.
Conservation
The Tongass National Forest and Glacier Recreation Area are managed to protect old-growth forest and aquatic habitat; minimize disturbance by following guide instructions and packing out any waste.
Reserve your spot on the Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Layer for cold and wind
Temperatures near the glacier can be 10–20°F colder than downtown Juneau—wear a warm base and insulating mid-layer under the provided rain shell.
Protect electronics
Bring a small dry bag for cameras and phones; spray and bumpy paddling near ice can soak gear quickly.
Know your limits
Tour requires up to two hours of active paddling and full use of limbs—advise the operator of any physical restrictions ahead of booking.
Watch the wind forecast
Katabatic and shoreline winds can force cancellations; check local wind reports and prepare for last-minute changes.
Warm synthetic base layer
Keeps you warm when the glacier-cooled wind bites through outer shells.
spring
Insulating mid-layer (fleece/down)
Traps heat during calm mornings and overcast excursions; easy to remove if you warm up.
summer
Small waterproof dry bag
Protects camera, phone, and layers from spray and splashes in the canoe.
Sunglasses with strap
Glare off ice and water is strong—secure eyewear reduces eye strain and risk of loss.
summer