Online passport renewals have been paused until later this year. Most glacier excursions are best done in the summer and early fall months . The best time to visit Glacier National Park is in July and August. Mid-July to September - This is the time to specifically see beluga whales. After the hike, you'll board the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad at Glacier Station for the scenic journey through the mountains back to Skagway. The benefit of taking a smaller boat down the narrow fjord is the agility it provides. Decide whether you want a half-day or a full day hike and set off on an adventure! This intimate experience is different from the one you would have from the deck of a multi-story cruise ship, and often included narration from the ships captain. Glaciers are formed by the gradual, powerful forces of layer upon layer of snow. Related: How to get to Alaska with points and miles. Aboard a cruise ship, expect the tour of Glacier Bay to last about nine to ten hours. They're also only open in the summer. During that period, daytime temperatures typically range from 60 to 80 degrees, though they can drop into the 40s overnight. You can cruise aboard: Some of the unique essential items to bring on an Alaskan glacier viewing cruise include binoculars, motion sickness medication, waterproof/water-resistant pants and boots, sunglasses, a warm pair of gloves, a winter hat, a scarf or buff, a waterproof bag, and a cell phone dry bag. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Glacier viewing in Alaska will surely make you appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature. Finally, Matanuska Glacier is about a two-hour drive northeast of Anchorage. If you're planning on exploring Alaska on your own before or after your cruise, you'll also find cheaper hotel rates at the beginning or end of the cruise season. "With five train segments through the Denali National Park and down the Kenai Peninsula, we'll be making the centennial of the Alaska Railroad in style!" says Swanson. (Photo courtesy of the National Park Service) Big cruise ships in Glacier Bay never dock, and nobody gets off them. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-thebudgetsavvytravelers_com-leader-1-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thebudgetsavvytravelers_com-leader-1','ezslot_18',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thebudgetsavvytravelers_com-leader-1-0');Going glacier viewing in Alaska is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world and the most competitive. You'll be spending the night on your ship. Many visitors pass through Glacier Bay National Park by cruise, but Glacier Bay Lodge is the perfect spot to stay a few days (3 is recommended). 9 Map Website. long-time travel writer specializing in cruising, How to find the right Alaska cruise for you, How to get to Alaska with points and miles, How to use points and miles to stay near national parks, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Come with U.S. News on a tour of the Omni Royal Orleans. What Is The Best Time To Visit Alaska Glaciers? - See The Northern Finally, the state-of-the-art visitor center features a couple of interesting exhibits and a bookstore. Located about 200 northwest of Juneau, is the massive 76 miles-long, seven miles-wide, and 300-foot-tall Hubbard Glacier. We prefer the latest Rand McNally Road Atlas. These combined trips generally include the cruise, overnight accommodations in lodges, railway journeys and motorcoach travel between destinations. With so many cruise ships visiting Alaska each year over the course of a seven-monthlong season when is the best time to book an Alaskan cruise? Learn More >, Alaska Tour & Travel With over 100,000 glaciers, there are countless glacier-viewing opportunities in Alaska to explore. Passengers love navigating near the glaciers and witnessing the powerful calving. You can experience our state's warmest weather and longest days, choose from the widest selection of activities and transportation, and enjoy easier access to Alaska's wild landscapes. It's possible to view certain animals and marine life throughout the year, according to Hickman. Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise, out of Whittier, will take you to 26 different glaciers in just 5. Hotel rates and ticket prices typically lower to shoulder-season levels. Also open to its own guests and outsiders, too, is the restaurant at the Glacier Bay Country Inn. Another nice option is to hike to the glacier inside the Tongass National Forest. The park also maintains a free, walk-in campground in a rain forest setting at Bartlett Cove. The 27-mile-long Tracy Arm fjord sits 50 miles south of Juneau and features twin tidewater glaciers, 3,000-foot cliffs, and numerous waterfalls. Ships that dock in Juneau may take a shore excursion to Mendenhall Glacier. There's also very little infrastructure within the park. At its essence, Glacier Bay is a giant, fjord-like body of water lined with snow-capped mountains, forests and glaciers, and it's best seen from the water. The majority of sailings available occur between May and September. The amount of ice released into Prince William Sound is truly astonishing. Witnessing massive glaciers rising high above the surrounding valleys, and hanging off insurmountable cliffs is a remarkable experience to behold. But many 2021 cruises that include a visit to the park are unlikely to take place due to ongoing, coronavirus pandemic-related U.S. and Canadian restrictions on cruise travel. USA The Best Time to Visit Alaska by Season By KC Dermody March 12, 2023 When trying to determine the best time to visit Alaska, it's important to understand that the 49th state is as diverse as it is vast, covering 663,300 square miles. The glaciers are able to take every bit of conceit out of a man and reduce his self-importance to zero if he will only remain within the influence of their sublime presence long enough to give it a fair and reasonable chance to do its work. If you'd like to have an Alaskan plan your Alaska trip, or just have a few starter questions, give us a call at 800-208-0200. Spencer Glacier About 10 miles south of Turnagain Arm on the Alaska Railroad For a unique, European-style excursion that offers direct access to an active glacier that clogs its lake with amazing icebergs, take a train to the Spencer Glacier Whistlestop station during the summer visiting season. It was named for Gardiner Hubbard, the founder of the National Geographic Society and National Geographic Magazine. Nor are there fees for camping or boating permits. Many cruise ships will also offer excursions on zodiacs or sightseeing vessels. But the bottom line is that, even at mid-summer, you should be prepared for any sort of weather. Indeed, you could almost call Glacier Bay a cruise ship park. You also may face a bit of sticker shock when seeing the rates for lodging in Gustavus. As new snow falls it buries and compresses the prior years snow and over time makes the size of the ice infinitely larger. Come September, the days are generally shorter, rainier and cooler but not always. Some options, such as one by Celebrity Cruises, include seeing the alpine lakes and snow-covered peaks of the Canadian Rockies, while other tours may range in focus from encountering Alaskan wildlife to viewing glaciers. This partly has to do with the high cost of getting supplies to remote parts of the state. Whether youre traveling by cruise ship, exploring by passenger vehicle, or on a flightseeing aircraft, the beauty of the last frontier is sure to be breathtaking. Book Now with no risk, your deposit is fully refundable until 31 days prior to travel with the purchase of our Worry-Free Cancellation Waiver. ATV tour operators offer the opportunity for visitors to take an ATV over the frozen countryside to the foot of the glacier for a unique adventure. Spring in Anchorage Forget robins. An air taxi company, Alaska Seaplanes, offers small-plane flights to Gustavus from Juneau year-round. A visit to Glacier Bay is one of the iconic experiences of a trip to Alaska, and something you should try to do at least once in your life -- if only to see the giant calving glaciers. Planning a cruise to Alaska or elsewhere? The easiest way to view glaciers in Alaska is aboard a cruise ship. Round-trip cruises from Seattle are popular because the city is easily accessible. Anchorage Day Cruises | Sail Out To See Glaciers And | ALASKA.ORG Best Times to Visit Montana for Good Weather. Local companies such as Denali ATV offer larger off-road machines that accommodate booster seats (provided) so the whole family can take part. When to Visit Alaska for the Northern Lights. While the lights are unpredictable, it's best to stay up late to increase your odds of seeing them. A Guide To The Best Glaciers In Alaska | Celebrity Cruises Once you leave the main highway and take a sideroad toward the glacier, you have only a short hike on the Exit Glacier Trail before you are at the foot of this glacier. You can even take a kayak trip from your cruise boat, to see a massive glacier up close! Glacier tours are a one-of-a-kind experience for Alaska visitors. If you are an avid angler or just want to watch the bears fish for their supper then visit Alaska during the peak salmon runs, from May to September. In fact, Alaska is home to nearly all of the glaciers in the US. You Have To Visit These Must-See Glaciers in Alaska Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. While the weather may not be as predictable in April as in the middle of summer, Hickman says Alaska can be beautiful in springtime, with long stretches of sunny days and crisp, clear evenings, offering the opportunity for late-season viewing of the northern lights. Typically, an Alaskan cruise will vary anywhere from 7 to 30 nights. If youre planning on walking on a glacier its a good idea to remember that ice is unpredictable. It does have a visitor center and lodge, located at its very edge. During that time, the nights are long and dark, which makes it easier to see the northern lights in Alaska. Mountain peaks shrouded in clouds or misty days cruising Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in late April are equally as beautiful as sunny days hiking through Tongass National Forest or whale watching on an excursion out of Icy Strait Point in July. Also, guided hikes allow thrill-seekers to strap on crampons and trek over the ice! You may hear nothing at all, or perhaps you'll be treated to the sounds of birds in the distance or the swoosh from a whale's blowhole before it dives down below the water's surface. Sought-after views of Alaska's icy blue glaciers are always some of the most anticipated. Also, be prepared to spot local wildlife, such as one of the parks acclaimed beavers, black bears, or bald eagles. What you want to see, where you want to go, and how long you have to spend in this beautiful state are also factors in planning your trip. Many cruise lines offer itineraries in Alaska, including mainstream and luxury lines. Here's a suggested itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Gustavus, and take the complimentary shuttle to Glacier Bay Lodge. You can also add a flyover tour to see the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, an area in southern Alaska transformed by ash from the 1912 Novarupta-Katmai volcanic eruption. For most visitors, experiencing the park will involve a voyage on a cruise ship that brings just a day in the park. While winter in Alaska is extraordinarily beautiful, for most travelers summer is the best time to visit Alaska. Ian Merculieff Its glaciers are its star attractions, for sure. Alaska.org, a website run by local Alaskans that offers travel advice and recommendations, points to late May and early June as the best time to see bears on a cruise, as mothers and cubs roam the shoreline. Once passengers arrive at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, they have the option to hike independently or to join a Forest Service staff member for an interpretive 1.3-mile walk. Last year, it was late August when I first spotted beluga . This is the time of the year where you can see whales migrating around Alaska. Ruth Glacier How Long Are Alaskan Cruises? Talkeetna from this town, you can take a flight to Denali National Park. Here is the easiest way to find the best Alaska cruise deals. Perhaps you're interested in a cruisetour: a land and sea package that's offered typically from May to September by lines like Celebrity Cruises, Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. The glaciers near Anchorage are among the most accessible. 3900 Arctic Blvd, Ste 304 Overwhelmed by choices? If you're interested in the Misty Fjords Flightseeing tour in Ketchikan, this thrilling ride is also best on a clear day. As a result, most vessels dont come anywhere near the face of the glacier and instead, view it from a distance. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Mendenhall Glacier 3. However, most cruises will only visit one of the 10 Most Impressive Spots to Go Glacier Viewing in Alaska, so its important to use the best-rated Alaskan cruise list above to find the ideal itinerary before you book. Whale watching day cruises depart as early as April 1. 10 Most Impressive Spots to Go Glacier Viewing in Alaska 1. The Mendenhall Glacier is located in Auke Bay, Juneau, and is possibly the easiest glacier on this list to see. Spencer Glacier 8. Worthington Glacier 6. Bear viewing is best in low elevations as they are seeking grass and skunk cabbage." The snow-filled gorge is 3,700 feet deep and the walls of the mountain ascend above it another 5,000 feet. Summer is the most pleasant time to be in Glacier Bay, temperature-wise. The best time to visit Alaska is during the summer between May 10 and September 15. If you're arriving at Glacier Bay on a cruise, you don't have to worry about a place to stay. But its biggest attractions -- its giant tidewater glaciers -- are viewable only from the deck of a vessel. NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. However, if youre looking for a free view, head over to the Matanuska State Park. The most beautiful glaciers will oftentimes appear bluethis azure effect is created because the ice absorbs every other color of the spectrum except blue. Also, the prices may be a bit lower as cruise lines are trying to make that last bit of profit. Planning on boating or kayaking near a glacier? When Is The Best Time To See Bears In Alaska? That means there is really no one right answer. Glacier Bay Pros: Multiple glaciers, wildlife and land sculpted by glaciers Cons: Not as big as Hubbard, not tight fjords Cruise ships spend most of a day in Glacier Bay, where you'll visit several tidewater glaciers and explore inlets carved by the ice. 7-10 days is the most common. However, passengers may view it with binoculars as they pass the inlet. Tyler Hickman, senior vice president of Icy Strait Point, an Alaska Native-owned port in Hoonah and one of the ports of call in the Inside Passage, says extending the season has a positive economic impact for Alaska. Best month to see Hubbard Glacier Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! The weather in June is also perfect for active outdoor adventures like hiking, kayaking, and glacier walks. While Glacier Bay is open year-round, visitor services are extremely limited outside of the summer season, and nearly everybody who visits comes between May and September. Visitors compare the experience to seeing the Grand Canyonand they should. The park's diverse habitat allows for a wide variety of species (at last count, 281) including rainforest species such as the American three-toed woodpecker and neotropical migrant warblers, thrushes and other songbirds. Eight miles by road from Gustavus is Bartlett Cove, home to the Glacier Bay UNESCO Heritage Site, Glacier Bay Lodge, and Visitor Center. The 80-mile round-trip excursion typically takes about seven hours. With an impressive 400-foot tall facade, witnessing the Hubbard Glacier is an awe-inspiring experience. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Of course, what you want to do on your trip will help you decide what the best time to visit Alaska glaciers is. Check these out on your visit to Alaska- you don't want to miss these natural wonders! Alaska Glaciers Directory | Alaska's Glaciers & How to See Them A bonus is that you may also see whales, bears, and mountain goats! Additionally, if your GPS isnt working because there isnt a signal, youll have to rely on physical maps. Along the way, passengers typically see numerous glaciers, fjords, icebergs, waterfalls, and wildlife including mountain goats, brown and black bears, humpback whales, and sea lions. Alaska Glacier Tours | Best Day Tours To See Glaciers Up Close Snowcapped peaks, enormous glaciers and breaching whales are just a few of the many stunning sights to see on an Alaskan cruise. Glaciers are known to create massive tidal waves when calving or shifting. There are many ways to see glaciers across the state, including by road, rail, water, and air. And if extreme adventures are going to be the highlight of your vacation, then be sure to check with the tour providers to make sure your top picks are offered when you're planning to travel.