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Juneau · Alaska · United States
Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Hike
Starting From
From $376.95 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
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Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
Pull on your boots, and step into the cool waters of the peaceful Mendenhall Lake as you stare at the mighty Mendenhall Glacier in front of you. During this tour, you will be guided on a canoe paddle across a lake fed by the glacier melt. Your paddle dips into the water as you make your way past icebergs, freshly calved off the glacier, the famous Nugget Falls, and beautiful mountain peaks on every side. Once you round the rock peninsula, the face of the glacier confronts you like a giant. Blocks of ice stand tall, waiting for the right moment to calve into the waters. Arctic terns circle overhead, fighting off intruding Bald Eagles. Mountain goats follow the retreating snow line, slowly making their way up looking for fresh greens. It’s truly a classic scene of Alaskan beauty. As we approach the glacier, keep your eyes open for freshly calved icebergs and feel the cool breeze generated by the ice. Your guide will navigate to the beach and land the canoe. After landing by the glacier, follow your guide across the rocky landscape to the ice to explore an array of features found along the edge. After an out-of-this-world experience, we’ll return to our canoes and enjoy paddling back with the wind at our back.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Experience the Tongass National Forest, the world's largest temperate rainforest
- Glide across Mendenhall Glacier Lake in spacious 8person or 12person canoes
- Enjoying breathtaking views of the glacier and the majestic Nugget Falls
- Trek along the Mendenhall Glacier's rocky moraine, gaining intimate views of the glacier
- Marvel at the stunning ice features from the edge of Mendenhall Lake
Detailed Itinerary
The journey, in full
30 min - Van transport to ABAK office for outfitting 30 min – Gear outfitting & orientation, transport to the lake 1hr – Guided paddling in canoes on the lake 1.5 hrs – Hiking & Glacier Exploring 1hr – Guided paddling in canoes on the lake 30 min – Transport to ABAK office, change out of gear 30 min – Return van transport to downtown, major hotels
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Juneau
Hiking at Mendenhall Glacier.
Continued
Juneau
Canoeing at Mendenhall Lake.
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
Professional Guides All necessary paddling equipment Rain jacket & pants Rubber Boots Forest Service permits Roundtrip van transportation
Not Included
What to Bring: * Polyester or synthetic layers * Sun glasses (weather dependent) * Hat/gloves (weather dependent) * Warm thick socks * Camera/Binoculars * Guide Gratuities
What to Bring
Glacier Access and Feature Exploration: The Mendenhall Glacier is receding daily. Because the glacier is in a state of constant change, not all features may be present or accessible. We will explore about 100 yards from the glacier. This tour does not include trekking on the glacier.
Restrictions
Due to the inherent risks involved in this type of tour, pregnant guests are not permitted to participate. Weight limit of 250 pounds per person due to canoe weight capacity. Smallest shoe size youth 2 size Largest shoe size men’s size 14 Clients must disclose information regarding pertinent medical conditions/history, allergies and any type of restriction or limitation that might introduce a higher degree of challenge on this trip.
Meeting & Pickup
Our centralized downtown meeting location is the “C” Sign, located directly between the base of the Mount Roberts Tramway and the green Taku Smokeries building near the cruise ship docks. All clients cruising into Juneau and staying in the downtown area will be picked up here. CLIENTS ARRIVING AT AJ DOCK: Clients on cruise ships docking at the AJ Dock with 30 minutes or less between their ship’s arrival time and ABAK’s trip departure time will be picked up directly from the pier at AJ Dock. Clients staying Locally: Clients staying at major hotels in the Mendenhall Valley, Downtown, Airbnb or VRBO please contact us at 907-364-2333 for details on meeting location.
Languages Offered
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Before Booking
Please provide the following information for all guests: Age: Height: Weight: Rain Gear Size: Shoe Size: Any medical/diet restrictions:
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 12 Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Automatic
Traveler Impressions
What travelers are saying
2026-07-25
5.00 / 5
This was a great excursion. Sky and Jasper were wonderful guides.
2026-06-04
5.00 / 5
The hiking and canoe trip to Mendenhall Glacier was amazing! We had perfect weather…the trip was challenging but totally worth the views and the experience!! We all thought it was the best excursion we did!
2025-07-08
4.00 / 5
Very private excursion makes you feel like you have the glacier to yourself. Staff was wonderful - very friendly and helpful. They give you all the gear you need for the trip. My only regret is that we did not canoe up to the Nugget Falls but instead viewed it from about 1/2 mile away in the canoe.
2024-07-20
5.00 / 5
Such an amazing experience. We did this with our 16 and 12 year old who loved it also. Seeing Mendenhall Glacier so close was amazing.
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