The 15 Best Glacier Tours in the USA

1.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,236 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $249Our pick

Travel from Juneau’s cruise terminal to Mendenhall Glacier for about 45 minutes, then board a warm, wildlife-viewing boat with large windows and an outdoor deck. Guides such as Captain Michelle, Nate, Taylor, and Leon add local insight. A whale sighting is guaranteed, but close views depend on nature and sea conditions.

“Worth it! Greg took us to the glacier first where we had about 45 minutes to explore. Not enough time to get to Nugget falls but you could view it from the areas we were at. Seeing the glacier in person, it was easy to forget this was only part of the tour. Up next, the whale watch. The boat was very nice, clean, comfortable and easy to maneuver on. And they gave us snacks! We were taken out into the ocean to look for whales. Ashley was very informative and knew a lot about what we were seeing with a lot of stories about each of them individually. We…”

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2.Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,004 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $199

Spend about six hours touring Alaska’s coast, forests, glaciers, and wildlife sites from Anchorage. You’ll visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, stop at Beluga Point and Bird Point, learn local history, and receive practical phone photography tips. Guides such as Holly, Hunter, Patrick, Aaron, and Philip lead the route. A Portage Glacier cruise is optional in summer.

“Tour guide, Patrick, professional photographer but super helpful & easy with all on trip. He did a quick photo tips talk & had us practice. He kept everyone on schedule & made sure we all had a good time despite some fairly continuous rain. Patrick had a very informative commentary. He got us into a parks theater presentation which was pretty cool when the glacier viewing boat portion was cancelled due to high winds & rain. The animal conservation center was quite interesting & most Alaskan animals were easy to see & photograph.”

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3.Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,756 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $265

Sail about 100 miles from Seward through Resurrection Bay and into Kenai Fjords National Park. Captain Lara and the naturalist team guide you toward Holgate or Aialik Glacier, Chiswell Islands, and Cape Resurrection, with binoculars, reserved heated seating, lunch, and wildlife spotting along the way.

“Amazing experience, very knowledgeable captain and crew. Had an excellent time! Definitely recommend to see wildlife and a glacier in Seward.”

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4.Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,285 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $376

Paddle a large canoe across Mendenhall Lake with guides such as Jordan, Mason, Rod, or Meg, then hike rocky glacial terrain near Mendenhall Glacier. Expect about five hours in the Tongass National Forest, roughly five miles of paddling, changing weather, wildlife sightings, and no walking on the glacier itself.

“This was an awesome, unique activity and I’m so glad we did it! The guides were very professional and well organized.”

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5.Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,269 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $250

Paddle a stable, motor-free canoe across Mendenhall Lake for about two hours and up to five miles, stopping near Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. A guide such as Luke, Mason, Issy, or Ben leads the way, teaches first-time paddlers, shares local stories, and supplies rain gear, boots, gloves, snacks, and hot drinks.

“Great trip - fun to see the glacier from a f Different perspective. Logan was a great guide. Highly recommend.”

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6.Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Tour from Seward

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,036 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $223

Spend six hours cruising from Seward through Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Your captain, possibly Mark, Mike, or Emma, explains the geology, wildlife, and changing route. Expect a warm cabin, open decks, lunch, seabird rookeries, and a close look at either Aialik or Holgate Glacier.

“Best part of our trip! We saw so many animals....mountain goat, whales, puffins, and more. The glaciers were also something to behold. Crew and captain were great.”

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7.Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch and Mendenhall Glacier View

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 915 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $156

Ride from downtown Juneau to Auke Bay, then spend about two hours looking for humpback whales, orcas, eagles, seals, and sea lions with a naturalist guide. The heated boat has wide windows, outdoor decks, restrooms, water, and trail mix. A five-minute Mendenhall Glacier photo stop is included when weather allows, but this is not a visit to the glacier park.

“Ford, Nate, and Chriss were absolutely spectacular! I was a solo traveller at the end of the season yet we had such an amazing time. We saw orcas, a whale and her calf. The crew was funny, educative, caring and so informative. I can’t wait to be back on a better season, will definitely be sailing with them”

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8.Prince William Sound Glacier Tour – Whittier

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 838 reviews · from $248

Spend about six hours aboard a Phillips Cruises catamaran in Prince William Sound, watching glaciers, whales, otters, sea lions, birds, and mountains. Captain Chris and Forest Ranger Jim have provided lively narration on some departures. Lunch, hot drinks, restrooms, USB charging, and indoor and outdoor viewing are included.

“Incredible experience! Perfection in an excursion! Perfect boat, lunch (the smoked salmon chowder...YUM), staff, narration by the captain and forest ranger, glacier views, wildlife, the warm chocolate chip cookie. Thank you for an extraordinary 5 hours!”

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9.Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and Ultimate Whale Watch Combo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 771 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $199

Meet beneath the Goldbelt Tram cables, then ride to Auke Bay for a two-hour whale watch on a heated 24-passenger jet boat or 49-passenger catamaran. A naturalist helps spot humpbacks, orcas, seals, and more. Finish at Mendenhall Glacier, where you can walk to Nugget Falls before returning to Juneau.

“The naturalist and the captain were amazing on our trip! We saw two different pods of whales. They worked hard to find the perfect spot for us to view whales.”

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10.Alaska Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing – 60 mins – ANCHORAGE AREA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 725 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $522

From Alaska Glacier Lodge near Palmer, you’ll take a small-group helicopter flight over the Knik River to a glacier. In summer, land on the ice for a guided 30-minute hike. From October through April, snow may require a landing beside major ice formations instead. Pilots such as Sam, Ashley, and Hayden are praised for clear explanations and helpful photo tips.

“Fantastic! It was very fun! Do not be afraid to ask the pilot questions for more fun ideas and recommendations while on the ice!”

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11.Wildlife and Glaciers with a walk in the Rainforest

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 719 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $149

Travel from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm with a guide such as Melissa, Gary, Jim, or Matt. Look for Dall sheep and beluga whales, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, then see Portage Valley glaciers and take a short rainforest walk. The 4.5-hour tour includes transport and admission, with up to 14 people.

“All stops were great Even with crappy weather Guide was knowledgeable and was able to answer questions”

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12.Mendenhall Glacier Trolley Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 556 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79Best value

Ride from Juneau’s cruise port to Mendenhall Glacier on a custom trolley with a local driver who shares Juneau stories and practical park tips. You get about two hours to walk toward Nugget Falls, see the glacier, and visit the center before returning to the same downtown meeting point. Several departures help fit a cruise schedule.

“This was a great way to get to the Glacier. Conveniently located at the dock and gave us enough time to catch the highlights. Wayne was a great driver!”

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13.Alaska Helicopter and Glacier Dogsled Tour – ANCHORAGE AREA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 491 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $761

From Alaska Glacier Lodge in Palmer, fly over the Church Range and Knik Glacier to a high glacier camp. Spend about an hour with champion sled dogs, taking turns mushing or riding the sled, then fly back over blue melt pools and crevasses. Guides and pilots vary, with names including Ryan, Shad, Josh, and Isaac.

“Family of four. Excellent tour. Everyone was professional, business went over safety procedures, provided boots for walking on the glacier, a comfortable waiting area, timely in service, nice surroundings, and more. Helicopter flyer was epic, courteous, professional, safe, belted us into helicopter, helped us with headphones, adjusted seats for weight limits prior to flying, beautiful views, offered to snap photos of us, and where to step too in many areas. Dog sledding tour had champion dogs, dogs in training, and cute puppies. Dog sled person told us about championships won, records held, and more. Beautiful camp. Dogs were cute, playful, and looked well taken care of—wish we could take th...”

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14.Glacier Hike on Matanuska Glacier – Best Vacation Value

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 463 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $325

Travel from Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier with a local guide, then walk across blue ice in provided spikes and safety gear. Guides such as Holly, Hunter, Patrick, and Grace add Alaska stories, glacier facts, photo help, and steady encouragement. The trip lasts about 7.5 hours, with scenic stops and a grocery stop for lunch.

“Grace was informative, charismatic and filled with recommendations. The hike was relatively easy and we had a local guide. The views are stunning. Not to be missed.”

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15.Matanuska Glacier Hike Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 396 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $329

Leave Anchorage in a Mercedes Sprinter for the Matanuska Valley, then spend about two hours on the glacier with ice spikes, helmets, and a professional glacier guide. Guides such as Lori, Tony, Alyssa, Sophie, and Jason add local stories and practical help. Lunch at a lodge overlooking the ice is available afterward, but costs extra.

“It was a wonderful experience, the trip was well managed, and the tour operators were very thoughtful and pleasing and helpful”

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