Update on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center - April 11, 2025

NOTICE TO ALL TRAVELERS HEADED TO JUNEAU SUMMER 2025

The US Forest Service has announced operating hours for the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center (MGVC). According to the April 10 news release, the center will be open Sunday – Friday, 10AM to 5PM. The center will be closed on Saturdays. The hours for the recreation area around the center and adjacent to the glacier remain unchanged, open daily 6AM – midnight. Restroom facilities near the parking lots will be available from 8AM – 7PM daily, and portable toilets will remain open and unlocked 24 hours/day in the recreation area.

Travel Juneau encourages visitors to use permitted shuttles and transportation, as these services include the cost of admission to the area. Visitors arriving at the MGVC via other means will need to purchase their $5 admission at the kiosk on arrival. For more information, please visit the USFS news site.

Welcome to Juneau Alaska

Juneau Alaska stands on one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States. Here you can spend your time viewing wildlife, taking the fishing trip of your life, exploring atop glaciers or enjoying the city’s shops, restaurants and artistic flare.

Learn more about Juneau attractions, events and outdoor recreation. Request our visitors guide for trip planning information. Sign up for our e-newsletter and stay up to date with the latest happenings and special offers.

Choose Your

Adventure

Glacier Viewing

Juneau's most popular attraction (and the most easily accessible Alaska glacier) is the mighty, magnificent Mendenhall Glacier, located just 13 miles from downtown Juneau and only a few minutes from the airport.

Air

Glacier Viewing

Whale Watching & Wildlife Viewing

If you're ready to take a walk on the "wild" side, Juneau has some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing in the world. You can get up close to whales, bears, seals, eagles, and even goats on a variety of local wildlife tours.

Water

Whale Watching & Wildlife Viewing

Hiking & Trails

To really experience Alaska, it’s best to get out and explore it on foot. Juneau boasts more than 250 miles of hiking trails, so there are plenty of opportunities for hikers of all skill levels to get up close and personal with the area’s mountains, forests, meadows, and mining ruins.

Land

Hiking & Trails

Live. Work. Play.

Juneau’s small-town feel, almost endless activities, and entrepreneurial spirit can get you thinking, and many Juneau residents claim they came up for a summer adventure and never left. Inspired to think about Juneau as your new hometown? Here are some...

Transportation

Juneau is Alaska’s closest “big” city to the Lower 48, which makes it surprisingly reachable any time of year.

History

Long before Juneau was Juneau, it was Dzantik’i Héeni (“Base of the Flounder’s River), for literally thousands of years, a popular Native fishing ground. Then, in 1880 two prospectors, Richard Harris and Joe Juneau, guided by Tlingit...