Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve lies near the small community of Gustavus, in southeast Alaska. The park protects a landscape of tidewater glaciers, deep fjords and open coastal water, and it is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What you will see
The defining feature of the park is its glaciers, which reach down to the sea and meet the water in a way that makes for a memorable view. The fjords around them are framed by mountains, and the scale of the bay is best appreciated from the water itself.
The bay is also home to a wide range of marine life. Visitors can look for:
- humpback whales
- sea otters
- other marine animals that live in the bay's waters
Getting there
Access to the park is mainly by boat or by plane, so a visit usually takes some planning. Gustavus is the nearest community and is the place to base yourself for trips into the park. If you want to check what is available before you travel, the park can be reached by telephone at +1-907-697-2230. The park's address is 1 Park Rd, Gustavus, AK 99826.
Planning your visit
Because the park is remote and reached by water or air, it suits travellers who are comfortable with a more independent kind of trip. Allow time for the journey in and out, and bear in mind that wildlife and weather shape what each day holds. A trip here is best treated as an immersion in a wild coastal landscape rather than a quick stop.
