Quick overview

• Ways to experience: Choose from guided hiking, canoe-and-hike, helicopter glacier landings, or a fly-in packraft-and-hike route.
  
• Additional access: Add glacier walks, dog sledding, Tongass National Forest viewpoints, or technical gear like glacier boots, trekking poles, and paddling equipment.
  
• Unique experiences: Only select tours pair a floatplane flight with packrafting and a glacier hike, or a helicopter landing with dog sledding.
  
• When to book: Book early for May to September and cruise days. Helicopter seats are limited, and permits plus weather can reduce availability.
  
• Good to know: These are guided outdoor adventures, not simple Mendenall Glacier Visitor Center trips. Fitness, age, weight, and weather rules vary by option.
  
• Best upgrade: Choose a helicopter landing if glacier viewing and exploration matter the most. Pick dog sledding only if you want the highest-cost add-on.

​Compare your ticket options here →

Things to know before booking your Mendenhall Glacier tours

Booking window

• The Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Guided Hike and Mendenhall Glacier Seaplane, Paddle and Guided Hike Tour have limited group sizes and tend to fill quickly during the summer cruise season. 
  
• The Juneau Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing & Dog Sledding on Herbert Glacier is among the most sought-after experiences in Juneau
  
• Helicopter glacier landings on Herbert Glacier also have limited daily departures due to aircraft capacity and weather constraints.

What’s included

• The Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Guided Hike and the seaplane-paddle-hike combination include paddling equipment, safety gear, and guided glacier exploration. 
  
• The Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike through Tongass National Forest includes a professional guide and trail-based hiking.
  
• Helicopter tours include scenic flights and glacier landings, with the dog-sledding option adding a sled ride and time with professional mushers and their dogs.

Starting points & flow 

• The Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike through Tongass National Forest typically begins with a transfer to trailheads near the glacier area before continuing on foot. 
  
• Canoe and paddle-based tours require additional equipment fittings and safety briefings. 
  
• Helicopter and seaplane tours involve check-in procedures, passenger weight verification, and flight safety orientations before departure.

Ways to explore

• Each tour offers a distinct way to experience Alaska’s glacial landscapes. 
  
• Paddle tours combine canoeing with glacier hiking.
  
• The Tongass National Forest experience focuses on trekking through rainforest terrain. 
  
• The seaplane tour adds aerial sightseeing before reaching the glacier area
  
• Helicopter excursions provide direct access to Herbert Glacier, including the option to experience traditional dog sledding on snow.

Policies & rules

• The Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike through Tongass National Forest and canoe-based adventures generally operate in light rain, so waterproof clothing is recommended. 
  
• The aerial sightseeing tours with landing or on-ground exploration are weather-dependent and may be delayed, rerouted, or canceled if flying conditions are unsuitable.

Tips & guidelines

• Choose footwear you’re happy wearing when wet: Waterproof hiking shoes or sturdy trainers, plus wool or synthetic socks. Avoid cotton and open-toed sandals on canoe, packraft, or glacier hikes.
  
• Prepare for changing weather: Weather changes fast; what’s drizzle downtown can feel icy beside the glacier or on Herbert. Pack a thin hat and gloves even in July, and secure loose items for helicopter rotors.
  
• Wildlife considerations: In late-summer salmon season, expect possible bear activity around Steep Creek and forest trails. Keep voices low, never run, and follow your guide’s spacing instructions at viewing platforms.
  
• Bring reusable water bottles: Bring a small daypack with snacks and a filled water bottle; many tours run 4–6 hours without food stops, and cold, wet weather often makes people drink more than expected.
  
• Device considerations: Cold and moisture drain batteries fast. Keep phone and camera in inner pockets, carry a power bank, and use a plastic cover or pouch during misty waterfall or lake sections.