Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
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Glacier Bay at a glance
- Best time
- May, October
- Trip length
- 2–4 days
- Don't miss
- Hike the Trails at Bartlett Cove
- Nearby city
- Gustavus, AK
Explore this park
About Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Boat tours, wildlife viewing, and Alaska weather windows dominate access.
Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is known as Homeland to the Huna and Yakutat Lingít, and is a highlight of Alaska's Inside Passage. From sea to summit, Glacier Bay offers limitless opportunities for adventure and inspiration.
Weather Information
- Summer
temperatures average 50° to 60° F (10° to 15° C).
Rain is the norm in lush southeast Alaska. It is best to be prepared to enjoy the park in any kind of weather, especially rain. Suggested clothing includes waterproof boots, rain gear, a hat, gloves, wool or pile layers or a warm coat. Good rain gear is essential here. April, May and June are usually the driest months of the year. September and October tend to be the wettest.
Operating Hours
Glacier Bay Operating Hours and Seasons
There are no entrance gates at Glacier Bay National Park, so we are technically open 24-hours a day; however, services may be extremely limited depending on the time of your visit. The main visitor season is from late-May through early-September with the peak being the month of July. Check the VISITOR CENTERS tab below to see hours for specific facilities, and read the exceptions that detail seasonal changes in hours.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Glacier Bay Visitor Center Desk Hours
Located on the second floor of Glacier Bay Lodge in Bartlett Cove, 10 miles from Gustavus. Staffed daily in summer with park rangers. Stop by for exhibits, park information, trip planning, bookstore, reading area, hydrophone kiosk, interpretive programs, park films, brochures, and much more.
- Monday11:00AM - 5:30PM
- Tuesday11:00AM - 5:30PM
- Wednesday11:00AM - 5:30PM
- Thursday11:00AM - 5:30PM
- Friday11:00AM - 5:30PM
- Saturday11:00AM - 5:30PM
- Sunday11:00AM - 5:30PM
Visitor Information Station (VIS) Hours
Located near the head of the public-use dock in Bartlett Cove, 10 miles from Gustavus. The "VIS" provides trip planning information, boating and camping permits, and offers boater/camper orientation sessions for visitors heading into the wild backcountry of Glacier Bay. Stop by and meet a park ranger.
- Monday7:00AM - 5:00PM
- Tuesday7:00AM - 5:00PM
- Wednesday7:00AM - 5:00PM
- Thursday7:00AM - 5:00PM
- Friday7:00AM - 5:00PM
- Saturday7:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sunday7:00AM - 5:00PM
Common questions
Planning Glacier Bay
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.
No park-wide entry reservation is required for Glacier Bay. Cave tours, campgrounds, or activity passes may still need advance booking — see Overview on this page for fees, hours, and what to book ahead.
