The Best Glaciers to Visit in Alaska

9/12/2022

**Updated : February 2023**
Use the map to see a visual of all our recommendations - click the arrow next to our photo to have a pop up list! This post may also contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase a product via these links, with no extra cost to you!

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No trip to Alaska is complete without a glacier visit. For this list we've gone ahead and gathered every single glacier we've visited thus far in Alaska. We ordered them from the "easiest and most stunning glaciers" near the top and the "hardest to reach and kind of cool" ones at the bottom. We truly believe any glacier experience is incredible, and highly encourage you to visit as many as you can while in Alaska! If you are unexperienced, we also recommend that you explore via a tour as climbing or walking on glaciers can be very dangerous, sometimes deadly. It's important to also know that some glaciers now are only accessible via paid tours, and we've included that information below.

**Always remember to bring your bear spray when hiking in Alaska!

Which Glacier to Visit in Alaska

Exit Glacier, Seward

The first glacier we visited in Alaska was Exit Glacier, near Seward inside Kenai Fjords National Park. Although it requires a short hike, we highly encourage making the trek if you're in the area. One of our favorite things about Exit Glacier is that during the drive and hike in, you'll be able to see just how far the glacier has receded in recent years thanks to yearly mile markers. Located about 1.6 miles from the Visitor Center, the overlook is worth heading out to, and if you're feeling extremely adventurous, continue onwards about 4 miles to Harding Ice Field.

Harding Ice Field, Seward

Also located in Kenai Fjords National Park, this hike is not for the weak of heart. Undoubtedly the hardest hike I've ever done, you'll hike a total of 9 miles from the Visitor Center with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain. (The hike is 8.2 miles roundtrip, but technically starts on the valley floor past the Visitor Center.) The views will 100% be worth the workout though, we've never seen anything come even remotely close to the beauty of the mountain tops jutting out of the fields of ice.

Castner Glacier, Fairbanks

A forever favorite of ours - this easily accessible glacier is best viewed during the winter months when the river has fully frozen over. Located near Delta Junction, it's a great day trip from either Fairbanks (2.5 hours each way) or Anchorage (5 hours each way). At 2.5 miles roundtrip, this hike is entirely flat and can be completed at any age. We recommend bringing lunch and having a picnic! Just make sure to leave no trace and pack out everything you bring in.

**Note : The ice cave has since collapsed.**

Portage Glacier, Whittier

Another great hike, this glacier is a bit closer to Anchorage. With cruising tours in the summer and a frozen lake hike in the winter, we've done it both ways and can't recommend them enough! The cruise is an easy, laid back way to make it close to the glacier at $45 per adult. The hike across Portage Lake in the winter is a flat 3 miles each way - however, it is essential to make sure the lake is completely frozen over. This will most likely be between the months of January and March. If you're unsure, we recommend only going out when you see others enjoying winter sports on Portage Lake, and never going out if you're the only one there.

Matanuska Glacier, Glacier View

A great glacier to visit if you're basing near Anchorage, this glacier is now entirely closed to the public and can only be accessed via tour. On your tour, you'll take a short flat hike to the glacier, and a longer hike up and around the beginning of the glacier (in total 27 miles long!). If you're lucky you'll see glacier pools, lakes, and deep ravines! On our tour we even used glacial mud/silt for a mud mask, drank fresh glacier water, and ate glacier ice! Prices vary for this tour, for non-residents at $150 and Alaska residents at $50.

**Please note, this is the ONLY tour company we recommend a tour on Matanuska through.**

Root Glacier, Kennicott

Although a little harder to get to for visitors, the drive to McCarthy takes about 7 hours from Anchorage. We recommend spending a few days here to include drive time. The hike itself begins in the town of Kennicott, which is only accessible via the free shuttle from McCarthy or by walking an extra 4 miles. We love this glacier because although there are also tours available for those interested, it is also still open to the public. Just make sure to be aware of where you're stepping.

Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau

A very common glacier to visit for cruising visitors. We love that this glacier also has a nearby (beautiful) waterfall! We weren't able to get too close to this glacier when we visited, however there are plenty of tours that can get you on the lake and a bit closer than the view from the visitor center.

Columbia & Mears Glaciers, Valdez

Both of these glaciers can be seen via a Glacier and Wildlife tour from Valdez. As far as wildlife/glacier cruises go in Alaska, our experience in Valdez was hands down our favorite. The views are truly incredible and unlike anything we've ever seen. What truly made it special was when we saw an incredible display of glacier calving, the first and only time we saw this in Alaska.

**We highly recommend Stan Stephens Glacier Cruises!**

Aialik & Holgate Glaciers, Seward

If Valdez is a bit far, then we highly recommend stopping in Seward. Not only is it one of our favorite towns in Alaska (we've done 3 cruising tours here), but there are many tours here where you should be able to find one that fits in your schedule, ranging from 4 - 8 hours. There's also a chance to see a calving glacier here as well, although we were never that lucky.

**We highly recommend Major Marine Tours!**

Sawyer & Hubbard Glaciers, Cruising

If you're someone who likes to cross off the "largest" or "longest" things in the world, then you'll want to take a cruise to visit Hubbard Glacier - North America's longest glacier at 75 miles long!! We saw small bits of calving here as well, although with a large cruise ship it's very difficult to get close enough to see it easily with your naked eye.

Watch all our cruising adventures here!

Spencer & Trail Glaciers, Moose Pass

At the very bottom of our lists are Spencer and Trail Glaciers, seen from the windows of the Alaska Railroad and through the trees. You can read our review of the Alaska Railroad below, however these glaciers are at the bottom of our lists for a reason. Not only can you hardly see them, but you'll have driven past them in just a few seconds. We hope to revisit them via a hike or other method one day!

Read our full review of the Alaska Railroad here!

Watch our Glacier Adventures here!