Mendenhall Glacier recommendation from Juneau visitor's bureau

[no1racefan1]

Copied from another forum:

 

UPDATE: Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in Juneau

From Travel Juneau, the convention & visitors bureau:

The Mendenhall Glacier is just one of Juneau’s many attractions. To make sure we maintain the vibrant ecosystem while providing a quality visitor experience at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (MGVC), tour and commercial transportation capacity is limited. Travel Juneau highly recommends visitors book their transportation or tours to the glacier well in advance of their arrival in Juneau, as it’s probable that day-of purchase will not be available. Right now, indications are that excursions and activities are up to 80% booked.

Capital Transit, the public transit system, is designed for resident transport and does not go directly to the glacier. The nearest bus stop is approximately 1.5 miles one way from the MGVC and very limited opportunities for return taxi services from the area back downtown. Visitors using Capital Transit may experience long wait times between runs and should be aware that there are no services between the bus stop and the visitor center. They may encounter bears along the walking path, especially early in the morning or late evening. Visitors arriving via car rental, on foot, or without a tour operator must purchase an entrance pass at the visitor center.

[Kat915]

Sounds like this year it might be better to purchase mendenhall excursion through the cruise line. 

[jannieb]

On 3/29/2024 at 2:59 PM, Kat915 said:

Sounds like this year it might be better to purchase mendenhall excursion through the cruise line. 

This tour is already sold out on our May cruise. I was able to book the bus through Juneau tours. Our goal is Nugget Falls rather than the glacier itself.

[cleobella]

Good info, thanks for posting!

[royal3]

Not matter the weather, take a rain poncho to the falls. The mist from the falls will get you wet. Also, bring something to dry your camera lens afterwards. 

[frugaltravel]

8 hours ago, royal3 said:

Not matter the weather, take a rain poncho to the falls. The mist from the falls will get you wet. Also, bring something to dry your camera lens afterwards. 

No matter what, people should always have rain gear with them when in Alaska.  The sun can be shining when you get off the ship and can change to rain by the time you reboard the ship.  Same with exploring on land before/after the cruise.

[kajasmin]

On 3/29/2024 at 2:22 PM, no1racefan1 said:

Copied from another forum:

 

UPDATE: Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in Juneau

From Travel Juneau, the convention & visitors bureau:

The Mendenhall Glacier is just one of Juneau’s many attractions. To make sure we maintain the vibrant ecosystem while providing a quality visitor experience at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (MGVC), tour and commercial transportation capacity is limited. Travel Juneau highly recommends visitors book their transportation or tours to the glacier well in advance of their arrival in Juneau, as it’s probable that day-of purchase will not be available. Right now, indications are that excursions and activities are up to 80% booked.

Capital Transit, the public transit system, is designed for resident transport and does not go directly to the glacier. The nearest bus stop is approximately 1.5 miles one way from the MGVC and very limited opportunities for return taxi services from the area back downtown. Visitors using Capital Transit may experience long wait times between runs and should be aware that there are no services between the bus stop and the visitor center. They may encounter bears along the walking path, especially early in the morning or late evening. Visitors arriving via car rental, on foot, or without a tour operator must purchase an entrance pass at the visitor center.

We rented a car so we just drive up and buy, correct? 

[VernRDH]

We just booked through Juneau Tours today as we were getting concerned about not being able to pre purchase The Blue Bus. I have called and emailed, but no response and since this is one of our "must do's", I didn't want to risk waiting until we docked and not be able to go.

[Glaciers]

38 minutes ago, kajasmin said:

We rented a car so we just drive up and buy, correct? 

"Fees are not necessary for accessing the parking areas, or hiking Nugget Falls Trail, East Glacier Trail, Powerline Trail, Moraine Ecology Trail, the Trail of Time, and all the Dredge Lakes and West Glacier Trails."

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=stelprdb5400800

[dmwnc1959]

Juneau Says To Book Mendenhall Glacier Ahead of Time or Miss Out
 

https://cruisespotlight.com/juneau-says-to-book-mendenhall-glacier-ahead-of-time-or-miss-out/?fbclid=IwAR2hOSUvR-N1-KX3IBjWJ70iqnGN1KWqJFMU2l-b00a7JQK7TkVkTn5mfzc

 

🥸

Edited April 7 by dmwnc1959

[Aquahound]

12 hours ago, kajasmin said:

We rented a car so we just drive up and buy, correct? 

 

You got it made then.  Just drive there and park.  Parking is free and all the trails and views are free.  Enjoy! 🙂

[wolfie11]

As I remember, the entrance fee to the Visitors Center is waived if you have a National Park pass.

[destar]

On 3/30/2024 at 11:30 PM, jannieb said:

This tour is already sold out on our May cruise. I was able to book the bus through Juneau tours. Our goal is Nugget Falls rather than the glacier itself.

We are on the NCL Encore May 19th sailing, Mendenhall Glacier + salmon bake sold out. Will book Mendanhall with Juneau Tours, thanks for posting.

[tj_shopper]

On 4/7/2024 at 9:46 PM, Aquahound said:

 

You got it made then.  Just drive there and park.  Parking is free and all the trails and views are free.  Enjoy! 🙂

If all that is free, what do we pay for?  Is it to go into the Visiter's Center?  Is that a must see?  Can we skip that?  We just probably want to do the hike and see Nugget Falls.  Thanks.

[dfilpus]

29 minutes ago, tj_shopper said:

If all that is free, what do we pay for?  Is it to go into the Visiter's Center?  Is that a must see?  Can we skip that?  We just probably want to do the hike and see Nugget Falls.  Thanks.

According to https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=fseprd502109 ,

 

Visitors 16 years and older will need a pass to access the following areas:

• the Pavillion
• Photo Point Trail
• Steep Creek
• Restrooms
• Bus Shelter
• The visitor center

[wolfie11]

36 minutes ago, tj_shopper said:

If all that is free, what do we pay for?  Is it to go into the Visiter's Center?  Is that a must see?  Can we skip that?  We just probably want to do the hike and see Nugget Falls.  Thanks.

Yes.  The fee is for the visitors center.  You can park and walk around exempt areas all you want.  Passes are $5 each and you get in free with a National Park or America The Beautiful pass. I would recommend buying the pass as it allows access to Photo Point and Steep Creek.

Edited April 13 by wolfie11

[kamelia]

7 minutes ago, dfilpus said:

According to https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=fseprd502109 ,

 

Visitors 16 years and older will need a pass to access the following areas:

• the Pavillion
• Photo Point Trail
• Steep Creek
• Restrooms
• Bus Shelter
• The visitor center

It may be worth noting that there IS a restroom facility available that does NOT require a pass to access.  

[tj_shopper]

Just now, kamelia said:

It may be worth noting that there IS a restroom facility available that does NOT require a pass to access.  

Thank you for that tidbit because I thought we would definitely have to purchase a pass to use the bathroom.

[kamelia]

1 minute ago, tj_shopper said:

Thank you for that tidbit because I thought we would definitely have to purchase a pass to use the bathroom.

There has always been a facility with flush toilets just before you get to the Visitor's Center, and when we were there last summer there the park service had added a trailer with additional stalls on the other side of the Visitor's Center just before you reach the trails.

[tj_shopper]

19 minutes ago, wolfie11 said:

Yes.  The fee is for the visitors center.  You can park and walk around all you want.

Where do we purchase the pass?  There is a group (34) of us that are not doing a tour.  There are some that will take the bus, rent a car, get a cab or I've heard of the blue bus.  thanks in advance.

[dfilpus]

2 hours ago, tj_shopper said:

Where do we purchase the pass?  There is a group (34) of us that are not doing a tour.  There are some that will take the bus, rent a car, get a cab or I've heard of the blue bus.  thanks in advance.

In the visitor center.

[kamelia]

2 hours ago, tj_shopper said:

Where do we purchase the pass?

This is from the Tongass National Park "Welcome to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center" website:

 

"Visitors are required to purchase a pass from May 1–Sept. 30 to enter the Visitor Center. Passes can be purchased at the automated machines available in the Mendenhall Glacier parking lots or inside the visitor center at the Discovery Southeast bookstore. Day use passes sell for $5 per person and collectible season passes will be for sale for $15 for the card holder and one guest the entire season. Those age 15 and younger are free. The passes also allow access to the Pavilion, Photo Point and Steep Creek Trails. Fees are not necessary for accessing the parking areas, or hiking Nugget Falls Trail, East Glacier Trail, Powerline Trail, Moraine Ecology Trail, the Trail of Time, and all the Dredge Lakes and West Glacier Trails. Federal lands passes such as the “America the Beautiful” pass, Senior Pass, or Military Pass are also accepted."

[dmwnc1959]

18 minutes ago, kamelia said:

Federal lands passes such as the “America the Beautiful” pass, Senior Pass, or Military Pass are also accepted."

Don't forget that if you are a veteran these are easily obtainable online and are free of charge, there is a small $10 processing fee, and they are good for life nationwide. 
 

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

 

Edited April 13 by dmwnc1959