Juneau, Nature reserve and glacier formations in Juneau, US
Mendenhall Glacier is a massive expanse of ice that stretches through a valley, displaying deep blue formations and waterfalls that drop from its edges. The area sits within Tongass wilderness and offers hiking trails where you can walk past the shifting ice landscape.
The area became a protected landscape in 1892 as part of Tongass National Forest, making it one of Alaska's oldest reserves. The glacier itself took shape over thousands of years and has been slowly retreating ever since.
The Tlingit people have used this land for generations to hunt and gather according to their traditions. Walking through these areas, you can sense how the landscape remains tied to these ancestral ways of living.
Book guided tours from downtown, which run regularly throughout the year but most often from spring through fall. The warmer months offer the best trail conditions and clearest views of the ice formations.
Beneath the ice surface lies a network of caves carved by glacial melt water over thousands of years. These hidden passages rank among North America's largest and offer a glimpse into how the ice moves and shapes the land.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
