Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a protected landscape in Alaska featuring sixteen tidewater glaciers flowing from snow-capped mountains directly into the sea. The terrain spans vast coastal areas and showcases a distinctive blend of mountains, ice, and ocean.

The bay was once a continuous glacier around 1750 and has since transformed to its present form, showing the most documented glacial retreat in North America. This transformation offers scientists a natural laboratory for understanding glacier behavior and climate patterns.

The Tlingit people shaped this region for countless generations, and their stories remain woven into the place itself. Visitors can encounter this living heritage through local names and the narratives shared throughout the park.

Access is by boat or plane from Juneau, and most visitors join organized tours to explore the area. It is wise to bring weather-resistant clothing and prepare for changing conditions along the coast.

Some glaciers here move at remarkable speeds and visibly reshape the landscape from year to year. This rapid transformation makes each visit a snapshot of a constantly changing landscape.

Location: Alaska

Inception: December 2, 1980

Operator: National Park Service

Part of: Kluane / Wrangell – St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek

Website: https://nps.gov/glba

GPS coordinates: 58.70000,-137.00000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:24