Nugget Falls

Nugget Falls descends in two distinct segments, with the first tier dropping 99 feet and the second tier plunging 278 feet into Mendenhall Lake.

Before the glacier receded in recent decades, the waterfall splattered directly onto the Mendenhall Glacier ice, creating patterns across its frozen surface.

The waterfall forms part of the Tongass National Forest ecosystem, which holds importance for Indigenous communities who maintain connections to these natural landmarks.

A one-mile trail from the Mendenhall Visitor Center leads through mossy rainforest to a sand-and-gravel viewing area at the base of the falls.

The waterfall receives meltwater from the hanging Nugget Glacier, creating a natural spectacle against the backdrop of floating icebergs in Mendenhall Lake.

Location: Alaska

Part of: Nugget Creek

GPS coordinates: 58.42705,-134.53775

Latest update: March 6, 2025 15:58