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Where is Glacier Bay National Park?Can I fly in, take a Glacier Bay Tour, and fly out in same day?What company operates Glacier Bay Lodge?Do you offer packages?How can I get to Gustavus?Can I get to Gustavus from a location other than Juneau?Are there meals included in my lodging?Are vegetarian meals provided on the Glacier Bay Tour?Where does the Glacier Bay Tour go?What type of boat departs on Glacier Bay Tour?What can I expect to see on Glacier Bay Tour?Are there any pictures of Glacier Bay that we can look at?What is the weather like in May?Can we bring kayaks on the boat?How far is Glacier Bay Lodge from the town of Gustavus?
Where is Glacier Bay National Park?
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve lies west of Juneau, AK and can only be reached by plane or boat. The only road merely connects the small town of Gustavus and its airfield to park headquarters at Bartlett Cove (10 miles).
Can I fly in, take a Glacier Bay Tour and fly out in same day?
Yes! There are flight options for one day tours departing from Juneau, Skagway or Haines. Since the full-day tour abord the M/V Fairweather Express II begins boarding at 715am, flights for the single day tour can depart as early as 530am. The boat returns to the Bartlett Cove dock at 345pm each day, so you can be back at your starting point 12 hours after you left!
What company operates Glacier Bay Lodge?
Visitor services in Glacier Bay Park and Preserve are provided by ARAMARK/Huna Totem Joint Venture, d.b.a. Glacier Bay Lodge and Tours, an authorized concessioner for Glacier Bay National Park. Glacier Bay Lodge and Tours has provided overnight accommodations, food services, gift shops and tours at Glacier Bay since 2004.
Glacier Bay Lodge is operated by ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, a division of ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment. ARAMARK Parks and Destinations provides a wide range of professional services, including property management, hospitality services and recreational support to specialty hotels, resorts, national and state parks, national forest service and other tourist destinations throughout the United States. ARAMARK Parks and Destinations seeks to create memorable experiences at destinations by bringing the best in environmental stewardship, sustainable cuisine and interpretive programs to the guests it serves. For more information on ARAMARK Parks and Destinations and each of its properties, visit www.aramarkparksanddestinations.com.
Do you offer packages?
Yes, we have 2, 3 or 4 night packages, or you can create and design your own itinerary if you wish. Additionally, there are packages from the gateway communities that include roundtrip transportation to Gustavus, ground transfer to the Lodge, rooms overnight, meals and day trips up the West Arm of the Bay.
How can I get to Gustavus?
While there is no road access to Gustavus, you can find convenient air connections from Juneau, Skagway, or Haines via commuter air taxi services. Juneau is easily accessible from Seattle and Anchorage. During the peak summer period, Alaska Airlines operates daily 737 jet service from Juneau to Gustavus in the early evening.
Can I get to Gustavus from a location other than Juneau?
Yes, Haines and Skagway have air taxis that offer daily service.
Are there meals included in my lodging?
The Fairweather Dining Room located in the Glacier Bay Lodge features a full three-meal menu with a wide range of regional favorite dishes, the most spectacular views of any restaurant in Alaska, and a great selection of wines and your favorite cocktails. Meals are included with All-inclusive packages. Otherwise, you can enjoy any meal at the Lodge ordering from the menu for that seating.
Are vegetarian meals provided on the Glacier Bay Tour?
Yes. We are happy to accommodate your special dining requests. Please give us advance notice so that we can ensure availability.
Where does the Glacier Bay Tour go?
The full-day Glacier Bay Tour travels the entire length of the West Arm of Glacier Bay to the face of Margerie and Grand Pacific glaciers, two of several tidewater glaciers in the Park.
Why can’t we visit the East Arm of Glacier Bay?
Over 25 years ago, the National Park Service adopted a management plan for Glacier Bay that divides the bay into two zones: a motorized zone in the West Arm, and a non-motorized zone in the East Arm. If you want to travel in the East Arm, you need to do so via a human powered vehicle – like a sea kayak!
What type of boat will I ride on for the Glacier Bay Tour?
The M/V Fairweather Express II is a 150-passenger high-speed Catamaran. This design allows for the most stability, the fastest travel speed and the least wake – making it the perfect vessel design for the full-day tour. The boat is fully enclosed, with comfortable seats, large windows for viewing the scenery and wildlife, and tables for resting your camera, binoculars and food. There is also an expansive outside deck that is easily accessed through several doors.
What can I expect to see on Glacier Bay Tour?
Look forward to viewing marine wildlife such as Orca (killer) whales, mature and juvenile Humpback whales, sea lions, harbor seals and sea otters; coastal bears and moose are often seen along the shore; thousands of sea birds of many varieties; and towering mountains cradling breathtaking tidewater glaciers. Each tour has a National Park Service Ranger on board to answer questions and talk about the flora, fauna and geological history of Glacier Bay.
Are there any pictures of Glacier Bay that we can look at?
Visit our Photo Gallery page.
What is the weather like?
The weather in this coastal part of southern Alaska is mild. Storms that come into Alaska from across the Pacific Ocean are stopped by the mountain ranges (like the Fairweathers) and they lose their moisture which leads to the abundance of glaciers and creates the northern rainforest ecosystem that makes this part of Alaska so green. Dress in layers that can come on off as needed, and have a top layer that sheds water – and you’ll be very comfortable!
Can we bring our own or rented kayaks on the boat?
Yes, it's an extra $30.00 charge R/T and $20.00 charge one way. The Park Service designates drop-off and pick-up locations for backcountry excursions, and require that campers participate in an orientation about safe backcountry camping prior to heading off into the wilderness.
How far is Glacier Bay Lodge from the town of Gustavus?
9 miles. Transfers are provided at no additional charge for guests of Glacier Bay Lodge and at an additional charge for Glacier Bay day tour only guests. Ask for details when making reservations.