Viewpoint
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
The first visitor center in the National Forest System, facing Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls.
Tongass National Forest · USFS
- Season months
- Year-round
- View of
- Mendenhall Glacier · Nugget Falls · Mendenhall Lake
- Access modes
- Road · Bus
- Road accessible
- Yes
- Parking
- Yes
- Best time
- Early morning or late evening for wildlife and fewer people.
- Interpretive signs
- Yes
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible Photo Point Trail and visitor center.
Built in 1962 as an observatory facing Mendenhall Glacier, and expanded in 1997–1999 with an exhibit gallery and theater. It is 12 miles from downtown Juneau and 5 miles from the airport at the end of Glacier Spur Road. In 2026 it is open 9 a.m.–6 p.m. daily May–September and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays November–March, with intermittent hours in April and October; the grounds are open 6 a.m.–midnight year-round. Day use is $5 per person May–September. Trails from here lead to Nugget Falls, Steep Creek, Photo Point and the East Glacier loop. Phone 907-789-0097.
Location
In pictures
Hiking · Wildlife viewing · Bear viewing
Sources
- Juneau Wildlife Viewing: Mendenhall GlacierAlaska Department of Fish and Game · Accessed 2026-11-08
- Mendenhall Glacier Interpretive Visitor CenterUSDA Forest Service, Tongass National Forest · Accessed 2026-11-08
Last updated 2026-11-09