Juneau
Juneau is Alaska's capital, set between steep mountains and the Gastineau Channel. It is reached only by air or sea, so the visit is about the city, the glacier and the water around it. Most people come for a glacier visit, a whale trip, a hike up Mount Roberts, or a walk through downtown.
The most reviewed first. Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
Exclusive Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier Tour
Mendenhall Glacier
A massive glacier calving into its own lake, and Juneau's most popular attraction. Most visitors look at the face from the visitor center, then walk the trails to Nugget Falls.
Whale waters off Juneau
Whale watching from Juneau means a boat trip into the Inside Passage waters around the city. Humpback and orca whales feed here, and boats carry visitors out to see them.
Nugget Falls
Nugget Falls is a 377-foot waterfall that drops into Mendenhall Lake, reached on a short, flat trail from the Mendenhall Glacier area. It is one of the most popular walks in Juneau.
Mount Roberts Trail
Mount Roberts is a 3,819 foot peak just east of downtown Juneau. Its trail starts at a trailhead on Basin Road and climbs steeply to the Mountain House and the summit.
Perseverance Trail
Perseverance Trail is the most popular and easily reached trail system in Juneau. It climbs from the end of Basin Road into the Gold Creek valley behind downtown, past old mine ruins.
Mount Juneau Trail
A steep trail above Juneau that climbs to the 3,576-foot summit of Mount Juneau and runs on along the ridge. Most hikers use it as a full-day outing with views over town.
West Glacier Trail
The West Glacier Trail runs along the west side of Mendenhall Glacier, skirting Mendenhall Lake and climbing to bare rock above the ice. It is a strenuous hike, best done with a buddy and with care on the rocks.
East Glacier Loop Trail
East Glacier Loop Trail is a moderate forest hike above the east side of Mendenhall Lake. You get good glacier views and a chance at black bear sightings.
Auke Lake
Auke Lake is a 160-acre lake in Auke Bay, a few miles from downtown Juneau. A spartan trail wraps around its eastern side through some of the largest Sitka spruces in the city.
Mendenhall Lake
Mendenhall Lake is a glacial lake at the foot of Mendenhall Glacier, where paddlers in kayaks and canoes head out past the glacier's face. Guided trips and rentals both operate here.
Juneau Channel Island State Marine Park
A group of 14 islands in the waters off Juneau, reached by boat. Paddlers come for wildlife viewing, photography and sport fishing among the islands.
Rainforest Trail
Rainforest Trail is an accessible walk through rainforest to a small beach with views near the end of North Douglas Highway. It is one of the easiest ways to reach the shore on the Juneau side of the water.
Downtown Juneau
Downtown Juneau is the old waterfront core of Alaska's capital, a compact grid of historic buildings, museums and an arts center. Most of what there is to see here is a short walk from one spot to the next.
Tenakee Springs
Tenakee Springs is a small Southeast Alaska town with hot springs in a restored bathhouse. Visitors soak in the mineral water by day or night, then spend the rest of the time kayaking, hiking or looking for wildlife.
Good to know
Whale watching
Humpback and orca waters near Juneau draw most of the boat trips here. Trips run about 3 to 4 hours including transport, on vessels from large catamarans to small six-passenger boats. The season runs from April to October, and the best viewing depends on the time of year, so plan for a boat day in that stretch.
Glaciers and fjords
Mendenhall Glacier is Juneau's best-known sight and the only glacier in Southeast Alaska reached by road. It lies about 13 miles north of downtown, a bus or taxi ride away. For a longer trip, the Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm is about 50 miles southeast of downtown by boat, a 7.5-hour round trip.
Hiking
Juneau has trails close to town. The Mount Roberts Trail starts behind downtown, and the Perseverance Trail leads to Silverbow Basin from the Basin Road trailhead. Mendenhall Glacier has its own walks, including easy trails near the visitor center. Weather can change fast, so carry rain gear and be ready to turn back.
When to go
Juneau's season for most activities runs from May to September, and whale trips run from April to October. Glacier viewing is often best on overcast or rainy days, so a wet forecast should not stop plans.
Good to know
- Pay the bus or shuttle driver in cash, or buy tickets at the kiosks downtown, before heading to Mendenhall Glacier.
- Bring rain gear and waterproof boots; the land is wet most of the year in this rainforest.
- Hike with a buddy when you can, and make noise on trails to stay bear aware.
- Do not count on cell service; some backcountry areas have little or no reception.
Coming by ship
Ships usually stay about 10 hours in Juneau.
Getting ashore and around
Juneau has no road link to the rest of Alaska. Downtown Juneau is compact, but the streets above 4th Street climb steeply, so wear shoes you can walk in.
Mendenhall Glacier is about 13 miles north of downtown. Several bus services run to the glacier about every 30 minutes in summer, and taxis are also an option. Taxis cost about the same as a bus for five or more passengers. Capital Transit buses serve the rest of town, and a car rental from the airport is the way to reach more distant places on your own.
Questions people ask
Can you walk to Mendenhall Glacier from downtown Juneau?
Not comfortably in one day. The glacier is about 13 miles north of downtown. Buses and shuttles run about every 30 minutes in summer, and taxis are another option. From the bus stop, the visitor center is about a 1.5-mile walk.
How far is Juneau's Mount Roberts trail from downtown?
The Mount Roberts Trail starts from a trailhead behind downtown. The hike to the Mountain House is 2 miles and about 1.5 hours, with steep switchbacks. The Goldbelt Tram is temporarily closed for maintenance, so check before you plan a ride.
What is there to do in Juneau?
Many visitors combine a glacier visit at Mendenhall with a walk through downtown, the Alaska State Museum and St. Nicholas church. Whale trips, hikes and brewery visits are other choices from May to September.
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