Paddle Mendenhall Lake and explore glacial terrain with expert guides
5 hrs
Transport, gear, snacks
Explore Mendenhall Lake by canoe and venture across the glacier's terminal moraine on a human-powered wilderness expedition. Learn about glacial geology, climate dynamics, and the Tongass National Forest along the way.
Full refund with at least 48 hours' notice. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows are charged the full price.
Product ID: MNP9KX
You need full use of your limbs for up to 2 hours of canoe paddling and about 1 hour of hiking, including roughly 1–2 miles over steep, uneven terrain. You must also sign a liability waiver.
You must be at least 12 years old and weigh between 90 and 240 lbs. This tour is not recommended if you have back, shoulder, or hip problems, and pregnant guests are not permitted.
Wear warm layers. Non-insulated rain gear is provided, but the glacier area can be much colder than downtown. Wool or synthetic base layers work best; avoid cotton. You can also bring warm socks, a hat, mittens or gloves, and sunglasses if it’s sunny.
Goldbelt Tramway, 490 S Franklin St
With a perfect track record across hundreds of reviews, this Mendenhall Glacier canoe tour consistently delivers what guests call a "lifetime experience." The adventure combines paddling across Mendenhall Lake with up-close glacier views and short hikes to scenic vantage points. Guides come prepared for Alaska's unpredictable weather, providing quality rain gear and boots so conditions never dampen the experience. The real standout here is the guide team. Names like Issy, Mason, Rod, Jonathan, Luke, and Jordan come up repeatedly, with guests praising their blend of expertise and personality. They're certified first responders (which adds a layer of security), but more importantly, they know how to balance safety briefings and geological facts with humor and genuine enthusiasm. Several reviewers mention feeling like their guides could have happily stayed out exploring for hours longer, which speaks volumes about their passion for the area. The operation runs smoothly from meetup through gear distribution to the actual paddle, making this a top recommendation for anyone physically capable of canoeing.
Incredible experience canoeing out to Mendenhall Glacier! Having Tor as a captain elevated the adventure in many ways. She was very professional and had a lot of knowledge about the glacier and the local spots. Brady was the co-captain and his energy was of cheerful and positive the whole time while he did a lot of the muscle work helping move the canoe onward! Also we saw a seal and a rainbow and it was frickin magical <3 cheers happy birthday brady!
Eilonwy Vogts
July 7, 2026
Incredible experience canoeing out to Mendenhall Glacier! Having Tor as a captain elevated the adventure in many ways. She was very professional and had a lot of knowledge about the glacier and the local spots. Brady was the co-captain and his energy was of cheerful and positive the whole time while he did a lot of the muscle work helping move the canoe onward! Also we saw a seal and a rainbow and it was frickin magical <3 cheers happy birthday brady!
Eilonwy Vogts
July 7, 2026
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