Things to do nearTaku Glacier

Taku Glacier originates deep within the Juneau Icefield, one of the largest icefields in North America, and descends more than 50 kilometers before terminating near the Taku River. What sets it apart from most of its neighbors is its behavior: while glaciers across Alaska retreat, Taku Glacier advanced steadily for much of the twentieth century, a phenomenon that drew scientists and researchers from around the world. Recent decades have seen it begin to thin, making the present moment a rare window to witness a glacier in transition.

The glacier is not accessible by road, which preserves its wilderness character entirely. Most visitors reach it by floatplane departing from Juneau, and the approach alone is extraordinary, sweeping over braided river channels, dense spruce forest, and finally the crevassed surface of the ice itself. Some tours include a glacier landing, where you can step onto the ice and feel its scale firsthand.

Wildlife sightings along the Taku River corridor are common, with brown bears, bald eagles, and harbor seals all drawn to the productive waters below the glacier. For those who prefer the water-level perspective, boat tours out of Juneau offer a different kind of intimacy with the ice. Taku Glacier rewards every traveler willing to make the journey into this remote and remarkable corner of Southeast Alaska.