Glacier Bay National Park - United States

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About Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a 3.3-million-acre wilderness in Southeast Alaska, covering rugged mountains, tidewater glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines, and deep sheltered fjords as part of the Inside Passage. The park is honored as Homeland to the Huna and Yakutat Lingít, and its only developed area is Bartlett Cove, located ten miles by road from the small community of Gustavus. Because no road connects Glacier Bay to the North American highway system, the park is reached by plane or by the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Juneau. Once in Gustavus, visitors can drive a paved road to Bartlett Cove, where the Glacier Bay Lodge, visitor center, public dock, kayak rentals, trails, and a walk-in campground serve as a base for exploring the bay. Most of Glacier Bay is experienced from the water, whether by day boat, kayak, private vessel, or cruise ship.

RV quick facts for Glacier Bay National Park

Detail	Information
Road restrictions	No road access to the park; reach Gustavus by Alaska Marine Highway ferry or plane from Juneau, then drive the 10-mile paved road to Bartlett Cove.
In-park RV camping	Not available. Bartlett Cove Campground is walk-in, tent-only, with no utilities and foot access only.
Full hookups	None inside the park. RVers typically stay in Gustavus lodging or private sites in town.
Dump station	No NPS dump station in the park. A public dock pump-out is available at Bartlett Cove for vessels.
Cell service	Limited and unreliable in Gustavus and Bartlett Cove; plan for offline maps and downloads.
Reservation window	Walk-in campground requires a free permit and orientation at the Visitor Information Station; stays limited to 14 days.
Nearest services	Gustavus, approximately 10 miles from Bartlett Cove, offers fuel, groceries, taxis, and vehicle rentals.
Nearest airport	Gustavus Airport (GST) for small-plane service; Juneau International Airport (JNU) for commercial jet service.

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Best time to visit Glacier Bay National Park

Late May through early September is the prime window, when the Glacier Bay Lodge, day boat, and visitor services operate and daylight hours are long. July and August bring the warmest, driest conditions and peak wildlife viewing, but also the most cruise traffic in the bay. June and early September are good shoulder periods for RV travelers who want ferry availability and fewer crowds. Outside this season most visitor services close, ferry runs are sparse, and weather turns wet and cold.

Jan 120 mm

32°F - 19°F

Most visitor services closed; ferry runs limited.

Feb 100 mm

36°F - 21°F

Lodge, day boat, and campground closed.

Mar 100 mm

39°F - 25°F

Visitor services closed.

Apr 90 mm

46°F - 30°F

Shoulder season; lodge, day boat, and campground not yet open.

May 90 mm

55°F - 37°F

Services typically begin around Memorial Day weekend.

Jun 90 mm

61°F - 45°F

Long daylight; strong month for wildlife and kayaking.

Jul 110 mm

64°F - 48°F

Peak season; book ferry, flights, and day-boat early.

Aug 150 mm

63°F - 48°F

Warm but wetter; peak cruise ship traffic in the bay.

Sep 200 mm

55°F - 43°F

Services wind down after Labor Day; wet shoulder season.

Oct 200 mm

46°F - 36°F

Lodge, day boat, and campground closed.

Nov 160 mm

37°F - 27°F

Visitor services closed; reduced ferry service.

Dec 140 mm

34°F - 21°F

Visitor services closed; winter conditions.

Things to do at Glacier Bay National Park

Ride the Glacier Bay Day Boat
The Glacier Bay day boat is the primary way for road-based visitors to see the bay's tidewater glaciers and wildlife. Tours depart from the Bartlett Cove public dock during the summer season and provide narrated access deep into the park. nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/cruising.htm
Visit the Glacier Bay Visitor Center
RV parking available
The Glacier Bay Visitor Center sits on the upper floor of Glacier Bay Lodge in Bartlett Cove and introduces the park's geography, wildlife, and Huna Tlingit heritage. Exhibits, a hydrophone listening station, bookstore, and ranger programs make it a natural first stop. home.nps.gov/thingstodo/glba-visitor-center.htm
Walk the Forest and Tlingit Trails at Bartlett Cove Easy
RV parking available
Bartlett Cove has the only developed trails in the park, winding through mossy temperate rainforest and along the shoreline. The Tlingit Trail leads to Xunaa Shuká Hít, the first permanent clan house in Glacier Bay in centuries. nps.gov/tripideas/explore-bartlett-cove.htm
Kayak in Bartlett Cove Moderate
RV parking available
Kayak rentals are offered at the Bartlett Cove public dock for paddlers who want to explore protected waters on their own. Guided day trips and drop-off service for multi-day wilderness paddles are also available through park concessioners. nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
Wildlife Viewing Along the Shoreline Easy
RV parking available
The Bartlett Cove shoreline is a prime spot to scan for humpback whales, harbor porpoises, sea otters, and moose. Early mornings and evenings typically bring the best activity near the water and forest edge. nps.gov/thingstodo/camp-bartlett-cove.htm
Explore Gustavus
RV parking available
Gustavus is the gateway community to Glacier Bay, located 10 miles by road from Bartlett Cove and surrounded by park mountains and ocean. Visitors can stop at the Gustavus beach, Four Corners, and the Salmon River, and pick up supplies, taxis, or rental vehicles. nps.gov/thingstodo/gustavus.htm
Camp at Bartlett Cove Campground Easy
Bartlett Cove Campground is a free, walk-in, tent-only campground tucked into rainforest on the shores of the cove. Campers must obtain a permit and complete a short orientation at the Visitor Information Station, and bear-proof food storage and free firewood are provided. nps.gov/thingstodo/camp-bartlett-cove.htm

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RV Rentals Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay National Park, AK, United States

How to get to Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay has no road access from the mainland, so RV travelers typically base in Juneau, about 48 miles east, and ship a vehicle or themselves on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry to Gustavus, then drive the paved 10-mile road to Bartlett Cove. Reaching Juneau by RV requires ferry travel on the Alaska Marine Highway from Bellingham, Washington or Prince Rupert, British Columbia, as there is no highway connection, so confirm vehicle length and weight limits with the ferry operator well in advance. Year-round small-plane service and summer jet service link Juneau with Gustavus for fly-and-rent travelers. Juneau International Airport (JNU) is the nearest commercial airport.

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