Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve guide · 2 min read
Getting to Gustavus by Plane or Ferry
Gustavus is the town most travelers pass through on the way to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, which is reachable only by air or sea.
The town lies 48 air miles west of Juneau, roughly a half-hour flight away. It sits on a broad plain shaped by retreating glaciers, with mountains and icefields from the park rising on three sides and open ocean on the fourth.
Alaska Airlines flies jets from Juneau to Gustavus daily during the summer. Year-round, small air taxis and charters also fly that route. The trip takes about 30 minutes and lands at the Gustavus Airport. Air taxis charge by the weight of your gear, while Alaska Airlines charges by the bag.
The Alaska Marine Highway ferry is the other route, with regular trips from Juneau to Gustavus. The LeConte and Hubbard usually make the run. Plan on four to six hours at sea, since the length varies with the ship and its stops. The crossing is scenic but slower than flying, making it the better choice for bringing your own vehicle. Ferries tie up at the Gustavus Ferry Terminal.
A single paved road links Gustavus with Bartlett Cove, about 10 miles away, so you may need a ride. Visitors staying at Glacier Bay Lodge can take a shuttle bus between the lodge and either the Gustavus Airport or the ferry terminal. Taxis can be arranged, and many local inns and bed-and-breakfasts have bikes to rent or borrow. Beyond Bartlett Cove, the park is essentially roadless, so you will travel by foot, by boat, or by small plane.
Bartlett Cove is the park's one developed corner, and most of its services sit there. Visitors find Glacier Bay Lodge, the visitor center, park headquarters, several trails, a public dock, a place to rent kayaks, and a campground you can walk into.
