Where Is Glacier Bay National Park Located In Alaska?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve lies

west of Juneau, Alaska

, and can only be reached by plane or boat. The only road in the area merely connects the small town of Gustavus and its airfield to park headquarters at Bartlett Cove (10 miles).

Can you drive from Anchorage to Glacier Bay National Park?


There is no direct connection from Anchorage to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

. However, you can take the line 40 bus to Airport South Terminal, take the walk to Anchorage airport, fly to Gustavus, then take the travel to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

How far is Glacier Bay from Juneau?

Just

50 miles

northwest of Juneau (25 minutes by air), Glacier Bay is the largest national park in Southeast Alaska, the world's largest protected marine sanctuary, and a World Heritage Site.

What is so special about Glacier Bay National Park?

It's a marine park, where great adventure awaits by boating into inlets, coves and hideaway harbors. It's also a land park, with its snow-capped mountains, spectacular , and emerald–green forests. From the summit to sea, Glacier Bay's wildness is remote, dynamic and intact.

How far is Yellowstone from Glacier?

The driving distance between Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park is

441 miles

. It takes approximately 7h 59m to drive from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park.

What is the closest major city to Glacier National Park?

Glacier National Park is just northwest of Montana along the Canadian border. Southwest (29 miles) of the park is its closest city neighbor,

Kalispell

, followed by Missoula from the south (150 miles), and Great Falls from the southeast (200 miles).

Can you stay in Glacier Bay National Park?

There are a number of options for accommodations while visiting Glacier Bay National Park.

Glacier Bay Lodge, located within the park at Bartlett Cove is the only lodging within the park

. It is open from mid-may through early September. Nearby Gustavus, Alaska is a charming community of 450 year-round residents.

What airport is closest to Glacier National Park?


Glacier Park International Airport (FCA)

is the gateway to northwest Montana and the closest airport to Glacier National Park. The airport is in Kalispell, just 12 miles from the town of Whitefish and 30 miles from the West Entrance of Glacier National Park.

How do you get around Glacier Bay National Park?

Unlike Yellowstone or Yosemite, you can't visit Glacier Bay on a road trip. There are no roads leading into the park, and the only way to reach it is

by small plane, boat or ship

. There's also very little infrastructure within the park. It does have a visitor center and lodge, located at its very edge.

How many days do you need in Glacier National Park?

How Many Days Do You Need in Glacier National Park? Ideally, plan on spending at least

two to three days

in Glacier National Park. This gives you enough time to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, hike one or two trails, and visit the Many Glacier or Two Medicine areas.

Is Glacier Bay National Park worth it?

It takes a full day to tour the bay, but

it is well worth it

. Both the glaciers and the surrounding scenery are spectacular.

Can you visit Glacier Bay?


Although the Park is open year-round, the park's Visitor Center (upstairs at Glacier Bay Lodge) and most services are open from roughly mid-May to mid-September

. Winter services are limited. Entrance to the park is free. For more about the park, go to National Park Service.

What is the difference between Glacier National Park and Glacier Bay National Park?

Can you provide the links for all the itineraries you are considering? To answer part of your original question

Glacier Bay is a body of water about 40 miles in length. Glacier Bay National Park is a protected area that includes the Bay plus the land around it

.

Is Glacier Bay National Park open?

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is

open year-round

, but services in winter are extremely limited. Visitor center exhibits.

What plants live in Glacier Bay National Park?

Some of the common plants found in Glacier Bay National Park include

Chocolate Lily, Devil's Club, Indian Paintbrush, Nagoon Berry, Lupine, and Sitka Spruce

.

What is the best month to visit Glacier National Park?

For most people,

late June through mid-September

is the best time to visit Glacier, because they want to drive the Going to the Sun Road, raft and fish the rivers, hike the trails, visit the backcountry Chalets, and explore several areas of the park, on both sides of the Continental Divide.

Which side of Glacier National Park is best?

The

east side

of Glacier National Park is generally drier, cooler and windier than the rest of the park. The base elevation is higher and the valleys are wider. That makes for some epic scenery and outstanding adventuring. Here are some of our favorite spots on the east side.

Do you need reservations to get into Glacier National Park?

Vehicle Reservation System


A vehicle reservation is required for vehicles entering Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork area between May 27 and September 11, 2022

. In addition to a vehicle reservation, you will also need to a park pass. Visit our Vehicle Reservation page for full details.

What part of Glacier National Park is open?

Road Status in Spring

By late May,

most roads are open for vehicle travel except Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass

. Lower portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road are open year-round, but the entire road does not usually open until late June or early July, and the Logan Pass area is not accessible by vehicle until then.

How far is Bozeman from Glacier?

The distance from Bozeman to Glacier National Park is

249 miles

. The road distance is 356 miles. ✔ What agencies operate bus routes between Bozeman and Glacier National Park? Salt Lake Express coordinates buses from Bozeman to Glacier National Park.

How far is Billings from Glacier?

The distance from Billings to Glacier National Park is

322 miles

. The road distance is 498 miles.

Is Glacier Bay owned by Home Depot?

Additionally, Glacier Bay is Home Depot's in-house brand for kitchen and bath products and is

owned by Home Depot

.

Where is Bartlett Cove Alaska?

Bartlett Cove is an embayment and a small resort community

about 5 miles (8 km) north of Gustavus and 50 miles (81 km) northwest of Juneau, Alaska

. The bay extends north for 5 miles (8 km) from Point Gustavus, on the east shore of Glacier Bay, in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

How do I get from Juneau to Glacier Bay?

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve lies west of Juneau, AK and can only be reached

by plane or boat

. The only road merely connects the small town of Gustavus and its airfield to park headquarters at Bartlett Cove (10 miles).

Does Amtrak go to Glacier National Park?

Did you know

Amtrak still delivers easy access to one of America's most spectacular national parks

? Its Empire Builder route enters the southern fringe of Montana's Glacier National Park, providing riders in picture-window observation cars with spectacular views and up to four stations.

What is the cheapest airport to fly into Glacier National Park?

Flying to

Missoula International Airport (MSO)

will get you the nearest to Glacier National Park since it is the closest airport. Flights to Helena are not too distant either and they will be a lot less expensive for anyone arriving in Missoula.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.