10 Colossal Glaciers in Alaska Where the Ice Age Never Ended

Alaska has over 27,000 glaciers.

One look at Alaska’s glaciers and you’ll instantly realize why the state is called “The Last Frontier.” Some of them have been around for 30,000 years! If you’re planning a trip to Alaska, you absolutely need to add at least one of these 11 famous glaciers to your itinerary.

1. Hubbard Glacier

You’re looking at the king of North American glaciers. It’s a massive river of ice, 76 miles long, 6 miles wide, and taller than a 30-story building. And get this – it’s still advancing.

Depending on the cruise you join, it can take at least 3 hours to reach Hubbard Glacier, so plan accordingly.

Trivia: This glacier is named in honor of Gardiner Hubbard, who founded the National Geographic Magazine.

2. South Sawyer Glacier

There are two tidewater glaciers in the Tracy Arm Fjord, and South Sawyer is the larger and more popular one.

It’s one of the most photogenic glaciers in Alaska. The ice here is extremely compressed, giving it an electric blue color.

Want to get up close? Jump on a boat tour. You’ll cruise through the fjord, dodging icebergs, and maybe even spot some seals chilling on the ice.

3. Mendenhall Glacier

If you’re heading to Juneau, take a detour to the Mendenhall Glacier which is just a short drive from downtown. It’s part of the Juneau icefield and the most famous among the 40 glaciers in the area.

This glacier stretches over 13 miles through the Tongass National Forest and ends in an epic ice face towering over Mendenhall Lake.

4. Holgate Glacier

The Holgate Glacier glacier flows right into the ocean at the Kenai Fjords National Park. Gigantic chunks of ice often break off from, and hearing the cracking and crashing will blow you away.

Boat tours are the best way to get close to the action. Kenai Fjords is full of cool animals, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot an orca jumping out of the ocean.

5. Aialik Glacier

Aialik Glacier is constantly shedding enormous ice into the ocean, and the sound is like an explosion. It’s an absolute must-experience. You can catch a boat tour from Seward that’ll get you really close to its frozen walls.

But fair warning: you might get soaked. When those icebergs hit the water, they send up massive sprays, so wear something waterproof.

6. Knik Glacier

When you get here, get ready to feel tiny. This giant wall of ice is 200 feet thick above the water and another 70 feet below (kinda hard to visualize the sheer scale, right?).

Knik Glacier is only 50 miles from Anchorage and getting there is half the fun. You can hop in a helicopter or take a bumpy off-road tour, but our favorite is definitely by dog sled.

7. Taku Glacier

This thing is a monster, the thickest glacier in the world, and like the Hubbard Glacier, it’s still expanding.  Its name means “fierce wind” in the  Tlingit language.

To get to Taku, you’re taking a float plane from Juneau with some of the most epic views you’ll ever see. Since it’s so near downtown Juneau, it’s perfect as an afternoon trip if you have a packed itinerary.

8. Davidson Glacier

Getting to Davidson Glacier is a literal journey. You start with a boat ride through one of the deepest fjords on earth, join a rainforest hike, and then catch a riverboat ride to the base, where ice is constantly cascading down from the mountains like a beautiful frozen waterfall. 

Tip: try to time your visit with the sunset. The glacier glows with these going pink and orange colors. It’s like something out of a dream.

9. Margerie Glacier

Margerie Glacier is a 21-mile-long, 250-foot-high monster of ice. There are no roads that lead here, so your only options are to go by air or boat. Join a multi-stop cruise or ferry if you only have time for a day tour and would like to see other glaciers in the area.

10. Dawes Glacier

Dawes Glacier is a six-mile-long ice wall tucked away in Tracy Arm Fjord. It often glows an eerie blue because sunlight doesn’t quite reach this area. Visit during the summer season, May to September, when the weather is mild and wildlife is particularly active.

Alaska’s glaciers are the experience of a lifetime.

If you only have time for a few activities in Alaska, put a glacier cruise at the very top of that list. It’s one of those experiences you’ll never, ever forget.