Glacier Bay Wilderness Area

Glacier Bay Wilderness Area spans nearly 2.7 million acres across southeastern Alaska, a vast tract of tidewater glaciers, fjords, temperate rainforest, and alpine terrain managed by the National Park Service as federally designated Wilderness. The landscape shifts from dense coastal forest to barren glacial valleys, with numerous active tidewater glaciers calving into the bay and high peaks rising abruptly from sea level.

Access is by boat or floatplane only—no roads penetrate the area, and motorized travel is prohibited throughout. Visitors backpack, hike, and camp in primitive conditions under strict Leave No Trace rules. The wilderness demands self-reliance: weather can change rapidly, supplies must be packed in, and rescue is distant. Summer is the brief window for travel, when tidewater access is most reliable and glaciers are visible. Winter conditions are severe and travel is extremely limited.

This is true backcountry wilderness, not a destination for casual day-hiking. Plan extensively, come prepared for isolation and weather, and respect the norms of non-motorized, low-impact travel that define the area.