Alaska is one of the lucky places on the planet where glaciers abound. These gorgeous northern wonders are mountains of ancient snow, compacted over time to create a separate entity, a huge storage of history and frozen water. A glacier is a slowly moving river of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow on mountains or near the poles. There are over 100,000 glaciers in Alaska, far more than in any other state in the U.S. Explore these amazing feats of frozen beauty and you will stand in wonder at these giants of Alaska.
- Colony Glacier, Anchorage
Madeleine Deaton | Flickr This glacier is incredibly beautiful, and a little tricky to get to. It is most commonly accessed by a flightseeing adventure. The glacier blue of the interior lake is an amazing site to see.
- Exit Glacier, Seward
Amy Meredith | Flickr This glittering glacier lies a 125 miles south of Anchorage on the clearly marked turnoff at the Seward Highway at Mile 3.7. Head down the nine mile road, which turns into gravel half way, and you’re there! There is a short walking trail to the face of the glacier that is open year-round.
- & 4. Harvard and Yale Glaciers
jdegenhardt | Flickr These gorgeous glaciers lie 47 miles west of Valdez and are most easily accessed by a glacier cruise or the Alaska Marine Highway System.
- McBride Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park
Matt Zimmerman | Flickr Head here in Glacier Bay National Park for an incredible day. This is a glacier you can kayak to for an unforgettable adventure.
- Middle Glacier, Anchorage
Diana K | Flickr One of the beautiful glacier in Portage Valley near Anchorage. Accessible by trail for a great year-round adventure.
- Matanuska Glaicer, Glacier Park
xzzy77 | Flickr From Anchorage, head north on the Glenn Highway and at Mile 102 drive down to Glacier Park. There is a 15-20 minute hike to the face of glacier and you can touch and explore the 4 mile wide face of the glacier. You might see some ice climbers exploring this accessible glacier face.
- Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau
arctic_council | Flickr This staggering glacier is part of the Tongass National Forest and the visitors’ center is just a half mile from the glacier’s face. There are trails for every skill level and it is easily accessible from Juneau.
- Worthington Glacier, north of Valdez
adam_gulkis | Flickr This classic Alaskan glaicer lies in Thompson Pass on the way south into Valdez, one of the snowiest places in Alaska. Hike up to touch the face and see a glacier up close.
- Child’s Glacier, Cordova
Forest Service Alaska Region | Flickr This large and beautiful glacier is accessible from the remote town Cordova on the coast of Alaska. Travel by boat or plane to see this giant, and experience the calving, or the glacier dropping ice into the bay.
Want to drive right up to your glaciers? Focus on these 6 Amazing Alaska Glaciers You Can Drive Right Up To. And try this trek that is beautiful in the fall Take This Beautiful Hike In Alaska Past Glaciers And Waterfalls For The Ultimate Adventure.
Madeleine Deaton | Flickr
This glacier is incredibly beautiful, and a little tricky to get to. It is most commonly accessed by a flightseeing adventure. The glacier blue of the interior lake is an amazing site to see.
Amy Meredith | Flickr
This glittering glacier lies a 125 miles south of Anchorage on the clearly marked turnoff at the Seward Highway at Mile 3.7. Head down the nine mile road, which turns into gravel half way, and you’re there! There is a short walking trail to the face of the glacier that is open year-round.
jdegenhardt | Flickr
These gorgeous glaciers lie 47 miles west of Valdez and are most easily accessed by a glacier cruise or the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Matt Zimmerman | Flickr
Head here in Glacier Bay National Park for an incredible day. This is a glacier you can kayak to for an unforgettable adventure.
Diana K | Flickr
One of the beautiful glacier in Portage Valley near Anchorage. Accessible by trail for a great year-round adventure.
xzzy77 | Flickr
From Anchorage, head north on the Glenn Highway and at Mile 102 drive down to Glacier Park. There is a 15-20 minute hike to the face of glacier and you can touch and explore the 4 mile wide face of the glacier. You might see some ice climbers exploring this accessible glacier face.
arctic_council | Flickr
This staggering glacier is part of the Tongass National Forest and the visitors’ center is just a half mile from the glacier’s face. There are trails for every skill level and it is easily accessible from Juneau.
adam_gulkis | Flickr
This classic Alaskan glaicer lies in Thompson Pass on the way south into Valdez, one of the snowiest places in Alaska. Hike up to touch the face and see a glacier up close.
Forest Service Alaska Region | Flickr
This large and beautiful glacier is accessible from the remote town Cordova on the coast of Alaska. Travel by boat or plane to see this giant, and experience the calving, or the glacier dropping ice into the bay.
How many of these incredible glaciers have you visited? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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