Camping Near Glacier Bay National Park
Alaska | Established 1980
About Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park preserves 3.3 million acres where tidewater glaciers calve into deep fjords and temperate rainforest meets alpine ice fields. The park contains 11 tidewater glaciers, numerous humpback whale feeding grounds, and a dynamic landscape shaped by rapid glacial retreat over the past 250 years. No roads connect to the park; all access is by air or sea through the gateway town of Gustavus, Alaska.
Bartlett Cove Campground is the park's only developed camping area, offering free walk-in tent sites on a first-come, first-served basis with bear-proof food caches, fire pits, and composting toilets. Backcountry camping across the park's wilderness is also free with required permits obtained at the Visitor Information Station in Bartlett Cove. Gustavus (10 miles from Bartlett Cove) is reached by daily flights from Juneau (30 minutes) or the Alaska Marine Highway ferry (twice weekly in summer).
Camping Tips for Glacier Bay
- Arrive at Bartlett Cove Campground early since sites are free and first-come, first-served with no reservations. During July peak season, sites fill by mid-morning. Call the Visitor Information Station at 907-697-2627 before traveling to check current availability.
- Attend the mandatory camper orientation at the Visitor Information Station before setting up camp. All campers must register and receive a bear safety briefing. Orientations run at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily from May through September. Bear-proof food caches are provided at the campground.
- Cook and eat only in the intertidal zone on the beach at the designated fire pit. No cooking is permitted at individual campsites. Store all food, trash, and scented items in the provided bear-proof caches. Free firewood is available at the fire pit area.
- Book flights from Juneau to Gustavus well in advance for summer travel. Alaska Airlines and Alaska Seaplanes operate daily service (30-minute flight). The Alaska Marine Highway ferry runs twice weekly from Juneau during summer. Ground transportation from Gustavus to Bartlett Cove (10 miles) requires advance taxi or shuttle booking.
- Apply for backcountry camping permits up to 48 hours before arrival by emailing glba_vis@nps.gov. All backcountry campers must attend orientation. Free bear-resistant food canisters are provided. No trails exist in the backcountry; navigation requires topographic maps, GPS, and knowledge of tidal patterns.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Glacier Bay National Park
1.Hollywood Farms RV Park
Hollywood Farms RV Park is a newly built family-owned and operated RV park located in Gustavus, Alaska, established in 2022. Named after one of the original homestead lands in the...
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2.Bartlett Cove Campground
Bartlett Cove Campground is located within Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska. The campground offers a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the park....
Show moreShowing 1–2 of 2 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Glacier Bay National Park?
Fly from Juneau to Gustavus (30 minutes) via Alaska Airlines or Alaska Seaplanes, then take ground transportation 10 miles to Bartlett Cove. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry connects Juneau to Gustavus twice weekly during summer. No roads lead to the park. Cruise ships also visit the park's tidewater glaciers.
Alaska Seaplanes offers multiple daily departures from Juneau to Gustavus during summer. Advance booking is essential for July and August flights. The ferry crossing from Juneau takes several hours with vehicle transport available. Gustavus has a small population of roughly 450 with taxi services, bike rentals, and limited lodging. Arrange ground transportation from Gustavus to Bartlett Cove before arriving since no transit system operates. Juneau International Airport is the primary regional hub with flights from Seattle and Anchorage.
What does camping at Bartlett Cove cost?
Camping at Bartlett Cove is completely free with no reservation system. Sites operate first-come, first-served with a 14-day stay limit. The campground includes bear-proof food caches, a fire pit with free firewood, a warming shelter, and composting toilets. A mandatory free camper orientation is required before setup.
Bartlett Cove is the park's only developed campground, set in mossy rainforest a quarter mile south of the dock. Wheelbarrows are available for transporting gear from the dock to campsites. The warming shelter provides a dry space during rain. Maximum stay is 14 consecutive days and 30 days per calendar year. Winter camping is possible with reduced services. Glacier Bay Lodge (adjacent) offers room accommodations for visitors preferring indoor lodging.
What weather should I expect for camping?
Expect cool, wet conditions throughout summer. Temperatures average 50 to 60 degrees with roughly 70 inches of annual precipitation. Rain gear is essential every day. The driest months are April through June, though rain can occur at any time. July and August are warmest but often the wettest months.
The maritime climate keeps temperatures moderate but precipitation frequent. Pack full waterproof rain gear including jacket, pants, and gaiters. Synthetic or merino wool layers dry faster than cotton. A waterproof tent fly and ground tarp are non-negotiable. Daylight extends to 18 hours in June and July, providing long days for exploration. September brings shorter days, cooler temperatures in the 40s and 50s, and increased rainfall. Wind can be strong along exposed coastline and glacier faces.
Do I need a permit for backcountry camping?
Yes, free backcountry permits are required from May through September, obtained in person at the Visitor Information Station in Bartlett Cove. All backcountry campers must attend mandatory orientation. Apply up to 48 hours in advance by emailing glba_vis@nps.gov. Free bear-resistant food canisters are provided for all backcountry trips.
Backcountry camping in Glacier Bay requires complete self-sufficiency. No trails exist outside Bartlett Cove; all travel uses coastline routes, requiring knowledge of tidal patterns and coastal navigation. Tides can exceed 25 feet, dramatically changing accessible terrain. Water temperatures hover around 40 degrees, making immersion life-threatening within minutes. Kayakers and backpackers must plan camps above high tide lines. Private boat permits are also required from June through August with daily vessel limits in glacier areas.
What wildlife will I encounter?
Humpback whales feed in park waters from June through August. Brown bears inhabit the north and west arms of the bay while black bears roam the Bartlett Cove forest. Harbor seals haul out on ice floes near tidewater glaciers. Sea otters, bald eagles, and puffins are common throughout the park.
Bear encounters are manageable with proper protocol: make noise while hiking, cook only at the beach fire pit, and store all food in bear-proof caches. Brown bears (grizzlies) are larger and more unpredictable than black bears and inhabit areas north of Tidal Inlet. Sea otters pup from February through April, making spring visits rewarding for wildlife viewing. Whale watching is best from tour boats in lower Glacier Bay. The park provides free bear canisters but not personal flotation devices for water activities.
Can I bring an RV or vehicle to Glacier Bay?
No. Glacier Bay has no roads from the outside and no vehicle or RV camping. The park allows only walk-in tent camping at Bartlett Cove and backcountry wilderness camping. All gear must be transported by hand or wheelbarrow from the dock. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry can transport vehicles to Gustavus but not into the park.
Gustavus has a small road network connecting the airport, town, and Bartlett Cove, but no commercial RV parks or campgrounds operate in the area. Visitors with vehicles must leave them in Gustavus. The walk from the dock to Bartlett Cove Campground is approximately a quarter mile over flat terrain. Wheelbarrows at the dock assist with heavy gear. Most park visitors arrive by air with backpacking gear. The park's wilderness character intentionally limits vehicle access.
When is the best time to see glaciers calving?
June through August provides the best glacier viewing when tour boats operate daily from Bartlett Cove to tidewater glacier faces. Calving events occur unpredictably but are most frequent during warm summer days. The all-day tour boat covers approximately 130 miles roundtrip, visiting Margerie Glacier and other active tidewater fronts.
Tour boat reservations are essential and should be booked months in advance for summer dates. The boat departs Bartlett Cove early morning and returns by late afternoon, covering the park's most active glacier areas. Kayakers with backcountry permits can paddle to glacier faces independently but must maintain safe distances from calving ice. Cruise ships visit the park regularly but passengers cannot camp. September offers fewer boats and quieter conditions at glacier faces with slightly reduced calving activity.
Are there ranger programs at Glacier Bay?
Yes, ranger programs operate from late May through September at Bartlett Cove. A daily ranger-led forest walk departs from Glacier Bay Lodge at 1:30 p.m. covering rainforest ecology and glacial history. Evening programs run at the lodge during summer. The Visitor Information Station provides trip planning assistance and bear safety orientation.
The forest loop walk takes about 90 minutes through spruce and hemlock rainforest to the beach and requires no permit. Rangers provide detailed information on tidal patterns, bear activity, and current trail conditions. The Huna Tribal House near the dock offers cultural presentations on Tlingit heritage. Junior Ranger programs engage children with park ecology activities. Bartlett River Trail (5 miles roundtrip) and Bartlett Lake Trail (8 miles roundtrip) are self-guided day hikes from Bartlett Cove.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- Free (no entrance fee)
- Best Time to Visit
- May – September
- Nearest Town
- Gustavus, AK, Juneau, AK
- Elevation
- 0 – 15,300 ft
- Park Size
- 3,283,000 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~0.3 million