A Mendenhall Glacier float trip is a must-try if you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable experience in Alaska. My wife Karen and I did this excursion during our recent Alaska cruise on the Celebrity Edge.
This adventure took us on a scenic journey through the Tongass National Forest and the Mendenhall Valley in Juneau. We enjoyed lovely views of the glaciers, mountains, and wildlife here. The highlight of our trip was the float down Mendenhall River.
Families, couples, and solo travelers can all enjoy the float trip, as it suits people of all ages and skill levels. During our outing, one of our fellow cruisers brought his daughter, who was just four years old, and she had a fantastic time!
We share our experience of what to expect and what’s included so you can decide if it’s the best way to spend a day in Juneau, Alaska.
Planning A Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip
To ensure a favorable experience, discover when to go, what to wear, and how to book.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Mendenhall Glacier for a rafting trip is during the summer months of June, July, and August. In fact, most of the tour companies only operate during these months.
The summer provides the warmest weather, and the days are the longest. It’s important to remember that the weather in Alaska is often unpredictable. Hence, it is important to check the forecast before the trip and make sure you are dressed for the weather.
During our trip in June, we had a warm, sunny day as we started our journey in the late afternoon. I have cruised to Alaska several times, so I was prepared with a winter coat – just in case.
However, most of the other passengers in our raft had just shirts, and I felt overdressed. The float trips happen ‘rain or shine,’ so we were lucky to enjoy a warm summer’s day.
When visiting Mendenhall Glacier a year earlier, it was a wet, cold, drizzly day, and we were glad to have a waterproof shell with three layers. Having the correct clothing kept us dry and warm.
Booking Your Trip
When booking a Mendenhall Glacier float trip, choosing a reputable tour operator is essential. We booked through Celebrity as part of our cruise to ensure the ship would wait for us if we were delayed.
Seek out businesses with knowledgeable leaders, appropriate safety gear, and a history of excellent customer satisfaction. Alternatively, you can book your rafting trip online or by phone, and most operators offer various tour options.
It is recommended to book ahead of time because tours tend to get fully booked during the busiest times of the year. Tours include transportation to and from the Juneau port.
What To Bring
Having the right gear is essential when preparing for the Mendenhall Glacier float. Dress in layers, as Alaska’s weather can change quickly. While it might be warm and sunny in downtown Juneau, the Mendenhall Valley has its own micro-climate.
Bring a waterproof jacket and layers, especially for an evening float. We initially booked an afternoon excursion, but the time changed, with our tour finishing at 8:45 pm.
We had ideal weather during our trip, but it got cool towards the end of the float. However, other recommended equipment includes a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Our tour company provided all the necessary gear, including life jackets and rain gear, to ensure a safe and comfortable experience. Putting on the large waterproof boots, waterproof pants, and the life vest was a fun experience where I felt like I needed help.
Fortunately, many tour staff were around to help, so we didn’t feel quite awkward.
While Karen brought her Nikon camera, the staff recommended we leave it behind. Instead, we took our smartphones with waterproof pouches.
The Mendenhall Glacier Experience
Getting To The Valley
The tour company provided a shuttle bus to reach Mendenhall Valley. Since we booked through our cruise line, the bus picked us up from the cruise port and drove us directly to the shore on Mendenhall Lake’s left side.
This is the same area that has the trailhead to the West Glacier Trail, a great hiking route in Juneau.
The drive took 30 minutes, and the driver provided commentary on Juneau, local wildlife, and the surrounding landscape of Tongass National Forest. Along the way, we saw two black bears and many bald eagles.
Once we arrived, about 100 people were in various stages of donning their waterproof gear. Many tour guides provided instructions and general help to all the paid participants like us.
Motorized boats are not allowed on Mendenhall Lake. Instead, there were about 10 Zodiac-style rafts carrying eight or more guests. Some tour operators give an the option to paddle or ride along.
Our shoes, purses, and backpacks were locked in a trailer and transported to the point where we would exit the river.
Safety Measures
Safety is an obvious priority during the float trip down Mendenhall River. For those not paddling, a sole paddler tour guide was assigned to each raft.
We were directed to our tour guide, a young redhead man who had come from the lower states for summer work. He was friendly and did a masterful job of rowing and maneuvering the raft through the ice-cold Mendenhall River.
Our guide initially instructed us how to hang on and grip our bench seats for safety if we encountered rough rapids. Handling the potential threat of what to do in the event of “Man Overboard” was strongly emphasized in the training and instructions.
If guests end up in the glacier-fed water at any point during the tour, they will likely last just minutes before succumbing to hypothermia.
Float Trip Itinerary
Our float trip began at Mendenhall Lake, where we started our journey down the river. The trip takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and covers approximately 5 miles.
We witnessed the stunning beauty of the glacier and surrounding mountains during our float. We saw several bald eagles, but unfortunately, no black bears next to the river.
The tour guide does all the work rowing the raft across Mendenhall Lake and down Mendenhall River. The lake was calm, and the rapids we encountered were mild. Rafts set off at intervals so there’s space between them as they traverse the river rapids.
Our guide warned us of upcoming rapids when needed, and depending on how fast the river is flowing, guests can encounter up to class 3 rapids.
However, compared to the rapids I had seen through videos of the Colorado River or rivers in British Columbia, our experience was much less threatening.
Mendenhall River is ideal for passengers of all ages who want to feel the thrill of adventure without any serious risk. Karen and I took lots of photos on our smartphones.
Several times during our journey, a photographer captured photos of us, which we could purchase later.
One of the interesting highlights of the tour is passing many homes on the shore. As water levels rise, the Mendenhall River annually floods.
A year earlier, during the flooding season, several of the shoreside homes had washed into the river while the river raged. This made national news across various networks.
The shore has since been reinforced with boulders, but some damaged houses could still be seen from our raft as we floated by. Fascinating and scary at the same time.
Our guide mentioned that all the tour companies cease operation during the two weeks when the river floods.
End Of The Raft Ride
The float trip ends farther down the Mendenhall River, where guests disembark from the raft. On the shore, all the guests’ footwear and bags were neatly arranged, and everyone was hunting for theirs.
Our excursion ended with a selection of juice, cider, crackers, cheese, vegetable sticks, salmon spread, and reindeer sausage. The snacks were a welcome finale to an adventure that had lasted over two hours.
After we removed our waterproof gear, we had the opportunity to purchase souvenir photos of our raft gliding down the Mendenhall River. The color photos are USD 25 each, and we purchased one just to relive the memories. We received a physical print and a digital by email.
After finishing our snacks and beverages, we boarded the shuttle bus to return to the cruise port. It was still very bright, and we could enjoy the mountain and glacial views one last time on the return drive.
Wildlife And Scenery
Good weather and a bit of luck will play a major part in what you can see on this shore excursion.
Flora and Fauna
The knowledgeable guides gave us a brief orientation and shared interesting facts about the area’s history, geology, and ecology.
One of our highlights was witnessing the breathtaking scenery and diverse wildlife. The surrounding forest landscape is dense forests but not very diverse.
Most of the trees we saw were either Western Hemlock or Sitka Spruce. However, the forests, with a backdrop of Mendenhall Glacier and majestic snow-capped mountains, provide a stunning view.
On most float excursions, guests frequently spot bald eagles soaring overhead or on nearby trees. If you’re lucky, you will see the occasional black bear.
Photography Tips
This Juneau river rafting trip offers countless opportunities for stunning photographs. In my view, it’s difficult to take a bad shot.
Here are some tips to help you capture the best shots:
- Karen and I sat at the rear of the raft behind our guide, who was rowing. We did this because the rear tends to get less spray or splashing when traversing the modest rapids.
- The tour company recommends you do NOT bring expensive cameras due to the risk of getting wet. Whatever photography equipment you bring, you will assume full responsibility for it.
- If you have a camera like Nikon or Cannon, consider bringing a polarizing filter to reduce glare and enhance colors.
- Use a waterproof pouch to keep smartphones dry.
- Try out various viewpoints and positions to create original and unique compositions. Look behind at Mendenhall Glacier, as well as ahead.
- Keep your camera or phone steady using a gimbal stabilizer to avoid blurry shots. Although, if you have a late-model smartphone, they usually have fast lenses and software to minimize bad, blurry shots.
By following these tips, you can capture the beauty of Mendenhall Lake and River in all its glory.
Final Thoughts
We thoroughly enjoyed our raft trip, and while we weren’t sure what to foresee, it exceeded our expectations.
If you’re visiting the Juneau area and want to do something other than whale watching, we recommend booking this excursion to experience something different.
Karen is a master at finding great cruise deals and excursion prices. Our Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip was booked on Black Friday when the price was 50% off the regular price.
So, whether you’re a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or simply looking for a great Juneau excursion during your Alaskan cruise, this tour will leave you with lasting memories.
