Top 5 Glacier Tours Around Anchorage
Anchorage has some of the best glacier tours within a two hour drive. Explore the closest glacier to Anchorage; the Knik Glacier, take a scenic drive to experience glaciers like the Matanuska, or go on a boat tour to see glaciers like Harriman or Harvard calve into the ocean.
Getting up close to a glacier is about as Alaskan as it gets. See which adventures you can choose from!
Visit a Glacier While in Alaska
Along with spotting a moose and seeing Denali, visiting a glacier is on every Alaskan visitors’ bucket list. These vast rivers of ice are incredible to witness. The ancient ice flows have been around for thousands of years. Glaciers have slowly carved the landscapes that make Alaska so beautiful, and they continue to be a vital part of the Alaskan ecosystem.
From impressive ice falls, towering ice walls, fins, crevasses, and moulins, glaciers offer many features to explore. The lakes they create are dotted with icebergs that are bound to capture your imagination as they float past.
There’s nothing quite like exploring a glacial landscape. You’ll feel like you’re on a different planet! Opt to take an ATV ride, a plane, a helicopter, or a hike to visit some ice on your trip.
How Do Glaciers Form?
Alaska is home to over 100,000 glaciers. They dot mountain ranges, carved the valleys we visit, and flow out into the ocean. Glaciers have formed over thousands of years thanks to snow, pressure, and time.
Snowfall up in the mountains leads to the formation of glacier ice. Snow compresses under its own weight turning the bottom layer to ice. Gravity allows that ice to flow downhill causing glaciers to act like slow moving rivers.
Glacier ice grinds rock into a fine silt leading to the dark grey moraines you see alongside glaciers and at the terminus (the toe or base) of glaciers. When two glaciers meet they create medial moraines by grinding rock against one another – these look like thick veins in glacier ice.
Types of Glaciers You Can See
Alaska has 8 different types of glaciers that you can find. Mountain and Tidal glaciers tend to be the more popular glaciers to visit for their size and accessibility. However, you’ll be able to spot many of these types of glaciers on your trip if you are on the lookout!
Mountain Glaciers
- Flow through mountainous areas.
- Tend to be surrounded by many peaks.
- Also called alpine glaciers.
Valley Glaciers
- Mountain glaciers that flow long distances through valleys.
- Tend to end in iceberg lakes.
- Includes the Knik Glacier, Matanuska Glacier, Portage Glacier, and Valdez Glacier.
Hanging Glacier
- Mountain Glaciers with terminus that hangs off the side of a cliff.
- Tend to be glaciers that have retreated significantly.
- Includes Cataract Glacier.
Cirque Glaciers
- Glaciers that make up a bowl up in the mountains.
- Are wider than they are long.
- Tend to be unnamed.
Ice Aprons
- Small glaciers that cling to sleep mountain sides.
- Tend to be unnamed since they are so little.
Icefields
- A ice sheet that is found up in the mountains.
- Tidal glaciers can form from icefields.
- Harding Icefield and Sargent Icefield are popular icefield glaciers.
Tidal Glaciers
- Glaciers that flow into salt water.
- Tend to calve and lave icebergs floating in the ocean.
- Have a steep terminus.
- Includes the Columbia Glacier, Harriman Glacier, and Harvard Glacier.
Piedmont Glaciers
- Glaciers that flow downhill until they hit a valley and fan out.
- Includes the Malaspina Glacier.
Top 5 Glacier Tours Around Anchorage
1. ATV to the Knik Glacier
Our full day ATV tour to the Knik Glacier is the best way to reach this impressive landmark. The Knik Glacier flows 26 miles down through the valley from its origin point- Mt. Marcus Baker. This glacier has melted and receded over time creating the lake we explore and feeding into the Knik River.
We ride along this river through forests, across sand dunes, and through creeks to reach the Knik Glacier lake! Enjoy the beautiful glacier views and see glacier icebergs floating around in the water. We’ll cook up lunch while you explore so you can enjoy a hot meal before the ride back to the office.
You’re bound to make a ton of memories on our Knik Glacier Tour. Bring the whole family along for a day of fun!
Need transportation from Anchorage? We’ve got you covered with group transportation! Just give us a call to set it up for your tour!
2. Hike on the Matanuska Glacier
Hike on the Matanuska Glacier for an unforgettable glacier experience. You can choose a short walk to experience the iconic “ice falls.” You can also go on a longer tour to explore the backcountry of the glacier and try rappelling. Go ice climbing for a more exhilarating adventure!
The Matanuska Glacier is Alaska’s most accessible glacier. It’s worth driving 2 hours out to Glacier View just to see this glacier from the highway. It’s one of the prettiest scenic drives in the state and can lead you to fun adventures!
3. Take the Train to Spencer Glacier
Take the Alaska Railroad to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop for a different type of adventure. You’ll see pretty landscapes and wildlife from the train windows, and then have a few hours to go for a hike to see the Spencer Glacier.
The Spencer Glacier flows from the Chugach Mountains and has formed a massive glacier lake with impressive icebergs. Look for ice along the shore, kayak in the lake, or go on a river rafting adventure to head back to the train stop in style.
4. See Tidal Glaciers from a Boat
Go on the 26 Glacier Cruise to see a bunch of glaciers and experience being on a catamaran. Leaving from Port in Whittier, you’ll encounter glaciers such as Surprise, Harriman, and Harvard on your journey. Spot hanging glaciers up in the mountains and watch as tidal glaciers calve into the ocean. You’ll also have the chance to see wildlife along your tour like whales, seals, or otters!
Driving to Whitter from Anchorage takes about 1.5 hours. If you are driving yourself check out the Whittier tunnel schedule and plan accordingly.
5. Go for A Scenic Glacier Flight
Fly with Rust’s Flying Service to see the Prince William Sound from the air. You’ll fly over countless valley glaciers, hanging glaciers, and tidal glaciers on your tour. See both glaciers and wildlife as you soar over Alaska’s prettiest fjords. Flightseeing allows you to experience the excitement of exploring Alaska from the air.
Stare down into deep glacier blue crevasses and see how glaciers come together to form moraines and mountains. Your tour is bound to leave you with a sense of wonder for this state’s unique landscapes.
Explore Anchorage After Your Tour
Anchorage offers lots of history, culture, and cuisine to add to your vacation. Spend some time exploring the city before heading off to your next destination. If Anchorage is your home base for your trip, take advantage of all the incredible restaurants downtown and enjoy some Alaskan seafood!
What to Do in Anchorage
Visit the Anchorage Museum to learn all about the history of Alaska, see the latest exhibits, and be inspired by the creativity and storytelling from the Alaskan people.
Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to ensure you see some wildlife. The center cares for Bears, Wolves, Moose, Caribou, Wood Bison and more. Support conservation efforts while learning about wildlife.
Go to the Alaska Native Heritage Center and learn about Alaska’s indigenous peoples culture, traditions, and engage with their history. This center offers an in depth look to many of the native cultures found in Alaska.
Hike Flattop Mountain for beautiful views of the city, Denali, and the Aleutian Islands on a clear day.
Where to Eat in Anchorage
Make reservations at Orso for top notch Alaskan seafood and Italian food. This fine dining restaurant is one of the best in the city.
Eat out on the rooftop deck at 49th State Brewery for brewpub style meals and a great selection of local beer and ciders.
Head to Moose’s Tooth for the best and most creative pizza in all of Alaska.
Eat at Spenard Roadhouse for great comfort food, unique Alaskan inspired dishes, and yummy craft cocktails.
Get a table at Serrano’s Mexican Grill for traditional Mexican cuisine with homemade tortillas and salsa.
Grab to-go at Charlie’s Bakery & Chinese Restaurant for some of the tastiest Chinese food in town. Be sure to get a bakery item like a pork bun!
Enjoy authentic Himalayan cuisine at Yak and Yeti. Enjoy curries, rice bowls, and more at this casual dining spot.
Sit down at That Feeling Co. for coffee, a pastry, and to be surrounded by some cute plants.
Treat yourself after dinner to Wild Scoops small batch ice cream with local ingredients.
Add Seeing a Glacier to Your Trip Itinerary!
Your trip to Alaska isn’t complete without visiting a glacier or two! Add some of these adventures to your trip for a more memorable experience and see these impressive ice rivers while you still can.
We can’t wait to show you around the Knik Valley! Get up close to the Knik Glacier, look for icebergs, and try a polar plunge. Your adventure with us will have you planning your return trip to Alaska in no time!
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