Steep Creek Fish & Bear Viewing - Mendenhall Glacier

  

The magnificent 132-mile long Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. While glacier seekers realize their goal of laying eyes on the spectacular blue ice every year, many times wildlife encounters become a highlight of their visit. Black bears have evolved into a noteworthy part of the Mendenhall Glacier experience and the Forest Service's Steep Creek platforms afford people accessible, safe bear viewing opportunities. Steep Creek is also a great place to view runs of sockeye and Coho salmon as well as ducks, mergansers, beavers, porcupines, and river otters. The best times to see wildlife at Mendenhall Glacier and the Steep Creek Bear and Fish viewing area is early to mid-summer to late fall. Because weather in Southeast Alaska can vary from hour to hour, we strongly recommend layering your clothing and being prepared with rain gear. 

To ensure our visitors are safe, NO FOOD is allowed outside at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center or on the surrounding trails complex. In addition, to maintain public safety, no dogs are allowed on the Steep Creek Trail May 1 to September 30, including service animals. 

The environment isn't the only potential hazard here. If you are going to visit the glacier, please read up on ice safety, and more about bear safety.

 

Photos - Trail of Time historical Drinking Fountain Rock interpretive sign, a snoozing procupine, map of Mendenhall complex