The Best Glaciers in Prince William Sound
Watching a magnificent river of blue ice as it cascades down a slope while seemingly standing still: the experience of witnessing a glacier is truly awe-inspiring.
Fortunately, it’s easy to see glaciers in Alaska—especially in a place like Prince William Sound. Here, you’ll find some 150 of them packed into an area just 70 miles wide, often tucked into mountain peaks (though still visible). And 17 of these icy behemoths are tidewater glaciers, meaning they touch the water. These are the drama queens of the glacier world: they calve and crash into the water, creating icebergs that you can sail or paddle around.
Getting to this glacier hot spot is easy as well: you can take day tours into the fjords from two towns on the road system—Whittier (1.5 hours from Anchorage) and Valdez (6.5 hours from Anchorage). Reaching a third town, Cordova, requires a ferry ride or a quick forty minute flight from Anchorage, but offers access to glaciers as well.
Once in Valdez or Whittier, a day cruise is the most popular way to see glaciers. You could also take a small plane or helicopter ride and look down on these spectacles of nature. Or have a super-personal experience with a glacier on a kayak or Jet Ski tour. You’ll also find other glaciers worth exploring in the Prince William Sound region; some you can see with a short trail hike.
Here are our picks for the most spectacular glaciers in the Prince William Sound region—and how you can see them.
On the Water
Blackstone Glacier | Whittier
Blackstone Bay
Just 45 minutes from Whittier, this super-accessible area in the Sound features two (count ’em) tidewater glaciers plus a hanging glacier. You can check them out on a day cruise, or by sea kayaking or Jet Skiing.
Depart From
Whittier
Tour Cost
$–$$$
Tours
Whittier Day Cruises, Whittier Sea Kayaking Tours, Whittier Jet Ski Tours
Harvard Glacier
Harvard Glacier | Whittier
This massive glacier in College Fjord is a real treat, as it calves all the time. But the drama actually begins on your way there from Whittier; you’ll pass glaciers on both sides of the fjord. When the tide goes out, icebergs end up on the beaches—a truly unique and impressive sight. Sometimes in early summer there’s so much ice that it’s hard to get close to the face! You can get there via a 1.5- to 2-hour boat ride from Whittier.
Depart From
Whittier
Tour Cost
$$
Tours
Columbia Glacier
Columbia Glacier | Valdez
This glacier is so massive it’s practically its own little world! Most guests visit from Valdez; it’s about 3 hours each way by boat. You could also leave from Whittier; it takes about 3 hours by boat to reach the glacier.
Depart From
Valdez or Whittier
Tour Cost
$$–$$$
Tours
Stan Stephens, Lazy Otter Charters, Anadyr Adventures
Meares Glacier
Meares Glacier | Valdez
This impressive tidewater glacier, at the head of the Unakwik Inlet, is actually advancing. You’ll even see evidence of the movement—trees knocked over along the sides of the mountain. It’s about 2 hours from Whittier; you can also see it on an 8.5-hour tour from Valdez with Stan Stephens.
Depart From
Valdez or Whittier
Tour Cost
$$–$$$
Tours
Stan Stephens, Lazy Otter Charters
Shoup Glacier | Valdez
Shoup Glacier
This gorgeous glacier is located in Shoup Bay, where most people come to stay at one of three public use cabins—all of which are only accessible by kayak or boat. But bring a kayak, even if you arrive by boat: The glacier isn’t visible from the cabins, but if you paddle out into the lagoon, you’ll be treated to a beautiful view…likely with no one else around.
Depart From
Valdez
Tour Cost
$$
Worthington Glacier | Valdez
Tours
On the Road System
Worthington Glacier
About 30 miles north of Valdez, you’ll see this glacier right from the Richardson Highway, making for a spectacular stop on your drive there. A viewing platform overlooks the glacier; the ice itself is accessible by a short hike on paved, wheelchair-accessible trail.
Where
30 miles north of Valdez on the Richardson Highway
Access Cost
$5 parking fee
Valdez Glacier | Valdez
Valdez Glacier
This glacier terminates in Valdez Glacier Lake, which is a quick, 15-minute drive from downtown Valdez. It’s one of Alaska’s best places to see icebergs without getting on a boat! You’ll only see the glacier itself by taking a kayak tour, but you can stand on the shore and marvel at the magnifcent sight of icebergs bobbing water.
Where
Valdez
Access Cost
0 - $$
Tour Company
Sheridan Glacier | Cordova
By Trail
Sheridan Glacier
You can see this glacier on an easy, 1.5-mile stroll down to a lake. (Or take the more challenging route on a USFS trail to the ridge above for a view of the glacier and the sprawling Copper River delta. Trail is 5 miles round-trip.) And if you’re here in winter, bring your ice skates for some wilderness ice skating! You’ll have the unique experience of skating out among bright blue icebergs that have calved off the glacier and are frozen in place.
Where
Cordova
Access Cost
None
Getting There
To get there, follow the Copper River Highway to mile 13.7, just beyond the airport. Take a left on Sheridan Mountain Road at USFS recreation site marker. At the far end of the parking lot, you’ll see two trails: The one on left leads to Sheridan Mountain; the one on the right takes you to the glacier.
Portage Glacier | Whittier
Portage Glacier
This glacier was once visible from the shores of Portage Lake at Begich Boggs Portage Visitor Center; getting to it today requires a 4-mile round-trip hike (on a family-friendly trail). That’s the distance to Portage Lake, where you’ll be directly across from the glacier. But you can also see it from the top of the pass, which takes about 45 minutes to reach.
Where
Whittier, 1.5 hr drive south of Anchorage.
Access Cost
$13 to drive through the Whittier Tunnel. No cost for trailhead parking.
Remote
Childs Glacier
Childs Glacier | Cordova
This glacier was once accessible via the Copper River Highway, but a bridge at Mile 36 of the Copper River Highway is currently impassable, and repairs aren’t expected for several years. The only way to reach Childs Glacier today is by boat or plane. But if you make the journey, you’ll be rewarded with an impressive glacier that meets the river and is known for its active calving events. Picnic tables, firepits, campsites and outhouses are available to day-trip visitors or overnight campers.
Where
Cordova
Access Cost
$$$
Tours
Here’s a list of outfitters who can get you to Childs Glacier
Show Map
The Best Glacier Experiences in Prince William Sound
One the Water
The 2000 photograph documents the continuing advance of Harvard Glacier, which has completely obscured the view of Radcliff Glacier. Baltimore Glacier has continued to retreat and thin. Alder has become established on the hill slopes, but is difficult to see from the photo location. Harvard Glacier has advanced more than 1.25 kilometers (0.78 miles) since 1909. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).
Columbia glacier is located in Prince William Sound. At over 550 meters thick at some points and covering an area of 400 square miles, this glacier is a sight to behold, whether from a boat or the sky. It snakes its way 32 miles through the Chugach Mountains before dumping into the Columbia Bay, about 40 miles by boat from Valdez.
Gorgeous tidewater glacier.
20 miles west of Valdez, this short glacier features a very steep dropoff from ice to ocean!
On the Road System
One of the most visited natural attractions along the Richardson Highway, this four-mile-long glacier descends almost to pavement and is easy to approach on foot. The state recreation site features parking, pit toilets, and a covered pavilion with a model of the glacier and interpretive signs, all close to small lake.
If you’ve yet to set eyes on an iceberg, this is your chance: Gorgeous Valdez Glacier Lake is often home to large chunks of floating ice that have calved off from the Valdez Glacier. Appreciate the chunks of ice from shore, or join a guided kayak expedition to paddle around the ice
By Trail
Gorgeous Portage Glacier lies just 48 miles south of Anchorage. Explore the glacier, visit the museum, and go for a boat ride.
Remote
This very active glacier forms a wall along the fabled Copper River near a historic railroad route that once serviced the world’s largest copper mine. NOTE: A bridge at Mile 36 of the Copper River Highway is currently (2020) impassable, with repairs not expected for several years. Child’s Glacier is not currently accessible by road. Contact Cordova Ranger District for current venders providing transportation options to the far side. ...more