FAQ

Answers to some questions commonly asked of Glacier Bay park rangers.

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FAQ Details

Below are some of the most common questions posed to park rangers, according to the National Park Service: **How can I get a private boating permit to enter Glacier Bay?** Boating permits are required to enter Glacier Bay during June, July and August. You can make a reservation for a boating permit up to 60 days before your trip. Permits are good for up to seven days. You can only hold one boating permit during the months noted above. Please fill out the boating permit application, then mail, fax, or hand-deliver it to the Visitor Information Station. Please provide alternate dates in case the ones you request are full. **I want to camp in Glacier Bay's wilderness; are there established campsites?** No. In Glacier Bay's wilderness you will have the opportunity to set up a tent on the shoreline without a sign of human intrusion. Be aware that there are a few areas closed to humans to protect critical wildlife habitat. Please respect all wildlife and establish a campsite in a way that minimizes the risk of attracting wildlife. Practice Leave No Trace camping ethics. **How far are the glaciers from Bartlett Cove, and which glaciers are the best to see?** There are 11 glaciers that reach the sea in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, eight of which are within the bay (some reach the sea only at high tide). McBride Glacier, the only tidewater glacier in the East Arm, is approximately 40 nautical miles from Bartlett Cove. In the West Arm, Margerie Glacier is approximately 55 nautical miles from Bartlett Cove, while Johns Hopkins Glacier is about 63 nautical miles away. **How old are the glaciers in the park?** Glacier Bay has experienced at least four glacial periods. The last, the Little Ice Age, began about 4,000 years ago. The glaciers that still exist in the park today are remnants of that glacial period. **Where can I see whales?** Humpback whales are most commonly seen in the lower region of Glacier Bay, Sitakaday Narrows, Whidbey Passage, and the waters around South Marble Island. For kayakers, Hugh Miller Inlet and the Beardslee Islands are good locations to spot humpbacks. Please remember that all boats (including kayaks) are required to remain at least 1/4 nautical mile away from any humpback whale. **Where can I see bears?** Bears are found throughout Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Black bears are commonly seen in the forest regions of the park, around Bartlett Cove, the Bartlett River, Beardslee Islands, and North and South Sandy Cove. Brown bears are commonly seen north of Tidal Inlet in the west arm of Glacier, and north of Adams Inlet in the east arm.

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