🏔️ National Park

Things to Do with Kids in Glacier Bay National Park

Explore 40 family-friendly activities in Glacier Bay — filtered by age, scheduled around nap time, and ready to drop into your personalized itinerary.

Top Family Activities

40 of 40 selected
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Glacier Bay Visitor Center

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Fully accessible visitor center with exhibits on glaciers, wildlife, and Tlingit culture. Stroller-friendly throughout. ...

🌳

Junior Ranger Program

1–2 hoursAges 412+Stroller OK

Pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet at the visitor center. Kids complete activities about glaciers, wildlife, and ecosy...

🥾

Bartlett Cove Forest Loop Trail

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

1-mile easy loop through temperate rainforest. Packed gravel and boardwalk sections. Stroller-friendly with some uneven ...

📌

Bartlett Cove Beach Walk

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Easy 0.5-mile accessible beach walk along the protected cove. Sandy and gravel shoreline. Stroller manageable at low tid...

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Glacier Bay Lodge Deck Wildlife Viewing

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

The lodge's waterfront deck overlooks Bartlett Cove and provides excellent wildlife viewing without any hiking. Watch fo...

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Glacier Bay Day Boat Tour (Concessioner)

Full DayAges 212+

8-hour guided boat tour deep into Glacier Bay to view tidewater glaciers, calving ice, humpback whales, orcas, Steller s...

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Ranger-Guided Beach & Intertidal Walk

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free ranger-led walk along Bartlett Cove beach. Rangers introduce kids to intertidal life, glacial geology, and local ec...

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Evening Campfire Ranger Program

1–2 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Free evening ranger campfire program at Bartlett Cove campground amphitheater. Topics include glaciers, wildlife, Tlingi...

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Bartlett Cove Campground Family Camping

Full DayAges 012+

Free walk-in campground in a beautiful old-growth forest. 0.25-mile walk from parking area. Bear boxes provided. Compost...

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Sea Kayaking at Bartlett Cove (Guided Tour)

Half DayAges 512+

Guided 3-hour introductory sea kayak tour of Bartlett Cove with a naturalist guide. Families paddle double kayaks throug...

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Tlingit Cultural Demonstration & Ranger Talk

1–2 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Free ranger and Huna Tlingit cultural programs at Bartlett Cove. Learn about Tlingit history, relationship with the land...

📌

Xunaa Shuká Hít (Huna Tribal House) Visit

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Visit the stunning Huna Tlingit tribal house constructed at Bartlett Cove in 2016. Ornately carved clan house with totem...

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Whale Watching from Glacier Bay (Boat Tour)

Half DayAges 212+

Shorter 4-hour whale watching and wildlife cruise focused on humpback whales, orcas, Dall's porpoises, and seabirds. Mor...

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Gustavus Road Bike Ride

2–4 hoursAges 012+

Flat paved roads through the small community of Gustavus make for excellent family cycling. Rent bikes in Gustavus. The ...

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Wildlife Watching at Bartlett Cove Dock

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

The floating dock at Bartlett Cove is one of the best free wildlife viewing spots in the park. Harbor seals, river otter...

📌

Glacier Bay Flightseeing Tour

1–2 hoursAges 512+

Incredible 60-minute small-plane flightseeing tour over Glacier Bay from Gustavus Airport. See vast glaciers, icefalls, ...

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Guided Fishing Charter from Gustavus

Half DayAges 412+

Half-day family fishing charter for halibut, rockfish, and salmon in Icy Strait near Gustavus. Licensed guide provides g...

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Bird Watching at Gustavus Forelands

1–2 hoursAges 212+

The Gustavus Forelands and Icy Strait shoreline are prime birding habitat. Watch for tufted puffins, pigeon guillemots, ...

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Bear Viewing at Bartlett River Area

2–4 hoursAges 612+

Brown and black bears are regularly seen near the Bartlett River estuary during salmon runs (late summer). Walk approxim...

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Bartlett River Trail

2–4 hoursAges 512+

4-mile out-and-back trail through old-growth rainforest to the Bartlett River estuary. Mostly flat with muddy sections a...

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Glacier Viewing at Margerie Glacier (Boat)

Full DayAges 212+

Margerie Glacier is the crown jewel of Glacier Bay — a spectacular 21-mile-long tidewater glacier that calves icebergs d...

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Picnic at Bartlett Cove

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Picnic tables near the beach at Bartlett Cove offer a scenic setting with views of the cove and surrounding mountains. F...

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Icy Strait Point Day Visit (Hoonah)

Full DayAges 312+Stroller OK

A short boat or floatplane trip from Gustavus to Hoonah's Icy Strait Point, an Alaska Native community offering cultural...

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Evening Ranger Talk at Glacier Bay Lodge

under_1hAges 312+Stroller OK

Free ranger-led interpretive programs held in the Glacier Bay Lodge auditorium. Topics rotate: glaciers, wildlife, Tling...

📌

Backcountry Orientation at Visitor Center

under_1hAges 612+Stroller OK

Free mandatory orientation for anyone camping or kayaking in the backcountry. Rangers explain Leave No Trace principles,...

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Tidepool Exploration at Bartlett Cove

1–2 hoursAges 212+

At low tide, the Bartlett Cove shoreline reveals rich intertidal zones with sea stars, hermit crabs, mussels, barnacles,...

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Salmon Viewing on Bartlett River

2–4 hoursAges 512+

Watch wild salmon swimming upstream on the Bartlett River — a magical experience for kids. Pink, silver (coho), and chum...

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Glacier Bay Visitor Center Exhibit Hall

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Free interactive exhibits inside the visitor center covering glacier science, flora and fauna, Tlingit history, and cons...

📌

Family Nature Photography Walk

1–2 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Self-guided or ranger-led walk specifically focused on photography around Bartlett Cove. Photograph tidepool creatures, ...

📌

Moose Watching in Gustavus

1–2 hoursAges 012+

Gustavus roads and meadows are excellent moose habitat. Driving or biking the Gustavus Rd and Rink Creek area frequently...

📌

Multi-Day Guided Kayak Adventure (Family)

Full DayAges 812+

2–5 day guided sea kayak expedition into Glacier Bay with professional guides. Water taxi drops groups at a remote locat...

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Gustavus Sandy Beach & Icy Strait Walk

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Beautiful long sandy beach along Icy Strait near Gustavus town. Excellent for beachcombing, watching boats, and spotting...

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Stargazing at Bartlett Cove

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

In late summer, nights get dark enough for excellent stargazing away from city light pollution. The cove and beach provi...

📌

Glacier Bay Bookstore & Gift Shop

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Located inside the visitor center, the bookstore sells field guides, children's books about Alaska wildlife, maps, educa...

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Self-Guided Canoe/Kayak Paddle in Bartlett Cove

2–4 hoursAges 412+

Rent a single or double kayak or canoe and paddle Bartlett Cove independently. Calm protected waters are ideal for begin...

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Totem Pole & Cultural Artwork Walking Tour

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Self-guided walking tour of Tlingit totem poles and cultural artwork installations around Bartlett Cove, including the m...

🌳

Nature Scavenger Hunt at Bartlett Cove

1–2 hoursAges 412+Stroller OK

Pick up a free kids' scavenger hunt card at the visitor center and search for specific plants, birds, tracks, and natura...

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Dinner at Glacier Bay Lodge Restaurant

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

The only restaurant inside the park, Glacier Bay Lodge Restaurant serves Alaska seafood, burgers, and family-friendly op...

📌

Wildlife Track & Sign Search at Bartlett Cove

under_1hAges 312+Stroller OK

Search for animal tracks and signs around Bartlett Cove beach and forest edges. Wolves, brown bears, black bears, river ...

📌

Glacier Bay Photography & Art Exhibits

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

The visitor center and lodge feature rotating photography and artwork exhibits showcasing Glacier Bay's landscapes, wild...

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Packing Tips for Glacier Bay
  • Sunscreen & hats for outdoor activities
  • Comfortable walking shoes for the whole family
  • Stroller or baby carrier
  • Snacks & water bottles
  • Rain jacket or poncho (just in case)
  • Small first-aid kit with band-aids
  • Entertainment for transit (books, tablet, coloring)
  • Hiking gear & bug spray
Get a full personalized packing list when you plan your trip.
Sample Family Itinerary
Day 1 — Explore
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Glacier Bay Visitor Center
1–2 hours
🍕
Lunch Break
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Sea Kayaking at Bartlett Cove (Guided Tour)
Half Day
Day 2 — Adventure
📌
Glacier Bay Day Boat Tour (Concessioner)
Full Day
Build Your Custom Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do with kids in Glacier Bay?

Top family activities include Glacier Bay Visitor Center, Junior Ranger Program, Bartlett Cove Forest Loop Trail, Bartlett Cove Beach Walk, Glacier Bay Lodge Deck Wildlife Viewing. Toddler Trip curates age-appropriate activities and builds nap-aware itineraries for your family.

Is Glacier Bay good for toddlers?

Yes! Many activities in Glacier Bay are suitable for toddlers. Toddler Trip filters activities by your children's ages and schedules around nap time so everyone enjoys the trip.

How do I plan a family trip to Glacier Bay?

Use Toddler Trip's free planner: enter your family profile, pick from AI-curated activities, and get a nap-aware day-by-day itinerary with a personalized packing list — all in about 5 minutes.

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