Glaciers & bears

Question

We are thinking of a trip to Alaska next year, needs to be between June and early sept due to son at uni. Looking at a week to 10 days. Never been to Alaska, and have no idea where to start/end at the moment but we will not be doing a cruise. If we want to see glaciers, both land & ocean, where would we need to visit?

Also been to Banff, haven’t seen any bears, any recommendations for any bear trips too?

Thanks for any advice

Answer

Alaska offers an incredible range of glacier and wildlife experiences, and with a week to 10 days, you can design a trip that covers both land and ocean glaciers, as well as opportunities to see bears. Since you are not doing a cruise, you’ll be looking at a combination of flightseeing, day trips, and accessible towns as bases.

Here’s a breakdown of areas and activities that would maximize your glacier and bear viewing opportunities:

Juneau: Alaska’s capital is a great starting point. From here, you can take day trips or flights to nearby glaciers like Mendenhall Glacier. Helicopter or small plane tours can land on glaciers for short hikes. There are also opportunities for whale watching and seeing seals and sea otters along the coast.
Glacier Bay / Southeast Alaska: Accessible via small plane from Juneau or Gustavus. This area has dramatic ocean-terminating glaciers, such as Margerie Glacier. Day trips can include kayaking and guided tours to get close to glaciers.
Kenai Peninsula / Seward: Seward is a hub for both land and ocean glacier viewing. Kenai Fjords National Park offers boat tours to tidewater glaciers like Aialik and Holgate. You’ll likely see sea lions, puffins, and sometimes bears along the shoreline. Nearby Exit Glacier allows for land-based glacier hikes accessible from the road.
Homer / Kachemak Bay: A more remote option for bears and wildlife viewing. Flightseeing and guided bear tours are possible in the Katmai or Lake Clark areas, which are known for bear viewing (especially in July and August for salmon runs).
Denali / Interior Alaska: Denali National Park is prime for land-based wildlife viewing, including grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. You won’t see glaciers like the coastal tidewater glaciers, but the park has mountain glaciers visible from scenic points and bus tours.

For seeing bears specifically:

Katmai National Park: Accessible via small plane from Anchorage or Homer. Famous for Brooks Falls, where brown bears catch salmon. This is a classic bear viewing experience and is highly recommended if bears are a priority.
Kenai Peninsula: Some guided hikes or day trips can lead to bear sightings, especially during salmon season (July-August).
Lake Clark National Park: Another remote option for bear viewing, accessible via charter flights, offering guided tours to see bears in natural habitats.

Suggested approach for 7–10 days:

Fly into Juneau for 2–3 days: glacier hikes/flightseeing and whale watching.
Fly or drive to Seward/Kenai for 2–3 days: Kenai Fjords boat tour, Exit Glacier hike.
Optionally, fly to Anchorage and take a guided bear viewing tour in Katmai or Lake Clark for 2–3 days.
End in Anchorage or back in Juneau depending on flights.

Tips:

Book small plane flights and guided bear tours well in advance, as spots fill quickly in summer.
Consider a combination of accessible coastal glaciers (for ocean views) and interior parks (for bears and land glaciers).
Pack layers and rain gear; even in summer, weather can be unpredictable.

With this mix, you’ll get both spectacular glacier experiences and high chances to see bears in the wild, all within a manageable itinerary for a 7–10 day trip.

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