Most visitors reach the ice by driving 100 miles northeast from Anchorage along the Glenn Highway. The two-hour trip ends at a private access gate near Mile 102.
38100 W Glenn Highway, Glacier View, AK
Drive north out of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway (Alaska Route 1). The 102-mile route passes through Palmer and Chickaloon. Allow an extra 30 minutes for summer roadwork and RV traffic. Stop at the King Mountain viewpoint near mile marker 76 for a clear shot of the peak framed by the braided Matanuska River. At Mile 102, a blue sign reading "Glacier Park Glacier Access" marks the turnoff for the private access road down to the ice.
Several operators like NOVA Alaska Guides and Glacier Tours run day trips directly from Anchorage. These packages bundle round-trip transportation with guiding equipment and an ice trek. Vans drive the same 100-mile stretch of the Glenn Highway, dropping you at the private Mile 102 gate or the Glacier View basecamp. Check-in slots usually run on the hour or half-hour between 9 AM and 2 PM. You still pay the landowner's $55 access fee separately.
Palmer sits 52 miles southwest of the glacier. Fill your gas tank and grab food here before continuing northeast on the Glenn Highway Scenic Byway. The road is paved and well-maintained. You'll pass through Sutton and parallel the Matanuska River straight to the access points. Pull into the state recreation site at Mile 101 for a quick $7 viewing stop. To walk on the ice, continue one mile further to the private gate.
Travelers combining Prince William Sound with interior Alaska often approach the glacier from the east. Drive west on the Richardson Highway until you hit the junction at Glennallen. Turn onto the Glenn Highway and head west toward Mile 102. This 190-mile drive lacks major towns. Pack supplies before leaving Valdez. The route drops you directly at the private Glacier Park access gate just before the state recreation site.
Head east on the Glenn Highway through Palmer and Sutton into the Chugach foothills. The 70 to 80-mile drive is straightforward. Heavy summer RV traffic will slow you down. If you hit Sheep Mountain Lodge at Mile 113.5, you've gone too far. The turnoff for the private ice access road sits sharply at Mile 102. Arrive 15 minutes before your booked tour time to handle the liability waivers at the gate.
Two parking areas sit along the Glenn Highway. The state recreation site at Mile 101 charges $7 per vehicle and features ADA-accessible spots with direct glacier views. If you park at the private Glacier Park lot at Mile 102, you'll pay a $55 adult gate fee, and the uneven trail leading to the ice isn't wheelchair accessible.
Swipe to see more
| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | Car | 2 to 2.5 hours | $20-$40 round trip for fuel | Head north on the Glenn Highway to Mile 102 and look for the blue 'Glacier Park Glacier Access' sign marking the private turnoff. |
| Anchorage Hotels | Guided tour van | 2 to 2.5 hours each way | $115-$249 per person (plus access fee) | Operators like NOVA and MICA run day trips from the city. You'll need to book a specific check-in slot, usually between 9 AM and 2 PM. |
| Palmer | Car | 1 to 1.5 hours | Fuel only | This is the closest sizeable town along the Glenn Highway. Fill up your gas tank and grab supplies here before continuing northeast. |
| Wasilla | Car | 1.5 to 2 hours | Fuel only | The road east through Sutton is paved but winds through the Chugach foothills. Add a 30-minute buffer for summer roadwork and slow-moving RV traffic. |
| Valdez | Car | 4 to 4.5 hours | Fuel only | Take the Richardson Highway west to Glennallen, then follow the Glenn Highway to Mile 102. It makes a logical drive if you're connecting Prince William Sound with interior road trips. |
Mile 101 is the state recreation site, costing just $7 per vehicle for viewing platforms. To actually walk on the ice, you must drive to the private gate at Mile 102 and pay the $55 adult access fee. State and national park passes won't work there.
Pay your access fees and tour costs online before leaving Anchorage. Add a 30-minute buffer to the two-hour drive to account for Glenn Highway construction and slow RVs. Late arrivals don't get refunds, so aim to pull in 15 minutes early.
Operators provide microspikes or crampons, but they only fit shoes between a US kids size 2 and a men's size 15. If your feet fall outside that range, you'll need to bring your own traction gear. Wear sturdy, waterproof boots that can handle tight metal straps.
The moraine flats near the terminus parking area are covered in wet glacial silt. Step off the marked path of cones and metal grates, and this mud acts like quicksand. It creates enough suction to trap a boot solidly.
Temperatures on the ice drop significantly lower than in Anchorage or Palmer. Cold katabatic winds blow constantly down the 27-mile glacier valley. Bring a warm jacket and gloves even in July.
Take the Glenn Highway (Alaska Route 1) north from Anchorage through Palmer and Chickaloon. The drive covers 102 miles and takes two to two and a half hours. Turn at the blue "Glacier Park Glacier Access" sign near Mile 102 for the private parking area and ice access.
You can easily drive yourself to the access points at Mile 101 or 102 of the Glenn Highway. If you prefer to skip driving, companies like NOVA Alaska Guides and MICA Guides run van shuttles from Anchorage. These full-day trips usually cost $115 to $249 per person, on top of the private glacier access fee.
Park at the privately run Glacier Park lot at Mile 102 of the Glenn Highway if you want to touch the ice. The state-run recreation site at Mile 101 only offers a viewing platform and a forested nature trail. Reaching the private lot requires paying a gate fee—quoted at $55 for adults for 2026—and signing a liability waiver.
No. The only road leading directly to the ice crosses private land at Mile 102, and the operators do not accept America the Beautiful or Alaska State Park passes. You'll need to pay the private gate fee with cash or card, regardless of any passes you hold.
Budget at least three to five hours for the actual glacier visit, plus four to five hours of round-trip driving from Anchorage. Most standard guided walks or self-guided treks take one and a half to three hours once you arrive. Add an extra 30 minutes to your driving schedule to handle summer construction delays on the Glenn Highway.
Palmer is the closest sizable town, located about 52 miles southwest of the glacier. It takes an hour to an hour and a half to drive from Palmer to the ice. Fill up your tank and grab supplies there before continuing northeast on the Glenn Highway.
Yes, travelers coming from Valdez can reach the glacier by driving west on the Richardson Highway to the junction at Glennallen, then taking the Glenn Highway to Mile 102. This 190-mile route takes about four to four and a half hours. It's a practical stop if you are combining Prince William Sound with an interior Alaska road trip.
Browse verified tours with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
Find Tours