
Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 212 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure worth booking?
Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure is a 4-hour experience in Juneau, United States, from $259 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 212 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (212)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $259 per person
Paddle across Mendenhall Lake, navigating past icebergs, surrounded by Alaskan wildlife on an exceptionally stable, 28-foot, traditional Tlingit-style canoe, with all modern safety gear supplied. Venture within a safe distance of the awe-inspiring face of the Mendenhall Glacier and the beautiful Nugget Falls where you will hit the beach and refuel for the return paddle with an Alaskan-style snack. Due to the close approach to the glacier face, the Forest Service tightly controls the number of participants. Be one of the lucky few to experience this one-of-a-kind adventure!
What you get
About this experience
Paddle across Mendenhall Lake, navigating past icebergs, surrounded by Alaskan wildlife on an exceptionally stable, 28-foot, traditional Tlingit-style canoe, with all modern safety gear supplied. Venture within a safe distance of the awe-inspiring face of the Mendenhall Glacier and the beautiful Nugget Falls where you will hit the beach and refuel for the return paddle with an Alaskan-style snack. Due to the close approach to the glacier face, the Forest Service tightly controls the number of participants. Be one of the lucky few to experience this one-of-a-kind adventure!
What's included
Included
- Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
- Necessary Equipment (rain gear, life jackets, boots)
- Snacks
- Transportation
Not included
- Gratuities
- Souvenirs (available for purchase)
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Juneau
JUNEAU MEETING PLACE: On the sidewalk, under the cables of the Mt. Roberts Tram -15 minutes prior to tour departure. Once at the meeting area, look for the Alaska Travel Adventures tour representative. They will be wearing a red jacket/shirt, with the Caribou logo.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
JUNEAU MEETING PLACE: On the sidewalk, under the cables of the Mt. Roberts Tram -15 minutes prior to tour departure. Once at the meeting area, look for the Alaska Travel Adventures tour representative. They will be wearing a red jacket/shirt, with the Caribou logo.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 19 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Alaska Travel Adventures Inc.
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
- Children 13 to 17 must have a signed parental consent form to participate without a parent or guardian
- Minimum weight: 40lbs
- Maximum weight: approx 350lbs.
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 212 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
212 verified traveler reviews for Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beautiful experience
We had an amazing experience. Beautiful scenery and we were lucky to have perfect weather. Tour guide was very well informed. Just an awesome time.
via Viator
A very pleasant...
A very pleasant experience! The guides were great, and Charlie shared a lot of great information about the area and the glacier during the canoe trip. Kids, ages 9 and 12, really enjoyed it as well.
via Viator
Great time. Great guide.
Charlie was a competent, strong , warm and interesting guide. We learned a lot! We would highly recommend her and this trip.
via Tripadvisor
Awesome Mendenhall tour
It was an amazing trip. Highly recommend the tour. Our guide was awesome as was our driver. Beautiful trip n the lake.
via Viator
Great experience
From the pickup on the to the drop off point, this was a magical experience. I stayed in town and wanted to do something different. This was so much fun. I was alone and it was a fun way to see the glacier up close. Mary our bus driver was beyond amazing and deserves a raise, she was the best bus driver ever. Mary gave all sorts of fun facts about the town, flora and fauna. She also took us on a different route home to see different parts of the town. The tour itself was so much fun. I didn’t think it was a big workout, I felt fine rowing the e tire time. The glacier was so so beautiful up close. I loved it so much. We also stopped at Nugget falls on the way back and had some awesome snacks (cheese, salami, celery). Out tour guide, Oliver, was knowledgeable on the geology and plants of the area and answered everyone’s questions. We even got a rainbow at the end! Great job :)
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 74
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Alaska Travel Adventures Inc., who run 16 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.7.
See everything Alaska Travel Adventures Inc. runsWhy this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Juneau.
How much does Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure cost?
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Prices start at $259 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Juneau usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Juneau is not rushed.
Is Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 212 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Juneau, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure?
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Around 74 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Juneau can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Juneau and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Juneau within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Juneau?
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Juneau runs Mendenhall Glacier trips, whale watching in Auke Bay, helicopter glacier landings with dog sledding, and rainforest hikes. Most tours are timed to cruise ship windows, so we weight clear duration and pickup detail. On Outty we rank every Juneau experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching, Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier, Whales and Wilderness Exploration. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Juneau?
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May to September, peaking for humpbacks in June and July. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Juneau?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure?
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Included: Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee; Necessary Equipment (rain gear, life jackets, boots); Snacks; and Transportation. Not included: Gratuities; and Souvenirs (available for purchase). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure?
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JUNEAU MEETING PLACE: On the sidewalk, under the cables of the Mt. Roberts Tram -15 minutes prior to tour departure. Once at the meeting area, look for the Alaska Travel Adventures tour representative. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Mendenhall Lake Canoe Adventure?
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Across 212 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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