Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Two hundred years ago, hundreds of feet of ice covered the landscape on the southern end of Glacier Bay National Park.

Capt. George Vancouver reported Icy Strait choked with ice in 1794 and Glacier Bay was only an indention in that ice. It was over 4,000 feet thick, 20 miles wide and extended more than 100 miles to the St. Elias Range of mountains.

When John Muir reached the ice in 1879, it had retreated 48 miles into the Bay. Today, the Grand Pacific Glacier is 65 miles from the Bay’s mouth, and only a short distance from the Canadian border. Glacial retreat continues on the bay’s east and southwest sides, but several glaciers are advancing on its west side.

Isostatic rebound causes up to an inch and a half increase in the altitude each year.

The flora and fauna of the area have evolved profoundly following the glaciers’ last retreat.

Plant recovery, a mostly algal, felt like nap stabilizes silt and retains water. Moss and ferns, horsetail, fireweed, dryas, alder, willow lead the way for pine, spruce and hemlock.

These old-growth forests now provide necessary habitat for bald eagles to nest, bear and moose to roam. A quick eye may catch glimpses of fox, land otter, porcupine or wolf.

The waters are rich in animal life. Cormorants, gulls, puffin, seal, sea lion and the humpback, minke and orca whale all flourish in this rich, virtually unspoiled corner of Southeast Alaska.

Tlingit Indians were the original inhabitants of the Bay, but were driven from the bay by advancing glaciers during the Little Ice Age. Tourism began soon after Muir’s visit in 1879.

Homesteaders moved to Gustavus in 1916 and began farming around 1923, and fish canneries were scattered throughout the region. At that time, the area was known as Strawberry Point. Later, because of a conflict in Alaskan names, it was renamed Gustavus.

The village now claims nearly 400 year-round residents, but remains largely isolated and undeveloped.

The area’s lodging includes cabins, large and small B&B’s, Inns, and Lodges. A number of operators in the area provide charter and fly fishing opportunities, whale watching, bear and moose viewing. Sea kayaking or mountain biking is available for those interested in getting to know the areas close.

There is no road communication between Gustavus and other communities within S.E. Alaska. Gustavus may be reached by jet and commuter service between June and September.

Alaska's Glacier Bay Travel offers travelers personalized services in (transportation, tours, lodging, fishing and many other activities) including those provided within Gustavus and Glacier Bay National Park, Bartlett Cove and we would like to invite you to share in the experience of our small bush Alaskan community's hospitality.

The bush community of Gustavus is off the beaten path and is the "Gateway to Glacier Bay", a 20-minute bush plane flight from Juneau (flight seeing options available) providing a birds eye view of Glacier Bays fjords and a mountainous landscape.