Juneau is the only US state capital you can’t drive to. Squeezed between steep, rain-forested mountains and the Gastineau Channel in Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage, it is reached only by plane or boat, yet it has a glacier in its suburbs, humpback whales in the channels and a 1,500-square-mile (3,900 km²) icefield on the mountains behind it. In summer, cruise ships bring well over a million passengers, and the city and the cruise lines now manage how many arrive each day. Come to see the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls, go whale watching in Auke Bay, fly over the Juneau Icefield, walk the gold-mining trails above downtown and learn about the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures of the region. Plan for rain: this is a temperate rainforest, and the weather changes by the hour.
Right now in Juneau
- Tue8–10°C46–50°F38 mm rain
- Wed7–10°C44–49°F11 mm rain
- Thu4–10°C40–50°F1 mm rain
- Mon 12 Oct Columbus Day
- Mon 12 Oct Indigenous Peoples' Day · regional holiday in Alaska
Top tours in Juneau
See all tours for Juneau →
From local operators, with prices and reviews; you check availability and book on Viator, our partner. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money
Juneau at a glance
- Best months: May to September, the cruise and whale-watching season; June and July are the driest and warmest. September is the wettest month, and from October to April many tours close.
- Time needed: a cruise stop gives you 6–10 hours, enough for the glacier and one tour; two or three days on land let you add the icefield, a long hike, a day trip to Glacier Bay or Tracy Arm, and quieter evenings.
- Getting there: no road connects Juneau to the rest of North America. Fly into Juneau International Airport (JNU), mostly via Seattle or Anchorage, arrive on a cruise ship, or take the Alaska Marine Highway ferry.
- Costs (as of October 2026): 5% city sales tax on most purchases and 14% in total on hotel rooms; Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center $5 per adult in summer.
- Before you go: entry rules for international visitors (ESTA or visa), driving and tipping are in our United States travel guide.
Juneau’s areas: where things are
- Downtown: the cruise docks, the Alaska State Capitol, the state museum, historic South Franklin Street and the tram’s lower terminal, all on a narrow strip below Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts. Busy and lively on ship days, quiet in the evenings and in winter.
- Douglas Island: across the Gastineau Channel bridge, with the ruins of the Treadwell gold mine, Sandy Beach and the Eaglecrest ski area.
- Mendenhall Valley: the city’s main residential area, about 12 miles (19 km) north of downtown, with the airport, shopping and the Mendenhall Glacier at its head.
- Auke Bay and “out the road”: the harbor where most whale-watching boats leave and the ferry terminal, then the Glacier Highway running about 40 miles (64 km) north to the end of the road, past the Shrine of St. Thérèse, beaches and trailheads.
The cruise season and Juneau’s daily limits
Juneau is the busiest cruise port in Alaska, and on peak days in the past more cruise passengers came ashore than the city has residents. The City and Borough of Juneau and the cruise lines, through the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), have signed agreements to manage this: a threshold of no more than five large ships in port per day, and a limit of 16,000 lower berths per day, with 12,000 on Saturdays. The medium and large ship season runs from about May to September, with the busiest weeks from June to August.
- Passenger fees: cruise passengers pay a $5 city marine passenger fee and a $3 port development fee, usually included in the cruise fare, plus a share of the state’s commercial passenger vessel tax. The money pays for docks, visitor services and the free downtown Wi-Fi in summer.
- On ship days: the Mendenhall Glacier area, the tram and whale-watching boats are busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon. If you are staying in town, go to the glacier early in the morning or in the evening.
- Respect the community: Juneau’s residents live with heavy summer traffic, helicopter noise and crowded trails. Stay on paths, keep out of private yards and harbors, and leave the busiest trails to locals at weekends where you can.
A citizens’ initiative proposed in 2025 to write these limits into city law, with an annual cap of 1.5 million lower berths; as of October 2026 the limits remained agreements between the city and the cruise lines, and the October 2026 city ballot did not include a cruise question.
Top things to see in Juneau
Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls
The Mendenhall Glacier flows about 13 miles (21 km) from the Juneau Icefield into Mendenhall Lake, at the end of a suburban road 12 miles (19 km) from downtown. The US Forest Service visitor center overlooks the ice; in summer a day-use pass is $5 per person, and children 15 and under are free. From the visitor center, the easy, mostly flat Nugget Falls Trail (about 0.8 mile / 1.3 km one way) leads to a waterfall that pours onto the beach beside the glacier, and in July and August you can often watch black bears fishing for sockeye from the Steep Creek boardwalk. The glacier has retreated a long way in the last century, and it keeps shrinking.
Glacial outburst floods: each summer, meltwater fills Suicide Basin, a side basin of the glacier, and then drains suddenly under the ice, raising Mendenhall Lake and River. In 2026 the basin released on 11 August and the flood came through on 12–13 August, with the city advising residents of the low-lying areas to evacuate; new flood barriers protected much of the riverbank. A smaller second release followed in early October 2026. The visitor center and trails reopened after the flood; check with the Forest Service before visiting during a release.
Whale watching from Auke Bay
From May to September, humpback whales feed in the channels around Juneau, and boats from Auke Bay often see them bubble-net feeding together, along with orcas, sea lions, harbor seals and bald eagles. Trips last 2.5–4 hours including the drive from downtown; many operators offer a free trip or refund if you don’t see a whale. Choose a small boat for a quieter experience, and remember that federal rules keep boats at least 100 yards (91 m) from humpbacks.
Mount Roberts and the Goldbelt Tram
The Goldbelt Tram usually lifts visitors 1,800 ft (550 m) from the cruise docks through the rainforest to the Mountain House on Mount Roberts, with alpine trails and views over the channel. In early October 2026 the tram was temporarily closed while assessments continued, though the lower terminal with its café, carving and weaving demonstrations and shops stayed open. If it is closed when you visit, you can hike the Mount Roberts Trail from the top of Basin Road, a steep climb of about 2.5 miles (4 km) to the Mountain House.
Juneau Icefield flightseeing
Helicopter and floatplane tours fly over the vast icefield behind the city, and some land on a glacier for a walk or a dog-sled ride on the snow in summer. Weather often cancels flights, so book early in your stay or early in the day, and keep a backup plan. The Taku Glacier and its lodge, reached by floatplane, is another classic.
Downtown, the Capitol and the state museum
Walk up the steep streets past the 1931 Alaska State Capitol, the onion-domed St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church and colorful wooden houses. The Alaska State Museum, in the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff State Library, Archives and Museum building, holds superb Alaska Native art and history collections; adult admission is about $7–9 depending on the season, and visitors 18 and under are free. The Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Walter Soboleff Building, with its carved and painted facade, shows Northwest Coast art.
Perseverance Trail and the Treadwell mine
Juneau was a gold rush town, and its trails follow old mining roads. The Perseverance Trail climbs up Gold Creek from the edge of downtown past waterfalls and mine ruins; across the channel, the easy Treadwell Historic Trail on Douglas Island wanders through the forest-covered ruins of what was once one of the world’s largest gold mines, down to Sandy Beach. Check trail conditions after heavy rain, when landslides sometimes close sections.
Other things to do in Juneau
- Hiking: more than a hundred miles of trails, from the boardwalks around the glacier to the West Glacier Trail and the ridge walks of Mount Juneau. See our hiking guide.
- Boat trips: besides whale watching, day cruises go to the fjord of Tracy Arm and its tidewater glaciers, about 50 miles (80 km) south. See our boat trips guide.
- Kayaking and canoeing among the icebergs on Mendenhall Lake, with a guide.
- Shrine of St. Thérèse: a stone chapel on a small wooded island linked by a causeway, about 23 miles (37 km) out the road, with views of the Chilkat Mountains.
- Salmon: watch the hatchery fish ladder at Macaulay Salmon Hatchery in summer, or join a salmon bake or fishing charter.
- Winter: ski at Eaglecrest on Douglas Island, skate on Mendenhall Lake when the ice is safe and declared open, and look for the northern lights on clear nights.
Day trips from Juneau
- Glacier Bay National Park: about 60 miles (97 km) west, reached by a short flight or ferry to Gustavus and a day boat from Bartlett Cove; tidewater glaciers, whales and mountain goats. Most visitors see it from a cruise ship, and the park charges no entrance fee.
- Tracy Arm: a long, steep fjord ending at the Sawyer Glaciers; full-day boat trips from downtown in summer.
- Skagway and Haines: gold rush history and the White Pass railroad in Skagway, eagles and the Chilkat Valley in Haines, by fast ferry or small plane in summer.
- Admiralty Island: floatplane trips to Pack Creek to watch brown bears fishing, with a permit, in July and August.
Getting there and getting around
By air: Juneau International Airport (JNU) in the Mendenhall Valley has daily flights from Seattle (about 2.5 hours) and Anchorage, plus small planes to Gustavus, Haines, Skagway and other Southeast towns. Downtown is about 9 miles (14 km) away by taxi, ride-hailing or the city’s Capital Transit buses.
By sea: big cruise ships dock right downtown. The state-run Alaska Marine Highway ferries call at the Auke Bay terminal, 14 miles (23 km) north of downtown, linking Juneau with Bellingham in Washington, Ketchikan, Sitka, Haines and Skagway; you can take a car on board, but book ahead in summer.
| From downtown Juneau to | Distance | How |
|---|---|---|
| Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center | about 12 miles (19 km) | 20–30 minutes by car, taxi or shuttle bus; city buses stop about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away |
| Juneau airport (JNU) | about 9 miles (14 km) | 15–20 minutes by car or taxi; Capital Transit bus |
| Auke Bay harbor and ferry terminal | about 13–14 miles (21–23 km) | about 25 minutes by car; whale-watching tours include transfers |
| Shrine of St. Thérèse | about 23 miles (37 km) | about 35 minutes by car |
| Seattle | about 900 miles (1,450 km) | about 2.5 hours by air; about 3 days by ferry from Bellingham |
Getting around: downtown is easy on foot. For the glacier, take a shuttle bus from the cruise docks, a taxi or a rental car; on ship days the Mendenhall parking lot fills up. Capital Transit buses run between downtown, Douglas, the valley and the airport. A car is useful for out-the-road trips but not essential for a short stay.
When to go and how long to stay
Juneau’s climate is mild and wet: summers are cool and long-lit, winters gray and snowy but rarely bitterly cold. Whale watching runs from about May to September, black bears are easiest to see at Steep Creek in July and August, and the salmon runs peak in late summer. May and June are the driest months and the best for flightseeing; September brings fall color, fewer ships and the heaviest rain.
| Season | Average high | Average low | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 39–58 °F (4–14 °C) | 27–40 °F (−3 to 4 °C) | Snow melting in town; first ships and whales in late April and May; drier. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 62–64 °F (17–18 °C) | 47–50 °F (8–10 °C) | Cruise peak, whales, bears and salmon; rain on about half the days. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | 56–38 °F (13–3 °C) | 44–29 °F (7 to −2 °C) | Wettest season, last ships in late September, many tours close. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 33–36 °F (1–2 °C) | 24–26 °F (−4 to −3 °C) | Short days, snow and rain; skiing at Eaglecrest; very quiet. |
Figures are NOAA 1991–2020 normals for Juneau International Airport, which gets about 67 inches (1,702 mm) of precipitation a year, with September the wettest month at 9.15 inches (232 mm), and about 88 inches (222 cm) of snow. Downtown, closer to the mountains, is even wetter, at about 90 inches (2,276 mm) a year.
Juneau on a cruise stop
Pick one main tour, a whale-watching trip that also stops at the glacier, or an icefield flight, and book it before you sail. With time left, walk downtown to the Capitol and the state museum, or take a shuttle to the glacier and Nugget Falls. Be back at the ship at least 30 minutes before all-aboard time.
Two or three days in Juneau
Spend the first day at the glacier in the early morning, then the museum and downtown. On day two, go whale watching and drive out the road to the Shrine of St. Thérèse; on day three, fly over the icefield, take a boat to Tracy Arm or hike the Perseverance and Treadwell trails. Add Glacier Bay with a night in Gustavus if you can.
Where to stay in Juneau and the hotel tax
- Downtown: historic and modern hotels within walking distance of the docks, restaurants and tour pickups; noisy on ship days, lovely in the evening.
- Mendenhall Valley and near the airport: chain hotels with parking, close to the glacier and Auke Bay.
- Out the road and Douglas: bed and breakfasts and cabins by the water, best with a car.
- Camping: Forest Service campgrounds at Mendenhall Lake and Auke Village in summer, and public-use cabins in the Tongass National Forest, reserved on Recreation.gov.
Hotel tax: Alaska has no state sales tax, but the City and Borough of Juneau charges a 5% sales tax on most goods and services (8% on alcohol) and an extra 9% on room rentals of less than 30 days, so hotels, B&Bs and vacation rentals carry 14% in total. Juneau residents vote on 6 October 2026 on renewing the 3% temporary part of the sales tax, which would keep the overall rate at 5%.
Practical tips for Juneau
- Book tours early for cruise days, and choose ones that refund you if weather cancels flights.
- Bears: black bears live in town and around the glacier, and brown bears on the islands. Stay on boardwalks, keep at least 50 yards (46 m) away and never leave food out.
- Cold water: lakes and channels stay cold all summer; wear a life jacket on any boat or kayak and don’t climb on icebergs or glacier ice without a guide.
- Landslides and floods: heavy rain can trigger landslides on steep slopes above downtown; follow city alerts and trail closures, and check the Suicide Basin status in late summer.
- Time zone: Alaska Time (America/Juneau), one hour behind Seattle, with daylight saving time (it ends on 1 November 2026).
- Emergencies: call 911.
What to pack for Juneau
Rain gear is essential: a real waterproof jacket and pants, waterproof shoes or rubber boots (locals call them “Xtratufs”) and a dry bag for your phone and camera. Add a warm fleece, a hat and gloves for boats and glacier landings, binoculars for whales and eagles, insect repellent and sunglasses for the bright days on the ice. A small daypack is enough for a cruise stop.
Juneau travel FAQ
Can you drive to Juneau?
No. Juneau has no road link to the rest of Alaska or Canada. You arrive by plane, by cruise ship or on an Alaska Marine Highway ferry, which can carry your car.
How many cruise ships can visit Juneau in one day?
Under agreements between the city and the cruise lines, no more than five large ships a day and no more than 16,000 lower berths a day (12,000 on Saturdays). The season runs from about May to September.
How do I get to the Mendenhall Glacier from the cruise dock?
Take a shuttle bus from the docks, a taxi or a tour; it is about 12 miles (19 km), 20–30 minutes. City buses stop about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the visitor center. Entry to the visitor center area is $5 in summer.
Is the Mount Roberts tram open?
In early October 2026 the Goldbelt Tram was temporarily closed while assessments continued; the lower terminal stayed open. Check the operator’s website before you go, or hike the Mount Roberts Trail instead.
When can you see whales in Juneau?
Humpback whales feed around Juneau from about May to September, with the most reliable sightings in mid-summer. Tours leave from Auke Bay.
What is the hotel tax in Juneau?
14% in total: the 5% city sales tax plus a 9% room tax on stays of less than 30 days. Alaska has no state sales tax.
What is the Suicide Basin flood?
A glacial outburst flood: meltwater stored in a basin beside the Mendenhall Glacier drains suddenly, usually in late summer, and floods the lake and river. In 2026 it happened on 11–13 August. Visitors are rarely affected, but follow city alerts.
How rainy is Juneau?
Very: about 67 inches (1,702 mm) a year at the airport and about 90 inches (2,276 mm) downtown. Bring rain gear in every season.
What is the best time to visit Juneau?
June and July for the best weather, whales and long days; May and early September for fewer ships, with some tours still running.
Plan your trip
Partner links: TravelerCenter may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Cruise limits, passenger fees, sales and room taxes, the 2026 ballot and the Suicide Basin flood come from the City and Borough of Juneau; the tram’s status from Goldbelt Tram; museum admission from the Alaska State Museums; climate from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Juneau International Airport and downtown Juneau. The Mendenhall Glacier fee and trail details (the Forest Service site could not be read), distances, tour details, wildlife timing and the second 2026 outburst are flagged for checking. For entry rules, driving and tipping, see our United States travel guide.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Air quality: OpenAQ · Rates: ECB · Holidays: Nager.Date · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · Wikidata (CC0)