Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve · Alaska

Beach Trail

0.8 mi of trail, end to end · about 30 ft of climbing · 28 ft–69 ft · gravel surface · trail class Highly Developed, Minimally Developed · dog sled, hiking, horse, ski, snowshoe

CampgroundsBoat launches

39 ft 44 ft · 0.2 mi high 44 ft

Along the way Public Boat Launch Bartlett Cove Campground

Trailheads Beach Trailhead 27 ft Drive there · Forest Trailhead 110 ft Drive there

Hike the Trails at Bartlett Cove the Park Service's write-up

no dogs

Start Bartlett Cove

a wooden boardwalk in a dense, mossy rainforest

Walk through enchanting temperate rainforest, explore sea life in the intertidal zone, or soak in knowledge about the park's cultural history on a hike in Glacier Bay! There are four trails in the Bartlett Cove area: the Forest Loop Trail, the Bartlett River Trail, the Bartlett Lake Trail, and the Tlingit Trail. They vary in length, but can accommodate a variety of ability levels and ages. Though there is no trail, exploring the shoreline from Bartlett Cove is also an incredible way to experience the park. Visit the Glacier Bay hiking page for information on trail length and descriptions.

Ranger Recommendation

The wet climate of Southeast Alaska makes for muddy, often slippery trails and surfaces. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes with good traction. Rubber boots ( SE Alaskan Sneakers ) are popular here. Watch where you are stepping and take your time!

Accessibility The trails vary in grade and width. All are dirt paths, with roots, rocks, and muddy areas.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

Other trails from the same trailheads

All 49 trails in Glacier Bay National Park & PreserveFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.