Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls by Local Bus: Our Juneau Visit with Kids🚌

I wanted to see Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls during our day in Juneau. Taking the local bus looked affordable, but with children coming along, I was unsure about the walk after getting off.

We decided to try it. The unfamiliar path felt longer than I expected, but catching sight of the glacier along the way gave me a burst of excitement.

Can You See the Glacier and Nugget Falls Together?

Yes. They are in the same recreation area, so you can see both on one outing. The Nugget Falls Trail leads to the waterfall, with views of Mendenhall Glacier across the lake. It does not take you onto the ice.

Why We Chose the Local Bus

I considered an excursion and a rental car before settling on the bus. Having transportation arranged was appealing, especially with children, but the costs added up.

The rental cars I checked were around US$200 for a day. For comparison, M&M Tours currently advertises its Blue Bus Glacier Express at US$79 per adult and US$49 per child aged 2–11, including round-trip transportation and Visitor Center admission. That works out to US$256 for two adults and two children, although it is not the exact quote I saw when planning our visit.

Capital Transit’s bus fares were much lower:

Which Bus Should You Take?

I remember taking the No. 8 bus. According to Capital Transit, Route 8 Valley Express is the fastest option to Dredge Lake Road, the closest bus stop to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.　Routes 3 and 4 Mendenhall Valley also serve that stop, but make more stops along the way.

The ride felt quite roundabout to me. This is a regular local bus serving the community, so allow time for the journey rather than expecting a direct transfer to the attraction.

View the official Route 8 map

Check current bus schedules

Route 8’s operating days vary by season, so check the timetable for your actual travel date.

The Walk—and Our First Glimpse of the Glacier

The local bus does not reach the visitor center. From Dredge Lake Road, you walk approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) each way along a flat, paved path. Capital Transit estimates around 30 minutes, but I would allow longer with children.　Visiting Nugget Falls adds approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip. Altogether, that means roughly 5 miles (8 km) on foot, plus any walking between your cruise ship and the downtown bus stop.

For me, the unfamiliarity made the approach feel long. I could not easily judge how much farther we had to go, and I was already thinking about getting the children back. Then we caught sight of Mendenhall Glacier. I suddenly felt much more excited. We weren’t there yet, but seeing the glacier gave me a boost to keep walking. The approach became part of the experience, rather than simply the way to get there.

What About Uber as a Backup?

I had thought we could try Uber if everyone became too tired, although I had also read reviews from people who struggled to get a ride. What happened on the return journey surprised me. While we were waiting for the bus, someone offering Uber rides was approaching people looking for passengers—even though nobody there had requested one.

That was our experience that day, rather than something I would count on happening again. I would still plan around the return bus timetable.

Would I Take the Local Bus Again?

With enough time, yes. I enjoyed exploring somewhere unfamiliar on foot, even though it was tiring. For a short port visit, I would be more inclined to choose an excursion or a direct glacier shuttle. With a longer stop and children who are comfortable walking, the local bus is an affordable option.

Check the return service before setting out, and leave a generous buffer before your ship’s all-aboard time. Being able to take our time was what made this choice work for us.