Frequently asked questions

No. The glacier has retreated over 3 miles since 1914. It is no longer visible from the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. You can often see floating icebergs in the lake from the viewing decks.

Viewing the glacier from the trails is free. The visitor center charges a $5 exhibit fee for adults. Boat tours cost between $49 and $59. Visitor Center Fees explains pass options.

Drive south on the Seward Highway for about 50 miles. Turn east onto Portage Glacier Road for 5 miles. The drive takes roughly 1 hour by car.

The trail is 2 miles one-way with an 800-foot elevation gain. It offers the only established direct view of the glacier on foot. It takes 2 to 3 hours to complete.

Only if you hike the Portage Pass Trail. The trailhead is on the Whittier side of the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. The visitor center and boat tour are before the tunnel.

In the summer, you can hike the Portage Pass Trail for a view. You cannot walk directly to the ice edge over land. In winter, people sometimes trek across the frozen lake.

No. The visitor center operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The valley itself remains accessible year-round for outdoor recreation.

Glacial ice absorbs red and yellow light while reflecting blue light. The dense structure of the compressed ice makes the color highly visible.

Portage Lake reaches depths of up to 600 feet. It was carved entirely by the retreating glacier over the last century.

Yes, when the lake is completely frozen in mid-winter. Travel is strictly at your own risk. Ice thickness varies, and visitors must check local conditions carefully.

Yes. Bears are present in the Chugach National Forest. Keep a safe distance from all wildlife and carry bear spray if hiking.

The glacier has retreated over 3 miles since 1914 due to climatic changes and calving into the deep lake. It once filled the entire 14-mile Portage Valley.