In short
- Summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day) is the only time boat tours operate.
- Winter allows experienced visitors to trek across the frozen lake at their own risk.
- The glacier area is accessible year-round, but commercial services close in winter.
In this article
Choosing when to visit Portage Glacier depends on how you want to see the ice. The area is located just 50 miles south of Anchorage via the Seward Highway. Summer provides easy access through guided boat tours and an open visitor center. Winter brings extreme cold, freezing the 600-foot deep lake and opening up new ways to travel across the ice.
When is the best time of year to see Portage Glacier?
Visit in the summer for full access to amenities, or mid-winter for frozen lake access.
Plan your trip between Memorial Day and Labor Day to ride the MV Ptarmigan boat cruise. The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is also open during these months. If you visit in mid-winter, the lake freezes. Locals often ice skate or ride fat-tire bikes across the ice to view the glacier.
What is open during the summer at Portage Glacier?
The visitor center and boat tours operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
During these months, you can hike the 2-mile Portage Pass Trail or walk the Trail of Blue Ice. The MV Ptarmigan runs daily one-hour cruises to the glacier face. Expect summer crowds and active wildlife in the Chugach National Forest.
Can you visit Portage Glacier in the winter?
Yes, the area remains open year-round, but commercial services shut down.
In mid-winter, Portage Lake freezes over. Visitors frequently ice skate, cross-country ski, or ride fat-tire bikes to reach the glacier. You must evaluate the ice yourself. Travel is strictly at your own risk. Beware of potential avalanches in the surrounding mountains.
Are boat tours available year-round?
No, the MV Ptarmigan only operates in the summer season.
Boat tours run from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Commercial operators from Anchorage offer bus and boat packages during this time. Expect to pay $49–$59 for the boat ticket if you buy it directly.
Is the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center open in winter?
No, the visitor center closes after Labor Day.
It reopens on Memorial Day. When open, entry to the exhibits costs $5 per adult. Children 15 and under enter for free. Interagency Passes, like the America the Beautiful pass, waive this fee.
How does the season affect hiking?
Summer offers clear trails, while winter brings heavy snow and avalanche hazards.
The Portage Pass Trail involves an 800-foot elevation gain. In summer, you need sturdy boots and bear spray. In winter, trails are covered in snow, requiring skis or snowshoes. Always check for local avalanche warnings during winter and spring.
Questions travellers ask
Is the Portage Glacier boat tour worth it?
Yes, especially since the glacier has retreated out of view from the visitor center. The one-hour boat tour takes you directly to the face of the ice.
Can you walk to Portage Glacier?
You cannot walk to it in the summer, as the 600-foot deep lake blocks the way. In mid-winter, people walk or skate across the solidly frozen lake at their own risk.
Are there bears near Portage Glacier?
Yes, the area is home to wildlife. If you hike the trails in the summer, keep a safe distance and carry bear spray.
