Valdez Glacier Lake

Quick Facts:

• Drive time from Valdez: 10 minutes

• Activity: Paddle/ice skate/fat bike/hike/ice climb

This lake is a short drive from the heart of Valdez, and it sits at the toe of the Valdez Glacier. There are large icebergs in the lake that remain all year, a beautiful creek flowing into it, and views of surrounding mountains and waterfalls. Depending on the season, there are many ways to enjoy the lake.

Valdez tends to be rainy during the summer, but even with the clouds, this lake is beautiful. The sharp contrast between the grey lake filled with glacial silt and the turquoise blue of the overturned icebergs is incredible. You can use a raft or kayak to paddle around the lake and through the maze of icebergs. Be sure to wear a dry suit as the lake is freezing cold.

The lake freezes in the winter, and it can be a great place to ride snow machines or fat bike while exploring the ice caves and going up to the toe of the glacier. Enough people snow machine on the lake to pack a trail that can be biked or hiked on. The ice caves are incredible, and some people ice climb on the icebergs.

And if you’re really lucky, you can time it in early winter to ice skate. We were able to do this over Thanksgiving last year, where there was about a 2-week window before too much snow fell. Wild ice can be dangerous, so make sure the ice is thick enough before venturing out.