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Juneau is an outdoor lover's paradise. Adventures for all ages and skill levels are found throughout the community. Many activities do not require the services of a guide, but the experience of Alaska is pro-foundly improved by having someone with local knowledge interpreting the landscape. Contact any of the tour companies in the Adventures Tours and Attractions section for more details.
In the air...
Nothing beats a birds-eye view of Juneau's scenery. Fixed wing flightseeing companies offer float plane and wheel plane tours of the Icefield. You can also take short flights to nearby attractions like Glacier Bay and Taku Glacier Lodge that offer tremendous sightseeing along the way. Helicopter flightseeing companies offer both aerial tours and the chance to land right on the ice. Once on the ice you can go on an extended hike, enjoy a dog sled tour (in the middle of summer!), or just reach down and touch the centuries-old ice. For those not inclined to go for a flight, you can still see Juneau from above by taking the Mt. Roberts Tram from near sea level to the mid-point of Mt. Roberts, a 2,000 foot rise.
On the ground...
Juneau is home to Alaska's finest hiking trail system. There are over 100 miles of groomed trails in the area to explore. Trails range from very easy to very challenging, and several companies offer guided trips that include transportation from your hotel to and from the trail. A complete guidebook of the Juneau trail system is available.
Juneau is also blessed with an incredible variety of beaches, from sandy to rocky, and the large daily tidal variations (from a high of 20' to a low of –4') means that there are great opportunities to view intertidal wildlife. Mountain biking and mountain bike rentals are available from local tour companies and bike shops.
On the water...
Juneau is in the middle of the northernmost rainforest in the world. Water, whether in the form of ice, the flow of a river, or the calm ocean waters of the Inside Passage, forms the critical link that ties everything together. Coming to Juneau and not enjoying a variety of water activities would be akin to visiting Paris and not eating, or visiting New York and not shopping.
Kayaking is a great way to get onto the water. While the crafts may look unstable, they are in fact quite stable and very easy to operate. Beginners are amazed and delighted with the experience of being close to the birds and sea life that frequent the area. Day trips and multi-day trips are readily available, and for the experienced and intrepid, kayaks may also be rented.
The Mendenhall River, which flows off of the lake in front of the Mendenhall Glacier, offers class 2-3 rafting. Tour companies offer both ride-along trips down the river, and paddle rafting (in which every customer gets to be a part of maneuvering the raft down the river). Visitors seeking longer rafting trips can use Juneau as a jumping off point for ten-day float trips down the world famous Tatshenshini River.
If you're more interested in what's under the water, there are great diving opportunities to be enjoyed all year long. Abundant marine life and some spectacular wrecks will be encountered on almost every dive.
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