National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.
— Wallace Stegner
Date Created: Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve was designated a national monument on February 26, 1925, and it was redesignated as a national park and preserve on December 2, 1980.
Location: Southeastern Alaska, USA.
Size: Approximately 3.28 million acres (1.33 million hectares).
It was only 250 years ago that Glacier Bay was – well a glacier. There was no bay, only a 5 mile inlet. The glacier has retreated 60 miles and now is home to humpback whales, orcas, porpoises, Stellar sea lions, sea otters, Dall sheep, jumping fish and harbor seals. Bald eagles soar among the tuft and horned puffins, ravens, cormorants, murres – an estimated 250 species of birds. Floating among icebergs, watching the glacier calve with accompanying cracking and thundering echo, glazing through binoculars at the distant mountains, waterfalls and wildlife provided moments of unsurpassed awe. Not to mention that it was a rare, beautiful sunny day with the bay completely calm, a knowledgable captain, interesting parks ranger and likeminded nature lovers equally entranced by this phenomenal display of nature. Access is limited by the remoteness of this park. I chose to spend the night in Gustavus and meet the early morning ferry to the park. This park takes some advance planning but is well worth the adventure.
