Portage Glacier

The feel

Portage Glacier is reached by road to the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center and then by boat. The M/V Ptarmigan runs an iceberg-dotted lake to the glacier face, past cascading waterfalls, steep mountain cliffs and floating ice. It has a fully enclosed heated cabin and an open-air top deck for watching glacier calving, with onboard narration.

From the visitor center itself the glacier is no longer visible, but there are views of Portage Lake and the surrounding mountains.

What to expect

What it is

A glacier seen from a boat on Portage Lake. The M/V Ptarmigan is the only vessel on the lake and carries up to 144 passengers.

Time

The cruise takes 1 hour.

Crowds and best time

Seats fill quickly on the cruise.

Parking

Two parking lots are in the vicinity of the visitor center.

Fees and passes

The cruise costs $49 to $59, and visitor center day use is $5.00 for adults.

Kids

Children 15 and younger are free at the visitor center.

Hazards

The visitor center is roughly 2 miles from a potential Portage Lake landslide. There is no sign one is imminent, but be ready to evacuate immediately.

Bathrooms and water

Flush toilets and drinking water are at the visitor center.

Season and access

Cruises run from mid-May through mid-September. The visitor center is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mingo says

Sail between mid-May and mid-September, when the Ptarmigan runs five departures a day. After heavy rain, take extra care here, especially in summer and fall.

Before you go

• Book the one-hour cruise at portageglaciercruises.com, since seats fill quickly.
• Call the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center at (907) 783-2326.
• Turn at Seward Highway mile 79, 49 miles south of Anchorage, onto Portage Glacier Road and drive 5 miles.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.