The National Park Service (NPS) requires anyone camping in Glacier Bay National Park or the Bartlett Cove campground to obtain a camping permit. These permits are free for both the Bartlett Cove campground and backcountry, and may be obtained at the NPS Visitor Information Station (VIS) upon your arrival in Bartlett Cove.

All members of your group are required to attend the NPS backcountry camping orientation, during which you will get your camping permit, file a paddle plan, and watch a video that will answer your questions on minimum impact (‘Leave No Trace’) and bear country camping in Glacier Bay. The NPS staff can advise you on any current wildlife closures along your planned route and answer any questions you might have.

In 2006, the NPS started scheduling the camper orientations, offering them daily at 9:00 AM, Noon, 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Based on the paddling itinerary you select, we suggest the following as the best NPS orientation session for you to attend.

Noon or 3:00 PM Camper Orientations

For kayakers combining an up bay paddle itinerary in either arm with a round-trip drop-off and pick-up on the daily tour boat, or a one-way drop off up bay paddling back to Bartlett Cove. We ask that you arrive early enough in the day to attend either the Noon or 3:00 PM session, prior to our 5:00-7:00 PM kayak instruction. This will allow you to depart for your drop off by the tourboat the following morning, loading camping gear at 6:30 AM, departing at 7:30 AM.

7:00 PM Camper Orientations

For kayakers planning an itinerary that departs by kayak from Bartlett Cove with a one-way pick up by the tour boat or paddling the Beardslees, if you arrive on the Alaska Airlines jet, you should plan on attending the 7:00 PM NPS session that evening. We will then meet you at 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM the following day to issue you your kayak.

For more information see the NPS website or contact the VIS at (907)697-2627.  See also the Leave No Trace website.