| Important Information For Kayakers |  |
Unlike canoes, kayaks must be put into the water
before getting in or out. Therefore, you must have calf length or knee
high rubber boots to kayak. (Neoprene whitewater booties are generally considered
insufficient). In Glacier Bay's gray, foggy. frequently rainy climate, you will
be very thankful for your rubberized raincoat and pants, fiberfill bags (not
down) and ample tarps and waterproof materials. Bring along a supply of plastic
Ziploc and garbage bags.
When camping in southeast Alaska, you must use your best "bear country camping techniques." It is especially important to never store food or cooking gear overnight in boats, or near tents and other gear. Ask the NPS staff about other bear safety advice if you are uncertain. For more information on bear country camping and bear biology you may also look up the Park's new web site page on bears.
The use of bear-resistant canisters for food and garbage storage is mandatory. Plan your menus carefully, using convenient, lightweight compact foods to keep the number of canisters you require to a minimum. Canisters may be checked out free of charge at the ranger station when you pick up your backcountry permit. Please refer to our Bear Canisters page for more information.
Awareness of daily tides is necessary for any kayak trip. We will provide tide tables so that you can note twice daily the time and height of each tide, and pitch your tents and camp accordingly. Kayaks must be carried (never dragged) every time you come ashore to a location above the high tide line. To obtain a tide table for advance planning, be sure to look at our Tides page, which will provide a link to NOAA's tide table for this area.
There is one general store, the Bear Track Mercantile, in Gustavus approximately a mile from the airport and 10 miles from the Glacier Bay/Bartlett Cove campground. The store carries a more limited amount of fresh food, camping type food, and camping supplies than you might find down south. We suggest you purchase these items prior to your arrival according to suggestions provided in Bear Canisters. Maps and charts for Glacier Bay may be purchased at the National Park Service Visitor Information Station in Bartlett Cove.
At the Glacier Bay Lodge gift shop in Bartlett Cove, camping supplies, bear deterrent pepper spray, and white gas stove fuel are available. Also, a variety of butane/propane stove fuel canisters are available here as well as at the Gustavus hardware store, and the Beartrack Mercantile. If you wish to use a butane/propane type stove (because there are so many different varieties), or if you have become separated from your stove in your travels, you should call ahead to Gusto Building Supply (1-907-697-2297), the Beartrack (1-907-697-2358), or to Glacier Bay Lodge (1-907-697-4000) to determine that the products that you will need on your camping trip are available. You may prepay for any items purchased from the Beartrack or Gusto and then pick them up on your way out to Bartlett Cove with TLC Taxi.
Increasing security on planes has led to more and more frequent confiscation of fuel bottles, stove pumps, and entire stoves. If you want to be completely sure that you and your stove will be together on your Glacier Bay camping trip, consider mailing your stove, empty and purged of all fumes, to us about two weeks before your planned departure. Use U.S. Priority Mail only.
There is one ATM machine in Gustavus and none in Bartlett Cove. You may want cash for taxi fares, restaurant meals, miscellaneous purchases, and tips. If so, be sure to stop at one of the many cash machines in downtown Juneau or the Juneau airport before departing for Gustavus, or plan to take a taxi to the Gustavus ATM.
