Gustavus Wildlife Viewing
Bartlett Cove

Photo of Bartlett Cove Area Wildlife Most of Glacier Bay National Park’s administrative and visitor services infrastructure (including the Glacier Bay Lodge) is located at Bartlett Cove. Trails in this area allow you to explore a variety of ecosystems. The Beach Trail follows the shore for one mile from the lodge along beach meadows and forest habitats, home to porcupines, bears and moose. A variety of birds spend the summer here, including blue grouse, dark-eyed juncos, orange-crowned warblers, ruby-crowned kinglets, three-toed woodpeckers, Pacific-slope flycatchers, hermit thrushes, winter wrens and yellow-rumped warblers. Watch for harbor seals, Steller sea lions and humpback whales in the water, especially near the entrance to Bartlett Cove. Ranger-led walks along the one-mile Forest Loop Trail are offered daily throughout the summer. Park rangers can help you decide which trail is best for you.

Habitat

The variety of habitats at Bartlett Cove, including marine, beach meadow, intertidal zone and forest make it a good spot to see a diversity of wildlife species.

Species

  • Black Bear
  • Grouse
  • Harbor Seal
  • Humpback Whale
  • Moose
  • Steller's Sea Lion

Hints

Evening (when visitor activity is lowest) is the best time to see wildlife on the trails or near the lodge at Bartlett Cove.

Facilities

  • Hiking Trails
  • Picnic Facilities
  • Restrooms
  • Wheelchair Accessible

Notes

Many visitor resources, including a bird checklist of the area, are available at the NPS Backcountry Visitors Station at Bartlett Cove. National Park Service rangers give evening interpretive presentations at the Glacier Bay Lodge throughout the summer.

Plan to spend at least: 1 - 4 hours

When to Visit

█ Best Month

  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • Best Month May
  • Best Month June
  • Best Month July
  • Best Month August
  • Best Month September
  • October
  • November
  • December

Directions

Bartlett Cove is on the about 10 miles from the Gustavus airport.

Contact

National Park Service - (907) 697-2230 or http://www.nps.gov/glba