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Gustavus
Located in southeast Alaska, just 60 miles from Juneau, Gustavus is the gateway to Glacier Bay, and is only accessible by plane or boat. Because of its more remote location, many outdoor activities are popular, including mountain biking, hiking, flightseeing, camping, whale-watching, kayaking, golfing, and husky dog mushing. The naturally protected Gustavus was created by a quickly receding glacier (the fastest ever recorded, travelling 60 miles in less than 200 years) that left an area of open land adjacent to Glacier Bay. Formerly known as Strawberry Point because of the enormous amounts of sweet, wild strawbery plants that grew in the area, Gustavus was settled only 100 years ago. Before settlement, various nomadic groups used the area to fish and pick berries.
One of the best places to stay in Gustavus is the Bear Track Inn, which is located in the middle of Glacier Bay National Park. The Inn is a classic, hand-crafted Alaskan lodge with exquisite details and views of the park. With 270-foot guest rooms and a spacious lobby that stretches 30 feet from floor to ceiling, it is hard to tell which is more enjoyable--the lodge or the bear-watching. Visit Gustavus and the Bear Track Inn on our Glaciers and Grizzlies.
