Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes

Dec 20, 2023

Last Updated on: Feb 13, 2025

News

With nearly a decade passed, the U.S. Forest Service has finally made a decision to overhaul Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area.

The project has provoked hundreds and thousands of public comments from the Juneau community over the years.

Alexandra Pierce, the city’s tourism manager, says, “I like to see a plan that’s well managed and that listens to residents’ concerns. People didn’t want to see motorized boats on the lake and additional visitor center facilities and the Forest Service listens to the public on that, which is a positive thing.”

The newly finalized plans include a new welcome center and other improvements to the old one. The plan is also set to increase parking, expand the trail systems, add an amphitheater and new public-use cabins.

The glacier is one of the most visited tourist attractions. Forest service officials say the improvements will be helping in the management of the pressure with Juneau’s rapid growth in cruise ship tourism that has increased in the recent years.

When the visitor center was established in the 1960s, the area saw 23,000 visitors annually. Currently, about 700,000 visitors come to the glacier every year. The Forest Service is estimating that by 2050 this number could reach a million.

But with more visitors the glacier has been moving away and even more so due to climate change. In a few decades the glacier will not likely be visible to the current visitor center at all.

Pierce said that listening to the concerns of the people about overcrowding while also being aware that the tourism sector is an ever-growing field makes managing the area a constant balancing act. Pierce said, “I do think that’s a difficult puzzle for the Forest Service to try to solve. I think we’re all concerned about the receding glacier and what that means for the visitor experience in our community.”

Read Also:

Share on Social Media

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

title-img Related

READ MORE Wheeling's Holiday Celebrations

Wheeling’s Holiday Celebrations Bring In Millions Of Dollars For The Local Economy From Tourists 

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 16, 2023

Christmas lights, parades, and football bring a lot of people to Wheeling and Ohio County during this magical time of year, which also helps to boost the local economy. "The holiday season in Wheeling in Ohio County is perhaps the premiere time of the year," said Frank O’Brien, director, of Visit Wheeling. The Festival of Lights in Oglebay is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors. Along with hundreds of people attending the city's Winter on the Plaza event, thousands will congregate around Wheeling's Fantasy in Lights Parade. When you have several hundred thousand people spending time in your community, they spend anywhere between $3 to $5 million while they’re here, and sometimes, it's even more than that," O’Brien said. Many more will also swarm Wheeling Island Stadium for the Super Six High School Championship games. Large crowds are drawn to Wheeling's downtown by an increase in events and performances at WesBanco Arena and the capital theatre. Numerous people will be dining out, lodging in hotels, and making purchases from neighborhood merchants. And even though the city is lined with substantial construction, many people are still traveling there and managing to make ends meet. "We have been able to actually track some of that,” O’Brien said. “I'm not going to say that the roads are not a problem -- and the sidewalks being torn up is a problem -- but we are finding that people are still coming, primarily to the events at the arena and Capital Theatre." According to O'Brien, tourism generates about $800 million in revenue for the Northern Panhandle annually. Moreover, it's reasonable to anticipate making close to $10 million in the county just this season. "It's a crucial time for tourism in our area, and I think we do it better than anybody else," O’Brien said. As the holidays draw near, there will be plenty of opportunities to spread cheer and wealth. Learn More About: November Trips In 2023: From London To The World Zanzibar Or Oman: Which Do The Hungarian Tourists Like?

READ MORE Travel Tuesday Is Here To Get You Cheap Flights And Hotel Deals

Travel Tuesday Is Here To Get You Cheap Flights And Hotel Deals: Upto 50% Off

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 28, 2023

With Travel Tuesday, which is considered the Black Friday and Cyber Monday of travel deals, taking place on November 28 this year, there are already many travel deals available or coming soon. This year's Travel Tuesday and Cyber Week deals are especially noteworthy, as they offer some of the most significant discounts, free nights, perks, and more available throughout the year. Major brands like Delta, Hyatt, and Marriott are all participating in these deals. Best Deals For Travel Tuesday Here are some of your best bets on hotel deals for Travel Tuesday: World Of Hyatt World of Hyatt has acquired Mr & Mrs Smith, the luxury hotel booking platform, and is now offering its members exclusive access to purchase gift cards from MrMrsSmith.Redeam.com. These gift cards can earn members five base points for every $1 spent, and the offer is valid until March 31, 2024. Marriott Bonvoy Marriott Bonvoy has announced its biggest Cyber Week Sale to date, where members can enjoy a 20 percent discount on bookings made by November 28 for stays from November 26, 2023, to January 15, 2024. Non-members can also get a 15 percent discount on bookings across popular hotel brands like Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, W, and Luxury Collection. Hilton If you're planning to travel during the holiday season, you might want to check out the select Hilton properties that are offering up to 50 percent off on stays. For the best Travel Tuesday deals, consider booking at Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort in Mexico, Hilton Orlando in Florida, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in Vegas, or Hilton Cartagena, Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro, Hilton Bogota in South America. Don't forget to read the fine print before booking. Rosewood Hotels For a luxurious stay, you can treat yourself or your loved ones to some of Rosewood's most sought-after properties such as Rosewood Little Dix Bay and Rosewood Phuket. By using the code CYBER23 when booking on rosewoodhotels.com, you can get discounts based on the length of your stay. This offer is valid for trips until June 30, 2024. The Retreat Costa Rica The Retreat Costa Rica, which has won awards for its services, is offering a discount of 35% on wellness packages. You can avail of this offer by booking before November 28, and the stay dates are from February 1, 2024, to December 19, 2024. Fontainebleau Las Vegas If you're planning to stay at the newest and most popular hotel in Las Vegas, you can book one night and get another night for free. This offer is valid for stays booked on or before Travel Tuesday. Read Also: North Luzon Travel Expo Launched To Boost Tourism Recovery: Philippines Play Airlines Is Celebrating Black Friday And Cyber Monday Deals On Flights To Europe Ghana Is Ready To Host The Rest Of The World: Ghana Tourism Authority On Christmas Concerts

READ MORE Maldives And Bora Bora Among Top 10 Tourists Spots

Maldives And Bora Bora Among Top 10 Tourists Spots In The World

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 12, 2023

According to a report, two of the most popular locations for tourists who want to spend their holidays in a tropical paradise are the Maldives and Bora Bora. Located on the Indian Ocean, they are now synonymous with clean azure water, pristine white beaches, and refreshing greenery. The islands, however, are very different from each other in that what the visitors can expect from the two places. The main differences between the locations are weather, accessibility, resorts, beaches, and activities. The islands cannot be chosen between them as there is no right answer. Both the islands are absolute treasures and have rightly taken their spots in the top 10 globally. Maldives Best visited in the dead of winter, this island is a drop of paradise on Earth. Featuring a 26-atoll chain of islands with white powdery beaches and turquoise waters, this chain of islands is the envy of all the islands of the world. The signature overwater bungalow resorts of Maldives make the experience even more surreal. Bora Bora This island is not just sun, sea, and beaches. Bora Bora is a major activity ground that includes 4x4 safaris and natural underwater parks that offer a look at the magnificent corals and fish. You can witness shark feedings and enjoy boat rides around the turquoise lagoon. There is also the 2,300-foot Mount Otemanu, from where the entire island is up for view from the top. Some of the other places that have secured the top spots are: Niagara Falls Consisting of the magnificent waterfalls that line the border of New York and Ontario. The Horseshoe Falls that stand at a height of 164 ft. is on the side of Canada. The Bridal Veil Falls and the American Falls are located on the North American side. Mona Lisa In Paris This half-length painting created by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci has managed to retain its immense fandom thanks to its rich and fascinating history. Kept in the Louvre Museum since 1797, people line up to have a glance at the famous painting that has become an icon of simplicity in art. The Statue Of Liberty, the Northern Lights, the Stone Henge, the Taj Mahal, the Times Square, and the Burj Khalifa have locked in on the other top 10 marks. Read Also: Siam Paragon Mass Shooting Propels Thailand’s Proposed 300 Baht Tourism Fee To Get Fast-Tracked People Are Interested To Spend More On Traveling Instead Of Investing On Diamonds: Prices Fall Israel Government Declares War: Multiple Flights Cancelled