You'll visit the sheer, awesome face of a mighty Alaska glacier. On your one-hour cruise aboard the mv Ptarmigan you'll stand just 300 yards from a relic of the Ice Age and watch for icebergs to break off the glacier and crash into the water below. You will find out why Portage Glacier is Alaska's second most visited attraction.
• mv Ptarmigan is the only boat operating on Portage Lake
• fully narrated by an on-board representative of the U.S. Forest Service
• fully enclosed, heated cabin
• expansive windows for enhanced viewing
• topside view deck offers a great vantage point for watching the glacier “calve,” and for visitors to enjoy the fresh air
• holds up to 149 passengers
• 80-foot vessel was built on site at Portage Lake to U.S. Coast Guard specifications
• 6.5-foot draft for minimal environmental impact
• operates on national forest service lands of the Chugach National Forest and is operated under a special-use permit from the USDA Forest Service
• the mv Ptarmigan’s sound system cannot be heard from the shore, ensuring preservation of this naturally peaceful setting for wildlife and for other visitors
• hull designed for safety in ice-filled waters
• operates daily mid-May through mid-September
Driving Directions to Portage Glacier:
Take the Seward Highway south from Anchorage.
Take a left on Portage Glacier Road (milepost 78.9) approximately 48 miles out of Anchorage.
Travel 5 miles to fork in road, take the right-hand fork, travel a 1/2 mile, turn left for the Portage Glacier Day Lodge to purchase cruise tickets.
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Do you need transportation from Anchorage? Consider our Portage Glacier Cruise Tour that includes a stop at beautiful Hotel Alyeska.
Cruise Portage Lake on Gray Line of Alaska’s dayboat mv Ptarmigan
Get up close to Portage Glacier aboard the mv Ptarmigan dayboat. This one-hour cruise includes narration from the National Forest Service. This sightseeing tour is a perfect option for vacationers and visiting friends & family since it is only a one hour drive from Anchorage.
