NOAA anticipates the possibility of a glacial lake outburst flood (jökulhlaup) from the Suicide Basin near the Mendenhall Glacier. The city and Forest Service have plans in place, including flood mitigation efforts for nearby neighborhoods, and are preparing for temporary impacts to visitor areas. Please use extreme caution near the Mendenhall River. Follow all posted signs and safety notices.

What to Expect

• Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center – OPEN depending on conditions.
• Trail of Time – OPEN depending on conditions.
• The Mendenhall Campground - CLOSED in advance of the glacier lake outburst flood. It will remain closed until it can be inspected and cleared for use.
• All trails around Mendenhall Lake and River, including Skater’s Cabin Road – CLOSED in advance and until officials determine they are safe to reopen.
• Water sports in the Mendenhall Lake and River area, PAUSED during the outburst until safety can be assessed.

What We Know — and What We Don’t

There is no need to cancel a reservation at this time. Some tour operators may choose to cancel or adjust tours near the glacier out of caution. Others — especially those taking place in unaffected areas — may not be impacted at all. Each business will assess conditions in real time, always prioritizing guest safety.

What You Can Do

• Please be patient. Flooding hasn’t occurred yet! If you have booked an excursion or shuttle, your operator will call you directly. Operators are all local, will have the latest information, and if needed, will communicate with you. There is no need to cancel a reservation at this time. 
• Wait for official updates from Travel Juneau, the city, the Forest Service, your tour provider, ship, or booking agent (ShoreEx).
• Trust your tour operators. They’ll keep your safety top of mind and communicate any changes directly.
• Stay informed by checking this page and following Travel Juneau on social media for real-time updates.
• Your flexibility and kindness mean a lot to us. Our community is preparing thoughtfully — and while we hope this won’t affect your time in Juneau, we also ask for patience and understanding. Last year, more than 300 Juneau residents were directly affected by flooding.

Monitor Basin Conditions Here
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