Glacier Bay National Park is a large wilderness area in southeast Alaska that consists of millions of acres of rugged mountain terrain and protected coastline for visitors to enjoy. The park is one of the most popular destinations in the Inside Passage for padders to explore and the trip options are numerous. The waters here also provide great wildlife viewing opportunity including diverse birdlife, bears, and humpback whales just to name a few. Bartlett Cove is where the headquarters of the park is located and is accessible only by boat and plane. During the summer there is ferry service to the park through the Alaska Marine Highway System. This trip starts from Bartlett Cove and explores the western arm of Glacier all the way up to Tarr Inlet. There are also some other inlets and glaciers along the route that are very scenic and may warrant a side trip but be sure to add a few days to cover more of the area. There is an option of taking a kayak transport boat to some drop-off spots located further up in the arm which can shorten the trip drastically if desired. Contact the park service for information about visiting the park and current ferry and transport schedules. There are no established camping areas after leaving Bartlett Cove but camping is permitted anywhere in the park. This paddling trip is long and travels into very remote and rugged area and should only be attempted by experienced backcountry paddlers who are equipped with the appropriate gear. Also be very familiar with the tide chart as there are sections that require paddling during certain tides to avoid portages.