Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park continues to be a “bucket-list destination” for recreational boaters, offering abundant wildlife and scenic vistas and glaciers. As in past years, all vessels operating within the park waters of Glacier Bay are required to have a permit when visiting June 1 through August 31. All boat operators are required to complete an annual orientation at the Visitor Information Station in Bartlett Cove.
Effective 2026, the Park has changed some permitting procedures for clarification and boater convenience, including a new online system for permit applications and tracking. Here’s what has changed:
- Applications for Advance Notice Permits and Short-Notice Permits are now submitted online. Applicants must set up or currently have a login.gov account. After logging into the Glacier Bay Online System Portal using your personal login.gov, enter your profile information (personal and vessel info.). Your profile information is retained for future applications and tracking.
- Applications for the first lottery permit drawings are still accepted Jan 1st-31st and applications for a second lottery drawing permit are now accepted March 1st-15th (previously April 30 to May 1).
- Applicants will receive notice after the drawing(s) if they have or have not been granted a permit, and can also check their online Glacier Bay Portal account.
- Permits are subject to cancellation if the permit is not confirmed or used.
See the Glacier Bay website at www.nps.gov/glba for more details. Click on the tile “Boating in Glacier Bay,” then the “Private Vessels” tile, and then “Apply for a Boating Permit.”
There is an excellent video on the Park’s website, “Learn How to Apply for a Boating Permit;” click HERE to view the new instructional video. The video covers how to create a Profile, how to Register your vessel, apply for a Permit, and how to visit the site using your log-in.
Photo: Lorena Landon
