JUNEAU — Starting May 1, the U.S Forest Service will require people aged 16 and older to have passes to use certain areas outdoors near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on the eastern shore of Mendenhall Lake. New fees apply to the Pavilion, Photo Point Trail, and Steep Creek Trail, restrooms, bus shelter and the visitor center.
Trails exempted from fees include Nugget Falls Trail, East Glacier Trail, Powerline Trail, Moraine Ecology Trail and the Trail of Time, as well as all trails in the Dredge Lakes and West Glacier area. There will be no parking fees.
The daily fee will be $5. The Forest Service anticipates regular users will purchase season passes for $15, allowing the pass holder and one guest to use the areas. Fees for travelers who arrive via permitted commercial transport services, such as motor coaches and tours, will be collected by the transporter company.
All federal lands passes will be accepted, including America the Beautiful, Senior, Military, Volunteer, Access, and Every Kid in a Park (available to 4th graders) passes. The pass holder and three guests are permitted with these passes. Daily, season and all federal passes will be available for purchase at the visitor center bookstores, as well as the Forest Service’s Juneau Ranger District office located at 8510 Mendenhall Loop Road. By June, outdoor vending machines will be installed in two parking lots by the visitor center to dispense daily and season passes.
Fees will be used to fund amenities that visitors and residents use during summer. Master planning efforts will begin later in the year along with invitations to the public to share ideas for future improvements.
