American Travel Journal: Bartlett Cove Visitor Center

We traveled to Alaska in late August 2022 to experience the six national parks that we had not visited on our previous trips to Alaska in 2005 and 2010. Our first stop was at Glacier Bay National Park where we stayed in motel-type rooms at the Bartlett Cove Lodge. Noting that the visitor center was directly above the dining room, it was the first place I explored. Being upstairs, the visitor center did not seem to be accessible to guests in wheelchairs. There may be an elevator somewhere, but I didn't see it. The visitor center has the customary information desk, bookstore/giftshop, exhibit area, and theater. The theater was closed during our visit. Whether this was due to COVID-19 restrictions or short staffing, I do not know. The visitor center did have one unique addition in that it had a reading room with comfortable seating and a large collection of books. Accessible restrooms are available on the ground floor of the lodge.

During the season that the lodge is open, the visitor center is only staffed from 11 AM until 1 PM. The exhibit area and reading room in the visitor center are open from 6 AM until 10 PM. Visitor information is available all day from rangers stationed at the ranger station near the public use dock about 600 feet east of the lodge.