News Release

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Modifies Operations to Implement Health Guidance

Date: March 30, 2020
Contact: Adam Dermish, 907-784-3296

BARTLETT COVE, AK – Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, in response to the Government of Canada and the U.S. Department of State, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support international, federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  

With agreement from Kluane National Park, Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park, and Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, all recreational permits and Dry Bay take-outs for commercial operators issued by Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve are suspended due to temporary international travel restrictions, road closures in Canada’s national parks, and the United States-Canada border closure that took effect on March 20, 2020.

Effective immediately, this suspension will remain in place for the duration of the travel and border crossing restrictions. It will be re-evaluated on June 1, 2020, or as restrictions are lifted. No new private permits will be issued at this time.

Rafters who were issued a private permit should contact the Dry Bay Ranger at 907-784-3296 or [e-mail] with options for cancellation and rescheduling.

Authorized commercial fishing and subsistence activities within Glacier Bay National Preserve are not affected by this action.
 
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Glacier Bay is our priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with international, federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Outdoor spaces of park and preserve lands remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance.   

The NPS encourages people who choose to visit Glacier Bay during this pandemic to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.  

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with www.nps.gov/glba for specific details about park operations.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.