- The Mendenhall Glacier is 13 miles from downtown Juneau. It is perhaps the most visited of Mendenhall Valley's water features and is part of the Tongass National Forest. A simple visitors center, built in 1962 as a rain shelter, is now an elaborate structure with exhibits, ramps and a curved wall of glass that offers a panoramic view of the glacier. Pathways from the center lead directly to the glacier. Benches along the way offer a place to relax and enjoy the view. The center has two entrances that are accessible by the disabled as well as designated parking spaces.
- Glaciers naturally grow and retreat over time, and the Mendenhall is no exception. This glacier has retreated so much that it has created a new lake. That is, new in geologic terms. Mendenhall Lake is a mere 100 years old. As the glacier retreats, the lake grows larger. Over the last century wave action has eroded small bluffs and deposited silt and sand, creating beaches. The erosion of the various land forms has allowed geologists to study previously hidden rock formations. The U.S. Forest Service maintains the Mendenhall Lake Campground, which accommodates both RVs and tent campers.
- Steep Creek is an important spawning stream for sockeye and Coho salmon. It starts as a waterfall from a ridge just south of the visitor's center at the Mendenhall Glacier. It flows through several ponds before it spills into Mendenhall Lake. The last mile or so before it reaches the lake is where most of the salmon spawning takes place. The salmon run ultimately brings hungry animals to the stream, particularly eagles and bears. After the salmon spawn they weaken and die and thanks to the shallow water make an easy meal. One place to view the spawning is from a bridge that is part of the Moraine Ecology Trail. Chances are you will see a bear splashing about and fishing or an eagle swoop down and pluck a salmon out of the water.
- The Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge is on the western edge of the Mendenhall Valley. Fresh water pours into the shallow delta and creates a saltwater marsh. The refuge extends more than 4,000 acres and supports a number of resident and migrant birds. The wetlands were created from rock and silt left behind by the Mendenhall Glacier, the Lemon Glacier and the Thomas Glacier. Since the glaciers are still retreating, the topography of the wetlands is continually changing. The Mendenhall Wetlands was declared a State Game Refuge in 1976 in an effort to keep the area pristine.
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