Can you reserve a site at Visitor Information Station - Backcountry Office?

No. Visitor Information Station - Backcountry Office is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Visitor Information Station - Backcountry Office

Facility · Alaska ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Glacier Bay National Park (National Park) · Open Access

37 ft
Elevation

Front of the Visitor Information Station — Photo: NPS Photo / S. Tevebaugh · Recreation.gov

Located near the head of the public-use dock in Bartlett Cove, 10 miles from Gustavus. The "VIS" provides trip planning information, boating and camping permits, and offers boater/camper orientation sessions for visitors heading into the wild backcountry of Glacier Bay. Stop by and meet a park ranger. Open annually between May and September.

Getting there

Located near the head of the public dock in Bartlett Cove, 10 miles from the town of Gustavus.

58.45432, -135.88516 · 58°27'15.6"N 135°53'6.6"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 61°F in Jul, down to 32°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	32	34	37	46	54	59	61	60	54	45	37	33
Low °F	26	26	28	33	39	45	49	48	43	37	30	27
Precip in	6.7	4.8	4.3	3.4	3.1	2.8	4.8	6.0	9.2	10.2	8.5	8.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

The Healing Totem Pole and Dugout Canoe Shelter outside the VIS — Photo: NPS Photo / S. Tevebaugh · Recreation.gov

The VIS and Bartlett Cove — Photo: NPS Photo/S. Tevebaugh · Recreation.gov

Member photos

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Common questions about Visitor Information Station - Backcountry Office

Can you reserve a site at Visitor Information Station - Backcountry Office?: No. Visitor Information Station - Backcountry Office is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Visitor Information Station - Backcountry Office

Eight Fathom Cabin 31.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Berners Bay Cabin 40.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Peterson Lake Cabin 41.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Eagle Glacier Cabin 41.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Windfall Lake Cabin 42.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Auk Village Campground 42.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Glacier Bay National Park Visitor Center 0.1 mi · Facility
Bartlett Cove Campground 0.4 mi · Campground
Pinta Cove Shelter 13.7 mi · Campground
Bohemia Basin Shelter 37 mi · Campground
Long Bay Shelter 42.2 mi · Campground
Auk Village Campground 42.2 mi · Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.