Jack Bay State Marine Park
🏆🏆🏆 Valdez Fjord Marine — Glacially carved fjord near Valdez with tidewater glacier views
Jack Bay State Marine Park protects a dramatic glacially carved bay near Valdez in Prince William Sound. The deep fjord provides protected anchorage with towering rock walls, waterfalls cascading from hanging valleys, and views of nearby glaciers. The bay is home to harbor seals hauled out on ice, sea otters, and spawning pink and chum salmon that attract black and brown bears to the shoreline in summer.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Valdez, AK (Prince William Sound) |
| Access | Boat from Valdez |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Wildlife | Bears, seals, otters, salmon |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see glaciers?
The bay offers views of nearby glaciers. For tidewater glacier viewing, combine with a trip to Columbia Glacier — one of the largest tidewater glaciers in North America, also accessible from Valdez.
About Jack Bay
Jack Bay State Marine Park in Prince William Sound near Valdez protects a deep fjord-like bay surrounded by steep mountains and old-growth forest. The bay provides shelter during the fierce storms that rake Prince William Sound. Harbor seals haul out on rocky ledges and bald eagles nest in the towering Sitka spruce.
Things to Do
Anchorage for boaters seeking storm shelter, beach camping, sea kayaking, wildlife viewing (harbor seals, eagles, sea otters), fishing, and exploring the fjord. Access by boat from Valdez.
Insider Tips
Valdez area: Jack Bay is accessible from Valdez — the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Pro tip: The Valdez Museum documents the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake (9.2 magnitude — the most powerful ever recorded in North America) and the subsequent tsunami that destroyed Old Valdez. Glacier viewing: Columbia Glacier (one of the fastest-retreating glaciers in Alaska) is accessible by tour boat from Valdez.
Best Time to Visit
June-August: Best boating weather and salmon runs. July: Pink salmon runs are enormous. Winter: Thompson Pass above Valdez receives 500+ inches of snow. Spring: Bald eagle gathering on the Valdez fish runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the 1964 earthquake?
The 9.2-magnitude Good Friday Earthquake on March 27, 1964 was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America. The resulting tsunami destroyed Old Valdez — the entire town was relocated to its present site 4 miles away.
🏔️ Visit Jack Bay SMP
Valdez fjord — glacier views, waterfalls, and bear-watching in Prince William Sound.
