Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Drive-Up Glacier — One of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers — you can walk right up to the face of this 8-mile glacier from a paved parking lot on the Richardson Highway!

Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site offers one of Alaska’s most incredible drive-up glacier experiences — the Worthington Glacier extends 8 miles down from the Chugach Mountains and its terminus is just a short walk from the Richardson Highway parking lot! At 2,800 feet elevation in Thompson Pass, this is one of the snowiest places in Alaska (80+ feet of snowfall per year!). Thompson Pass holds the Alaska state record for snowfall in 24 hours: 62 inches in December 1955. The glacier feeds the Tsaina River, which flows into the Lowe River and eventually Prince William Sound.

Visitor Information

About Worthington Glacier

Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site on the Richardson Highway near Valdez provides roadside access to one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. The glacier descends from the Chugach Mountains to within a short walk of the parking lot — offering close-up views of crevasses, blue ice, and glacial formations without a helicopter or hours of hiking. The glacier has been retreating in recent decades, documenting climate change in real-time.

Things to Do

Walking to the glacier face (short trail from parking lot), viewing glacial features (crevasses, moraines, meltwater streams), photography, and driving the spectacular Thompson Pass section of the Richardson Highway — one of America’s most scenic drives.

Insider Tips

Drive-up glacier: Worthington is one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska — you can literally see the ice from the parking lot. Pro tip: A short trail leads to the glacier face — you can touch ancient ice that fell as snow thousands of years ago. Safety: Do not climb on the glacier without proper equipment — crevasses can be hidden by thin snow bridges. The viewing area is safe and impressive.

Best Time to Visit

June-August: Best access and warmest weather. May: Maximum snowpack — the glacier is most dramatic. September: Fall colors contrast with blue ice. Winter: Buried in Thompson Pass snow (500+ inches annually).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the glacier retreating?

Yes — like most Alaska glaciers, Worthington has retreated significantly. Historical photos from the 1900s show the glacier extending much further down the valley. Climate change is accelerating retreat across Alaska’s 100,000+ glaciers.

Can I walk on the glacier?

Do not walk on the glacier without crampons, ropes, and experience. Hidden crevasses can be fatal. The viewing trail and platform provide safe, spectacular views without glacier travel.