Worthington Glacier & State Recreation Site

One of the most visited natural attractions along the Richardson Highway, this four-mile-long glacier descends almost to pavement and is easy to approach on foot. Worthington Glacier—listed as a Natural National Landmark—is kept healthy by the area’s extraordinary snowfall. (Nearby Thompson Pass has been known to experience 80 feet of annual accumulation!) The state recreation site features parking, pit toilets, and a covered pavilion with a model of the glacier and interpretive signs all close to a small lake.

After seasonal snow has melted back by late June or early July, the outline of the glacier’s terminal fingers stand out against the bedrock and gravel, making for a startling photographic tableau. Much of the surrounding terrain has excellent berry picking in season. Worthington Lake with rainbow fishing is on the highway 1.5 miles closer to Valdez.

Best Viewing Spots

Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site

The 113-acre park is managed for people to enjoy and inspect the glacier. Most visitors take a short hike on a paved, wheel-chair accessible trail to a viewing platform overlooking the glacier, viewing scopes and an ADA viewing scope. A mudslide has blocked access to a trail beyond the platform and it is currently closed. There's a $5 day use parking fee.