Grewingk Glacier Lake (Glacier Lake and Saddle Trails)

Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska State Parks (across Kachemak Bay from Homer, water taxi access)

Grewingk Glacier Lake sits at the foot of a glacier that, as Mako’s Water Taxi puts it, pours off the Harding Icefield and calves icebergs into the lake. Across Kachemak Bay from Homer, it’s reached by a short water taxi ride and an easy walk through big cottonwoods and spruce. ALASKA.ORG calls it hands down one of the most popular hikes in Kachemak Bay State Park.

Spending the night lets you camp on the lakeshore with the glacier in view, then walk out over the Saddle Trail to a pickup in Halibut Cove.

The hike

Most trips start with a water taxi to the Glacier Spit Trailhead. Andrea Kuuipo Abroad describes a 15-minute ride from Homer; Mako’s says about 20 to 30 minutes. 49 North notes that the Glacier Spit Trailhead is on a wind-exposed beach, where morning drop-offs work best, while the Saddle Trailhead in Halibut Cove is best for afternoon or evening pickups.

ALASKA.ORG says the first 1.5 miles of the Glacier Lake Trail wind through mixed cottonwood and Sitka spruce, including some of the largest cottonwoods in the park. After that, the trail runs straight toward the lake across alluvial flats. Andrea Kuuipo Abroad warns that you need to watch the tides to get past Rusty’s Lagoon.

At about mile 1.4, 49 North says, the Grewingk Tram Spur Trail branches off for a mile to a hand-operated cable car over Grewingk Creek. Andrea Kuuipo Abroad says it takes two people to operate, and it connects to the Emerald Lake Loop, Humpy Creek, and Blue Ice Trails. One AllTrails reviewer found it fun but hard to pull in strong wind.

ALASKA.ORG says you pass the Saddle Trail junction at 2.7 miles, then push through a heavy alder section before coming out on the lakeshore. Andrea Kuuipo Abroad puts the lake at 3.2 miles from Glacier Spit. ALASKA.ORG describes lounging on the beach, watching icebergs, and looking for wildlife, noting that black bears are occasionally seen along the trail.

To finish, most hikers take the Saddle Trail over to Halibut Cove for their water taxi pickup. Mako’s describes the whole route as about 5 miles of mostly flat, well-maintained trail except for about 500 feet of climbing over the Saddle Trail. One writer who camped at the lake preferred going in on the Glacier Lake Trail and out on the Saddle Trail, because the climb is more gradual than doing the Saddle Trail out and back.

Getting closer to the glacier is a different matter. One AllTrails reviewer in 2026 reported that you can’t reach the glacier itself anymore, only an overlook, and described brush past the tram so thick they couldn’t see their feet. The same reviewer counted dozens of piles of bear scat between their lake camp and the overlook. Another reviewer suggested simply viewing the glacier from the lake instead.

There’s also a higher option. One hiker describes the Alpine Ridge Trail above the lake as a steep climb through thick brush, with hand lines on slick sections and glimpses of Grewingk Glacier and its lake. That writer notes water taxi captains usually assume you’re only hiking to the lake, so be clear about your plans when you book.

For a tougher Kachemak Bay trip, see Grace Ridge.

Tips

Plan around tides and wind. Watch the tides at Rusty’s Lagoon, and schedule a morning drop-off at the exposed Glacier Spit beach.
Do it as a traverse. Drop off at Glacier Spit and arrange pickup at the Saddle Trailhead in Halibut Cove.
Bring a partner for the tram. One source says it takes two people to operate.
Be bear aware. Black bears are seen along the trail; one reviewer found lots of bear sign near the lake.
Expect glacial water. 49 North lists the creek and lake as glacial; bring a filter that can handle silt.

Camping

Mako’s says there are great campsites around Grewingk Lake, at Rusty’s Lagoon, and all along Glacier Spit. ALASKA.ORG mentions camping at Rusty’s Lagoon, at Rusty’s Campsite on a short spur less than half a mile in, and on the beach at Glacier Lake. 49 North lists a small camping area at the Glacier Spit Trailhead, Right Beach (reachable at low tide from Glacier Spit), and the Grewingk Lake area. Andrea Kuuipo Abroad adds Grewingk Creek and Humpy Creek. Confirm current rules with Alaska State Parks.

Inside Intel: Several accounts describe camping right on the lakeshore. One writer and her husband camped right on the beach at Grewingk Glacier Lake with the glacier in the background, then hiked out over the Saddle Trail the next day. An AllTrails reviewer who camped at the lake came out the next morning via the Saddle Trail for pickup, too. If the lake is busy, Mako’s points to Rusty’s Lagoon and Glacier Spit as other good options near the drop-off.

Trail facts

Distance: About 3.2 miles to the lake; about 5 miles for the Glacier Spit to Halibut Cove traverse
Route type: Point to point by water taxi, or out and back
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; about 500 feet of climbing on the Saddle Trail
Campsites: Grewingk Lake shore, Rusty’s Lagoon, Glacier Spit, Right Beach, Humpy Creek
Water: Glacial creek and lake water. Treat all water.
Permits: None found; confirm with Alaska State Parks
Access: Water taxi from Homer to Glacier Spit; pickup at Saddle Trailhead in Halibut Cove
Hazards: Tides at Rusty’s Lagoon, bears, rough terrain beyond the lake
Last verified: September 28, 2026

The Lowdown

A night beside the icebergs:

Camping beside a lake where a glacier calves icebergs calls for a warm bag. See which sleeping bags testers rate for warmth.

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Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.