The Tlingit Trail is much more than it may appear at first glance. Just over one mile each way, this easy stroll connects the public boat dock and visitor center and offers opportunities to "see a traditional Tlingit canoe, gaze at a complete whale skeleton, learn about common native plants and experience Tlingit culture and art at the Huna Tribal House," the park notes. If you just arrived at Glacier Bay, the Tlingit Trail is the first trail to explore.

The Forest Trail is one of the best short hikes to explore Bartlett Cove once you arrive at Glacier Bay NP by boat or seaplane. According to the park, "this leisurely stroll meanders through a lush forest which grows atop a glacial moraine," and a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk offers two spectacular overlooks of a small, serene pond along the way. In total, the loop shouldn't take more than 90-minutes, and it returns along the beach trail to form a loop.

If you're looking for a classic half-day hike in Glacier Bay, the Bartlett River Trail is a spectacular option - especially if your goal is to fish. As one of the park's few maintained trails in the backcountry, this trail roams through lush stands of spruce and hemlock then emerges at the mouth of the Bartlett River as it flows into the bay.