Worthington Glacier
Valdez, AK
A glacier that comes down almost to the Richardson Highway near Thompson Pass, with a short paved path to the viewpoint.
Worthington Glacier is a valley glacier on the Richardson Highway in southern Alaska, next to Thompson Pass at mile 28.7, about 46 km (28.7 miles) east of Valdez. Wikipedia calls it one of the few glaciers in the US accessible by a paved highway; the glacier covers about 5,774 acres (2,337 ha).
Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site is a 113-acre roadside park with a view of the glacier. Lonely Planet describes the pull-off on the highway with a view of the glacier's creeping mass of mud and ice. It is about a 30-minute drive from Valdez.
Check road conditions, access and season in advance.
- Nearest town
- Valdez, AK
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 61.1680, -145.7350
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
Cold, short days in October–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
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FAQs
Where is Worthington Glacier?
Worthington Glacier is in Valdez, AK, at GPS 61.1680, -145.7350. It is about 13 mi from Keystone Canyon.
Which road trips pass Worthington Glacier?
Worthington Glacier is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Alaska’s Richardson and Denali highways and Glacier tongues, copper mines and frost heaves in the asphalt – by camper over the Glenn and Richardson Highways to Valdez, McCarthy and Fairbanks.
What is there to see near Worthington Glacier?
Places worth a stop nearby: Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center (58 mi), Matanuska Glacier (81 mi), Begich, Boggs Visitor Center (107 mi) and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (112 mi).
When is the best time to visit Worthington Glacier?
Cold, short days in October–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)