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Park Service reopens deadline for businesses seeking Glacier Bay's only kayak rental
The National Park Service on Monday gave businesses until Dec. 7 to say they plan to compete to run Glacier Bay National Park's only kayak rental, reopening a deadline that closed Oct. 28.
The agency opened bidding Oct. 7 on a 10-year contract for the rental at Bartlett Cove, near park headquarters outside Gustavus. The new date meets a Park Service rule that solicitations stay posted at least 60 days, according to the solicitation amendment. Businesses that don't send notice by then can't submit proposals, which are still due Dec. 28.
The Bartlett Cove rental is the only place visitors can rent kayaks to paddle on their own straight into park waters, according to the Park Service's prospectus. Several Gustavus companies offer guided kayak trips, and Juneau businesses rent kayaks for multi-day trips. But Juneau is about 60 miles away, reachable by daily small-plane service or a state ferry that typically runs twice a week in summer.
The rental served about 560 guests this year on half-day, full-day and multi-day trips, according to the Park Service's answers to bidders' questions. It grossed $86,400 in 2025 and about $84,000 in each of the two years before.
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About Gustavus
Gustavus, also called Strawberry Point, is a small community in the Hoonah-Angoon Census Area of Southeast Alaska. It sits near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and serves as the park's gateway community.
Contamination from PFAS in firefighting foam has left residents relying on hauled-in drinking water, and federal cleanup work and water testing rules bear on that problem. The town's airport is served by federally subsidized jet service, and its firefighting equipment has been lent to Juneau's airport. Access to the local hydro road, where Alaska Power seeks a gate, is a point of dispute with the town.
Gustavus shares regional weather with Juneau, Hoonah and Yakutat, and storms, flood watches, fog and frost advisories often cover them together. Telephone and air service decisions for small Southeast communities also reach it.