Great Outdoors Month: Exploring the Beauty of Tracy Arm Fjord

We don’t just work here — we explore, respect, and protect these landscapes, too.

June is Great Outdoors Month, a national celebration of the parks, public lands, and spaces that define America’s beauty and spirit of adventure. For Delta Western and the communities we serve, Alaska offers more than just scenic views — it’s a responsibility and a source of pride. Among its most breathtaking natural wonders is Tracy Arm Fjord.

A Fjord Carved by Ice and Time

Located just south of Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord stretches 30 miles inland and was formed by thousands of years of glacial activity. Its sheer granite walls rise more than 4,000 feet above sea level, and waterfalls cascade down its cliffs, fed by melting snow and ice. It is part of the Tracy Arm–Fords Terror Wilderness, a federally designated wilderness area that protects this pristine environment.

At the head of the fjord lie the North and South Sawyer Glaciers. The North Sawyer Glacier is more visible and known for its dramatic calving displays where massive chunks of ice break off and crash into the sea. While this glacier appears to be bright white in photos, it is a luminous blue below the surface.

A Refuge for Wildlife

The remoteness of Tracy Arm means that its ecosystems remain largely undisturbed. Located in the Tongass National Forest, visitors often spot harbor seals resting on icebergs, bears lumbering through the trees, humpback whales diving deep, or eagles flying overhead. 

This biodiversity makes Tracy Arm not just a scenic marvel, but an ecological stronghold. It’s one of many reasons the area is recognized as a conservation priority.

A Place That Grounds and Inspires

For Delta Western President Henry Palmer, based in Juneau, Tracy Arm represents more than a destination. “The scale of it is humbling. It brings into focus why environmental stewardship matters,” he says.

This Great Outdoors Month, we’re reminded of why we do what we do. We live in one of the most stunning and ecologically rich places on earth, and we’re proud to fuel the communities that care for it. We are committed to safeguarding Alaska’s natural resources through best-in-class spill prevention, marine safety practices, and reliable delivery protocols. By working closely with the communities we serve, we help support sustainable growth across the region.

Whether you visit by boat, floatplane, or on a guided cruise, a trip to Tracy Arm offers a rare glimpse into Alaska’s untamed beauty. And it invites reflection on how closely our communities, businesses, and environment are connected.