Segway Coastal Scenic Rainforest Tour

Juneau turns into a photo safari. This 3-hour Segway Coastal Scenic Rainforest Tour pairs Mendenhall Glacier views with a temperate rainforest walk, so you get big Alaska scenery fast.

I also like the practical setup: a short training session gets you rolling, then you cruise the Douglas Hwy bike lane with photo stops along the coast before finishing at a tucked-away beach with refreshments. The one real catch is the balance requirement, plus some riding time is replaced by short walks, so it is not the best fit if you want to stay on the Segway for every minute.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• A first-time-friendly training session so you can get comfortable fast
• Mendenhall Glacier on the way out with multiple photo chances
• Douglas Hwy bike lane cruising along Lynn Canal and the Inside Passage
• Tongass National Forest walking time on a short trail to the ocean
• Secluded beach stop with locally sourced refreshments
• Small group size (max 10) keeps it personal and easier to manage

Why this Juneau Segway route fits a short visit

If you only have a day or two in Juneau, you want the kind of outing that gives you a lot of variety without eating your whole schedule. This tour stacks glacier views, coastline time, and rainforest hiking into one 3-hour block, which is tough to beat in a port town where weather can change the plan fast.

You also get a different angle on the coast. On a Segway you glide, stop, and look around without the physical grind of biking uphill or driving yourself and parking. That matters when you want to actually see the places, not just get from one viewpoint to the next.

Still, know the Segway is part ride, part guided experience. You will get on and off at key spots, and you will do a short walk at the end, so this is not a sit-and-zoom tour.

Start at 490 S Franklin St, then get trained quickly

The tour begins at 490 S Franklin St, Juneau and ends right back at that meeting point. Most days you can count on a smooth flow because the operator builds in a short orientation before you ride.

On many departures, you also have a short ride outside the city area to the Douglas Island side of things, where the guides help you set your balance and foot position before the longer coastal stretch. Guides like Dan, Phoenix, RJ, William, Carli, and Merrick show up with the same goal: make sure you can control the Segway and feel steady before you head out.

Here are the main rules to know upfront, because they are not suggestions:

• Closed-toed shoes are required
• You must be able to balance on 1 foot while looking down for 10 seconds
• Weight range is 100 lbs to 265 lbs
• Balancing issues or medication that affects balance means you will not be permitted
• Alcohol or drugs means no ride

If you are between sizes, unsure about balance, or you are coming off a long flight day, this is one of the tours where it helps to arrive rested and ready to focus for the training.

Mendenhall Glacier to Lynn Canal: Douglas Hwy bike lane photo stops

Once you are comfortable, the best part of the “go time” kicks in. You encounter Mendenhall Glacier almost right away, then continue along the Douglas Hwy bike lane for coastal cruising.

This stretch is built for photos. You make several stops so you can park your Segway, look across the water, and frame the glacier and shoreline correctly. On clear moments, you can see the glacier across the lake area, and on other days you still get that dramatic ice and sky contrast that Juneau is famous for.

Along the route, you are watching Lynn Canal, part of the Inside Passage. That is the waterway feel you are after, wide, salty, and alive with movement. Even when the weather turns, the coastline itself keeps giving you something to watch, whether it is ripples, fog breaks, or distant mountain lines.

Two practical tips based on what often matters on this kind of coastal ride:

• Dress for wet wind, not just rain.
• Bring a phone strap or use a secure case, because your hands will be busy with cameras during the stops.

Wildlife moments happen when you slow down

One of the subtle wins of a Segway is that it slows your pace without slowing your progress. That makes it easier to catch the quick, small wildlife moments that pass by when you are in a car.

The tour is timed and paced so you can listen and look. You may hear eagle calls in flight, notice birds moving over the water, and keep an eye out for humpback whales breaching occasionally. You might also spot seals near the water, and in some conditions you may even see seals near fish activity.

In my book, the real value here is not that you are guaranteed wildlife. It is that you are positioned and paused enough to notice it if it shows up. More than once, guides on this route stop at the right time and let you witness something for a few minutes instead of rushing past.

Also, if you are traveling with kids or teens, this is where Segways can feel like magic. A short ride plus a natural pause means they stay engaged.

Tongass National Forest: the short hike to a secluded beach

After the coastal portion, you hop off the Segway and walk a short 7-minute trail to a more secluded beach area. This is where the tour shifts from “glacier and sea” to “temperate rainforest.”

You are heading into Tongass National Forest, the largest National Forest in the US. This is not a cold alpine hike, it is rainforest country, so you will likely feel the damp air and notice the trees, plants, and mossy textures up close. Guides often point out local plants and how the forest cycles work, which turns a short walk into real learning time without dragging.

At the end, you get locally sourced refreshments. That matters for two reasons. First, it gives you a built-in break so the cold, wind, or rain does not drain your energy. Second, it keeps the experience from feeling like a “ride-by” attraction.

You also get something many people forget to plan for in Juneau: a restroom option. One rider noted there was access to a restroom during the outing, described as a port-a-potty. That is not glamorous, but it is practical, and it can make the difference on a rainy day.

Weather note: this area can be chilly and wet, even when the morning starts fine. Build in layers you can put on quickly.

What the guides do well, from training to narration

Guides are a big reason this tour earns such strong scores. The consistent theme is patient instruction and smart storytelling.

First, the training. Whether you are brand new or you think you might struggle, the guides teach the controls in a way that helps you pick it up fast. In one example, a guide helped first-timers get comfortable enough that the ride stopped feeling scary and started feeling fun.

Second, narration while you ride. One rider specifically called out that walkie talkies attached to the Segways helped the guides communicate during the cruise, so you are not just watching scenery while waiting for announcements at stops.

If you get a guide who loves the area, you can feel it in the pauses and question answers. Guides such as Dan and Phoenix have been described as mixing wildlife and plant talk with humor and local detail, which makes the rainforest and coastline feel like they have names, not just views.

A nice bonus is the group size. With a maximum of 10, you are more likely to get attention when you need it, and you are less likely to feel like you are part of a packed conveyor belt.

Price and value: what $177 buys in real terms

At $177 per person for about 3 hours, this is not a budget activity. The value is in the mix of experiences plus the “help” built into the format.

Here is what you are effectively paying for:

• Guided Segway instruction plus supervision for safety
• Time-efficient sightseeing that covers glacier, coastline, and rainforest in one go
• Photo stops at meaningful points, not just passing by
• A hike to the ocean beach plus locally sourced refreshments
• A small-group vibe, with a maximum of 10 riders

If you were trying to DIY this, you would spend time figuring out routing, parking, safe stops, and then you would still need a way to get the Segway experience and all the safety rules managed. That is why it often feels worth it even for people who are not usually into “activity tours.”

If you are price-sensitive, a smart move is to compare what you want most:

• If you want big scenery plus easy transportation, this is a strong match.
• If you mainly want long, continuous time riding with minimal walking, you might feel the trade-off because the tour includes stops and ends with a short trail hike.

Weather and gear: Juneau will do Juneau things

Juneau can be rainy and cold, and this route is designed to still work when the weather is not perfect. Guides have been described showing up prepared with cold-day items like gloves and ponchos, and riders noted the cold rainy conditions did not stop the fun.

Still, you should plan your day around rain as a possibility:

• Wear waterproof outer layers
• Bring a rain jacket that blocks wind
• Use closed-toed shoes with decent traction

The tour also runs on the condition of good weather. If conditions are poor enough, the operator will typically offer a different date or a full refund, so do not assume you are locked in no matter what the sky does.

Who should book, and who should consider eBike instead

This tour is for people who can follow directions and meet the balance rules. If you pass the balance test and you feel steady standing still, you are in the right zone.

It is also a great fit if you want variety without backtracking. You get coastline cruising, wildlife watch time, a rainforest walk, and a beach stop, all in one outing.

A possible mismatch:

• If your balance is iffy or you are worried about riding on any slope, the Segway rules can be stressful.
• If you were expecting more continuous time on the Segway and less time walking, you might feel the mix is heavier on “guided stops” than pure riding.

The operator runs eBike tours as well, and one rider suggested that eBike may be a better choice when balance is the main concern. If you are wavering, it is worth asking ahead of time what option fits your comfort level.

Also, age matters. The tour allows riders from 8 to 70, with a note that ages 8 to 14 ride an electric Pon’e. If you have a younger rider, you should call the operator to advise.

Should you book this Segway Coastal Scenic Rainforest Tour?

I think you should book if you want a Juneau day that hits the big names, fast: Mendenhall Glacier, Lynn Canal, Tongass National Forest, and that short walk down to a secluded beach. It is also a strong choice when you value small-group attention and clear coaching, especially if you are new to Segways.

I would pass or switch plans if you:

• Cannot meet the balance and medication rules
• Want a tour with minimal walking and maximum time riding
• Are traveling with someone who struggles with stability

If you do book, pack for rain, plan your photos at the stops (not while rolling), and take the training seriously. This tour works best when you give the Segway a minute to become familiar, then you can focus on the scenery.

FAQ

How long is the Segway Coastal Scenic Rainforest Tour?

It runs for about 3 hours.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at 490 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

Do I need to bring a ticket or can I use my phone?

You get a mobile ticket. Confirmation is received at the time of booking.

Is there training if I have never ridden a Segway?

Yes. The tour includes a short training session to help you learn the basics before you start riding.

What are the weight and balance requirements?

You must be between 100 lbs and 265 lbs. You also need to pass a balance check where you can balance on 1 foot while looking down for 10 seconds.

Are kids allowed on this tour?

The tour is for ages 8 to 70. Riders ages 8 to 14 ride an electric Pon’e, and the operator asks you to call in advance to advise.

What shoes should I wear?

Closed-toed shoes are required.

What happens if the weather is bad or the minimum number of riders is not met?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. If it does not meet the minimum number of travelers, you will also be offered a different date or a full refund.