Somewhere in the Mendenhall Valley, about seven miles from downtown Juneau, there’s a 50-acre rainforest garden where someone planted trees upside down, roots in the air, canopy buried in the ground, and then filled those root balls with cascading flowers. It sounds like something you’d dream up after a long night, but Glacier Gardens has been doing it for decades and the result is one of the more genuinely surreal things you can see in Alaska. The Flower Towers were voted “Most Interesting Landmark in America” by Reader’s Digest in 2012. Here’s what to know before you go.
Quick Guide to Juneau, Alaska’s Upside Down Trees
The Flower Towers
At the heart of Glacier Gardens are the mesmerizing Flower Towers. These Alaska upside down trees, with their tops buried in the ground and roots sticking up, look like a colorful acid tripped Ostrich with its head stuck in the ground. The trees root wad creates a natural planter pot like structure that holds all sorts of colorful trailing flowers. Begonias, fuchsias, Dr. Seuss dreams and petunias all flourish as they hang from the inverted trees.
History of the Alaska Upside Down Trees
In the early 80’s, Steve and Cindy Bowhay bought a few acres of landslide ridden property from the state of Alaska. They had a vision for their little slice of the Tongass National Rainforest, and they embarked on a mission to transform the land. Steve, a seasoned landscaper, envisioned a rainforest sanctuary with cascading waterfalls and breathtaking vistas of Juneau.
This ambitious vision spurred an ambitious plan. Hydroelectric powerhouses were designed to fuel greenhouses, settling ponds tamed the rushing water, and lush paths began to thread their way through the recovering landscape. Slowly, the dream of Glacier Gardens started to take root.
As for the Alaska upside down trees, they came to be by accident. Story goes that one day while working on repairing a stream, Steve managed to mangle a piece of his moving machinery. Frustration simmered until, in a moment of what could be called either brilliance or sheer exasperation, he grabbed a fallen tree stump and shoved it, trunk first, into the mud. This wasn’t a tantrum, mind you, it was a stroke of genius. He saw, in that upside down root ball, not dirt, but an empty flower pot begging to be filled.
And so, the first Alaska upside down trees were born, a living monument to the transformative power of a good outburst. Just let it out man! What started as a single, gravity defying act blossomed into a full-blown floral frenzy. More land was acquired, bringing the grand total to a 50 acres. Today, Glacier Gardens boasts nearly a hundred flower towers or Alaska upside down trees, each one a vibrant testament to the Bowhay’s ingenuity.
Alaska Upside Down Trees Tour
Located within the embrace of the Mendenhall Valley, Glacier Gardens finds itself at the doorstep of the Tongass Rainforest, the largest national forest in the United States. Stretching over 16.7 million acres of pristine wilderness in Southeast Alaska, the Tongass Rainforest is a sanctuary of unparalleled beauty and ecological diversity.
Visitors can explore the Tongass National Rainforest via the garden’s guided Rainforest Adventure Tour. Board an 18-passenger covered golf cart and enjoy a ride through the forest as you learn about Glacier Gardens history and diverse flora, as well as the fascinating story behind the Alaska upside down trees. The tour takes you up thunder mountain to a view point that offers panoramic views of the Mendenhall Valley, Gastineau Channel, Douglas Island, and the Chilkat Mountains, one of the better vantage points above Juneau.
More to See at Glacier Gardens
While the Flower Tower Alaska upside down trees steal the spotlight, Glacier Gardens is home to a diverse array of flora. Rhododendrons, azaleas, Japanese maples, devil’s club, elderberry shrubs, Sitka spruce, and western hemlock thrive in this unique botanical haven. And beyond gawking at the impressive Alaska upside down trees and enjoying the adventure tour, there are a few other offerings from Glacier Gardens.
Eagle’s Nest Cam
Glacier Gardens streams live footage of a bald eagle nest on their YouTube channel. Worth checking before your visit to see what’s happening at the nest. Eagle Nest Cam
Nursery & Landscaping
The on-site nursery sells hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees suited to Southeast Alaska’s climate. They also ship hanging baskets across Southeast Alaska. Local gardeners in Juneau know this place well.
Rainforest Café & Gift Shop
The visitor center atrium houses a café serving full espresso drinks and snacks, plus a gift shop. Good place to start your visit before the tour.
Special Events
The Visitor Center Atrium can be booked for weddings and private events. Calendar fills fast, plan well ahead.
When & How to Visit Alaska Upside Down Trees
What to expect
This is primarily a guided tram tour, not a walking botanical garden. You’ll ride 18-passenger covered golf carts up a steep mountain road to the Thunder Mountain viewpoint, with the guide narrating along the way. After the tour you can walk the lower garden on foot. If you’re expecting to stroll freely through planted gardens at your own pace, this isn’t quite that, it’s more of a narrated rainforest adventure with a dramatic view at the top. Both experiences are good; they’re just different.
Best Time to Visit
Mid-July through September is when Glacier Gardens looks like the photos. The Flower Towers are fully planted, the blooms are at peak, and the whole place operates exactly as advertised.
If you visit in May or early June, be aware that Alaska’s cold spring means the upside-down trees may not yet be planted with flowers. Multiple visitors have arrived in late May expecting the full floral display and found bare root stumps. The gardens are technically open and the Thunder Mountain viewpoint is still spectacular, but the Flower Towers — the main attraction — may be empty.
Getting there
The garden is located at 7600 Glacier Hwy in the Mendenhall Valley, about seven miles from the cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau. No shuttle is provided, but city buses stop approximately 500 feet from the visitor center entrance, Lyft and Uber operate in Juneau, and local taxis are available.
Buying Tickets
Buy tickets directly at the garden rather than through third-party booking sites, On-site pricing is usually lower than what booking platforms charge.
Accessibility
The tour is not recommended for guests with walking disabilities due to uneven surfaces. Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated if the guest is accompanied by someone who can assist boarding and disembarking. Call ahead to confirm.
Parking
Free on-site parking, no additional charge.
Hours of Operation
Glacier Gardens is open May 1 through September 30, 9am–5pm daily
Phone: (907) 790-3377.
Alaska Upside Down Trees Map
Alaska Upside Down Trees FAQs
How much does it cost to visit Glacier Gardens?
2025 prices are $36.70 after tax for adults and $19.90 after tax for children ages 6–12. Children 5 and under are free. Prices may increase, check with the garden directly for current rates.
How long is the Glacier Gardens tour?
About one hour for the guided rainforest tour. After the tour, guests can explore the lower botanical garden on foot for as long as they like.
How far is Glacier Gardens from the Juneau cruise ship docks?
About seven miles. No shuttle is provided by the garden, but city buses stop near the entrance, and Lyft, Uber, and local taxis serve the area.
When is Glacier Gardens open?
May 1 through September 30, 9am–5pm daily.
What are the Alaska upside down trees?
They’re called Flower Towers, spruce and hemlock trees planted roots-up, with their exposed root balls used as natural planters for cascading flowers. They were created accidentally by Glacier Gardens founder Steve Bowhay in the 1980s.
Can you visit Glacier Gardens without a tour?
The lower botanical garden is open for self-guided exploration after the guided tour. The tour itself is the main experience and covers the Flower Towers and Thunder Mountain viewpoint.
More Juneau & Southeast Alaska Articles
- Alaska Wildflowers: 30+ Species, Photos & Where to Find Them
- Alaska Trees: A Complete Field Guide to Every Species
- Hummingbirds in Alaska: Little Bird in Big Country
- Poisonous Plants & Berries in Alaska: What to Avoid in the Wild
- Edible Mushrooms in Alaska: What to Pick, What’s Deadly
- Whale Watching in Juneau Alaska
- Petersburg Alaska: Essential Guide
- Creek Street Ketchikan