diff --git a/CHANGES.md b/CHANGES.md
index f97cca195..5ba5aa5b5 100644
--- a/CHANGES.md
+++ b/CHANGES.md
@@ -8,6 +8,9 @@ v0.13.0 (unreleased)
   precision required given the separation of world coordinate values.
   [#1500]
 
+* Remove back/forward tools in Matplotlib viewer toolbars to
+  declutter. [#1505]
+
 * Added a new component manager that makes it possible to rename,
   reorder, and remove components, as well as better manage derived
   components, including editing previous equations. [#1479]
diff --git a/glue/viewers/matplotlib/qt/tests/test_toolbar.py b/glue/viewers/matplotlib/qt/tests/test_toolbar.py
index 99e5d7cc5..d3207e0fb 100644
--- a/glue/viewers/matplotlib/qt/tests/test_toolbar.py
+++ b/glue/viewers/matplotlib/qt/tests/test_toolbar.py
@@ -89,10 +89,6 @@ def test_change_mode(self):
         assert self.viewer.toolbar.active_tool.tool_id == 'mpl:zoom'
         assert self.viewer.toolbar._mpl_nav.mode == 'zoom rect'
 
-        self.viewer.toolbar.actions['mpl:back'].trigger()
-        assert self.viewer.toolbar.active_tool is None
-        assert self.viewer.toolbar._mpl_nav.mode == ''
-
         self.viewer.toolbar.actions['test'].trigger()
         assert self.viewer.toolbar.active_tool.tool_id == 'test'
         assert self.viewer.toolbar._mpl_nav.mode == ''
diff --git a/glue/viewers/matplotlib/qt/toolbar.py b/glue/viewers/matplotlib/qt/toolbar.py
index 6f90d70f7..314ffdb6e 100644
--- a/glue/viewers/matplotlib/qt/toolbar.py
+++ b/glue/viewers/matplotlib/qt/toolbar.py
@@ -13,8 +13,7 @@
 else:
     from matplotlib.backends.backend_qt4 import NavigationToolbar2QT
 
-__all__ = ['HomeTool', 'SaveTool', 'BackTool', 'ForwardTool', 'PanTool',
-           'ZoomTool', 'MatplotlibViewerToolbar']
+__all__ = ['HomeTool', 'SaveTool', 'PanTool', 'ZoomTool', 'MatplotlibViewerToolbar']
 
 
 class HomeTool(Tool):
@@ -51,34 +50,6 @@ def activate(self):
         self.toolbar.save_figure()
 
 
-class BackTool(Tool):
-
-    def __init__(self, viewer, toolbar=None):
-        super(BackTool, self).__init__(viewer=viewer)
-        self.tool_id = 'mpl:back'
-        self.icon = get_icon('glue_back')
-        self.action_text = 'Back'
-        self.tool_tip = 'Back to previous view'
-        self.toolbar = toolbar
-
-    def activate(self):
-        self.toolbar.back()
-
-
-class ForwardTool(Tool):
-
-    def __init__(self, viewer, toolbar=None):
-        super(ForwardTool, self).__init__(viewer=viewer)
-        self.tool_id = 'mpl:forward'
-        self.icon = get_icon('glue_forward')
-        self.action_text = 'Forward'
-        self.tool_tip = 'Forward to next view'
-        self.toolbar = toolbar
-
-    def activate(self):
-        self.toolbar.forward()
-
-
 class PanTool(CheckableTool):
 
     def __init__(self, viewer, toolbar=None):
@@ -147,12 +118,6 @@ def setup_default_modes(self):
         save_mode = SaveTool(self.parent(), toolbar=self._mpl_nav)
         self.add_tool(save_mode)
 
-        back_mode = BackTool(self.parent(), toolbar=self._mpl_nav)
-        self.add_tool(back_mode)
-
-        forward_mode = ForwardTool(self.parent(), toolbar=self._mpl_nav)
-        self.add_tool(forward_mode)
-
         pan_mode = PanTool(self.parent(), toolbar=self._mpl_nav)
         self.add_tool(pan_mode)