Matanuska Valley
This area is somewhat of a secret treasure offering a huge range of outdoor activities: glacier trekking, whitewater rafting and kayaking, ice climbing, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing, flight seeing and more. You could easily spend a week in the valley and not do it all.
There are many places to stay, towns to meet all of your needs, dining options and most other services. All within 2 hours of Anchroage.
Wasilla is a rapidly growing town with most services and is sort of the commercial center of the area. Palmer is still a rather quiet farm town actually founded as a colony in the 30's. Quite a few historic buildings and picturesque farms in the area.
Driving north on the Glenn Highway along the Matanuska River you'll pass through Sutton, Chickaloon and Hicks Creek as the scenery gets more and more spectacular. Each liitle "town" has an establishment with it's own local character.
The Matanuska Valley is the place to go for adventure...raft the fast and cold river, walk on a glacier, climb rock and ice, go hiking and biking or do it all.
Things to do ~
No trip to the valley would be complete without spending some time on
the glacier that carved it out. There are some great views from the Glenn
Highway but you can drive right up and touch it via the private Glacier
Park at Mile 102.
MICA Guides can get you out on the ice safely
using their experienced guides and mountaineering equipment. Fun hikes
for the family and ice climbing classes for the adventurous.
Go whitewater rafting with the local experts at NOVA River Runners. Family trips on the Matanuska and challenging runs on other nearby rivers.
There's excellent hiking and spectacular scenery at Hatcher's Pass, high in the Talkeetna mountains. There are also great trails for hiking and mountain biking along the highway from Sutton on north. You'll see the trailhead signs.
Good rock climbing can be found at Hatcher's Pass and along the Glenn Highway as it climbs above the river.
Exposure Alaska offers fully guided trips in the area that include ice climbing, hiking, backpacking and fly-in adventures in the backcountry.
Where to stay ~
Alaska Gold Rush B&B is convenient to Hatcher's Pass and many other activities in the Valley. Castle Mountain B&B is tucked off the highway with great views near Chickaloon. Tundra Rose B&B is up near the glacier right next to great food and a place for your RV at Grandview. A little further up the highway with still more stunning views is Sheep Mountain Lodge with cabins and a fine restaurant.
