Visitor Guide
Come Experience Alaska with us! View Mat-Su Valley's Visitor Guide.
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Find lodging, dining, activities, attractions and more in each region of the Mat-Su Valley. More Info
5-Night Mat-Su Base Camp
An Alaskan tour that captures the best of Alaska without the long distance travel each day. Make the most of your vacation and make the Mat-Su Valley your Base Camp for Adventure.
Day - 1
Take an airboat trip to remote Knik Glacier. Not accessible to large group tours, your scenic journey will be upclose to a calving glacier face. Eat lunch on the moraine of the glacier. Visit the Iditarod Headquarters and learn about the internationally famous 1000-mile race to Nome. Overnight in Wasilla.
Day - 2
Spend a day enjoying history and beauty of Hatcher Pass. Start by taking a guided tour of Independence Mine Historical State Park and learn about the gold rush in the early 1900's. Then take a hike on one of Alaska's most popular trails in the high alpine tundra. Return to Palmer and visit the Showcase Garden at the Palmer Visitor Center and discover the agricultural roots of the Mat-Su Valley by visiting the Colony House Museum. Overnight in Palmer.
Day - 3
Head up the Glenn Highway, a National Scenic Byway, to Mile 100 and explore the magnificent Matanuska Glacier, the largest road accessible glacier in Alaska. Walk and take pictures of the ancient ice or take a guided tour by professionals who will outfit you and teach you about the ice formations. In the afternoon ride the whitewater rapids of the Matanuska River for an exhilarating adventure. Return to Palmer and overnight.
Day - 4
Drive north to the quaint town of Talkeetna known as the base camp of Mt. McKinley. You will hear many different languages in the cafes on main street during the climbing season of May - July when over 1000 climbers will attempt the summit of North America's tallest peak. You can take a scenic flightseeing trip and summit Mt. McKinley yourself. Even land on a glacier at base camp and experience the climbers return from their 3-week journey. Visit the Denali Ranger Station in Talkeetna and learn more. After a gourmet lunch at one of Talkeetna's cafes, take a scenic jetboat ride up the Susitna River and watch for wildlife and photograph Mt. McKinley. Overnight in Talkeetna.
Day - 5
Spend a day on the world-class salmon rivers that surround Talkeetna. Hire a local guide for a ½ day or full-day of memorable fishing. They will even clean and fillet your salmon and send it to your home so you can share the memories with your family and friends at your own salmon bake. Overnight in Talkeetna.
Day - 6
Depart for Anchorage.
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Helpful resources
So you're planning a trip to Alaska and need some help getting started. You've come to the right place! More Info
Maps and more
Find Alaska Highway maps and mileage chart for distances between destination points within the Mat-Su… More Info
Great outdoors
Discover more about boating, rafting, fishing, flightseeing and how to get into the backcountry of… More Info
Denali Flightseeing
Alaska's majestic scenery appears magnified from a Cessna window and the vantage point makes for good… More Info
glaciers
You can see a glacier just about anywhere in Alaska. But in the Mat-Su Valley, you can actually get out… More Info
Alaska Rafting
Uncover hidden jewels only accessible by boat. Hover in rapids through canyons, see glaciers calve fall… More Info
Dining in Mat-Su
Fine dining to cafes and everything in between. Don't be surprised if your portions are Alaska-sized.… More Info
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Yahoo Mat-Su! Where Alaska comes to play
The Mat-Su Valley is your place for adventure. From flightseeing Mount McKinley to rafting the Matanuska River, excitement is right around every corner. Spectacular views abound, from mountains to glaciers to wildlife. Conveniently located 35 miles north of Anchorage, your Alaska experience begins when you get to the Mat-Su Valley. Spend a day exploring Hatcher Pass, test your luck fishing or take advantage of the bountiful hiking. The Mat-Su Valley - where Alaska comes to play!
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You'll find a wide variety of lodging options to fit your preferences and budget. Choose from comfo...
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View our online vacancy report.
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Looking for an event to attend? Our calendar of events will give you many options to choose from.
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Alaska adventure is everywhere in the Mat-Su Valley! Summer and winter you will find a wide variety...
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Three mountain ranges... 2,000 miles of trails... thousands of lakes... hundreds of miles of rivers...
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Choose from fine dining to down home cafes and everything in between. Many of these restaurants use...
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Mark the occasion of your Alaska visit with a special keepsake that tells the story of your adventu...
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Alaska winters are spectacular in the Mat-Su Valley. Alpenglow sunsets over Denali, winter ice fish...
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Check out our brand new Visitors Guide!