Mat-Su Attractions
Alaska adventure is everywhere in the Mat-Su Valley! Summer and winter you will find a wide variety of options for things to do in the Mat-Su. Here are some ideas on activities and attractions in the Mat-Su Valley to get you going.Trail Mix - run, bike, or hike! With over 2,000 miles of trails to choose from, there are few limits to destinations, distances and degrees of difficulty. Hike around the historic mining region in Hatcher Pass. Explore the Talkeetna Mountains into a wilderness of tundra, alpine valleys and clear streams on an ATV, snowmobile or on foot by professional guide service.
Come on in, the water's fine! The Valley has lots of river miles, hundreds in fact. Fish for salmon, whitewater raft or float down gentle waters with an expert guide. Or paddle through the Nancy Lake trail system on a canoe you can rent on site. Lake Louise (off the Glenn Highway) is a premier year round hub for water activities, too.
Learn about the Locals. The restored townsite in Wasilla is a great place to start. Wander the buildings and visit the museum. In Palmer, discover its roots at the Palmer Museum of History and Art and the Colony House Museum. Take Talkeetna's 16-site historic town walking tour and see for yourself how the miners and trappers lived.
Marvel at North America's Highest Peak, 20,320 ft. Mt. McKinley, an item on nearly everyone's "things to see" list. Hike in Denali State Park on Kesugi or Curry Ridge for undisturbed vistas of the ‘High One'. Roadside pull offs provide safe areas to marvel at McKinley's grandeur. Take an aerial view on a flightseeing trip as you climb toward Denali's lofty summit. A for sure spiritual experience!
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Year Round Family Fun! Attractions in the Mat-Su Valley that have something to keep both the young and young-at-heart happy and entertained. Visit unique attractions like Musk Ox farms to learn about these animals and how their products contribute to Alaska's economy. Sample the "goods" at the Matanuska Creamery for fresh milk, cheese and ice cream. Take a sled dog cart ride and meet the pups at a working dog sled kennel.
More adventure ideas:
GlaciersMuseums
State Parks and Public Lands
Wildlife and Bird Viewing
e-Newsletter for Visitors
Find out what's happening in the Valley through the Mat-Su Valley Compass e-newsletter! Published once a month throughout the winter and bi-weekly in the summer, this newsletter points you in the right direction when visiting the Valley!Activity Availability Report - Available Online
So you have a little extra time in the Valley and are wondering what to do. Visit our online availability system at www.lodging-matsu.com for the latest information on available tours and attractions. Or stop by our Visitor Center to review the report updated daily.
Knik River Lodge
- 29979 E. Knik River Road
- Knik Glacier
- Palmer, AK 99645
- Phone: (907) 745-5002
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Wilderness cabins & helicopter tours. Deluxe cabins with great view. Private bath, large deck. Glacier landings, glacier dog sledding. Fine dining restaurant. more
Aurora Heli-Expeditions
- 29979 E Knik River Road
- Palmer, AK 99645
- Phone: (907) 707-0225
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Brown Jug, Inc.
- 509 W. Parks Highway
- Wasilla, AK 99654
- Phone: (907) 376-2300
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Alaska’s best prices, largest selection of fine wines, beer and spirits. Wasilla North – 376-5853, D&A Shop Rite shopping plaza. Wasilla South – 376-2300, 2521 E. Mtn. Village at Lowe’s on the Parks Highway. WHY PAY MORE! more
Burkeshore Marina
- PO Box 520150
- Big Lake, AK 99652
- Phone: (907) 892-6300
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Country Legends 100.9
- 5431 E. Mayflower #3
- Wasilla, AK 99654
- Phone: (907) 631-0493
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Denali Outdoor Center, Inc.
- Denali Park, Mile 240 Parks Hwy.
- Denali Park, AK 99755
- Phone: (907) 683-1925
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Denali Southside River Guides
- Mile 147 Parks Hwy, Denali State Park, Byers Lake Campground Day Use Area
- Talkeetna , AK 99676
- Phone: (907) 733-7238
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Float, Experience Explore ~~ Daily Rafting Float Trips ~~ Daily Kayak Tours on Byers Lake ~~ Combination full day kayak/raft trips ~~ Watch for resident trumpeter swans, loons & beavers. Paddle over pools of spawning salmon. Look for the bears and eagles that come to more
Denali View Raft Adventures
- 15669 E. Coffee Lane
- Talkeetna, AK 99676
- Phone: (907) 733-2778
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Deshka Landing Outdoor Association LLC
- 29691 W Deshka Landing Road
- Willow, AK 99688
- Phone: (907) 495-3374
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We provide year-round access to the Susitna River Drainage via our boat launch in the summer and snowmachine trails in the winter. more
Drifter's Lodge
- 18404 Sterling Highway
- PO Box 746
- Mile 48.3 Sterling Hwy.
- Cooper Landing, AK 99652
- Phone: (907) 595-5555
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Fishing on the Kenai Peninsula is world class for a reason: Variety, Abundance and Size. !/2 and Full Day Guided Salmon and Trophy Trout Demo Fishing Equiptment G Loomis, Ross, Shimanno. The Lodge is privileged to have assembled a remarkable group of more
Era Helicopters, LLC
- 238 Parks Highway
- Denali Park, AK 99502
- Phone: (907) 266-8351
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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!