Mat-Su Valley Blog

Palmer's history comes alive in a new photo collection project by the Palmer Museum of History and Art. The Matanuska Valley Historical Photo Project is an online database that is available to the public that contains the best photographs from the museum's collection of more than 10,000. The...

The Alaska State Fairgrounds is the place to be this weekend, as the Alaska Chicks Vintage Market takes place Friday through Sunday. The Vintage Market is typically held in the spring, but this year due to Covid-19, was moved to a summer date. The market has grown in popularity to become a can't...

Don't have a weekend to devote to hiking? That's not a problem in the Wasilla and Palmer area, as there are several great hiking opportunities just minutes from town. Here are our five favorites: 1. Hatcher Pass This is an easy choice! There are countless ways to explore Hatcher Pass, and there are...

The Palmer Midsummer Garden & Arts Faire truly celebrates all things Alaska this weekend in downtown Palmer. The faire is one of Palmer's best annual events, with activities taking place throughout the downtown area. This year the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event. The event...

Visitors to Independence Mine can explore more than ever before thanks to new private and customizable tours being offered by Salmon Berry Tours, the park's concessionaire this summer. Salmon Berry Tours currently has three buildings open to the public - there is no cost (other than parking) to...

A hidden gem in the Valley's trail system is also one of it's newest - Settlers Bay Coastal Park, just eight miles from Wasilla. The 295-acre Settlers Bay Coastal Park features something for nearly every outdoor recreationalist - hiking trails, mountain biking, views of the Chugach Mountains and the...

After a delay to start the summer, one of Palmer’s best small-town traditions is back – Friday Fling. Starting tomorrow (June 19), downtown Palmer is the place to be every Friday through September 11. The event has added four more weeks to its schedule to make up for the delay and to extend into the...

Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass is opening June 18, and it will be a whole new experience for visitors to one of Southcentral Alaska's most popular destinations. Salmon Berry Travel and Tours, a leading Alaska-owned tour operator based in Anchorage, was awarded the contract to operate the...

The Mat-Su Valley is filled with adventures around every turn in the road, but how much do you know about the area? Here are five facts that may come as a surprise to many. Size The Mat-Su Borough encompasses 25,000 square miles, all the way north to Denali State Park along the Glenn Highway, and...

Right beside one of the busiest highways in Alaska, the Glenn Highway, you'll find peace and serenity at Reflections Lake, which is one of the Mat-Su Valley's hidden gems. The lake is located at the Knik River Access ramp just north of Palmer on the Glenn Highway. Despite it being right beside the...