Mat-Su Valley Blog

This weekend, a uniquely Alaskan event takes place in downtown Talkeetna, as the famous Wilderness Woman competition and Talkeetna Bachelor Society Auction take place. This is part of the community's annual Talkeetna Winterfest. The festivities begin on Friday, Dec. 5, with a Christmas Tree...

If you’re planning a trip to Alaska, chances are Anchorage is on your radar. But just an hour north of the city lies one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets: The Mat-Su—a massive, wild playground packed with glaciers, alpine passes, charming towns, and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Here are 7...

Summer is officially here, and everyone is looking to get out and enjoy the sun. The Mat-Su Valley has countless ways to enjoy the great outdoors, but here are seven of our all-time favorites. 1. Head to Hatcher Pass. There may not be a more beautiful - and accessible - spot in Alaska! Whether you...

In a nutshell, national scenic byways are road routes recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation for their outstanding scenery and recreational significance. At the time of writing this, there were 184 such byways throughout the country. I'm going to tell you about the best one. That's...

This Thanksgiving, ditch Black Friday and opt for Small Business Saturday, a national movement to support small businesses by holiday shoppers. Not only can you get your holiday shopping done, you're helping support friends and neighbors. Small Business Saturday is part of a national "Shop Small"...

Many people don’t think of visiting the Mat-Su Valley in autumn. Peak visitor season for Alaska is June through August, but with less crowds and some beautiful weather still ahead, September feels like a local secret only Alaskans get to enjoy. The change in seasons means the long summer days of...

There is no shortage of scenic drives in the Mat-Su Valley. Hatcher Pass promises rushing water and rich history. The highway north to Denali State Park has some of the best views of North America's tallest peak. The Glenn Highway, with epic glacier views, is even a national scenic byway! There's a...

After a long and crazy winter, the weather is starting to turn, the snow is melting and our thoughts are naturally turning to summer adventures. Alaska summers seem to go way too fast, so we are making a checklist to make sure we get out and don't miss a thing this summer! With that in mind, here's...

Due to a landslide near Pretty Rocks, the Denali Park Road will be closed at Mile 43 of the 92-mile road this summer. While it won't be a usual summer in the park, there are a number of options available for visitors looking for a Denali experience. The Denali Highway connects Paxson and Cantwell...

Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass opens to the public on Friday, June 18, kicking off a summer of activity in one of the Mat-Su Valley's most iconic locations. Salmon Berry Travel and Tours, a leading Alaska-owned tour operator based in Anchorage, is operating the recreation area this summer for a...