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 right, we're not mincing words here. The Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway is, hands down, the best. You may think I'm biased because I live near this route. I suppose that's fair, but just you check it out for yourself and tell me I'm wrong!
If you're driving the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway, you've likely already enjoyed the scenic agricultural landscape of Palmer, Alaska and you're heading north to catch a glimpse of the nation's largest road accessible glacier (more on that in a moment). The Glenn Highway (Hwy 1) traces along the glacier-fed Matanuska River through the historic communities of Sutton, Chickaloon, and Glacier View. This river carves its way through awesome mountain terrain that glows with a broad spectrum of greens in summer, and slumbers under a glowing blanket of snow in winter. Look for ideally-placed pull-outs along your way to capture some epic photos of the topography and this great river that fuels it.
The Glenn Highway has some rich cultural history that dates back over a thousand year! Visit Alpine Historical Park in Sutton. The highway also has scenic trailheads with interpretive signs that teach more about the natural history of this region. The Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site has an exceptional wealth of information about how ancient glacier ice shaped the land.
Recreation along this route includes leisurely trail hikes, whitewater rafting, ziplining, glacier treks and ice climbing, helicopter tours, and ATV or snowmobile tours (depending on the season). Oh, and I forgot skiing. Oh, and ice cave exploring. You know what? the list of activities is huge!
Growing nationally in popularity is a very unique event that takes place every Fourth of July in the Glacier View area. The annual car launch promises an exhibition of old cars careening over a towering precipice to the joyous hollers of spectators below. If you're driving through that first week of July, you may want to sneak a peek at this one-of-a-kind celebration.
The most widely known attraction along the Glenn Highway, but certainly not the only one of its caliber, is the Matanuska Glacier. Visible from the highway at multiple locations, this gigantic ice flow is approachable by car! Boasting towering pillars of ice and melt pools that redefine the color blue, the Matanuska Glacier threatens to fill even the largest SD card with epic photos. My recommendation is to connect with the pros who guide treks or flight tours to some of the most breathtaking spots on this glacier. It may very well become the highlight of your Alaska vacation.
I haven't mentioned the wildlife yet, my favorite aspect of the Glenn Highway. Alaska's Dall Sheep can be spotted in the mountains north of the highway, especially near Caribou Creek (mile 107) and Sheep Mountain Lodge (mile 113.5). Look for pullouts and bring binoculars. I almost always spot sheep on my drives. Other wildlife frequenting the roadside include moose, coyotes, fox, caribou, snowshoe hare, even black bears! My favorite creatures to enjoy on this route, though, are the predatory birds that migrate through and nest in this region every year. Bald eagles, northern hawk owls, and peregrine falcons are just a few. The annual Gunsight Mountain Hawkwatch event every April is enough to make a birder out of anyone!
If you're looking for a packaged Alaska tour or joining a small group tour through The Mat-Su Alaska, ask and make sure they're including this route on their trip. If you're curious about driving your own RV, or a rental vehicle, know that this is a very viable option. Most of the major roadways to Alaska's popular attractions and destinations are paved and maintained. The Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway is one of these well-maintained routes. For my part, a self-drive adventure along this route is extremely rewarding. No matter how you get there, though, the region will certainly be a major highlight of your Alaska trip.
