Mat-Su Valley Blog

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...

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...

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...

We are staring at June 1 next week, and already, weekend plans are filling up throughout the entire summer. This year more than ever before, it's important to get out and support local tourism businesses who are facing uncertain futures. Whether you take a flightseeing trip or just stop in at a...

Just because it's winter doesn't mean outdoor recreation comes to an end. There are adventures around every corner in the Valley, and a new program is designed to get people out and exploring the many opportunities to ski, snowshoe and fat tire bike this winter. The Winter Adventure Book is now...

Thanks to the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation, a wide range of Mat-Su area trail maps are available in a convenient smartphone app. OuterSpatial is available for both iOS and Android platforms. It is a national app, but delivers localized content based on user's location. For the Mat-Su Valley,...

Alaskans love summer, for good reason. But don't sleep on fall - there's a ton of great activities going on in the Mat-Su Valley in late September and early October. Here are five of our favorite things to do once summer is over, but winter is still a month or two down the road: 1. Take a hike....

Reserving a public-use cabin in the Mat-Su Valley just got easier and more convenient. The Alaska State Parks are now offering online reservations for all Mat-Su area public-use cabins, as well as spots at two popular campgrounds. The new system was put in place a few weeks ago. The public-use...

The Nancy Lakes State Recreation Area is one of the crown jewels of the Alaska State Parks system and offers visitors a multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities, from canoeing and kayaking to fishing, birding, wildlife viewing and hiking. The area is located off the Parks Highway (Hwy. 3) near...

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...