Mat-Su Valley Blog

At this time of year, we often get asked, "Is Hatcher Pass open, even though there's not much snow in Wasilla?" The answer is YES! And to be honest, it's a great time to visit one of Alaska's most scenic places. Hatcher Pass remains open year-round, although with a few caveats. The road that leads...

It's just like clockwork. Autumn colors return to The Mat-Su Alaska and the fall bird migration begins. As soon as snows appear in our Glacier View area, massive flocks of snow geese take to the skies and start heading southward. This is just one of many bird species that spend their summers in...

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...

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...

Every spring, thousands of migrating raptors are funneled through a passage between the Mat-Su Valley's great mountain ranges in the Glacier View area. Fields of lingering snow reflect that brilliant northern sunlight upward, casting a glow on the passing birds of prey that fill the skies from March...

When people tell us about the adventures they'd like to have in Alaska, it's amazing how often they assume the activity is not for them because they've never done it before. That shouldn't make an activity feel unapproachable, though! Remember that ice climbers, white water rafters, backpackers,...

Many of us have already seen and photographed them this season. That's right, they're back! With the return of starry night skies comes a new season - aurora watching. Every fall and winter, eager aurora chasers are able to find this celestial wonder dancing across the sky in the Mat-Su Valley. As...

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...

I recently took a canoe trip down the Little Susitna River (Little Su) in the Mat-Su Valley. Getting out into nature always recharges my batteries and the Mat-Su Valley has "chargers" to spare when it comes to natural beauty. I'm often hiking the trails or photographing the abundant wildlife around...

April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day around the world, a time to reflect on the importance the environment has on our surroundings. And as we quickly transition from winter to summer, now is a perfect time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors to refresh yourself. Our Alaska State Parks system...