Glaciers in the Mat-Su

Matanuska Glacier (2 hours from Anchorage)

The Matanuska Glacier, a spectacular 27-mile-long and four-mile-wide river of ice, is one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers, visible from Mile 101 of the Glenn Highway. Its grandeur can be appreciated from the nearby Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site, while direct on-ice access is exclusively through guided tours.

Professional guides, who are out on the glacier daily, provide essential equipment such as crampons, helmets, and trekking poles, leading safe explorations of stunning features like blue ice, ice falls, and even ice caves. Fun Fact: The glacier boasts a unique microclimate, often enjoying sunnier skies than the rest of the Mat-Su Valley!

Visitor images of Matanuska Glacier

Knik Glacier (1 hour from Anchorage)

The Knik Glacier, averaging 200 feet thick with a three-mile-long face, is a vast, untouched wilderness experience. Unlike its road-accessible counterpart, Knik Glacier is not on Alaska's road system, making helicopter tours the most common and easiest way to access its pristine beauty. Visitors can also reach it via specialized vehicles like airboats or ATVs. 

Summer brings blue meltwater pools, perfect for paddleboarding, while the glacier offers thrilling ice climbing adventures throughout the year. The glacier has its own backstory, too—it once dammed the valley to form Lake George, a giant self-dumping lake that drained seasonally until the 1964 earthquake changed everything.

Visitor images of Knik Glacier

Plan Your Glacier Adventure in the Mat-Su

Mat-Su Valley glaciers offer once-in-a-lifetime adventures throughout the year, adapting to the dynamic seasonal changes. 

From May through September, you’ll find ideal conditions for general glacier excursions, hiking, and flightseeing, with extended daylight hours providing more time to explore. This is also when Knik Glacier's melt pools are at their most dazzling.

Winter brings the chance to explore naturally formed ice caves—fleeting formations that can only be accessed safely with certified guides. Winter also offers top-notch ice climbing opportunities and exciting snowmobile or dog sledding tours. The deep blue hues of glacial ice are particularly striking in the colder temperatures, offering a different, serene beauty. 

To ensure a safe and enriching glacier experience, booking a guided tour is highly recommended and often mandatory for on-ice access. 

Book a Glacier Tour

Scan the list of glacier tour operators below and seize the opportunity to explore ancient frozen landscapes in The Mat-Su. Begin planning your unforgettable journey today and discover the majestic wonders that await!