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Activities |
- Wildlife Viewing
- Sportfishing
- Hiking and Biking Trails
- Winter Activities
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Hot Ideas for Cool Days and Nights |
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Eagle River / Palmer |
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Hatcher Pass |
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Further up the Glenn Highway |
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Parks Highway: Wasilla |
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Big Lake / Houston |
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Talkeetna |
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Petersville Road, Denali State Park |
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| | | Wildlife Viewing | | |
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The Valley is home to a wide variety of Alaska's wildlife. Moose are plentiful as are a wide variety of birds and waterfowl, including the bald eagle. It is not unusual to see a black bear, even in populated areas. Wolves, rabbits, fox, mink, lynx, beaver, muskrats, porcupines, and squirrels are frequently seen. Denali State Park, located in the foothills of the Alaska Range, is a haven for moose, caribou, fox, Dall sheep, wolves, mountain goats, marmots, lynx and many species of birds.
Moose
Moose are found all over the Mat-Su Valley. Keep an eye on the rivers and ponds just off our highways for a chance to see these large creatures. Winter is a particularly good time to spot them as well. The Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge is a likely place to see moose. Fun Fact: Moose are actually part of the deer family and can run up to speeds of 35 mph.
Caribou
These relatives of the reindeer are found in the northern and eastern reaches of the Mat-Su. Caribou travel in impressive herds along the Denali Highway and near Lake Louise off the Glenn Highway.
Fun Fact: Caribou travel greater distances each year than any other land mammal - up to 3,000 miles.
Bear
Both brown bear and black bear can be found in the valley. Spotting bears is easiest on a flightseeing tour or by hiking off the main road system. However, you want to keep your distance when viewing bears and take the necessary precautions by making noise while hiking so as not to surprise a bear! Fun Fact: Bears have good eyesight. They can see colors, form, and movement but prefer to trust their more sensitive senses of smell and hearing.
Birds
From bald eagles to hawks and owls to swans, many beautiful and graceful birds can be found on our turf. Loons call many of the area lakes home. Listen for their haunting calls from dusk to twilight. A popular viewing area to see a variety of birds is at the Palmer Hay flats State Game Refuge. Fun Fact: Over 468 species of birds have been identified in Alaska.
Dall Sheep
Opportunities to see Dall Sheep are the best off the Glenn Highway at Sheep Mountain, high in the Talkeetna and Chugach Mountain ranges. Bring your binoculars though; these animals blend right in with the surrounding rocks. Fun Fact: To determine the age of a male Dall sheep, count the number of rings on its curls horns. Top
Sportfishing
For the avid fly fishing enthusiast or causal bank-side angler, Mat-Su Valley lakes, creeks and rivers provide a rich smorgasbord of Alaska fishing trip opportunities. Easy as numerous roadside pulloffs or adventuresome as chartering a small airplane to a secluded lake surrounded by mountain scenery. Visit roadside tackle shops, fish with Alaskan guides for a day, or stay at world-class fishing lodges. Mat-Su Valley fish species you can catch include silver salmon, King salmon, lake trout, rainbow trout, Arctic char / Dolly Varden, Arctic grayling, Northern pike and more. .
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Hiking and Biking Trails
There are miles and miles of excellent hiking and biking trails throughout the Mat-Su Valley. Below is a list of some of the more popular trail systems ranging from moderately easy to difficult.
Moderately Easy:
West Butte - Palmer
Snowbird Mine Village - Hatcher Pass
Byers Lake - Denali State Park
Crevasse Moraine - Palmer
Moderately Difficult:
Lazy Mountain - Palmer
Lower Reed Lake - Hatcher Pass
Gold Mint Trail - Hatcher Pass
Difficult:
Matanuska Peak - Palmer
Upper Reed Lake - Hatcher Pass
Kesugi Ridge - Denali State Park
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Winter Ideas for the Mat-Su
HOT IDEAS FOR COOL DAYS AND NIGHTS
Snowshoe along forest trails and across frozen lakes. Unwind in a lakeside cabin or chalet rental for a weekend. Browse local art galleries. Watch the aurora borealis on a cold, clear night. Snowmobile along groomed trails from glistening lakes to snowcapped mountains. Visit a sled dog kennel and take a sled dog ride on the wild side! Explore the unique offerings of Valley gift shops and antique stores. Look for winter wildlife throughout the Valley. Ice skate on Valley lakes. Discover the backcountry by guided ski trek. Enjoy the warmth and hospitality of a Valley bed and breakfast. Flightsee above glaciers and mountains on a clear winter's day. Hold a staff retreat at a remote alpine lodge.
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| EAGLE RIVER / PALMER |
- Cross-country ski on the groomed trails at Crevasse-Moraine (10K), Lazy Mountain (4.5K), Matanuska River Park (2.5K) and Colony High School (6.5K). Sled on the Crevasse-Moraine Trail, located off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.
- Ice-fish for landlocked salmon, rainbow trout, and arctic char at Finger Lake.
- Make an appointment to visit the Musk Ox Farm.
- Find and cut your own Christmas tree. Map available from Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry.
- Flightsee Knik Glacier and Chugach State Park.
- Enjoy fireworks, sleigh rides and Santa's reindeer at Palmer's annual Colony Christmas held at the end of the second week in December.
- Snowmachine from Jim Creek all the way to Knik Glacier. Explore the many trails in the Knik River area.
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| HATCHER PASS |
- Hatcher Pass is a favorite destination for winter fun in Southcentral Alaska. The area receives the first blanket of snow every winter and maintains it well into the spring.
- Eat a gourmet meal, listen to live music and spend the night at the Pass. The next day, snowmachine over Hatcher Pass all the way to Willow.
- Enjoy groomed Nordic cross-country ski trails at Independence and Gold Cord Mines (pay $5 donation at Hatcher Pass Lodge for trail maintenance). Explore other favorite trails up to Reed Lake, Reed Lake Falls, and Bomber Glacier. Or, take the Gold Mint Trail (from the Motherlode at the end of the state parking lot).
- Skijor with your favorite hound along Archangel Road.
- Warm up at Hatcher Pass Lodge while eating hearty, healthy fare or sipping coffee and cognac from the full bar. Enjoy a high altitude sauna.
- Telemark virgin powder in the Talkeetna Mountains.
- Spend the night at nearby bed and breakfasts after stopping for all your trail supplies at Turner's Corner.
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| FURTHER UP THE GLENN HIGHWAY |
- Snowmobile or cross-country ski the King River Trail System. Access is at Mile 67 Glenn Highway.
- Enjoy mountain scenery along the Glenn Highway all the way to Matanuska Glacier. Glacier Park Resort, Mile 102 Glenn Hwy., will open to allow access the glacier if you call in advance.
- Snowmachine on trails out of Chickaloon (Mi. 67), Purinton Creek (Mi. 90.1), Hicks Creek (Mi. 96.6), and Eureka Summit (Mi. 102).
- Spend the weekend at Lake Louise, a popular year-round resort featuring numerous snowmobile runs and winter festivities. The junction to Lake Louise is located at Mile 159.8 Glenn Hwy.
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| PARKS HIGHWAY: WASILLA |
- Visit the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters (open year-round) and cheer on the mushers as you watch the Iditarod Restart in March.
- Kick up your heels at the Iditarod Days Festival set for ten days prior to the restart of the Iditarod. Fireworks, ice hockey tournament, trade/craft fair, Murder Mystery Dinner and of course, the restart of the Iditarod Race.
- Be there for the Iron Dog Snowmachine Race 2000 -the world's longest. Covers 2,274 miles of unforgiving Alaskan terrain from Wasilla to Nome and back.
- When your mind turns to "mush", climb aboard a dog sled and hit the trail with local dog mushers.
- View the best of community theatre at the Valley Performing Arts Theater.
- Utilize the climbing wall, free weights, exercise equipment and group classes at The Alaska Club in the Valley.
- Go to the movies at the Mat-Su Cinema.
- Play indoor soccer, run laps on the track or shoot some hoops at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex.
- Shop at Wasilla's retail havens: All I Saw Cookware, Town Square Art Gallery, Gold Rush Jewelers and Double J Mining to name a few.
- Enjoy the Old Wasilla Historic Town Site and catch up on local history at the adjacent Dorothy G. Page Museum.
- Meet the great machines of Alaska's past at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry.
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| BIG LAKE / HOUSTON |
- Celebrate two weekends of winter fun at the Willow Winter Carnival-last weekend of January, first weekend in February. Highlights include: sled dog, skijoring, snowshoe and x-c ski races, dog weight pull contests, sawing contests, snowmobile events, golf tournament and much more!
- Take a guided snowmobile excursion starting at Susitna Landing or flightsee the Valley with Willow Air or Denali Flying Service, Mile 70 Parks Hwy.
- Mush dogs and take a kennel tour at Susitna Dog Tours and B & B. Catch the action of Montana Creek Dog Musher races from mid-November to the beginning of January at Mile 95 Parks Hwy.
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| TALKEETNA |
- Park your car and stroll through historic downtown. Enjoy friendly atmosphere, log cabins, and the aromas of wood smoke and homemade bread.
- Take an invigorating dog sled ride with one of the upper Susitna Valley sled dog tour companies. For a true Alaskan back-country experience, stay at one of the remote lodges in the upper Susitna Valley, traveling by dog team, snowmobile, or ski plane to the wilderness.
- Fly with one of Talkeetna's air services for views of Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range. Early morning or late afternoon flights are great for photographing the spectacular pink alpenglow on the peaks. Look for moose, too.
- Enjoy "Winterfest," a month long Christmas celebration every December that includes the famous Wilderness Woman Competition and Bachelor Auction.
- Bring your camera and art supplies on clear, winter days. Set up your tripod or easel at the scenic overlook just south of Talkeetna for the best panoramic view of Mt. McKinley.
- View northern lights away from the big city. The clear, dark nights of February, March and April are best for aurora borealis sightings. Look for the lights between midnight and 3 AM, especially during the new moon phase of the month. Filming northern lights with Mt. McKinley as a back drop.
- Tour the only wax museum in Alaska at the Museum of Northern Adventure in downtown Talkeetna with 24 panoramic scenes and figures of exciting eras, historic events and colorful characters of the Far North.
- Browse the downtown Talkeetna gift shops; all have fine handcrafted items by local and Alaskan craftspeople. Hundreds of artists are represented.
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| PETERSVILLE ROAD, DENALI STATE PARK |
- Drive north to Trapper Creek for crisp, clear Denali views. Hold on to your sanity until it's time for the Cabin Fever Reliever celebration the fourth Saturday of March.
- Explore the Petersville Road system of backcountry lodges by snowmobile and plan to spend the night at Trapper Creek Bed and Breakfast, Gate Creek Cabins or Tokosha Mountain Lodge.
- Hit the backcountry of Denali State Park on a guided cross-country ski trip.
- Fly in or snowmobile to Winterlake Lodge, the Finger Lake check point on the Iditarod Trail, for nordic skiing, dog mushing, snowmobiling and Kirsten Dixon's gourmet cuisine. Open November 15 to April 15.
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Contact : Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
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