Mat-Su Area Attractions / Wasilla and Palmer Activities
Hatchers Pass, Independance Mines State Park, Matanuska Glacier
Mat-Su Valley and Wasilla / Palmer Area Activities Not only does our valley have awesome Alaska fishing opportunities, it is also home to many interesting and beautiful sights to see and things to do. Visitors to this area always enjoy trips to the historic Hatchers Pass , the Independence Mine State Park, or the beautiful Summit Lakes area or to the majestic Matanuska Glacier.
Our Backyard The Mat-Su Valley is a beautiful and historic place to visit. There are lots of great sites and attractions to see and experience. We have listed just a few for you to look at in hopes that it will help you plan some additional time in the Mat Su Valley in the Wasilla and Palmer area. We hope you will go fishing with us and stay over a few extra days to enjoy our great backyard.
Mat-Su Valley Visitors Bureau The Mat-Su Visitors Bureau website has a wealth of information about our wonderful backyard.
Alaska State Fair Home of record-setting giant vegetables, beautiful gardens, Alaskan arts & crafts, the Alaska State Fair is renown for giant cabbages. The 2004 Fair "Garden Hearty Party" August 26th through September 6th.
Iditarod Dog Sled Race Headquarters Official Race Headquarters. Dog team rides 9-5 daily, (summer only). Gift shop/videos/museum open 8-7 daily (until mid-Sept.) Mile 2.2 Knik Road, Wasilla. Winter: 8-5, M-F (until mid-May).
Musk Ox Farm Experience these prehistoric arctic animals raised for their fine underwool. Daily guided tours Mother's Day-September, 10 AM-6 PM; Museum, gift shop, viewing area. Mile 50 Glenn Highway.
Hatchers Pass This website is designed to introduce Hatcher Pass to visitors whom plan to travel to the historic area. One of the most visited destinations by both locals and visitors, Hatcher’s Pass offers a true glimpse into the spirit of Alaska Pioneers.
Independance Mine State Park GOLD! A magic word that time cannot tarnish; a soft metal with the strength to forge history. Gold was the magnet that drew thousands of adventurers to the last frontier. Though most Alaskans recognize that gold played an important part in Alaska's history, they normally think first of Nome, Fairbanks, or the Iditarod country. But even before a quarter-of-a-million gold seekers began their stampede into those famous areas, gold was discovered just southeast of Anchorage in 1886. From there prospectors spread into the Susitna and Matanuska river basins, testing the creeks in the nearby mountains.
Summit Lakes Summit Lake State Recreation Site is located at mile 19 of Hatcher Pass Road, approximately 2 miles past the Independence Mine State Historic Park turnoff. Hatcher Pass Summit is in the park at an elevation of 3,886 feet. Road access to the park is limited to the summer months, usually July thru late September.
Matanuska Glacier Matanuska Glacier is 27 miles long, accessible by car & is only a two-hour drive from Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. There are spectacular views of the glacier from the highway before you reach the entrance to Glacier Park.
Eagle River Nature Center This center is located in Chugach State Park. Chugach State Park borders the eastern edge of Anchorage, Alaska. This web site is maintained by the non-profit corporation that runs the nature center.
The Mat-Su Valley Area Mountains There are four major mountain ranges you can see in the Mat-Su Valley: the Alaska, Chugach, Talkeetna and Wrangell-St. Elias mountain ranges.
Alaska Sealife Center - Seward, Alaska The Alaska SeaLife Center is dedicated to understanding and maintaining the integrity of the marine ecosystem of Alaska. We achieve our mission through research, rehabilitation, conservation and public education. The Center's research and rehabilitation facilities and naturalistic exhibits immerse visitors in the dynamic marine ecosystems of Alaska.
