Matanuska Glacier

Along Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway, the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site provides easy hiking trails with scenic glacier views. Visitors wanting to experience the glacier up close can explore the private Matanuska Glacier Park on their own in summer or as part of a guided hiking tour year-round.

Unguided glacier access is limited to only a small area of the glacier, so those who want to explore more of the glacier will need to book a guided tour. Tours are available for all ability levels, and most tours cater to the physical abilities of the group.

• A visit to the Matanuska Glacier is a perfect day trip from Anchorage.

• Unguided access to the glacier is only available during the summer months.

• Guided tours include the use of crampons, helmets, and trekking poles—but it’s a good idea to bring hiking boots.

• Don’t forget sunglasses, as light reflecting off the glaciers can be blinding.

The Glacier lies near the Matanuska River about two hours northeast of Anchorage via the Glenn Highway. You’ll be able to spot the glacier for miles as you approach the park, and there are several scenic viewpoints along the highway where you can stop and enjoy the views. If you’re without a rental car, glacier trekking tours can include round-trip transportation from Anchorage.

Matanuska Glacier tours are available year-round, but unguided access is only available in the summer. The glacier functions as a weather hole, forcing warm air from the valley upward, meaning visitors during the summer months can expect sunnier skies and warmer temps than the valley below. Winter tours may require the use of a snowmobile to get to the base of the glacier, and it can definitely be chilly, so dress in plenty of layers.

The Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway stretches 135 miles (217 kilometers) from downtown Anchorage into the mountains, glaciers, and wilds of Alaska. The Glenn Highway follows a path cut by the ancient Matanuska Glacier and is considered one of the most scenic drives in Alaska. Highlights include the Caribou Creek Recreational Mining Area, Sheep Mountain Dall Sheep Reserve, and the Lionhead, once the site of an ancient volcano.

Yes, a Matanuska Glacier tour is highly recommended, but you’ll need to go with a guide if you want to visit. Tours are not only much safer, but also give you a chance to ask questions and learn about the glacier from a guide who knows it well.

No, you can’t go to Matanuska Glacier on your own. You used to be able to take a self-guided tour, however today you have to explore as part of a tour for safety reasons. Most tours include equipment that makes walking on the glacier easier.

You’ll need around 2-3 hours at the Matanuska Glacier. This includes the hike in, which usually takes around 20 minutes. Most glacier tours last from morning until evening, to make time for the 2-hour drive each way from Anchorage, so it’s best to budget an entire day.

No, you can’t walk on the Matanuska Glacier without joining a tour. In the past, you were allowed to take self-guided tours, but today you need to join a tour to visit the glacier for safety reasons. Most tours include round-trip transport from Anchorage.

The Matanuska Glacier hike is not too strenuous and is recommended for travelers with a moderate fitness level—it usually takes around 20 minutes to reach the glacier from the trailhead. The entire loop is 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometers) long. Make sure you take water, wrap up warm, and wear sturdy footwear.

The hike to Matanuska Glacier takes around 20 minutes via the Matanuska Glacier Trail, a loop of 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometers). Guided tours usually take a bit longer as they include plenty of time at the glacier to take photos and learn about its geology.