At a whopping 27 miles long, the Matanuska Glacier is the largest glacier in America accessible by car. It’s also my favorite glacier in the world, which is why I wanted to share with you everything you need to know before visiting the Matanuska Glacier!
This valley glacier is found in the Mat-Su Valley and ends in the Matanuska River. You can pay to visit the glacier on a guided tour at certain times of the day and it is worth it! (More on that in a bit.)
The glowing ice-capped mountains and sparkling blue lakes are like the set of a movie brought to life. You may even be able to spot some rafters floating down one of the majestic rivers.
If I can give you an important piece of advice, it’s to remember to bring your camera at all costs.
This is one of the most remarkable trips you’ll ever take and you’re going to need lots of photos to show your friends!
Glaciers are always changing, so try not to rely too heavily on photos you may have seen before your trip. With ice collapsing and new crevasses opening up, you never know what you’re going to get when you arrive.
Appreciate the beauty of nature and the fact that no two photos of the Matanuska Glacier will ever be exactly the same. Your photos will be unique from a traveler who may have been to the glacier even just the month prior.
So grab your coat because we’re going to the Matanuska Glacier!
History of the Matanuska Glacier
Formed over 10,000 years ago, Matanuska Glacier is one of the most impressive glaciers in the world. It has receded over time, but despite climate change, the glacier hasn’t changed too much in the past few decades.
Originally occupied by the Athabaskan people, the origin of the name ‘Matanuska’ is still a mystery. It is believed to be derived from the Russian word ‘Matanooski’ which translates to “Copper River people,” but no one knows for sure.
At 27 miles long and 4 miles wide, Matanuska Glacier is one of Alaska’s most identifiable natural landmarks. It’s also a very popular tourist destination and one of the highlights of the state!
And you can check out some more epic glaciers to visit in Alaska on this post here!
Where is the Matanuska Glacier?
The Matanuska Glacier is in Glacier View, Alaska.
It makes for the perfect day trip if you’re staying in Palmer or Anchorage.
If you’re traveling from Palmer, it’s only an hour-and-a-half drive. If you’re traveling from Anchorage to the Matanuska Glacier, the journey is a little over two hours.
You can check out more perfect weekend getaways from Anchorage here!
Taking a day trip to the Matanuska Glacier from Anchorage or Palmer is no sweat, but staying in Glacier View is an unbeatable experience.
The quaint town of Glacier View has several lodging options, as well as some great dining options. For the best of both, I recommend the Majestic Valley Wilderness Lodge.
(Read about my favorite places to stay in the most popular Alaskan towns here!)
Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site
Let me just start this section by saying this is not where you hike to the glacier, though it seems like it would be.
Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site is at milepost 101 on the Glenn Highway Scenic Byway. The site extends out 300 acres and offers glacier viewing starting right at the parking lot.
You can not access the glacier from the recreation site, but it’s a great starting point for photos.
You can see the Matanuska Glacier from the road at the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site. This makes it a great place to stop if you want to take in the beauty of the glacier, but are unable to hike it.
The entrance to the Matanuska Glacier trekking area is just a bit further down the Glenn Highway if you’re heading east from Anchorage.
It’s here that you’ll get an up-close-and-personal experience with the glacier!
Getting to the Real Matanuska Glacier Trekking Area
The Matanuska Glacier hike is one of the most popular attractions in Alaska.
And interestingly enough, it is a privately-owned activity!
Tourists flock in every year to experience the once-in-a-lifetime trek. If you’re planning a trip to Alaska, then this ice climb should definitely be on your list of sights to see!
Can You Get Up-Close to Matanuska Glacier?
Just be aware that currently, Glacier Access is only allowed when you’re on a guided tour.
You can no longer hike the Matanuska Glacier without a guide, so call to request a guided glacier tour before you head out. You wouldn’t want to waste the opportunity to be a guest at the glacier, after all!
Glacier Tours is the company that runs Matanuska Glacier tours, and they do a great job of showcasing the beautiful landscape of this place. Their tours depart at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm.
You can also do a tour from Anchorage like this one, and they’ll handle everything you need, including getting you to the glacier.
If you opt to drive (it’s the perfect stop on an Alaska road trip, check out our itinerary here!), you’ll probably want to be in an SUV.
We rented an SUV from Thrifty Car Rental.
The road leading to the Matanuska Glacier is mostly unpaved. This gets especially tricky during the transition from winter to spring when slush covers the roads.
When you reach the part of the road that has a bunch of signs that say “glacier tour,” etc. on them, you’ve reached the right pull off.
Drive down a long, narrow, windy road until you reach the parking lot. (You’ll know you’re there when you see a boom gate- that pole barrier that prevents cars from going further.)
The Matanuska Guided Glacier Tour
A great thing about going on a guided tour is that they help keep you safe. This is especially important if you’re a first-timer visiting the glacier. They also provide you with climbing gear and show you parts of the glacier you wouldn’t find on your own.
Some things to expect when doing a guided tour are:
- Getting to access parts of the glacier you wouldn’t normally see
- Trekking with experts who will share their glacier knowledge with you
- Chance for you to try more adventurous glacier activities
- They provide the necessary gear for those adventurous activities (ie. ropes, crampons, a helmet, etc.)
- Group tour environment – you might make some new friends while you climb together!
- There’s a chance you’ll go into an ice cave if your guide sees one that day.
This is particularly true if you join the Glacier Tours Guided Tour.
You’ll get to spend your trip exploring basal and blue ice while your tour guide tells you all about the magnificent history and glaciology of Southcentral Alaska’s Matanuska Valley.
Your trek will eventually lead you to the terminus or the “end of the glacier”. This is where you and your guide will be able to venture into the spectacular world of glacial features like moulins, crevasses, open water streams, and conduits.
If there’s ever a time to take hundreds of photos to immortalize the moment, this is it!
How much does the Matanuska Glacier tour cost?
The Matanuska Glacier guided tour costs $150 per person, with the exception for residents and US military ($50) and children 14 and under ($30). That price includes all fees and equipment.
There are four tours a day at 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm.
How do you book a tour?
Call them at (907) 745-2534 or text them at (907) 232-9046 between 10am and 5pm AST.
What should I bring on my Matanuska Glacier hike?
First, let’s talk about what you don’t need to bring! You don’t need to bring crampons, since they will provide them, along with hiking sticks (if needed) and helmets. They carry crampons in youth size 1 through adult men’s size 16. If you don’t know what crampons are, they attach to your shoes and are like cleats for the snow, making your footing way more sturdy.
Bring a water bottle with you if you want to taste and bring back freshly melted glacier water that you’ll not get anywhere else!
Bring sunglasses and sunscreen (yes, you still need sunscreen in Alaska!), a hat, wear water-resistant hiking shoes or boots, and bring rain gear just in case. You never really know what the weather will do here- it can change very quickly!
Lastly, bring a light backpack that you can pack all of that stuff in!
And don’t forget your camera! Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on these spectacular photo opportunities. You can see what’s in my camera bag here!
The Matanuska Glacier Hike
The guided tours take about two to three hours depending on conditions, including the time you’ll spend stopping for photos and navigating the ice.
You can see the glacier from the parking lot, so it’s easy to see how much further you need to hike to reach it. But if you want a measure of time, it took about 20 minutes to hike from our car to the edge of the glacier ice.
Exploring the glacier takes up the majority of the time, and it is such a visual treat! You basically alternate among listening to your tour guide, carefully hiking along the ice (and sometimes on a rocky pathway on the glacier), and taking photos!
It’s an incredible experience with otherworldly views.
In the past, they offered self-guided tours, and you followed a series of yellow and orange cones that mark the path – like this one.
However, this is no longer needed with guided tours, considering the expert guides will lead you to where you and your group should go.
I will say that on the path we took, there were often areas that were very slippery! So be sure to trek with caution. However, the guides with you will make sure you’re only walking in safe areas.
When to Visit the Matanuska Glacier
You can visit Matanuska Glacier in any season but keep in mind temperatures are colder up there.
At 13,164 feet in elevation, the winters can be brutal up there. That being said, the views are quite stunning in the winter, so take that into consideration.
If you aren’t prepared for the icy chill of a glacier in the wintertime, however, go in the summer. You’ll need to dress a bit more lightly since it can get warm on the ice, especially during sunny days.
It’s important to note that, no matter the time of year, the weather can affect the amount of time you can spend at Matanuska Glacier.
Fortunately, its location in the Chugach Mountains gives it some of the best weather in Alaska year-round!
And let me tell you, it is worth the visit year-round, barring bad weather.
We visited at the very end of August and it was perfect! The leaves had started changing color, and it wasn’t even very cold!
Regardless of when you do the Matanuska Glacier hike, this glacier will definitely take your breath away.
Other Things to Do Around the Matanuska Glacier
Viewing the breathtaking beauty of the Matanuska Glacier is an experience all on its own.
However, there are several activities to choose from if you want to heighten your adventure.
During the summer months, glacier trekking, river rafting, and ziplining are the most common activities. Once winter hits, the most popular activities become skiing, snowshoeing, and snow machining.
No matter what you choose to do, you’re going to have an incredible time. Dress in warm layers, bring protective eyewear and get ready for an adventure.
Glacier Trekking
We already covered this one, but I’ll reiterate that this is one of the best things to do at the Matanuska Glacier!
Exploring a glacier by foot is an experience you will remember for the rest of your life. The Matanuska Glacier hike gives you the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of nature’s wonders and its icy blue waters, and the tour guide gives you valuable insider information that will make your trek more interesting.
River Rafting
You may think that a glacier is just a giant ice formation, but think again! Flowing from the Matanuska Glacier, the Matanuska River is just waiting for you to explore.
There are several tour companies you can raft with (like this one) that will provide you with everything you need and take you to the best spots.
Ziplining
For the ultimate adventure, ziplining is the way to go. Soar across the Alaskan wilderness while taking in views of the mountains around you.
Ziplining near the Matanuska Glacier is an epic experience- it actually features the fastest zipline in Alaska!
Naturally, this is a popular activity with tourists, so try to book your reservation in advance.
Skiing
During the winter, there are several trails you can use to go skiing at Matanuska Glacier. To get the most out of your experience, you should definitely go with a tour guide.
Not many people can say they went skiing down a glacier, so it’s definitely an awesome item to cross off your bucket list!
The lodge we stayed at also offers heli-skiing, so if jumping out of a helicopter wearing skis is more your pace, feel free! (It is most definitely not for me!)
Snowshoeing
It may sound extreme, but snowshoeing is essentially just hiking with different footwear.
It’s a great way to hike Matanuska Glacier in the winter, as the snowshoes help prevent your feet from sinking into the snow.
If you hike with a tour company, they will provide you with snowshoes and any other equipment you may need.
Snow Machining
Snow machining is a popular way to explore Matanuska Glacier in the wintertime. For those who aren’t fans of hiking, this is the perfect way to get around the glacier.
Snow machines are basically the snowy versions of ATVs and are a blast to ride around in.
In conclusion…
The Matanuska Glacier is one of the most remarkable examples of the natural beauty Alaska has to offer.
You’ll love it whether you’re a self-proclaimed thrill-seeker or simply someone who appreciates beauty,
Seeing the glacier is something out of a fairytale. The forest opens up to a stunning view of the icy blue Matanuska Glacier and it’s a moment you won’t soon forget.
Glaciers might not be around forever, so there’s no time like the present. In other parts of the world, the glaciers are receding so quickly that visitors can no longer touch them. Matanuska Glacier is still very much intact, but it will never again be as pristine as it is at this very moment.
To sum it up, you can choose from one of the many activities the glacier has to offer or take in the views from your car at the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site.
Many people who have traveled to multiple glaciers in their lives will tell you that the Matanuska Glacier hike makes it the best one. But don’t take my word for it, see for yourself!
Everyone should experience a glacier at least once in their lives. So, why not choose one of the most amazing ones in the world, especially when it happens to be right in our own backyard?
Have you ever done the Matanuska Glacier hike? Or do you have questions? Let me know in the comments!
And if you’re visiting Alaska, check out these other posts:
- The Ultimate Alaska Itinerary
- 33 Crucial Things to Know Before Visiting Alaska
- 50 Best Places to Visit in Alaska
- 18 Best Cities to Visit in Alaska
- 17 Beautiful Glaciers to Visit in Alaska
- Where to Stay in Alaska’s Most Popular Towns
Safe travels!
Jasmine
21 Responses
You did a great job writing this! People like you are so helpful when trying to plan trips. Thank you 🙂 and on a side note, you’re absolutely beautiful!
Thank you so much Brad, I’m so glad you found it helpful! And I appreciate the kind words!!!
Hi Jasmine – this article was very well written. I’m planning to take my son here in July, and had a question on transportation. You mentioned an SUV would be recommended during the winter-spring transition…would a “regular” car be sufficient in the summertime, or would a larger, high clearance vehicle still be necessary?
Many thanks!
Hi Eric! Thank you! I’m excited for you to see it yourself! We could have done our Alaska trip in a lower clearance car, I just liked the peace of mind being in a bigger one. For visiting the Matanuska Glacier specifically, you could do it if you drove slowly! The road is gravelly and bumpy but you should be fine!
Thank you so much for including so much detail in this article. I am from Texas, so I was clueless about how to visit this glacier and a little skeptical. Also, my phone didn’t have service, but I was still able to find the Mantuska glacier entrance using your directions. You truly helped me learn everything I needed to know! Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for letting me know!! That’s why I do what I do, so when I hear my writing was helpful that makes me so happy!! So glad you got to visit the glacier!!
Hi Jasmine, it’s a beautiful write-up!
I have a question though, do you think we need crampons for walking on ice in a self guided tour in summers!
Hi Jaya! It’s up to you- they are not necessary but could make the trail much easier. If you don’t have any (we didn’t), just be sure to go slow and take careful steps!
Hi Jasmine, thank you for this and all of your other Alaska posts. They are all beautifully written and very informative, and they helped me immensely to plan our Alaska trip(we are leaving tomorrow, so almost same time of the year as yours). My question is, we are going to Matanuska this Friday and the weather forecast shows 60% chance of shower, do you think that might be a problem? Should we reschedule to another day?
Hi Roho! Thank you for the kind words! So sorry I’m just now seeing this- so I assume you already have gone! I hope the weather cleared up and you were able to go!
Would you be able to drive here in an RV? We are considering an RV as our accommodations rather than trying to find places for a family to stay.
Hi Michelle! From our experience, I don’t see why not! But you can contact the Matanuska Glacier tour directly at (907) 745-2534 to ask- they’ll be able to give you the most up-to-date information regarding if RVs are allowed on property!
Hi, I am planning to visit Matanuska Glacier on Apr 30th. Not sure if I will have a pleasant experience around that time
Hi! I would call beforehand to see the conditions before visiting!
Hi:
I am planning to visit Matanuska Glacier on mid June’2022.
But As you mentioned:
“The road leading to the Matanuska Glacier is mostly unpaved. This gets especially tricky during the transition from winter to spring when slush covers the roads.”
Called the number: (907) 745-2534, no one pick up the phone.
Could you tell me, how many miles that unpaved roads are, normal sedan car is accessible or rental car company will me to drive on that road, any idea?
Though I booked an accomodation with Majestic Valley Lodge.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Amrita! We visited in August, so I’m not 100% sure about the answers to these questions. However, I will say that by mid-June, I’d imagine the road would be accessible! I’d also be surprised if a rental car company had any issues with that road since it’s a pretty common tourist destination in the area! Since you’ve booked accommodation with Majestic Valley Lodge, I’d recommend calling them to see if they could give you answers if no one picks up at Matanuska Glacier. I hope that helps!
Apologies if I missed it, but I didn’t see a date against this post. Self guided tours do not seem to be available any more. Glacier Tours says “Access to the glacier is permitted via guided glacier tour only”
hi
i read as of 2021 they are not allowing self-guided tours anymore?
I read your article while searching for a way to hike to the glacier and discovered the self guided aspect of it. I am definitely doing it in june of “23 thank you
Hi Dennis! Unfortunately, they no longer allow self-guided tours! So you’ll have to join a guided tour if you want to hike the Matanuska Glacier this summer!
Will be in Anchorage next month. Will do trekking. I would love to wear a dress for photo shoot 🙂 you think the tour guide will allow it? Thank you