Anchorage Museum and winter skiing
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Alaska's largest city meets the Chugach Mountains, with alpine trails just outside town and tidal flats along Cook Inlet.
Alaska region guide · Draft
Anchorage & Mat-Su
Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna valleys are Alaska's principal road-and-rail gateway. City trails, Chugach peaks, Hatcher Pass and Susitna river country lead north toward the Alaska Range.
- Gateway towns
- Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla, Talkeetna
- Nearest major airport
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC)
- Best months
- June–September; February–March for winter activities
- Getting there
- Scheduled flights to ANC, paved highways and Alaska Railroad.
Overview
Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna valleys are Alaska's principal road-and-rail gateway. City trails, Chugach peaks, Hatcher Pass and Susitna river country lead north toward the Alaska Range.
Local guides
Inside Anchorage & Mat-Su
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Alaska's largest city meets the Chugach Mountains, with alpine trails just outside town and tidal flats along Cook Inlet.
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
The Matanuska Valley opens between the Talkeetna and Chugach mountains, with farm country, mining history and the Knik Glacier.
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Talkeetna is a river town and aviation base for Denali, where the Talkeetna and Chulitna rivers join the Susitna.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a large lake basin north of the Glenn Highway, with cabins, boating and views toward surrounding mountain ranges.
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Highlights
Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna valleys are Alaska's principal road-and-rail gateway. City trails, Chugach peaks, Hatcher Pass and Susitna river country lead north toward the Alaska Range.
Knik Glacier guided excursions
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
The Matanuska Valley opens between the Talkeetna and Chugach mountains, with farm country, mining history and the Knik Glacier.
Denali flightseeing and glacier landings
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Talkeetna is a river town and aviation base for Denali, where the Talkeetna and Chulitna rivers join the Susitna.
Boating and winter ice fishing where permitted
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a large lake basin north of the Glenn Highway, with cabins, boating and views toward surrounding mountain ranges.
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Mountains
Explore mountains across Anchorage & Mat-Su. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Chugach Mountains
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Conditions range from valley walks to technical alpine terrain. Match the route to your experience and obtain local advice.
Talkeetna Mountains
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
Conditions range from valley walks to technical alpine terrain. Match the route to your experience and obtain local advice.
Alaska Range
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Conditions range from valley walks to technical alpine terrain. Match the route to your experience and obtain local advice.
Views toward Talkeetna and Alaska ranges
Lake Louise
Conditions range from valley walks to technical alpine terrain. Match the route to your experience and obtain local advice.
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State & National Parks
Explore state & national parks across Anchorage & Mat-Su. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Chugach State Park
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Check the land manager's current visitor information before arranging travel.
Type: state park
Land manager: Alaska State Parks
Permits: Confirm reservations, commercial operator permissions and backcountry requirements with the land manager.
Independence Mine State Historical Park
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
Check the land manager's current visitor information before arranging travel.
Type: state park
Land manager: Alaska State Parks
Permits: Confirm reservations, commercial operator permissions and backcountry requirements with the land manager.
Denali State Park
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Check the land manager's current visitor information before arranging travel.
Type: state park
Land manager: Alaska State Parks
Permits: Confirm reservations, commercial operator permissions and backcountry requirements with the land manager.
Lake Louise State Recreation Area
Lake Louise
Check the land manager's current visitor information before arranging travel.
Type: state park
Land manager: Alaska State Parks
Permits: Confirm reservations, commercial operator permissions and backcountry requirements with the land manager.
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Hiking
Explore hiking across Anchorage & Mat-Su. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Flattop Mountain
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Carry navigation, rain layers and bear-safety equipment; confirm current trail or route conditions.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Length: About 3 mi round trip
Access: Fly to ANC; paved highways, local transit and rental cars.
Gold Cord Lake Trail
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
Carry navigation, rain layers and bear-safety equipment; confirm current trail or route conditions.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: About 1.5 mi round trip
Access: Glenn Highway from Anchorage; local roads to Hatcher Pass and Knik.
Talkeetna Lakes trails
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Carry navigation, rain layers and bear-safety equipment; confirm current trail or route conditions.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: Variable loops
Access: Parks Highway and Talkeetna Spur Road, or Alaska Railroad.
Lakeshore walks
Lake Louise
Carry navigation, rain layers and bear-safety equipment; confirm current trail or route conditions.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: No standard route length
Access: Glenn Highway to Lake Louise Road; services are limited.
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Fishing
Explore fishing across Anchorage & Mat-Su. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Ship Creek
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Use current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders; listed species are not a guarantee of an open fishery.
Chinook salmon · Coho salmon
Matanuska-Susitna valley lakes
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
Use current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders; listed species are not a guarantee of an open fishery.
Rainbow trout · Arctic grayling
Susitna tributaries
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Use current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders; listed species are not a guarantee of an open fishery.
Rainbow trout · Arctic grayling · Salmon where open
Lake Louise
Lake Louise
Use current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders; listed species are not a guarantee of an open fishery.
Lake trout · Burbot · Arctic grayling
Current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders
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Hunting
Explore hunting across Anchorage & Mat-Su. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Licenses and land access
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Do not assume that public land allows sport hunting. Verify the precise unit, land designation and any permit before planning.
Game management unit: 14C
Nonresidents: Nonresidents hunting brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep or mountain goat need a licensed Alaska guide or an eligible Alaska-resident relative; nonresident aliens require a guide for all big game. Check current permits, seasons and emergency orders.
Licenses and land access
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
Do not assume that public land allows sport hunting. Verify the precise unit, land designation and any permit before planning.
Game management unit: 14A
Nonresidents: Nonresidents hunting brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep or mountain goat need a licensed Alaska guide or an eligible Alaska-resident relative; nonresident aliens require a guide for all big game. Check current permits, seasons and emergency orders.
Licenses and land access
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Do not assume that public land allows sport hunting. Verify the precise unit, land designation and any permit before planning.
Game management unit: 14B / 16
Nonresidents: Nonresidents hunting brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep or mountain goat need a licensed Alaska guide or an eligible Alaska-resident relative; nonresident aliens require a guide for all big game. Check current permits, seasons and emergency orders.
Licenses and land access
Lake Louise
Do not assume that public land allows sport hunting. Verify the precise unit, land designation and any permit before planning.
Game management unit: 13A
Nonresidents: Nonresidents hunting brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep or mountain goat need a licensed Alaska guide or an eligible Alaska-resident relative; nonresident aliens require a guide for all big game. Check current permits, seasons and emergency orders.
Seasons, permits and land restrictions change. Check current Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations before planning a hunt.
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Four-Wheel Drive & Backroads
Explore four-wheel drive & backroads across Anchorage & Mat-Su. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Roads and vehicle access
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Eklutna Lake Road; park trails are not open to general 4WD use.
Conditions: Verify seasonal openings, washouts and land permissions.
Vehicle: Check rental exclusions; do not enter uncertain water crossings.
Roads and vehicle access
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
Hatcher Pass summit road is seasonal gravel; check opening and rental terms.
Conditions: Verify seasonal openings, washouts and land permissions.
Vehicle: Check rental exclusions; do not enter uncertain water crossings.
Roads and vehicle access
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Petersville Road; rough beyond maintained sections, seasonal access.
Conditions: Verify seasonal openings, washouts and land permissions.
Vehicle: Check rental exclusions; do not enter uncertain water crossings.
Roads and vehicle access
Lake Louise
Lake Louise Road; check winter maintenance and seasonal conditions.
Conditions: Verify seasonal openings, washouts and land permissions.
Vehicle: Check rental exclusions; do not enter uncertain water crossings.
Content coming soon
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Rafting & Paddling
Explore rafting & paddling across Anchorage & Mat-Su. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Eklutna Lake kayaking; cold water and afternoon wind
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Eklutna Lake kayaking; cold water and afternoon wind
Difficulty: Reach- and weather-dependent; obtain local advice
Season: Generally summer; verify water levels, ice and operator schedules
Matanuska River guided rafting; glacial water and technical sections
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
Matanuska River guided rafting; glacial water and technical sections
Difficulty: Reach- and weather-dependent; obtain local advice
Season: Generally summer; verify water levels, ice and operator schedules
Talkeetna River guided rafting; difficulty varies by reach
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Talkeetna River guided rafting; difficulty varies by reach
Difficulty: Reach- and weather-dependent; obtain local advice
Season: Generally summer; verify water levels, ice and operator schedules
Lake paddling; big open water, wind and cold temperatures
Lake Louise
Lake paddling; big open water, wind and cold temperatures
Difficulty: Reach- and weather-dependent; obtain local advice
Season: Generally summer; verify water levels, ice and operator schedules
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Wildlife
Explore wildlife across Anchorage & Mat-Su. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Moose, Dall sheep and beluga whales
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Use binoculars and keep appropriate distance; bears may be encountered away from viewing sites.
Moose and alpine marmots
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
Use binoculars and keep appropriate distance; bears may be encountered away from viewing sites.
Moose, eagles and salmon-stream bears
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Use binoculars and keep appropriate distance; bears may be encountered away from viewing sites.
Loons, waterfowl and moose
Lake Louise
Use binoculars and keep appropriate distance; bears may be encountered away from viewing sites.
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Camping
Explore camping across Anchorage & Mat-Su. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Eklutna Lake campground
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Facilities and seasons vary; pack out waste and store food securely away from wildlife.
Hatcher Pass designated camping areas
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
Facilities and seasons vary; pack out waste and store food securely away from wildlife.
Talkeetna Lakes and regional campgrounds
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Facilities and seasons vary; pack out waste and store food securely away from wildlife.
Lake Louise State Recreation Area campground
Lake Louise
Facilities and seasons vary; pack out waste and store food securely away from wildlife.
Content coming soon
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Other Activities
Explore other activities across Anchorage & Mat-Su. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Anchorage Museum and winter skiing
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Confirm availability directly, and respect community guidance and access permissions.
Knik Glacier guided excursions
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
Confirm availability directly, and respect community guidance and access permissions.
Denali flightseeing and glacier landings
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Confirm availability directly, and respect community guidance and access permissions.
Boating and winter ice fishing where permitted
Lake Louise
Confirm availability directly, and respect community guidance and access permissions.
Content coming soon
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Access & Logistics
Explore access & logistics across Anchorage & Mat-Su. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Getting there and around
Anchorage & Chugach State Park
Fly to ANC; paved highways, local transit and rental cars.
Getting there and around
Palmer, Hatcher Pass & Knik
Glenn Highway from Anchorage; local roads to Hatcher Pass and Knik.
Getting there and around
Talkeetna & Susitna Valley
Parks Highway and Talkeetna Spur Road, or Alaska Railroad.
Getting there and around
Lake Louise
Glenn Highway to Lake Louise Road; services are limited.
Content coming soon
Gallery
In pictures
