The Matanuska State Park is the best place for a free view of the Matanuska Glacier. You won’t be able to walk up to the glacier (that’s at Mile 102), but this well-developed site offers plenty of parking, overnight camping, public restrooms, and excellent glacier views and photo opportunities. You'll also find:
- A half-dozen interpretive signs about glaciers, ice creatures, spruce bark beetles.
- Great viewpoints with telescopes.
- A picnic pavilion plus more picnic tables that are well spread-out across the site.
- Gravel and paved walkways, some of which are handicap accessible
- Access to an easy one-mile hiking trail called the "Edge Nature Trail."
- 12 campsites and a cabin for overnight stays. These are managed by Long Rifle Lodge. Call 745-5151
Tip: Looking for a little solitude? Walk 50 yards to the far west along the gravel trail. You'll find two benches situated on a raised wooden deck in the woods.
Directions
Head north from Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. At mile 101, is the pull off for the state park
Distance
101 miles north of Anchorage
Drive Time
3 hours
Explore
30 minutes to 1 hour
