*If you have any questions that aren't answered in this post, please leave them in the comments section where I do my best to answer all Alaska related questions directly!
My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are my favorite websites and resources to help plan an incredible trip to the 49th State. For flights, I recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska. Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars! I always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates. To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, I always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required) and NordVPN to stay safe when surfing the web. For fun things to do, I recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance. Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier. Getting There & What to Expect
Getting to the Matsu Valley is fairly easy, especially for those flying into Anchorage - you'll just need to head North on Highway 1. On the way you'll drive past Eagle River, which is another great spot to base if you're looking for some outdoor activities (my personal favorites are the Eklutna Lake & Eagle River Nature Center areas).
Once you get to the Palmer/Wasilla area, you might be looking for a place to stay - especially if you're wanting to base in the Matsu Valley for some of the more epic, underrated adventures near this area (see below). I've listed some of my top recommendations here :
There are also plenty of delicious places to eat in the area! I won't share my entire list here, but some of my personal favorites are :
My Favorite Tour in the Matsu Valley Area :
- Matanuska Glacier Tour Best Things to Do Near Palmer & Wasilla
1. Explore Hatcher Pass
This is easily one of the best places to explore if you're looking to spend some time outside. You can go explore Independence Mine, head out on one of the many hikes, enjoy the cool alpine lakes, or visit the adorable Hatcher Pass Lodge.
2. Visit the Reindeer Farm
A great family friendly activity is to head out to the Reindeer Farm! You can explore the farm on your own pace, meet and feed the reindeer, and even stop to see many of the other animals on the farm (like the adorable highland cows). They have different types of tours throughout the year, and various leveled tours depending on how much interaction you want with the reindeer. If you visit in the Spring, you might even meet some of the new calves! 
3. Or the Musk Ox Farm
Just 15 minutes down the road you can find Alaska's Musk Ox Farm, another family friendly activity that's free for kiddos under the age of 5. Here, you'll be lead on a guided tour of the working farm (that produces qiviut - the under fur of a musk ox that's claimed to be 8x warmer than wool), and you can also explore the Musk Ox Museum & gift shop onsite! 
4. Walk the Llamas
One of the more unique activities you can do in the Matsu Valley is to actually take some llamas out on a walk! At Last Frontier Trail LLamas you can choose whether you just want to meet the llamas, walk the llamas, or have a fun photoshoot with the llamas! 
5. Hike Matanuska Glacier
Hiking the Matanuska Glacier is my favorite glacier experience I've ever done. My husband and I went with Glacier Tours, but now a days you can find an all inclusive tour with round trip transportation from Anchorage. On the tour you'll be led on a round trip hike out onto the glacier itself, complete with crevasses, glacier pools, and stunning running waterfalls. If you're lucky, you'll even be able to fill up your water bottle with fresh glacier water and try a straight from the source glacial mud mask! 
6. Explore the Knik River Valley
Depending on which season you're visiting, the Knik River Valley might just be your new favorite spot. The Fall and Spring months in Alaska are notorious for the incredible Northern Lights shows, and truth be told this is my go-to spot for Northern Lights viewing. The sky is expansive, clear, and quiet - perfect for aurora viewing. Even in the summer months, the views are absolutely stunning here! 
7. Try Four Wheeling & ATVing
Another unique opportunity in the Matsu Valley area is to try Four Wheeling, ATVing, or Snow Machining! Depending on the season, you can choose which adventure you'd like through Alaska Backcountry, then head out on a guided tour! These types of tours allow you to explore more of the back country of Alaska - including in places like Hatcher Pass!
8. Hiking
Not too surprisingly, there's also plenty of hiking trails in the Matsu Valley. Naming them all would be quite the list, but I've listed some of my favorites below. Wherever you're choosing to hike in Alaska, I always recommend carrying bug spray, bear spray, knowing how to use it, and reviewing bear safety tips. I also recommend downloading a map trail in case you don't have service. Some of my favorite hikes in the area are :
9. Visit the Alaska State Fair
Palmer is home to multiple fun annual events in Alaska - from the Scottish Highland Games to the Palmer Colony Days. However, my most favorite of course has to be the Alaska State Fair. Held at the end of every August, here you can try fair versions of delicious Alaska foods - like crab cakes, king crab legs, salmon quesadillas, and of course, Talkeetna Spinach Bread. You can even see the giant vegetables (like a 2,051 pound pumpkin) and other random oddities like the rat races!
Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in :
-> 15 Easiest Alaska Glaciers to Visit -> Where to Rent Bear Spray in Alaska -> 7 Best Tours in Alaska
Pin this Guide to the Matsu Valley for later!
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I'm Deborah👋🏼
In 2021 my husband Tyler convinced me to move to Alaska. After living there for a year (then leaving to take a year long world trip) we realized there was no place we loved more. So now we're back - and I'm here to share all my best tips and hidden gems to make Your Alaskan Adventures the best they can be. My favorite travel & outdoor gear is available right here! Use this link to shop all my favorite Alaska necessities! 
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