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Imagine stepping onto a vast, ancient river of ice, where every step crunches beneath your boots, and glacial blue crevasses surround you. Welcome to the breathtaking world of glacier hiking on Matanuska Glacier in Alaska. There was something about this glacier hike that made me absolutely giddy with excitement. Maybe it was the group I was with or the jaw-dropping scenery, or maybe it was the amazing guide who lent us his pick axe to use as a prop. Regardless of what it was, it made me realize that my time in Alaska was the happiest I had been in a very long time.

If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that doesn’t break the bank then this activity is for you! Matanuska Glacier is a 27-mile-long valley glacier that snakes its way through the Chugach Mountains and it’s the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States. Tons of people visit this mighty glacier each year and it truly is an unforgettable experience. 

Glaciers in Alaska

Something that I learned during my time in Alaska that surprised me is that there are over 100,000 glaciers in Alaska - I had no idea there were so many! These colossal rivers of ice play a vital role in the state's ecosystem, shaping the landscape and providing essential water resources. Glaciers cover approximately 5% of Alaska's landmass, making it home to some of the largest and most impressive glaciers in the world.

Glaciers in Alaska are also a crucial part of the state's cultural heritage and tourism industry. For centuries, indigenous communities have relied on glaciers for sustenance, transportation, and spiritual practices. Today, visitors from all over the world visit Alaska to witness these icy giants and experience the thrill of glacier hiking, kayaking, or flightseeing tours.

During my two weeks in south-central Alaska, I found myself spotting glaciers everywhere! There are numerous ways to see glaciers in Alaska, but not many experiences offer the opportunity to hike on one. This is what really sets Matanuska Glacier apart from the others.

Where is Matanuska Glacier

The Matanuska Glacier is located in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley of Alaska, about 100 miles northeast of Anchorage and 50 miles from Palmer. It is situated within the Chugach Mountains and is part of the Chugach National Forest. At over 27 miles long and 4 miles wide, the Matanuska Glacier is one of the largest valley glaciers accessible by road in the United States.

This massive glacier originates from the Chugach Mountains' icefield, slowly flowing down through the valley carved out over thousands of years. The glacier's thickness reaches up to 1,200 feet in some areas, with crevasses, glacial mills, and ice caves forming as the glacier moves and shifts.

How to Get to Matanuska Glacier

Matanuska Glacier is located about 100 miles northeast of Anchorage in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. There are several transportation options to reach the glacier from Anchorage or other nearby towns such as Palmer. Matanuska Glacier is also open year-round with guided tours daily.

Driving Directions

From Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway north for about 2 hours until you reach the glacier access point. The road is well-maintained and suitable for regular vehicles in summer, but a high-clearance or 4x4 vehicle is recommended. Follow signs for Matanuska Glacier Tours. If you want to see Matanuska Glacier but don’t want to participate in a guided hike, you can drive to Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site for a beautiful view of the glacier. 

Tour Transports

If you don't have a car or prefer not to drive, many tour companies offer transportation from Anchorage and the surrounding areas. These typically involve getting picked up at your hotel and riding on a mini-bus, van, or small shuttle to the glacier base camp. The drive takes around 2-2.5 hours each way.

Meeting Points

For those joining a guided glacier hike or tour, the main meeting point is at the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site parking lot and visitor center. This is where you'll check in with your tour operator and gear up before heading out onto the ice. Some tours also offer hotel pick-up in Anchorage or nearby cities for convenience.

No matter how you arrive, the journey to Matanuska Glacier is incredibly scenic, passing through lush Alaskan wilderness with potential wildlife sightings. Along the way, there are scenic pull-off areas where you can stop to take in the views. And as with anywhere in Alaska, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. We saw moose as we were leaving the glacier park!

What it's Like to Go On a Glacier Hike

Glacier hiking is a unique experience that allows you to get up close and personal with these massive ice beauties. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the entire process was. And even though the hike itself was relatively easy, it’s not something you want to speed through. You need to be careful and take your time.

The terrain on a glacier is unlike anything else you'll encounter. The surface is uneven, with deep crevasses and vertical shafts that plunge deep into the heart of the glacier. Every step requires caution and concentration, as the ice can be slippery. At the same time, you don’t want to overthink your steps and make things more difficult for yourself. As one of our guides said “Step with confidence!” 

The views of Matanuska Glacier are simply breathtaking. From the moment you step out of the van to your first step on the ice, you’ll be blown away. As you make your way closer and closer to the glacier, you’ll soon be surrounded by ice and beautiful shades of blue.

Your experience begins at the parking lot where the tour company will park the van and take the group to the start of the trail. This first portion of the hike is flat and there are floating bridges that you’ll walk on leading you towards the edge of the glacier. After about 10 minutes, your terrain will change to black rocks and you’ll pause at an area with picnic tables. Here, your tour guide will divvy out crampons and help you put them on. Once everyone’s crampons are on correctly, your group will be off and the terrain will change one last time to ice. 

Now it’s time for the fun part! Your guide will lead your group on a 2.5-3 mile hike on the glacier where you’ll learn about its history and the importance of glaciers in Alaska. As you walk on the glacier, you’ll discover deep crevasses that will make you hold your phone tighter than ever before but are otherworldly with their bright blue hues. You’ll also walk through partial tunnels and see ice chutes and streams.

In total, you’ll spend about 2-3 hours at Matanuska Glacier on your guided tour, and depending on which tour you select, you’ll depart Matanuska Glacier and head to a nearby restaurant for lunch.

The tour I went on was with Greatland Adventures and it was absolutely amazing! We departed Anchorage around 8:30am and returned by 4pm. If you are considering renting a car, you could depart Anchorage in the morning, drive to Matanuska Glacier, and spend the night in Palmer to explore a new town. Either way is worth it!

Guided Tours of Matanuska Glacier

For those looking for a fully guided and hassle-free experience, several reputable tour companies offer glacier hikes and tours of Matanuska Glacier. These guided tours provide knowledgeable guides, all necessary equipment like crampons and hiking poles, transportation, and sometimes even meals. I love a good small-group guided tour because it takes the stress out of travel and makes everything much easier. 

Greatland Adventures

This is the tour company that I used and highly recommend! Greatland Adventures includes roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Anchorage, lunch, snacks, & water. This all-day tour is perfect for those of you looking for a taste of the outdoors without your experience being too strenuous. If you’re traveling with kids, this tour has an age requirement of 8 years old so keep that in mind. The duration of this specific tour is 8 hours which includes travel time and lunch. You’ll be hiking for about 2-3 hours with a distance of 3 miles. The price of this tour is $345 per person and they do offer winter gear rentals for an additional $25. Greatland Adventures offers a Summer Tour which runs from May through October and a Winter Tour from November through April.

Salmon Berry Tours

Salmon Berry is an outstanding woman-owned and operated tour company based in Anchorage. They offer stand-alone tours as well as customized packages which I had the pleasure of enjoying during my trip. They offer a 9-hour Matanuska Glacier tour that has a maximum of 12 guests and includes transportation from Anchorage and lunch. This tour runs year-round and costs $299 per person.

MICA Guides

MICA Guides offers a traditional glacier hike excluding any transportation but they also have multiple more adventurous options for those of you seeking a little more thrill. They offer advanced trekking tours, helicopter tours, and even ice-climbing tours! The age requirement for MICA tours is 10 years old and they operate tours with an 8-person maximum. One thing to note is that they do not operate the traditional glacier tour in the winter, but they do offer winter-specific tours like snowmobiling. 

Matanuska Glacier Tours

For those of you wanting to drive to Matanuska Glacier yourself, this is the best option for you. Guided tours depart daily at 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm. This is a bit of a shorter excursion but it is the most budget-friendly option. Hikes with this company typically last 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the weather conditions and are $150 per adult and $30 per child 13 years of age or younger. Matanuska Glacier Tours also offers discounts for veterans and Alaskan residents! 

No matter which tour company you choose, a guided glacier hike allows you to experience the Matanuska Glacier's wonders safely with experts leading the way and providing all the necessary technical gear. Each tour is unique and can cover different areas of the 27-mile-long glacier.

What to Wear for the Matanuska Glacier Hike

• Waterproof hiking boots

• Wool socks

• Fleece-lined baselayer (both top and bottom)

• Thick waterproof hiking pants or ski pants

• Fleece pullover or zip-up jacket

• Insulated waterproof jacket

• Gloves

• Beanie

• Crampons (provided by your tour company)

Where to Stay Near Matanuska Glacier

Anchorage offers a variety of accommodation options but because of the distance between Anchorage and Matanuska Glacier, it may make more sense to stay a night or two closer to the glacier itself. If walking up immersed in wilderness with views of mountains and glimpses of glaciers sounds like a dream, check out these three amazing options of where to stay near Matanuska Glacier!

BlueWater BaseCamp

Located in the Elkutna Valley near the Knik River, BlueWater BaseCamp is a new boutique property featuring individual chalets. This is the ideal option if you’re looking to spend a couple of nights outside of downtown Anchorage and want to explore more Alsaka has to offer. Centrally located, you can reach Matanuska Glacier in 1.5 hours, Thatcher Pass in under an hour, or Talkeetna in just two hours! Use code TESSAK for 5% off your stay!

Sheep Mountain Lodge

Sheep Mountain Lodge has been around for over 80 years and is only 15 minutes away from Matanuska Glacier. They offer individual cabins and even have a helicopter pad for those of you wanting to see the glacier from a bird's eye view! Here, you can expect to see tons of wildlife and wake up fully surrounded by nature.

Alpenglow Luxury Camping

For those of you looking to truly experience the outdoors, book a night or two at Alpenglow Luxury Camping. These glamping tents are the perfect intro to camping and it’s my personal favorite way to camp. Your stay includes hot, fresh coffee and breakfast each morning and a private deck for stargazing. There’s a common area for guests featuring board games, a fire pit, and a huge barrel hot tub. This property is only open in the summer months but is perfect for nature lovers!

A Matanuska Glacier hike is a truly unforgettable experience that offers a glimpse into the raw beauty of Alaska's glacial landscapes. From the moment you arrive to your first step on the ice, you’ll immediately understand why this adventure is a must for any outdoor enthusiast visiting the Last Frontier.

So what are you waiting for? Lace up your hiking boots, put on your layers, and get ready to experience the Matanuska Glacier firsthand. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss when visiting Alaska and it’s a good reminder for me that it’s nice to get out of your comfort zone sometimes!

Happy travels!

-Tess

Tess Arnold

Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip!  If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!