Adventure, awe, and a little bit of chill—Knik Glacier Tour!

After the roar of the monster truck and the whine of the jet boat, the silence as we floated among the ice at the base of Knik Glacier was powerful. Being close to a glacier is a magical experience. You can only understand the immense size and force of a glacier when you are this close to it. 

Our tour with Knik Glacier Tours was our favorite activity of the summer. Lunch at Raven’s Perch at Alaska Glacier Lodge was just the right addition to the day. This itinerary has the perfect mix of adrenaline, awe-inspiring nature and good food and drink in a breathtaking setting. 

Knik Glacier Tour

Our day began as we drove from Palmer up through Knik River Valley. Keep your eyes open for moose as you drive along Knik River Road as it winds up the valley.

Watch for the sign for Knik Glacier Tours where you will take a left and head towards the Tour meeting point. Once there, we were met by our guide and truck driver. Although the day was warm, he handed us all heavy winter coats. He explained that we would be happy to have them in about an hour. 

These trucks are big! You’ll need to climb a ladder to get into the back of the truck. We sat on benches along the sides of the truck. Everyone has a window seat!

The tour website states the tour is appropriate for all ages and they do their best to provide alternatives for folks who may have mobility issues. There was an 80-something woman on the tour with us and she did just fine with a little help from her friends. Get your questions answered at the tour’s FAQ page. 

Be prepared for a bumpy ride – but that’s half the fun. Along the way we crossed through two rivers. Although we didn’t see any wildlife on this trip, it is fairly common to spot moose and other wildlife along the route. After about 40 minutes, we reached the spot where the jet boats were waiting for us. 

Here is where we were happy to have the warm jackets. The speed of the jet boats along with the 10 – 15 degree drop in temperature as we neared the glacier made for a chilly ride. The scenery just kept getting better as we cruised closer to the glacier on the Knik River and then into the iceberg filled lake at the base of the glacier.

This is one of those experiences that words don’t do justice. All of us in the boat sat silently, soaking it all in: the face of the glacier looming in the distance, the mountains towering all around us, the knowledge that these chunks of ice beside us may be more than 100 years old. 

Too soon for my liking, our guide started the engine and took us to shore. There, we climbed out of the boat and hiked up a short hill to Glacier Camp where we were served coffee, cocoa and a snack.

We had time to wander down to the lake and explore the area for about an hour before it was time to head back. Everyone enjoyed the chance to pick up glacial ice as it floated at our feet. 

The jet boat and monster truck rides back to base were just as fun in reverse. The speedy and bumpy rides made conversation difficult but I think we all were happy to spend the time reflecting on our time at the base of Knik Glacier. 

Alaska Glacier Lodge

The next item on our agenda was a little more relaxing and is one of my favorite places to take visiting guests. Alaska Glacier Lodge is located just 3.5 miles away at the end of Knik River Road. The Lodge has more than a dozen private cabins and serves as a base of operations for helicopter tours of the Knik Glacier. 

The Raven’s Perch is the Lodge’s restaurant and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. My pro tip is to arrive mid-afternoon, between lunch and dinner. There aren’t as many people eating then and you are almost guaranteed a table on the outdoor patio. 

You can’t actually see the glacier from the lodge, so watching the helicopters is the next best thing. On a busy summer afternoon, you are likely to see as many as ten take offs and landings during your meal. And, of course, if you want to take a helicopter tour of the glacier, contact the Lodge to make arrangements.

As for what to eat and drink, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu! Ingredients are sourced from the Matanuska Valley. Local breweries are featured on the menu as well, including three breweries from down the hill in Palmer. 

As I usually do when meeting staff working in Alaska during the summer, be sure to ask your server where they are from. Many Alaska lodges recruit summer staff from all over the world. It is fun to get to know what brought these young people to Alaska. 

The Details

Here’s everything you need to know to schedule this day for yourself.  Both of these businesses operate seasonally so be sure to check with them to confirm their hours. 

What to bring

• Clothing that is appropriate to the local weather. Alaska’s weather changes frequently so layers are your friend. Remember it will be cooler at the glacier. 
• Hat and gloves 
• Sturdy shoes for walking around Glacier Camp
• Water bottle
• Snacks if you want them. We brought a small cooler with snacks but never even opened it. 

Recommendations for your stay in SouthCentral Alaska