Things to Do Near Wasilla, Alaska: Hikes, Glaciers, Scenic Drives & Day Trips - Vacation Rentals and Event Space in Palmer and Wasilla, Alaska

One of the best things about staying in Palmer or Wasilla is that you can have a full Alaska
day without spending most of it on the road. Within an hour, you can be hiking in Hatcher Pass,
visiting reindeer in Palmer, walking around an old gold mine, or hiking a quiet trail.
Stretch that drive to two hours, and you can add glaciers, Talkeetna, and Denali views.

Palmer and Wasilla are the two biggest towns in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, or “The Mat-Su” as the locals call it! Located in the southcentral region of Alaska – north of Anchorage and south of Fairbanks – this area is filled with natural beauty and adventure. We live in and run several businesses in the Mat-Su Valley and we’re excited to share with you some of the best places to explore and our favorite things to do here in our part of Alaska.

Things to Do Within 1 Hour Drive of Wasilla

These activities are great for restful days between your big adventures. Wake up late, enjoy
coffee on the porch and then head out for the day. You’ll be back in time to grab pizza at
Bearpaw River Brewery, have a quick kayak paddle and relax around the firepit or in the
sauna.

Iditarod Headquarters

Drive time: About 5-10 minutes
Best for: Families, dog lovers, Alaska history fans
Family friendly: Yes
Notes: Learn about the history of The Iditarod, see memorabilia, take a sled dog cart ride and shop for souvenirs. Just a few minutes from Stillwater Cottages – this is one of those “only in Alaska” activities.

Museum of Alaska Transportation

Drive time: About 10-15 minutes
Best for: Rainy days, history lovers, families
Family friendly: Yes
Notes:This is my favorite place near Wasilla. Walk among trains, planes, vintage equipment, and Alaska transportation history. Great for a slower day or a break from hiking.

Crevasse Moraine Trail System

Drive time: About 20-25 minutes
Best for: Walking, biking, running, winter skiing
Family friendly: Yes, depending on route
Notes: A local trail system with multiple loops. It can be as easy or as active as guests want.

Musk Ox Farm in Palmer

Drive time: About 25-30 minutes
Best for: Animal lovers, families, unique local experiences
Family friendly: Yes
Notes: Guided walking tours where guests learn about musk oxen and qiviut. Another “only in Alaska” activity

Wasilla Museum & Visitor Center

Drive time: About 5-10 minutes
Best for: Local history
Family friendly: Yes
Notes: Local history exhibits and visitor information.

Palmer Museum & Visitor Center

Drive time: About 25-30 minutes
Best for: Local history, downtown Palmer exploring
Family friendly: Yes
Notes: Local history exhibits, visitor information, garden, and historic downtown walking tour potential.

Reindeer Farm

Drive time: About 35-40 minutes
Best for: Families, animal lovers, first-time Alaska visitors
Family friendly: Yes
Notes: Meet and feed reindeer and other animals. Take a guided tour, let the kids loose at the kids play area.

Bodenburg Butte / West Butte Trail

Drive time: About 35-45 minutes
Best for: Views, active families, short hike with big payoff
Family friendly: Yes, for active families
Notes: Short but steep in places, with big views of the Mat-Su Valley, Knik Glacier, Pioneer Peak, Lazy Mountain, and surrounding farmland. This hike is a favorite of locals. This trail features lots of stairs so be prepared for a climb.

Reflections Lake Trail

Drive time: About 35-45 minutes
Best for: Easy walk, birding, wildlife viewing, stroller-friendly
Family friendly: Yes
Notes: Easy loop trail with lake views, benches, interpretive signs, and possible wildlife sightings. Be sure to stop and climb the observation tower.

Government Peak Recreation Area / Blueberry Knoll

Drive time: About 35-45 minutes
Best for: Short hike, views, local trails, winter recreation
Family friendly: Yes, for active families
Notes: Multiple trails nearby. Blueberry Knoll is a short but moderately steep hike with a picnic table/viewpoint at the top. Winter trails for skiing, skijoring, fat bike riding, and snowshoeing.

Hatcher Pass

Drive time: About 45-60 minutes
Best for: Scenic drive, photos, wildflowers, mountain views
Family friendly: Yes
Notes: One of the best scenic drives near Wasilla, with alpine scenery, mountain views, and seasonal wildflowers.

Independence Mine State Historical Park

Drive time: About 50-60 minutes
Best for: History, easy walking, mountain scenery
Family friendly: Yes
Notes: Independence Mine is one of those places we take every visitor to. Historic gold mine buildings, self-guided walking areas, guided tours in season, paved paths, and mountain views.

Gold Cord Lake Trail

Drive time: About 55-65 minutes
Best for: Short mountain hike, lake views, Hatcher Pass day
Family friendly: Yes, for active families
Notes: One of our favorite hikes – a short, steep hike but the lake at the top is worth the climb.

Thunderbird Falls

Drive time: About 55-65 minutes
Best for: Easy waterfall hike
Family friendly: Yes
Notes: Short trail to a waterfall overlook. Good first hike for families; be mindful of canyon edges and slippery conditions.

Lazy Mountain

Drive time: About 45-60 minutes
Best for: Strong hikers, fitness challenge, big views
Family friendly: Not for most young kids
Notes: A local favorite but only for strong hikers. This is a difficult hike with significant elevation gain.

Things to Do Within 2 Hours of Wasilla

Willing to drive a bit further? Here are activities within a 2-hour drive from Wasilla.

Eklutna Lake

Drive time: About 1 hr 25 min
Best for: Lake views, biking, hiking, kayaking, picnics
Family friendly: Yes, with planning
Notes: Big lake and mountain scenery with biking, walking, kayaking, and picnic options. One of our favorite hikes – go as far as you want on this in and out hike along the shore of the lake. It’s about 8 miles to the end. Kids will love to stop along the way to play in the water.

Eagle River Nature Center

Drive time: About 1 hr 30 min
Best for: Easy trails, nature center, wildlife viewing
Family friendly: Yes
Notes: Beautiful glacial valley setting, short interpretive trails, and longer trail options for active guests. Check their calendar for summer programs.

Knik Glacier Tour

Drive time: About 1 hr 30 min to tour area
Best for: Guided adventure, glacier views, bucket-list experience
Family friendly: Yes, but check tour requirements
Notes: One of our favorite summer tours! You’ll get to the glacier via monster truck and jet boat!

Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Area

Drive time: About 1 hr 45 min
Best for: Glacier views, picnic, scenic drive
Family friendly: Yes
Notes: Glacier viewpoint, picnic areas, and short nature trail. Note that this is for viewing and does not provide direct glacier access.`

Guided Matanuska Glacier Tour

Drive time: About 2 hours
Best for: Guided glacier walking, adventure travelers
Family friendly: Depends on age, mobility, and tour rules
Notes: An unforgettable experience! Guided access onto glacier ice with gear and safety instruction. Best for guests comfortable walking on uneven terrain.

Nancy Lake State Recreation Area

Drive time: About 1 hr-1 hr 20 min
Best for: Canoeing, fishing, hiking, quiet lake scenery
Family friendly: Yes, for outdoorsy families
Notes: Quieter lake area north of Wasilla with canoeing, fishing, hiking, cabins, camping, and seasonal winter activities.

Talkeetna

Drive time: About 1 hr 50 min
Best for: Small-town exploring, food, shops, Denali views, flightseeing
Family friendly: Yes
Notes: Keep an eye out for Denali along the drive to Talkeetna. Fun downtown, shops, restaurants, river views. Popular spot to book flight seeing tours.

Tips for Planning Day Trips in Alaska

A road trip in Alaska is not something you want to take lightly. Once you leave town, it can be miles before the next services. Drive times are often longer than expected due to construction and traffic slow downs. And be sure to factor in stops to pull over and enjoy the view.

Check road and weather conditions before heading out.
Have a full tank of gas.
Bring layers, even in summer.
Pack snacks and water.
Book guided tours in advance, especially glacier tours.
Download maps before heading into areas with spotty service.
Check seasonal hours for farms, museums, visitor centers, and tour operators.
Remember that “close” in Alaska can still mean slow roads, photo stops, wildlife delays, and changing weather.
Leave room in the schedule to be spontaneous.
Take a copy of The Milepost, Alaska’s trip planner and travel guide

The Mat-Su – The Best Part of Alaska

Alaska is a big place and it is hard to see it all in one trip. We always recommend picking one location and fully exploring it. The Mat-Su is an ideal place to get a good taste of Alaska.

We invite you to take a look at our vacation stays in Palmer and Wasilla. From a cozy house close to breweries and shops in Palmer to a lakeside microresort with kayaks, saunas and lakeside views in Wasilla.

Explore the Live Local AK family of properties

Faqs

Best Activities Near Wasilla and Palmer by Travel Style

What are the best family-friendly things to do near Wasilla?

Some of the best family-friendly activities near Wasilla include Iditarod Headquarters, the Reindeer Farm, the Musk Ox Farm, Reflections Lake, Thunderbird Falls, the Palmer Museum, Independence Mine, Eklutna Lake, Eagle River Nature Center, and Talkeetna. These are great options for families because they offer easy walking, animals, local history, scenic views, or low-pressure exploring.

What are the best easy hikes near Stillwater Cottages?

The best easy hikes near Stillwater Cottages include Reflections Lake, Thunderbird Falls, Gold Cord Lake, Blueberry Knoll, the Crevasse Moraine trails, and the trails at Eagle River Nature Center. These are good choices if you want fresh air, scenery, and a little movement without committing to a big all-day hike.

Where can I go near Wasilla for the best mountain or glacier views?

For big Alaska views near Wasilla, head to Hatcher Pass, Independence Mine, Bodenburg Butte, Knik Glacier, Matanuska Glacier, the Glenn Highway Scenic Drive, or Eklutna Lake. These spots are great for mountain scenery, glacier views, photo stops, and those “pull over, look at that” moments.

What can I do near Wasilla on a rainy day or low-energy day?

Good rainy-day or low-energy options near Wasilla include Iditarod Headquarters, the Museum of Alaska Transportation & Industry, the Palmer Museum, a scenic drive through Hatcher Pass if road and weather conditions allow, and exploring the shops and restaurants in Talkeetna. These are good options when you want something interesting without planning a major hike.

What are the best “only in Alaska” experiences near Wasilla?

Some of the best “only in Alaska” experiences near Wasilla include Iditarod Headquarters, the Reindeer Farm, the Musk Ox Farm, a Knik Glacier tour, a guided Matanuska Glacier trek, Hatcher Pass, and Talkeetna flightseeing. These activities give visitors a good mix of Alaska history, animals, glaciers, mountain scenery, and bucket-list adventure.