Matanuska Glacier: Full-Day Guided Hike & Anchorage Pickup

Summary

Walk across blue ice, hear stories from locals, taste Alaska’s air

You’ll ride from Anchorage through mountain valleys, stop for lunch in Palmer, then strap on crampons for a real walk across Matanuska Glacier’s wild blue ice with a local guide. Expect laughter, weird facts about ancient rivers, snacks along the way, and moments where Alaska feels bigger than you imagined.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect to feel nervous about walking on a glacier until we actually pulled up to the edge of Matanuska. The drive from Anchorage was longer than I thought (about two hours), but it didn’t drag; our guide, Jamie, pointed out where the mountains used to be underwater and told us how the Glenn Highway follows paths carved by ancient glaciers. There was this moment when we stopped in Palmer — just a little town, but it smelled like fresh bread outside the grocery store and someone was selling honey in jars that caught the morning sun. I still regret not grabbing one.

Getting fitted with crampons felt awkward at first — metal teeth on my boots clinking against gravel — but Jamie showed us how to walk so we wouldn’t end up face-first in the snow. We took an ATV down to the base (I got mud on my jeans; no one cared), and suddenly there it was: blue-white ice stretching out like something alive. The wind coming off the glacier had this sharpness that made my eyes water a bit, or maybe that was just me being dramatic. Jamie cracked jokes about “glacier fashion” and pointed out crevasses you could lose your phone in forever. At one point I tried to pronounce Matanuska like a local and Jamie just grinned — probably best I stick to English.

The hike itself wasn’t easy but it wasn’t brutal either — you need some fitness for sure. We stopped every so often so Jamie could show us weird ice bubbles or explain how old some of these layers were (older than my grandparents). There were snacks and bottled water in her pack if anyone needed them. It was quiet except for our boots and sometimes this deep gurgle under the ice that made me wonder what was moving beneath us. On the way back, everyone sort of fell asleep or stared out at the river braids flashing silver in the sun. I kept thinking about that cold air filling my lungs — it’s hard to describe unless you’ve felt it yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Matanuska Glacier full-day tour

• Pickup from downtown Anchorage
• Drive two hours along Glenn Highway
• Stop in Palmer for lunch
• Arrive at Matanuska Glacier
• Equip crampons with guide
• Ride all-terrain vehicle to glacier base
• Explore glacier on foot
• Learn about glacier's natural history
• Return drive to Anchorage
• Drop-off in downtown Anchorage

Top questions

How long is the drive from Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier?

The drive takes about two hours each way along the scenic Glenn Highway.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Lunch isn’t included but there’s a stop in Palmer where you can buy food at a local grocery store.

What equipment is provided for walking on the glacier?

Crampons and other glacier walking gear are provided by your guide at Matanuska Glacier.

How much time do you spend hiking on Matanuska Glacier?

You’ll spend several hours exploring on foot with your guide after arriving at the glacier base.

Is hotel pickup available from Anchorage?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off from downtown Anchorage locations.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the tour?

Bottled water and snacks are included during your time on the glacier hike.

Is this tour suitable for people with health issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health; moderate fitness is required.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transportation from downtown Anchorage, all necessary glacier walking equipment like crampons, guidance from knowledgeable locals who know every icy corner of Matanuska Glacier, plus bottled water and snacks along the way before heading back to town together.