Three Day Palmer Itinerary

The small town of Palmer is less than an hour’s drive north of Anchorage on the scenic Glenn Highway. Just before you reach town, you’ll cross the braided channels of the Knik River spilling out into the Knik Arm and see the towering mountain peaks of the Chugach Range to the east. These impressive mountains provide the backdrop for this quaint agricultural town with it’s old-timey downtown, fun culinary scene, and access to plenty of big adventures. If you’re looking for a small-town feel, Palmer is the ideal basecamp for exploring Alaska’s Mat-Su Valley on this three-day itinerary.  

Day 1:

Start your day off right with a hearty breakfast. Though downtown Palmer is small, you’ll find a surprising array of delicious breakfast options from fresh-baked scones to upscale farm to table. Local favorites include Turkey Red, Vagabond Blues, and Feather & Flour. 

Then, embark on your adventure for the day: exploring the nearby Knik Glacier. This stunning glacier stretches 28 miles and is accessible by land, water, and air. One of the most popular ways to experience the glacier is by helicopter tour, where you’ll soar above the glacier for jaw-dropping aerial views and hover close to the glacier’s surface for up-close views of crevasses and impossibly blue lakes. Helicopter tours range from 60 minutes to full day with options to land on the glacier for continued exploration. Shorter tours include glacier landings for photo-ops, while longer tours feature activities like dog sledding, trekking, and even stand-up paddleboarding – all on the glacier’s surface.

If you’d rather stay closer to earth, you can visit Knik Glacier by ATV tour or jet boat. Both of these unique and exciting adventures are full-day and bring you through Alaska’s backcountry to the face of the glacier, where you can marvel at massive icebergs that have calved off into the water.  

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Day 2:

Today you’ll dive into Palmer’s unique history and agricultural charm. Spend the first half of the day exploring downtown Palmer. Start at the Palmer Museum and Visitor Center, where you can learn about the area’s Alaska Native and gold rush history, along with the fascinating story of the Matanuska Colony - a New Deal resettlement project in 1935 where 200 families were moved from the Midwest to establish farming in the Mat-Su Valley. From the museum you can explore the on-site Showcase Garden, join a guided historic tour of downtown, rent bikes, or pick up maps for self-guided agricultural and historic walking tours.

In the afternoon, you have your choice of up-close encounters with animals at two unique farms. The Musk Ox Farm is a non-profit organization dedicated to the raising of musk ox and harvesting of their fur, called qiviut. Join a guided tour of the farm to learn all about these fascinating ancient creatures. With a beautiful mountain backdrop and chances of seeing adorable baby musk oxen, this farm is a fun and educational way to spend the afternoon in Palmer. Or, head over to the Reindeer Farm to spend the afternoon with reindeer, moose, elk, bison, and more. This family farm offers guided and self-guided tours, with opportunities to learn about and feed the animals. 

Cap off your day with dinner at one of Palmer’s lively breweries. The Palmer Alehouse, Matanuska Brewing Company, and Bleeding Heart Brewery all serve up local beer and hearty pub food.

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Day 3:

A thirty-minute drive from Palmer will bring you into the heart of the alpine paradise known as Hatcher Pass. Spend the day hiking the area’s trails and learning about local mining history. Hatcher Pass is a must-visit destination for hikers of all skill levels, with rugged mountain scenery, alpine likes, and glacial rivers and streams. Those looking for easier hikes can enjoy the short but scenic Gold Cord Lake Trail or do an out and back hike of your desired distance on the flat Gold Mint Trail. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, you can continue on the Gold Mint Trail which travels 8 miles to the end of the valley, or head for the Reed Lakes Trail which climbs to two beautiful alpine lakes. 

Nestled in an alpine bowl near the top of the pass is Independence Mine State Historical Park, the site of a gold mine that was in operation in the 1940s. Today, you can wander the picturesque gray buildings with red trim, some of which have been restored so you can explore inside the buildings to view interpretive displays and artifacts. 

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A ten-minute drive from Independence Mine will bring you to the top of Hatcher Pass to Summit Lake State Recreation Site. Here you’ll find sweeping views down the other side of the pass and a short trail around a picturesque alpine lake.  

When you’re ready to head back to Palmer, make a stop at Hatcher Pass Lodge to enjoy a meal or a drink. This funky A-frame lodge has plenty of Alaska charm and is a great place to refresh yourself after a day playing in the mountains. Continue taking in the views from the large windows or the outside deck while enjoying a local beer, cocktail, or hot chocolate. 

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