Explore
Hatcher Pass up the road, Palmer down it.
Everything within a tank of gas, sorted by how far it is from the driveway. Drive times are approximate; in winter, add a little and enjoy the view.
Everything within a tank of gas, sorted by how far it is from the driveway. Drive times are approximate; in winter, add a little and enjoy the view.
Not your average gas station! Just minutes from your stay, Turner’s is a local favorite serving up delicious food and what we like to call the world’s best ice cream! The perfect stop to fuel up for before your adventure in the Pass.
Single-track mountain biking and hiking in summer; groomed Nordic ski trails and a chalet in winter.
The Valley's community ski area on Hatcher Pass Road: a triple chairlift, a warming yurt and a food truck, and a short drive home to the sauna.
Hatcher Pass Road follows the Little Su up the canyon. Riverside pullouts and the sound of water through an open window.
A gentle valley trail along the river toward the Mint Glacier. Blueberries in August; a favorite first-evening walk.
A perfect spot to catch the sunset. On summer evenings, watch paragliders soar from the ridge while snowboarders throw tricks on lingering patches of snow.
A 1930s gold mine preserved above the treeline. Walk the buildings in summer; sled, ski and snowshoe the bowl in winter.
Up Archangel Road to a boulder field and two turquoise lakes. The classic Hatcher Pass day hike.
Experience the magic of the northern lights right from your own private patio! During aurora season, from September through April, you might be lucky enough to watch the night sky come alive with dancing colors—all from the comfort of your stay.
Explore charming downtown Palmer, home to the Palmer Alehouse featuring over 40 local taps, delicious Alaska-made ice cream at Big Dipper, and plenty of cozy coffee shops to choose from. Enjoy the small-town charm, local flavors, and beautiful mountain views!
The visitor center and its garden, plus the Colony House Museum from the 1935 New Deal colony that built the town.
Late August into Labor Day: giant vegetables, headline concerts, and the midway under Pioneer Peak.
Two more taprooms on the Palmer side of the valley, both an easy stop on the way back from the fairgrounds.
Walking tours among the herd and the story of qiviut, the underwool warmer than sheep's wool.
Feed and pet reindeer in the Butte, with moose, bison and yaks on the same farm.
A short, steep climb to a 360-degree view of the farmland, the Knik River and the glaciers.
Three miles out and back and 3,000 feet up. The valley's leg-burner, with the payoff to match.
A flat loop on the Palmer Hay Flats with Pioneer Peak mirrored in the water.
In Wasilla: the race museum and summer sled-dog cart rides with real teams.
Paddling, stocked fishing and lakeside trails off the Glenn Highway.
ATV, boat and helicopter tours run from the Knik River Road to the glacier.
Guided glacier walks year-round at Glacier Park, Mile 102 of the Glenn Highway, a National Scenic Byway the whole way.
A short forest trail to the falls, on the way toward Anchorage.
Kayaks, the Lakeside Trail for bikes, and glacier views at the far end.
Museums, restaurants and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Ted Stevens International Airport is about 1 hr 15 min from the door.
Denali flightseeing, a one-street downtown, and the best view of the mountain on a clear day.
Nineteen-plus hours of daylight in June. Fireweed along the river, the Friday Fling downtown, and hikes that start after dinner.
Gold birch by early September, blueberries at the pass, the State Fair, and the first snow on the Talkeetnas.
Aurora over the ridge, Skeetawk's chairlift, Nordic trails at Government Peak, and a sauna that turns ten below into a plan.
The light comes back fast. Breakup on the Little Su, moose calves in the birch, and empty trails before the crowds.
From Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, take the Glenn Highway north about 45 miles to Palmer, then the Palmer-Fishhook Road north toward Hatcher Pass. Plan on about an hour and fifteen minutes. Exact directions arrive with your booking confirmation.
A car is the way to see the Valley. In winter the roads are plowed and sanded; all-wheel drive is comfortable, not required. Hatcher Pass Road above the Independence Mine turn-off closes to cars each winter and opens again around July.
Booking opens soon. Join the mailing list for updates and opening offers.