Matanuska-Susitna Valley
Get ready to start your great Alaskan adventure here at Matanuska-Susitna Valley, more commonly referred to as Mat-Su Valley. Located in southcentral Alaska, this outdoor lover’s paradise boasts the best views of Denali while still being only 45 minutes north of Anchorage.
Taking up a whopping 23,000 square miles, this destination is an all-in-one vacation dream, offering all of Alaska’s scenic views, outdoor activities, and historical and cultural landmarks. It’s almost better to ask what your group doesn’t want to do while they are here with all of the options you are presented with.
Mat-Su Valley has several different towns within, such as Palmer, which was settled in 1935 by Midwest farmers looking for more fertile farmland. Finding just that, the valley now serves as an agricultural wonderland, boasting some of the largest vegetables imaginable. Another popular area is Wasilla, a lake-filled section of the valley that was historically populated by the Benteh tribes, as well as the Talkeetna area, which the Dena'ina Indians referred to as the 'River of Plenty'. Talkeetna is a popular river confluence site that served as an essential trading post over time. The Iditarod trek path can be visited in the valley as well, a great opportunity to learn more about the intriguing customs surrounding the race.
Your group will be thoroughly astounded as they take in the views of Mat-Su Valley’s tall mountains, huge glacier valleys, ample rivers and lakes, hiking trails, camping grounds, and historic frontier communities. Choose between flight-seeing the glaciers peaks, ATV-ing around Knik Glacier, kayaking 500 miles of exceptional rivers, exploring the history of the communities throughout, or anything else your group desires at Mat-Su Valley!
