Best Camping in and near Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site

Discover the majestic Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site

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Pinochle Trail Campground

9 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Sutton Alpine, AK

Flat, gravel spaces at Pinochle Trailhead in Glacier View, Alaska. Great hiking, biking, ATV or snow machine on historic trail. Tents, trucks, cars, campers, RVs, dogsleds .... whatever you can fit is welcome. 8 spaces with tables and fire rings. There is also an "Open Camping Area" in back that larger groups may like. Although a number may be assigned at booking, just pick the best available camp space that works for you on arrivial. You'll need to bring your own water and keep a clean camp. Pinochle Trail goes north into the backcountry for around 12 miles and joins other trails. Pinochle trail is a section of the ancient Knik - Nelchina Trail used by natives, trappers, miners and hunters for eons. It traverses the natural route from the Matanuska Valley up and over the mountain range into Copper River country. Hicks was one of the early guides who had a cabin at Hicks Creek and served with U.S. Army Lieutenant Joseph Castner to brushwack a trail northwest for Captain Glenn in 1898. Described in his journal as at "Tale of Hardship and Suffering" they ended up eating their mules and shoes before reaching their goal far to the north. Today we use these trails with relative ease compared to the old timers but the scenery and mud holes remind us of what they went through.

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Ninety Niner RV camp

1 site · RV, Tent25 acres · Sutton, AK

Surrounded by Mountain View’s Ride the zip line Eat some mouth watering Brisket Hand dipped hard ice cream Try the Moose Tracks Or Caribou Caramel This is the place of the 4th of July Car Launch. Google it if not aware of it yet in your adventurous life Hand made pizza is available How about a Brisket Taco

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North 40 Stays

5 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Sutton, AK

Camp right on the banks of the Matanuska river while staring at the magnificent King Mountain, Pinnacle mountain, and Craig Mountain! Over 10 acres with only 5 camp sites! Close to Kings river and some of the best ATV trails in the State! The Matanuska river offers some of the best rock hounding in the area and when the river is low, kids love playing in the shallow river streams and sandbars! This is an adult, kids and dogs dream play area! Come relax and get away from the busyness of life!!

Glacier View

1 site · RV, Tent4 acres · Glacier View, AK

Glacier View is a stunning natural wonder located in Alaska, offering visitors a breathtaking glimpse into the raw beauty of the state's wilderness. This remarkable destination is situated in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, just a few hours' drive from Anchorage, making it easily accessible for those seeking an unforgettable adventure. The centerpiece of Glacier View is the Matanuska Glacier, one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers, spanning over 27 miles in length. It's a mesmerizing sight to behold, with its brilliant blue ice contrasting against the surrounding mountains. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the glacier's unique features through various guided tours and activities, including ice climbing, hiking, and even ice cave exploration. For those who prefer a more leisurely experience, the breathtaking vistas from the Matanuska Glacier's observation deck are a must-see. From this vantage point, you can take in the panoramic views of the glacier and surrounding landscapes, providing countless photo opportunities. The sheer scale of the glacier, surrounded by towering peaks, is awe-inspiring and captures the essence of Alaska's untamed wilderness. Glacier View is not just about the glacier itself; it's also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, moose, and bears. The area's diverse ecosystem offers nature enthusiasts an opportunity to observe these animals in their natural habitat. Visiting Glacier View is an immersive experience that allows you to connect with the majesty of the Alaskan wilderness. Whether you're an adventure seeker looking to conquer the ice or someone who simply wants to appreciate the beauty from a distance, Glacier View promises an unforgettable journey. In summary, Glacier View encapsulates the true essence of Alaska's wild beauty. With its accessible glacier, outdoor activities, and magnificent vistas, it's a destination that leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of all who visit. For those in search of a remarkable Alaskan adventure, Glacier View is a natural wonder that promises an experience like no other.

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Stump Creek B&B

3 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Eureka Roadhouse, AK

The property at this location is very special to us because my grandfather homesteaded here in the 60s and it’s still in the family. This location was his and his wife’s main home of living where they made this homestead and rented cabins and had a little store to produce extra income to raise their family.

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Lulu's Glamping on the Knik River

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents3 acres · Palmer, AK

Reconnect with nature at this unforgettable escape. Located on the river's edge of the Knik River in Palmer, Alaska, our glamping tents offer a unique experience. Unplug, unwind and kickback in our Stout canvas style bell tents. Each tent is stylishly outfitted with a queen size bed, linens, rugs, stylish decor and other amenities. You also will have your own smokeless Solo Stove with seating for two outside your tent. Only 45 minutes north of Anchorage, our location boasts incredible views with access to all things outdoor! There are shared porta toilets with foot pump sinks with soap for hand washing on site. There is one on demand outdoor shower! We have an outdoor kitchen with a BBQ grill, pots, pans, dishes, silverware, salt, pepper and other items for guest use. Half of the property is an adult glamping experience. Half of the property allows children, as long as you understand that we are located right on the river and children should be supervised. Our property is the perfect basecamp with easy access to hiking for all abilities; Bodenburg Butte, Lazy Mountain, Pioneer Peek and Pioneer Falls. Located right on the Knik River we can help you plan a day of fishing, kayaking or riverboat touring. Other local activities include ATV rentals, glacier helicopter tours, exploring the town of Palmer, the Alaska State Fair, a trip to the Reindeer Farm, Independence Mine State Historical Park, the Musk Ox Farm, horseback riding, touring our breweries, enjoying the local golf course, sled dog tours and so much more! Although we love pets, in order to keep tents clean and odor fee, pets are not allowed without permission. No smoking 🚭 Check in 4pm Check out 11am We ask that shoes be removed before enter the tent.

Jim Creek Blank Land

30 sites · RVs13 acres · Palmer, AK

This is blank land in the Buette area of Palmer, Alaska. No signs except for the address sign. Make your own spot. No amenities. Please take your own trash out. Enjoy your stay for just $10 a night. Near Jim Creek. Great fishing. A lot of trails for 4X4s and riding ATVs. Come park your car, camper, RV etc and enjoy Alaskan life at Jim Creek Blank land.

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Sunderland Ranch Farm Stay

2 sites · LodgingPalmer, AK

Legacy family land! Learn more about this land:Pitch a tent here at the Sunderland Ranch. We often have guests staying here or playing here for other events, but are happy to have you too! This will be as quiet or as experiential as you would like. You can schedule a trail ride or farm tour with our staff/family, or get out and walk the trails or around the ranch and enjoy Alaska at its best.

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The Glacier Breeze Cabin

1 site · Lodging4 acres · Palmer, AK

The 280 sq ft open floor plan cabin is delightfully set up for a comfortable stay for up to two people. Perfect for a romantic getaway, an adventure home base, an escape from the hustle of town or even all of the above! With Ted Stevens airport only one hour away, the cabin also makes for great destination to start or end your trip to get a great nights sleep while getting that first, or final, taste of the tranquil Alaskan surroundings. With a wide assortment of year round activities in the area, the cabin is an excellent choice for a place to recharge after having the adrenaline pumping all day. The experience at the Glacier Breeze is so unique, that it’s even become a place for locals to come get away and enjoy the Alaskan beauty at some of it's best! Do you worry about being surprised by the cleaning fees and checkout chores? You can already start to relax! We have no cleaning fee and the only thing we ask at check out is to make sure you have your stuff and to put the heat on low if it’s freezing out. After all, it’s you that’s here on vacation, not us! So what’s the cabin have to offer you? It may be a tiny cabin, but it’s loaded with comforts and hand crafted details! The open floor plan living area has a comfortable love seat with entertainment provided via a TV loaded with several streaming services. If you would prefer some auditory entertainment, an Alexa speaker is waiting for your request for soothing tunes of your choice to further enhance the already relaxing atmosphere. Should you prefer to just unplug from the outside world you can choose from assorted board games or Alaskan themed books to chill out with. A wood stove with supplied firewood will keep you toasty through the chilly Alaskan nights , we will of coarse be glad to explain how to use it should you not be familiar with operating one. The full size memory foam Murphy bed is layered in soft, hypoallergenic and sustainably sourced bamboo sheets topped by a warm down alternative comforter. Add in the crackling sound of the wood slowly burning in the stove and you will for sure get a great nights sleep! Blackout blinds are installed on the windows for those not so dark summer Alaskan nights. The amply equipped kitchen includes a stove, full size refrigerator, toaster, blender, crock pot, pans and the utensils you need to prepare your favorite meals. Craving a coffee or other hot beverage fix? We have you covered with the choice of a drip pot, Kureg or French press with an assortment of coffee and tea, featuring locally sourced samples. If you need something that’s not on hand, let us know and we may have it to bring out to the cabin for you to use. Not up to cooking? We would be glad to recommend a local restaurant depending on what you may be in the mood for. The Palmer area has some great locally owned restaurants, many that serve locally sourced foods. It might surprise you what is produced here in the Matsu Valley! The private bathroom features a tub/shower combo with body wash, shampoo and conditioner provided. Fast 50mb Wifi is provided for your entertainment and work needs. Bear spray and bug spray are also supplied to help keep some of the more aggressive residents at bay while out exploring the area. Please do let us know if you use the bear spray so we can replace it with a new one for the next guests, and we aren’t going to lie, we would want to hear the story! As if all that was not all the reason you needed to stay at Glacier Breeze, the cabin is conveniently located nearby several popular attractions: Knik Glacier tours and winter fat tire bike access to glacier - 1 mile Knik Glacier Helicopter tours. Several glacier tour options, heli-skiing, heli-hiking, dog sledding on the glacier in the summer and custom tours to create your own adventure. - 2 miles Pioneer Ridge trailhead - 4 miles Guided fishing on the Knik River and other valley rivers- Close! 49th State Motor Tours - 13 miles Reindeer Farm - 14 miles Alaska Horse Adventures - 14 miles Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm - 15 miles Musk Ox Farm - 21 miles Alaska Zipline Adventure Park - 23 miles Hatcher Pass Area - 36 miles Snowhook Dogsledding, Snowmachine and ATV tours - 1 hour away Matanuska Glacier Tours - 1 1/2 hour away And there’s much more to do in additions to those as well and we would be glad to help you with recommendations. Then, after your day exploring the Mat-Su, you can easily be back relaxing at the Glacier Breeze after a day of making lifelong memories. We not only pride ourselves on just providing you with great accommodations, but also the high level of hospitality that comes along with your stay. Our goal is to have you not wanting to leave, remembering your stay here as a highlight of your Alaskan trip and especially looking forward to coming back! After all, every season is an entirely different experience! ** Special notes for winter ** As you can imagine, Alaska requires some extra effort in the winter. We will do our absolute best to make sure that you have as enjoyable of a time as possible with any weather mother nature may toss at us. If at anytime you have any concerns, please reach out to us and we will assist you the best we can! - If snow and ice are present, please use extra caution with footing. We do everything we can to provide for safe traction, but like everywhere in Alaska in winter, it is a constant battle with mother nature! -Please remove any ice cleats before entering the cabin to prevent damage to floor. -There is a snow shovel and ice melt provided should you need it, though we will also clear snow as required, typically after around 3" of new snow. Please understand that snow clearing operations in the area can occur at all hours of the day and night creating periodic noise. - An extension cord is provided outside for plugging in vehicles, should temperatures make it necessary. - Please let us know of any issues such as possible frozen water lines as soon as possible. This is not normally an issue, but after sustained subzero temperatures, problems can occasionally occur. -We recommend bringing some food just in case you need to wait for plows to clear the roads to get back to town. It's a good idea to travel with some in your vehicle in general , in case you get stuck on the roadside somewhere.

The best camping near Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site guide

Overview

About

Embark on an adventure at Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site, where the thrill of glacier trekking, river rafting, and a host of winter sports await. Nestled at Mile 101 on the scenic Glenn Highway, this 229-acre wonderland offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor excitement. Whether you're pitching a tent for a 14-day camping escape or just passing through for a day of exploration, the site's facilities ensure a comfortable and memorable stay.

Notable campgrounds

Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site Campground: Offering 12 campsites with fire pits and picnic tables amid stunning glacier views.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early to secure your spot, as the campground's unique glacier-side location makes it a popular choice.
Check the official website for the most up-to-date reservation openings and availability.
Consider visiting during the weekdays for better chances at snagging a campsite.
Explore nearby camping options if the site is fully booked, ensuring you don't miss out on the region's beauty.

When to go

The best time to visit Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site is during the summer months when the trails are clear and the glacier's majesty is fully accessible. Winter offers a snowy paradise for skiing and snowshoeing, but be prepared for road closures due to snow and ice conditions.

Know before you go

Check weather conditions before your trip, as the glacier area can experience sudden changes.
Glacier access is not available from the recreation site; plan accordingly for guided tours.
Facilities include ADA-compliant toilets and water, ensuring comfort for all visitors.
Day use fees apply; check the fee page or contact Long Rifle Lodge for current rates.
For cabin stays, reach out to Long Rifle Lodge directly at (907) 745-5151.