Explore the ice formations, deep blue crevasses, and seracs of the Matanuska Glacier on a guided hiking tour. Most trips depart from Anchorage and include safety gear like crampons and helmets for a secure trek on the ice.
Free Cancellation Hike across the Matanuska Glacier's ice to see seracs and crevasses on a guided day trip from Anchorage.
Free Cancellation Walk on Matanuska Glacier after a 2-hour drive from Anchorage, with ATV transport to the ice and crampons included.
Free Cancellation Walk across the Matanuska Glacier in a small group before tasting local Alaskan honeys and wines.
Free Cancellation Hike the Matanuska Glacier’s blue ice and crevasses with a guide and round-trip transport from Anchorage.
Free Cancellation Groups of ten travel by Mercedes Sprinter to hike the ice canyons and caves of Matanuska Glacier.
Free Cancellation Trek across the Matanuska Glacier on a guided two-hour ice walk with gear and lunch included from Anchorage.
Free Cancellation Walk on Matanuska Glacier's blue ice with professional gear and guides on this 8-hour day trip from Anchorage.
Free Cancellation Hike past the Ice Falls into the Matanuska Glacier's interior with a 1:4 guide ratio.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Matanuska Glacier — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Matanuska Glacier is a 27-mile river of ice in the Chugach Mountains, accessible via a two-hour drive from Anchorage. Guided tours put you directly on the 300-foot-thick terminus, where you walk across compacted snow and dense blue ice. Expect to spend about three hours navigating crevasses, moulins, and frozen meltwater pools.
Deep turquoise shafts form when vertical drainage holes refreeze at the bottom and fill with water. Guides often stop at these moulins so you can look straight down into the ice.
Ice fractures constantly here. You walk around deep fissures and pressure ridges using provided crampons and helmets.
The approach crosses a terminal moraine covered in gray rock flour. This wet silt acts like quicksand, requiring you to stick strictly to the cone-marked grated paths.
Smooth blue faces rise from the valley floor near the trekking routes. You will likely spot climbers swinging ice tools into the headwall.
Cold air constantly rolls down the 27-mile ice field. The temperature on the glacier drops significantly compared to the parking lot, requiring synthetic layers even in July.
Booking a Matanuska Glacier tour requires planning for travel time and private access fees. Most tours depart from Anchorage and take up a full eight-hour day.
The only road to the ice crosses private land at Mile 102 of the Glenn Highway. The $55 adult gate fee is often excluded from the base tour price. State and national park passes are not accepted here.
Full-day tours from Anchorage run 8 to 10 hours, including the two-hour drive each way. If you drive yourself to the Mile 102 gate, the actual guided ice trek takes about three hours.
Standard family tours accept children as young as 8 and seniors up to 75. The terrain covers up to two miles of uneven ice and gravel. You need moderate fitness and stable footing.
Operators provide helmets and microspikes or crampons. Your hiking boots must fit rental traction gear, which accommodates US kids size 2 through US mens size 15. Wear synthetic layers instead of cotton.
You can pay the gate fee and walk a marked unguided trail in summer. Going beyond the warning signs requires a certified guide. Winter access always requires a guide.
Major operators like NOVA Alaska Guides enforce a strict no-drone policy over their permitted areas. Leave the drone in your car.
Most guided treks offer a full refund if canceled 24 hours before departure. Weather and ice conditions change rapidly. If a tour is canceled due to unsafe ice, you get a refund.
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| Full-Day Anchorage Departure | Self-Drive Adventure Trek | Family Glacier Walk | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 8-10 hours | 6 hours | 3 hours |
| Best for | Travelers without rental cars | Fit hikers driving themselves | Kids 8+ and seniors |
| Includes | Hotel transit, gear, guide | Advanced gear, small group guide | Helmet, crampons, basic guide |
| Price from | $329 | $225 | $100 + gate fee |
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The private gate at Mile 102 operates guided departures daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the summer season. Check-in times are tied to specific tour slots.
Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled trip time to handle check-in and sign waivers.
Matanuska Glacier is located 102 miles northeast of Anchorage via the Glenn Highway (Alaska Route 1). The drive takes 2 to 2.5 hours each way.
Summer road construction and RV traffic regularly cause delays. Add a 30-minute buffer to your driving estimate.
June through August is the optimal window for a glacier trek. You get stable ice conditions for walking, warmer temperatures, and up to 19 hours of daylight in late June.
July brings wildflowers along the access trail, adding color to the gray and blue landscape. All guided tour companies operate fully between June 1 and September 10.
Skip April, May, and October. Rapid melting and refreezing make trail conditions unpredictable. Crevasses are at their widest and most hazardous just before the winter snowfall. Deep winter (December through February) offers unique ice cave viewing but requires a certified guide and brings sub-zero temperatures.
The Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site at Mile 101 is an ADA-compliant facility. It features accessible toilets and a parking area that offers clear views of the glacier without requiring a hike.
The actual glacier surface is not wheelchair accessible. The trail from the private Mile 102 parking lot to the ice crosses soft silt, metal grates, and uneven moraine terrain.
Tour operators generally do not accommodate wheelchair users on the ice itself. Visitors need stable footing to walk the 1.5 to 2 miles over the ice. Operators recommend disclosing any heart, respiratory, or mobility conditions before booking.
The private Mile 102 access point has a parking area and an office where you pay fees and sign waivers. Tour operators distribute helmets and traction gear at the trailhead here.
There are no food vendors directly on the glacier. Bring your own water bottle and snacks in a small backpack.
The access road and gate to the ice are privately controlled. You must pay the landowner's access fee and sign a liability waiver at the Mile 102 gate before proceeding.
Self-guided access is permitted only in summer conditions and strictly limited to the marked trail. Going beyond the warning signs requires a certified guide.
You can walk a marked, self-guided trail near the terminus in summer after paying the private gate fee. Going beyond the 'End of unguided trail' sign requires a certified guide. Winter access is strictly guided.
The private access gate at Mile 102 charges $55 for adults, $25 for teens, and $30 for seniors or military. Children 8-12 are free. This is separate from any guided tour costs.
No. The access road to the ice crosses private land. America the Beautiful and Alaska State Park passes do not cover the gate fee.
Katabatic winds blow continuously down the 27-mile glacier. Expect temperatures on the ice to be 10 to 15 degrees colder than the parking lot. Wear warm synthetic layers even in July.
Wear sturdy, over-the-ankle hiking boots. They need to fit the microspikes or crampons provided by your guide. Rental traction gear generally fits US kids size 2 up to US mens size 15.
The Glenn Highway is paved and well-maintained. It takes about two hours to drive the 100 miles. Summer construction and RV traffic regularly cause delays, so add a 30-minute buffer.
Yes. Standard family tours accept children as young as 8. The pace is slow, covering 1.5 to 2 miles over three hours. Kids must be supervised closely around crevasses and silt.
Wet glacial silt acts like quicksand. A boot sunk just an inch can get stuck due to suction. Stay on the cone-marked and grated paths across the moraine.
Major tour operators enforce a strict no-drone policy within their permitted areas. You cannot fly a drone during a guided tour.
Stop at the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site at Mile 101. A $7 parking fee gets you access to the 20-minute Edge Nature Trail and dedicated viewing platforms. You cannot touch the ice from here.
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You'll walk directly on the ice of the Matanuska Glacier to see seracs, moulins, and deep blue crevasses. The drive takes two hours each way. Guides lead the trek and explain how these ice formations shift throughout the season. It's a long day. Access fees and guiding are included in the price. The van stops halfway to the glacier so you can buy lunch and snacks. Bring extra layers and stiff boots. Even on sunny days, the ice generates its own cold microclimate that can feel ten degrees chillier than the trailhead. If the weather turns, the ice becomes slick—trust the guide's path.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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You'll leave downtown Anchorage for a two-hour drive through the Chugach Mountains. There's a stop at a local diner on the way so you can buy lunch. It’s a long day. Wear synthetic layers rather than cotton; the wind off the ice is significantly colder than the air in the parking lot. Once you arrive, a guide fits you with crampons before an ATV carries you to the glacier's base. You'll spend about two hours on foot exploring the ice. The guide points out moulins and silt-covered ridges while explaining how the 27-mile-long ice mass moves. It's slippery, but the steel spikes bite into the surface well. The return trip ends with a drop-off at your original downtown location. If the weather turns, the ATV ride to the ice gets muddy—bring a jacket you don't mind staining.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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You'll spend three hours walking directly on the ice of the Matanuska Glacier. Groups are kept small to avoid the bottlenecks common on larger commercial tours. You'll start with a safety briefing before putting on provided crampons and helmets to navigate the pressure ridges and blue meltwater pools. The guides explain how the ice moves about a foot a day. It's colder than you think. Even on a sunny day, the ice acts like a massive refrigerator, so bring a windbreaker. The trip ends with a tasting of Alaskan honeys and wines produced in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. You'll try varieties like fireweed honey and wines fermented from local berries. The flavors depend on what bloomed in the valley that summer. They're sharper than supermarket brands. If you like the fireweed honey, buy a jar here. It's harder to find once you leave the area. Wear stiff-soled boots to make the crampons more comfortable. If the weather turns, the glacier can get slippery and wind-whipped, so check the forecast for Glacier View specifically before driving out. Morning tours usually get the most stable weather.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Small-group vans depart Anchorage for the drive northeast to the Matanuska Glacier. This route follows the Glenn Highway past the Chugach Mountains. It’s a long drive. Guides provide ice spikes and lead the walk onto the ice. You’ll walk past high ice ridges and look down into blue crevasses. Glacial movement means the path changes as it flows—expect a different route every day. It’s colder on the ice than in the parking lot. Wear wool socks and waterproof boots to keep your feet dry. Debris and moraines line the path where the ice carves the valley floor. If it’s raining hard, the surface gets slick and visibility drops. Book the morning slot for the calmest weather.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Groups of ten travel in a Mercedes Sprinter for the drive along the Matanuska River. You'll stop for coffee and snacks before reaching the glacier access point. It's a smooth ride, but the terrain changes fast once you're on the ice. Local Matanuska Park Guides lead the trek through frozen canyons and into ice caves. The route covers ridges and valleys. It suits beginner or intermediate hikers. Guides explain the geology of the 27-mile-long glacier as you go. Bring extra layers even if it's sunny—the ice creates its own wind.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Vans depart downtown Anchorage for a two-hour drive north to the Matanuska Glacier. You'll travel along the Glenn Highway through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. It's a long drive, but the guide narrates the trip with local history. The ice walk lasts about two hours. You'll wear provided helmets and microspikes to navigate the blue meltwater pools and deep crevasses. It's a moderate hike that requires steady balance and healthy knees. If you're prone to slipping, take it slow. The wind off the ice is sharp, so bring a jacket even in July. Lunch is at a nearby lodge overlooking the glacier before the two-hour return trip. The tour concludes with drop-offs at major downtown hotels. Bring cash for the glacier guides; they rely on tips.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This 8-hour tour leaves Anchorage daily for the Matanuska Glacier. You'll spend about three hours walking on the ice itself. The guides provide crampons and helmets at the trailhead. It’s a two-hour drive each way on the Glenn Highway. Frozen, gritty waves of blue ice make up the walking surface. It's a long day. Deep crevasses and turquoise meltwater pools mark the route. The guides take digital photos of you during the hike and send them for free afterward. It's accessible for kids and seniors because the path stays on relatively flat sections of the glacier. But it’s cold even in July. Wear wool socks. The wind off the ice drops the temperature by 10 or 15 degrees instantly. Use the provided spikes rather than your own; they're fitted specifically to your boots for safety. This is the best option for people who want to touch the ice without a technical climb. If you want vertical ice walls, look for a trekking-specific tour instead. Pack a lunch to eat on the bus, as food stops along the highway are rare.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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NOVA's Adventure Trek goes past the Ice Falls into the Matanuska Glacier's interior. NOVA started guiding on this ice over 30 years ago. They keep groups small. With one guide for every four hikers, the route changes based on your fitness. If you're fast, you'll see the deep moulin formations and blue pools—the terrain day-trippers usually miss. Crampons and helmets come with the tour. It's a physical hike on uneven, slippery surfaces. You'll be on your feet for several hours navigating the active ice, so wear stiff boots and bring extra socks. Skip this if you want a casual stroll.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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