Getting onto the ice requires paying a $55 adult access fee at the privately run Mile 102 gate, which operates daily from 9 AM to 5 PM in summer. If you're just looking, the state recreation site at Mile 101 charges a $7 vehicle fee.
The private access gate at Mile 102 operates daily from 09:00 to 17:00 during the summer. You can visit year-round, but unguided access is strictly limited to summer months. During winter, spring, and fall, you must book a certified guide to pass the gate.
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| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 09:00–17:00 | Summer hours. Tour check-ins typically run from 09:00 to 15:00. |
The private access gate at Mile 102 remains open year-round, operating on all national holidays. The neighboring Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site at Mile 101 has no set daytime hours but closes for the season once winter snow and ice dictate.
Getting on the ice costs $55 per adult at the private Glacier Park gate. Teens, seniors, and military pay discounted rates, while kids 8 to 12 enter free. If you just want to look from a distance, the state recreation site charges a flat $7 daily vehicle fee.
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| Category | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (17+) Glacier Access | $55 | 2026 rate at the private Mile 102 gate. |
| Teen (13-16) Glacier Access | $25 | |
| AK Resident, Military, or Senior (65+) | $30 | |
| Child (8-12) Glacier Access | Free | Supervision required due to crevasse and silt hazards. |
| State Recreation Site Day Use | $7 | Per vehicle. Viewing only at Mile 101; no ice access. |
| Guided Tour Add-on | $100 - $249 | Per person. Charged by guide companies in addition to the private gate fee. |
State and federal park passes (like America the Beautiful) are not accepted at the private access gate, and there are no regular free entry days to walk on the ice.
Planning your visit to Matanuska Glacier? Find tours with free cancellation and skip-the-line options.
View All ToursJune through August is the best window to walk the ice. You'll get up to 19 hours of daylight, warmer temperatures, and stable trail conditions, though these peak summer months also bring the heaviest crowds. Skip April, May, and October, when rapid melting makes the moraine unpredictable and crevasses widen.
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| Period | Crowd Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Morning (09:00–10:30) | Low | Catch the 9 AM or 10 AM tour slots to get on the ice before the bulk of the Anchorage traffic arrives. |
| Midday (11:00–13:30) | High | These are the busiest check-in times for standard three-hour family tours and guided treks. |
| Afternoon (14:00–15:00) | Moderate | The final guided departures of the day offer a quieter walk as earlier groups finish up and head back to the parking lot. |
| Late Afternoon (15:30–17:00) | Low | Tour departures wrap up by 5 PM, so late arrivals should stick to the state recreation site viewing platforms at Mile 101. |
Expect to spend about three hours on the ice for a standard visit. Your actual duration depends on the specific activity, with guided family tours and self-guided walks to the terminus taking up the bulk of an afternoon. Viewing the glacier from the state recreation site takes under thirty minutes.
State and national park passes won't get you on the ice. The Mile 102 access road is privately run and charges $55 per adult. Pay this fee online when booking your tour to skip the payment line at the gate.
Pack warm layers to handle the cold katabatic winds blowing directly off the ice. You'll also need sturdy, waterproof boots. Tour operators provide microspikes, but their rental gear only fits US kids size 2 through mens size 15.
Driving from Anchorage takes roughly two hours. Add a 30-minute buffer to your schedule to handle frequent Glenn Highway construction delays. Operators expect you at the check-in desk 15 minutes before your slot.
Don't step off the cone-marked, grated path across the moraine flats near the parking area. Agitated glacial silt acts like quicksand. A boot sunk just an inch into the wet mud can suction fast enough to trap you.
Summer is the only season the private gate allows self-guided walks on the ice. Avoid April, May, and October, when rapid melting makes trail conditions unpredictable and widens the crevasses. Winter visits require a certified guide to explore the frozen lake.
Walking on the ice requires a private access fee at the Mile 102 gate. As of 2026, adults pay $55, teens are $25, and kids 8 to 12 enter free. Guided tours cost an extra $100 to $249 per person.
No. The only road to the ice crosses private land, so America the Beautiful and state passes aren't accepted at the gate. You'll need to pay the separate access fee out of pocket.
You can walk a marked trail without a guide during the summer. But if you visit in winter, spring, or fall, a certified guide is mandatory. Traveling beyond the marked summer path also requires a guide due to hidden crevasses.
Summer guided tours run daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, with frequent check-in slots like 10 AM, noon, and 2 PM. The private gate is open year-round, including holidays. If you just want a quick look, the state viewing area at Mile 101 stays open until winter snow closes it.
A standard walk on the ice takes 1.5 to 3 hours. If you add the two-hour drive from Anchorage and check-in time, budget at least three to five hours total. A quick photo stop at the state recreation site only takes 20 minutes.
Yes, kids as young as 8 are welcome on family-paced tours. These routes cover about 1.5 to 2 miles over three hours. Because glacial silt can act like quicksand, children must stay supervised on the trail at all times.
At least one major operator enforces a strict no-drone policy within their guided areas. The wider valley is state land, so recreational flights might be allowed elsewhere under normal FAA rules. Check with your specific guide or the gate office before launching.
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