Experience the largest ice mass in Alaska accessible by car with a guided winter tour to Matanuska Glacier. These 8-hour day trips include round-trip transportation from Anchorage, lunch, and specialized winter glacier gear.
Free Cancellation Walk across Matanuska Glacier, the largest in Alaska reachable by car, with lunch and park fees included.
Free Cancellation Guided day trip from Anchorage featuring a two-hour trek on Matanuska Glacier, provided gear, and lodge lunch.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Matanuska Glacier — from practical tips to personal highlights.
A winter tour to Matanuska Glacier means an eight-hour round trip from Anchorage to walk on a frozen, 27-mile-long river of ice. You strap on provided ice cleats and follow a certified guide across a frozen lake to reach the terminus. Expect temperatures well below zero and a frozen expanse of bright blue ice caves that only form in the coldest months.
Winter reveals seasonal ice caves beneath the glacier's headwall. The frozen lake provides safe access to these brilliant blue formations, which change shape every year.
Deep vertical drainage shafts that flow with meltwater in summer freeze solid by December. Guides lead groups to peer down into these turquoise tunnels.
The 100-mile drive from Anchorage takes two hours each way. Vans follow the Matanuska River through the Chugach Mountains, passing the conical peak of King Mountain.
Tour operators provide microspikes or crampons that fit over your winter boots. You walk about two miles across uneven, frozen moraine and solid glacial ice.
Full-day tours from Anchorage build in time for a hot meal. Groups stop at a local eatery along the highway either before or after the two-hour ice trek.
Winter access to Matanuska Glacier is strictly regulated, and you cannot walk on the ice without a certified guide. Most visitors book full-day packages from Anchorage that handle the driving, the gear, and the private land fees.
Self-guided access is prohibited between October and May. You must book a tour with a certified company to pass the private gate at Mile 102.
The only road to the ice crosses private land, and state or federal park passes do not work here. The $55 adult gate fee is usually baked into the price of full-day tours from Anchorage.
Tours departing Anchorage run about eight hours. Four of those hours are spent driving the 100 miles each way, leaving two hours for the ice trek and time for lunch.
Walking on the glacier requires moderate fitness and stable footing. The two-mile route crosses frozen silt and uneven ice with minor elevation changes up to 285 feet.
Tour operators set a minimum age of eight years old for winter glacier walks. The terrain and extreme cold make it unsuitable for younger children.
You need sturdy, stiff-soled winter boots to fit the provided ice cleats. Rental traction gear only accommodates sizes from a US kids 2 up to a US mens 15.
Anchorage-based operators collect passengers from major downtown and midtown hotels. They do not pick up from private Airbnbs, Alyeska, or specific spots like the Dimond Hotel.
Most operators require 24 hours notice for a full refund. Winter weather on the Glenn Highway can occasionally force operators to cancel, in which case you get your money back.
Swipe to see more
| Matanuska Glacier Winter Tour | Matanuska Glacier Hike with Lunch | Self-Drive Guided Trek | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 8 hours | 8 hours | 3 hours |
| Inclusions | Guide, lunch, ice cleats, park fee | Guide, lunch, winter clothing, water | Guide, ice cleats, helmet |
| Transportation | Anchorage hotel pickup | Downtown Anchorage departure | Meet at Mile 102 gate |
| Price from | $406 | $330 | $150 + $55 gate fee |
Swipe to see more
The private glacier access gate at Mile 102 operates daily year-round, with winter guided tours typically departing between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Daylight is extremely limited in December and January, sometimes lasting only five to six hours.
You cannot walk on the ice unguided during the winter months. A certified guide is mandatory from October through May for safety reasons.
The state-run Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site at Mile 101 remains open for view-only access until snow and ice conditions force a closure.
Matanuska Glacier is located about 100 miles northeast of Anchorage. The drive takes two to two and a half hours each way via the Glenn Highway (Alaska Route 1).
If you drive yourself, head north through Palmer and Chickaloon. At Mile 102, a blue sign marks the turnoff for the private access road leading down to the glacier office and parking area.
Full-day tours handle the driving and pick up passengers from downtown and midtown Anchorage hotels. They do not pick up from Airbnbs or private accommodations.
Deep winter from December to February offers the best chance to see seasonal blue ice caves. The frozen lake beneath the headwall provides safe access to these formations, which do not exist in summer.
Temperatures regularly drop well below zero during these months. Cold katabatic winds blow directly off the 27-mile stretch of ice, making it feel even colder.
Skip the spring (April to May) and late fall (October) shoulder seasons. Rapid melting and refreezing make trail conditions unpredictable, and crevasses are at their widest.
The glacier surface is not wheelchair accessible. Tour operators do not accommodate wheelchair users on the ice due to the uneven moraine, metal grates, and frozen silt.
Walking the two-mile tour route requires moderate physical fitness. You walk across slippery terrain with minor elevation changes of 70 to 285 feet.
The Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site at Mile 101 is an ADA-compliant facility. It offers accessible toilets and a parking area with direct views of the glacier, though you cannot touch the ice from there.
The private gate at Mile 102 has a check-in office and a parking lot at the terminus. Tour operators provide microspikes or crampons here before you step onto the ice.
Most full-day tours from Anchorage include a stop at a local eatery along the Glenn Highway for lunch. Operators do not provide single-use water bottles, so bring a full reusable container.
The state recreation site at Mile 101 offers 12 gravel-loop campsites, picnic areas, and a 20-minute forested nature trail leading to dedicated viewing platforms.
You must sign a liability waiver and pay the private landowner's access fee at the Mile 102 gate. State and national park passes are not accepted here.
Major operators like NOVA Alaska Guides enforce a strict no-drone policy within their permitted areas. You cannot fly a drone during a guided tour.
Drugs and alcohol are prohibited before and during tours. Guides will turn away anyone under the influence without a refund. You must wear sturdy, stiff-soled footwear to participate.
No. Self-guided access is only permitted in the summer. From October through May, you must book a tour with a certified guide to pass the private gate.
Winter temperatures frequently drop below zero. Cold katabatic winds blow continuously down the 27-mile stretch of ice, making the air feel significantly colder than in Anchorage or Palmer.
Tour operators provide microspikes or crampons as part of your booking. You just need to bring sturdy, stiff-soled winter boots for the gear to attach to.
Full-day tours departing from Anchorage usually include the $55 private gate access fee. If you drive yourself and book a trek at the gate, you pay the access fee separately.
The glacier is 100 miles northeast of Anchorage along the Glenn Highway. The drive takes about two hours each way in good winter conditions.
Tour operators enforce a minimum age of eight years old for winter treks. The extreme cold and uneven terrain make it unsafe for younger children.
Yes. Seasonal ice caves form beneath the glacier's headwall during the winter. Guides lead groups across the frozen lake to explore these blue formations.
Major tour companies enforce a strict no-drone policy during their guided treks. You cannot launch a drone while on the ice with a group.
No. The only road to the glacier crosses privately controlled land at Mile 102. America the Beautiful and Alaska State Park passes are not accepted.
Rental traction gear has size limits. The provided cleats fit footwear ranging from a US kids size 2 up to a US mens size 15.
Browse verified tours with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
Find Tours
Matanuska Glacier is the largest ice mass in Alaska you can reach by car. This full-day trip covers the two-hour drive from Anchorage to the glacier's edge, where 27 miles of ice flow into the Matanuska Valley. It’s a long day. Your booking includes the park entrance fee, which grants access to the private trails leading onto the ice. Wear sturdy boots with ankle support. Expect to see deep blue crevasses and meltwater pools once you move past the silt-covered edges. You'll hear the ice shifting and water rushing through moulins. Lunch is included at a nearby restaurant overlooking the valley. If the weather turns, the path to the ice becomes a mud slide, so bring a waterproof jacket. Book this if you want to walk on a glacier without a helicopter.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Vans depart downtown Anchorage for a 100-mile drive north along the Glenn Highway. You'll spend about two hours in the vehicle before reaching the glacier. The route follows the Matanuska River, and the driver narrates the local history during the transit. It’s a long day. The trek lasts two hours and covers the glacier's surface. You’ll wear provided helmets and microspikes, which strap onto your own sturdy boots. It’s a moderate hike, but the ice is uneven and requires steady balance. If your knees are weak, skip this one. You’ll see deep blue crevasses and silt-covered ridges while the guide explains how the 27-mile-long ice flow shapes the valley. Lunch is at a nearby lodge with a view of the ice terminus. The van stays stocked with water and snacks for the return leg. You'll be dropped off at major downtown hotels. Bring cash for tips—the guides rely on them.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English