Matanuska Glacier Trail

The feel

A private road leads to a parking lot at the terminal moraine, and the walk onto the ice starts from there. Guides outfit the group with helmets, crampons and poles, then lead you across the glacier. Matanuska is an active glacier 26 miles long.

The ground underfoot is rough and sometimes slushy and muddy. The only way onto this glacier is a guided tour.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Out and back, 1.6 miles total, with 173 ft of gain, from the moraine parking lot onto the ice. Terrain is rough and sometimes slushy and muddy, and a guide and crampons are required.

Time

About 1 hour on the trail itself; guided walks last 1 to 2 hours.

Parking

A private road off Mile 102 of the Glenn Highway leads to a parking lot at the terminal moraine.

Fees and passes

Glacier Park is privately owned and charges an access fee each time you go through the gate: adults 17 and up $55, teens 13 to 16 $25, Alaska residents, military and seniors 65 and up $30. Alaska State passes do not apply.

Hazards

Rough, sometimes slushy and muddy terrain.

Season and access

Guided tours run year-round. Glacier Park is at Mile 102 of the Glenn Highway, a 2-hour drive from Anchorage.

Mingo says

Leave extra time for the drive, because roadwork can stop traffic for 30 minutes. Count on a drive of 2.5 hours.

Before you go

• Glacier Park charges its own access fee per person each time you go through the gate, and Alaska State passes do not apply.
• Arrive 30 minutes before your tour time, ready to walk.
• Wear boots or shoes you do not mind getting muddy or wet.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.