01
Edge Nature Trail
20-30 minutes
Walk this short, easy path winding through the boreal forest. It takes about 20 minutes to complete. Look for interpretive signs explaining glacier geology and local wildlife along the way.
Explore
Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site (Mile 101)
Stop at Mile 101 on the Glenn Highway for distant, panoramic views of the glacier. The state recreation site at Mile 101 charges a small day-use fee for its viewing trails.
The state recreation site offers a safe vantage point to observe the 27-mile (43 km) long valley glacier. It does not provide direct ice access. You can walk short trails and use observation decks to view the ice.
The state recreation site at Mile 101 charges a small day-use fee for its viewing trails. If you want to walk on the ice, you must drive one mile north to the private gate at Mile 102.
02
Glacier Viewing Platforms
Telescopes provided15 minutes
These wooden observation decks feature telescopes for looking at the glacier and its deep crevasses. Walk 50 yards west along the gravel trail for a quieter viewing spot. You will find two benches on a raised deck there.
03
Campground
OvernightFirst-come, first-served
This 12-site gravel loop includes fire pits, picnic tables, and toilets. The nearby Long Rifle Lodge manages the facility. Sites are first-come, first-served, so arrive early during the peak summer season.
