From Anchorage: Matanuska Glacier Full-Day Tour
About This Experience
This is the straightforward way to see the Matanuska Glacier if you are based in Anchorage and do not want to drive. The day runs about ten hours door to door, and most of what is not spent on the ice is spent on the Glenn Highway — a National Scenic Byway that follows the Matanuska River up the valley with the Chugach on one side and the Talkeetnas on the other. On a clear day the drive is genuinely part of the trip.
The glacier sits about 100 miles from the city. You check in at the Glacier Park office, use the indoor restrooms, then drive up to the first view of the ice and collect your safety equipment — cleats or ice spikes for your shoes year-round, plus helmets in summer.
What happens next depends on the season, and it is the biggest single difference between winter and summer bookings here. From late November through April you ride out to the blue ice on sleds towed behind a snow machine, which makes the trip much less demanding. From May through early November you walk, and the hike is longer and more strenuous.
The guiding leans educational — the Matanuska is one of the most studied glaciers on earth and the commentary reflects that. All entry fees are covered in the price, which is worth noting: the gate fee is a separate charge on the tours that start at the glacier itself.
Highlights
- Drive the Glenn Highway up the Matanuska Valley — a National Scenic Byway
- Walk on the 27-mile (43 km) Matanuska Glacier with an experienced guide
- All park entry fees included, unlike the tours that start at the glacier
- Winter departures ride out to the blue ice on snow-machine sleds
- Learn the geology of one of the most studied glaciers on earth
What's Included
- ✓ Round-trip transport from Anchorage
- ✓ All entry fees
- ✓ Glacier safety equipment (ice cleats, helmets, poles)
- ✓ Light snacks and bottled water
- ✓ Guided glacier experience
Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities (customarily $10-$20 per person, per guide)
- Footwear — sturdy waterproof shoes in summer, warm waterproof boots in winter
What to Bring
- Weather-appropriate layers
- Comfortable, sturdy shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
Good to Know & Caveats
- A liability release is required for this tour.
- Winter (late November-April) uses snow-machine sleds to reach the ice; summer (May-early November) is a longer, more strenuous hike.
- Plan on roughly two hours of driving each way — the glacier is about 100 miles from Anchorage.
- Pets are not permitted; assistance dogs are welcome.
- High-heeled shoes are not suitable.
Not Suitable For
- People with back problems
- People with a low level of fitness
- People with mobility impairments
Meeting Point
Anchorage — the operator confirms the pickup point when you book.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.8/5 by 118 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Excellent experience! Our guide and driver were AMAZING! This experience and their customer service really added to our vacation. 10/10 would do again!!!
— Emily, August
we had a great day and our driver Tony and our guides were all fabulous 👌
— Gregory, May 23,
An unforgettable tour to the imposing Matanuska Glacier. The pickup at the hotel worked out great, and on site a guide went on the hike with us. It's not really strenuous; you just have to have a steady gait to avoid the crevasses. After the excursion, we went to a cozy lodge for lunch. All in all, a successful day and highly recommended! 😊
— Jasmin, May 13,
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Glacier Park entry fees included?
Yes. All entry fees are in the ticket price on this tour. That is a real difference from the departures that start at the glacier itself, where the gate fee is charged separately at check-in — $55 per adult at the time of writing.
How long is the day?
About ten hours in total. The glacier is roughly 100 miles from Anchorage, so around four hours of that is driving, with photo stops along the Glenn Highway.
What is the difference between the winter and summer versions?
From late November through April you ride out to the blue ice on sleds towed by a snow machine, which makes the trip much gentler. From May through early November you hike out instead, and the walk is longer and harder work.
Is lunch included?
No. Light snacks and bottled water are provided, but you should bring lunch or buy it at the stop along the way.
How fit do I need to be?
Reasonably. The operator does not accept guests with back problems, mobility impairments or a low level of fitness, and the summer hike covers uneven ground. The winter sled version is much less demanding.
Other Matanuska Glacier Tours
Anchorage: Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike and Tour
Matanuska Glacier Family Tour
Hike Matanuska Glacier with Alaska Honey & Wine Tasting
Anchorage: Matanuska Glacier Hike with Transfers
Matanuska Glacier Backcountry Ice Climbing
Matanuska Glacier Tour
