Palmer, Alaska is the gateway to Alaska's foremost recreation area with campgrounds, lakes and over 50 resorts—a fact long recognized and little publicized by local Alaskans. On a typical weekend, Anchorage residents desert that bustling "metropolis" in droves to converge on the mountains, streams and lakes of the nearby Palmer-Wasilla-Big Lake area.

Palmer is also the trading and supply center for the fertile, farm-filled  Matanuska Valley. The many farms and dairy herds here will convince you that this is the State's agricultural center. Ringed by rugged mountains on three sides, the Valley cradles the farms and dairy herds which yield two thirds of Alaska's agricultural products. Over 40 bushels per acre of barley and oats are common. Major crops grown here include potatoes, lettuce, carrots, peas, squash, radishes, cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage. Dairy farming has  declined during the past few years due to higher feed prices, but look around, and you'll still see dairy farms in the valley.

You will find mild summers in the Matanuska Valley with long daylight hours  and an average temperature of 60 degrees. Winters are brisk, with moderate  snowfall and an average temperature of 20 degrees.

Palmer, with a population of 4100, serves as a trade center for approximately  22,000 people. It offers country-style living and recreation along with a  distinctly modern community. View some photo's of the local palmer area by clicking here.

Information/Emergency

Palmer Visitor Information Center Museum and Agricultural Showcase  Garden, Gift Shop, 907-745-2880. In the rustic log cabin downtown. Open daily 8-6 (May 1 to September 15) weekdays 9-4 (September 16 to April 30). Items from Palmer's pioneer era are displayed in the museum downstairs.

Mat-Su Visitor Center operated by MSCVB, is open from mid-May through  mid-September. Its hours of operation are 8:30am to 6:30pm. the Center is  located at Mile 35.5 Parks Highway, just up the Parks Highway from its intersection  with the Glenn Highway. Available at the Center is information on activities,  events, lodging services, tours, and more. A gift shop is located here as  well. Mailing address HC 01 Box 6166 J21 Palmer, AK 99645, 907-746-5000 fax  907-746-2688.

Emergency only 911; Palmer police 907-745-4811; State Troopers 907-745-2131;  Valley Hospital 515 Dahlia, 907-745-4813.

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Accommodations

Pioneer Motel. Turn off Glenn Highway at Tesoro station (Arctic Avenue). New units, cable TV, apartment daily or weekly. 124 W. Arctic, Palmer, AK 99645; 907-745-3425.

Valley Hotel 907-745-3330 or 800-478-ROOM, 606 S. Alaska Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645. 34 rooms with bath and color TV.

Camping
Fox Run RV Campground mile 36.3 Glenn Hwy. Fox Run has spectacular views of the Chugach Range and Matanuska Lake. Full hookups available as well as tenting areas. Laundry, restrooms, showers, Email access, boat rentals, fishing tackle for sale or rent, children’s play area. Close to shopping, restaurants and visitor information center. There are 12 lakes within easy walking distance for fishing, hiking, swimming, or boating. Daily, weekly and monthly rates available. Reservations in AK 1-877-745-6120, 907-745-6120

Finger Lake State Recreation Site six miles from Palmer, Mile 1.5 Bogard Road, Wasilla. Check Visitor Info Center for detailed maps.

Matanuska River Park mile 17 Old Glenn Highway. 80 spaces for tents or RV's, flush toilets, showers, dump station, picnic tables, grills, 5 park  pavilions. River access, observation deck, fishing, athletic fields and parking area, campfire area, firewood, convenience concession items, RV Caravan area.

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Things To Do

Musk Ox Farm and Gift Shop Box 587, Palmer,  AK 99645; 907-745-4151. During the tours in the summer you can see the newborn  calves and mom's romping in beautiful pastures with Pioneer Peak as a backdrop.  Located just outside of Palmer at Mile 50.1 of the Glenn Highway, this farm is the only place in the world where these rare and exotic animals are raised domestically on a commercial scale. Perfectly suited to their harsh Arctic environment, the musk ox had no natural enemies until man nearly hunted them to extinction at the turn of the century. On the tour, you'll learn the history of the musk ox, a unique prehistoric remnant of the last great Ice Age, and how it has been domesticated. Musk Oxen are raised for their precious coat of qiviut, the gossamer down  that grows under their shaggy outer guard hairs. Qiviut is combed from the  musk oxen and spun into yarn that is, pound for pound, eight times warmer  than sheep's wool. This yarn is the basis of a cottage knitting industry that uniquely complements the subsistence lifestyle of the Eskimo people.

The Gallery 1150 S Colony Way. 907-745-1420. Prints and originals from local& national artists, Big Sky Bears, porcelain, baskets and local Alaskan Ivory. Mon - Fri 10 to 6, Sat 10 to 5, Sun 11 to 4

Alaska State Fair, Palmer Fairgrounds in the last week of August. The state's largest fair with craft booths, live entertainment and farm  exhibits, including 100 pound cabbages and other agricultural products from  Alaska's famous Matanuska Valley. Other attractions include a rodeo (both  weekends), a three-day state championship horse show, a well-rounded display  of fair exhibits, continuous entertainment as well as athletic contests.

The twin outdoor horse show rings at the fairgrounds are busy much of the  summer. Up to 200 horses are entered in the larger shows and top judges are  brought in from outside. Pick up your schedule of horse show events at the Fair Office.

Visitor Information Center and Museum, a rustic log cabin in the center  of town, is open daily during the summer, and weekdays, year-round. Here you can see and purchase gift items of some 100 local artists. Much of the art on display is on consignment. Several authors and artists are among Alaska's  pioneer citizens, all of whom have interesting stories to tell you.

You will find numerous State campgrounds and more than 50 resorts scattered  throughout the region. A large network of paved highways and country roads provide access to the fishing, hunting, boating, water skiing, sailing and resort vacationing for which the area is renowned.

Hatcher Pass 20-miles north of Palmer, takes you onto high mountain summits that afford picturesque views of the valley. From July to September,  you can continue through Hatcher Pass to Willow (60 miles) and return to Palmer via Big Lake and Wasilla. Parts of this road are unsuitable for large motorhomes  or vehicles towing trailers.

Independence Mine State Historical Park. There are tours of the old Independence Gold Mine buildings and operation. The visitor center  has displays and the staff will tell you all about the history of the area and how gold was mined. (fee charged for tour).

If you take your pleasure afoot, you will be delighted with the many and varied hiking trails in the Valley. Popular hikes include Bodenburg Butte,  Lazy Mountain and Mt. Vigor, south and west of Palmer, and Reed Lakes and  The Pinnacle, north of Palmer at Hatcher Pass.

Kepler-Bradley Lakes State Recreation Area 3.9 miles south of Palmer,  is a series of fishing lakes which are both popular and productive. All lakes in the Kepler-Bradley system are stocked with rainbow trout. You can catch landlocked silver salmon in Echo and Victor lakes.

Knik Glacier Adventures. See and experience firsthand the rugged and beautiful land, under the care and guidance of lifelong Alaskan residents. We use our experience, knowledge and passion for this great land to provide you with an unforgettable adventure and memories that will last a lifetime.

Nova Whitewater Rafting offers fantastic whitewater rafting on several rivers in the area. They supply everything you need for a safe but exciting rafting experience.
1-800-746-5753

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