Mat-Su Valley Blog

Spring has come unusually early in the Mat-Su Valley, and everyone is bustling with activity as temperatures hit the mid-50s as early as mid-March. As news reports of a blizzard hitting the Midwest hits the airwaves, Alaskans are doing things like getting their golf game tuned up this April. One...

Alaskans love summer, for good reason. But don't sleep on fall - there's a ton of great activities going on in the Mat-Su Valley in late September and early October. Here are five of our favorite things to do once summer is over, but winter is still a month or two down the road: 1. Take a hike....

Reserving a public-use cabin in the Mat-Su Valley just got easier and more convenient. The Alaska State Parks are now offering online reservations for all Mat-Su area public-use cabins, as well as spots at two popular campgrounds. The new system was put in place a few weeks ago. The public-use...

The Mat-Su Valley is a recreational boater's paradise, with opportunities to paddle a kayak or canoe around almost every bend in the road. A fast-growing national trend, stand-up paddleboarding, is also a great way to enjoy the lakes of the Mat-Su Valley. There are several state recreational areas...

The Nancy Lakes State Recreation Area is one of the crown jewels of the Alaska State Parks system and offers visitors a multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities, from canoeing and kayaking to fishing, birding, wildlife viewing and hiking. The area is located off the Parks Highway (Hwy. 3) near...

Visitors can now get a live look-in on what's happening in Denali State Park, thanks to a new webcam at Kesugi Ken Campground. The camera went live last week, and will allow visitors to see the Alaska Range and Denali on a clear day, from the campground's parking lot. You can view the webcam HERE....

With summer right around the corner, it's time to start planning road trips. The Mat-Su Valley is an ideal destination for RVers looking for scenic wonder and camping opportunities. There are several companies that rent RVs in Anchorage, so even if you don't own one, there are still opportunities to...

When it comes to winter recreation, there is simply no better place to be than Hatcher Pass, nestled into the Talkeetna Mountains. Hatcher Pass is the ideal destination for winter enthusiasts, as the area boasts something for everyone. It's usually the first area to get snow in the fall, and the...

Byers Lake, tucked into Denali State Park, is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, as it offers amazing hiking, canoeing, kayaking and camping opportunities year-round. The lake, located at Mile 147 Parks Hwy, (Highway 3), is in the heart of Denali State Park, and getting there is half the fun, as the...