Matanuska Glacier
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is Matanuska?
Valley Glacier in Alaska, about 27 miles long and 4 miles wide. Its feature is the largest glacier in the USA, which can be reached by car, so you won't have to climb on foot for kilometers along the moraine.
How to get there?
The glacier lies off the Glenn Highway, about 100 miles northeast of Anchorage, in the town of Glacier View. The last section goes over a private bridge, for which a toll is charged - there is no free black entrance to nature here.
What can be seen and done there?
The glacier does not flow into the lake or the sea, but feeds the Matanuska River. Nearby is the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site with trails and a small campground, so you can go for a walk or spend the night overlooking the ice.
Is the glacier moving?
Yes, creeps about a foot a day. At the same time, its edge has hardly moved in the last three decades - the ice melts exactly as much as it has time to advance.
Where did the name Matanuska come from?
The glacier was named after the ferry MV Matanuska of the Alaska Seaway. The glacier itself is retreating now, so you should see it sooner rather than later.
