Parks and Greenspaces:
1. A-Moosement Park: Playground and pavilion with picnic area, in walking distance of downtown Palmer.
2. Palmer Rails to Trails Open Space: Greenspace and paved pathway in downtown Palmer by the Old Train Depot. Enjoy fresh vegetables from the Edible Rail Trail Planters along the route!
3. Matanuska River Park: Close to Palmer, this park contains an excellent campground, playground, pavilions, and provides access to the Matanuska Branch RR Palmer-Mouse Creek Rail Trail. MSB Park Information.
4. Matanuska Greenbelt Trails: The largest green space in the core of the Mat-Su, the Matanuska Greenbelt has a variety of trails and uses including horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, dog walks, and more! Access greenbelt trails from the Kin-Win Trailhead, Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area, University of Alaska Mat-Su Campus, and Crevasse-Moraine Trailhead. MSB Trail Information.
5. Government Peak Recreation Area: Government Peak Recreation Area offers hiking, walking, mountain biking, as well as some of the Borough's finest groomed Nordic skiing trails, all beginning at the Government Peak Chalet, which has a restroom and water fountains when open. There is also an outdoor outhouse. MSB Trail Information.
6. Settlers Bay Coastal Park: One of Mat-Su's newest parks offers delightful walking and biking trails with access to the coast near Knik Arm. MSB Park Information.
Can't Miss Summer Trips:
7. Rippy Trail: The 3.5 mile Rippy Trail starts just after the shooting range near Jim lake. This multi-use trail offers lovely views of Pioneer Peak, Knik Arm, and Knik Glacier, and nearby wetlands. This area is premier salmon, bird, and wildlife habitat. MSB Trail Information.
8. 7-Mile Canoe Trail: This delightful paddle traverses scenic waterways through the heart of Wasilla. One can begin at Finger Lake State Recreation Site, and go through Cottonwood lake, Cottonwood Creek, Upper Wasilla Lake, and Wasilla Lake itself, near the Parks Highway. This route is absolutely beautiful and centrally located.
9. Skyline: Departing from a neighborhood off Buffalo Mine Road, the Skyline trail climbs the foothills of Arkose Ridge. The trail overlooks the Matanuska Valley, with views of the Alaska Range and Tikahtnu (Cook Inlet) on a clear day.
10. Eska Falls: Eska Falls Trail traverses gorgeous scenery and the new non-motorized hiking trail is well-built and an absolute joy to hike. The trailhead begins in the same place as the motorized trail - follow signs and the route in this app to find. It winds upward through spruce and aspen forest, then emerges into alpine tundra and approaches the gorgeous Eska Falls. MSB Trail Information.
11. West Bodenburg Butte: Bodenburg Butte is the Mat-Su valleys' most popular hike - for good reason. A moderately steep, well-constructed trail leads two miles to the top of Bodenburg Butte, where one can experience stunning 360 views of the Knik Glacier, Pioneer Peak, Talkeetna Mountains, and valley farms below. MSB Trail Information.
12. Lazy Mountain: The Lazy Mountain trail, despite the name, is an ambitious hike that gains 3,720 in 2.2 miles. The first mile of the trail weaves through mixed forest and fireweed over an unmaintained, steep, packed dirt path. Just above treeline about halfway up the hike, a picnic table halfway offers a place to enjoy the stunning views of the Matanuska and Knik valleys. The second half of the hike traverses alpine tundra, mountain ridgelines, and scree to the summit. With its sweeping views, challenging terrain, and proximity to the town of Palmer, Lazy mountain is a perennial favorite among locals and visitors alike. For a gentler ascent up Lazy Mountain, try the Lazy Moose Trail! MSB Trail Information.
13. 16 Mile - Peak 4068 - Government Peak: This 3-mile link goes between the top of Government Peak Hike to the 16-mile area of the Hatcher Pass road. Stunning views, and a great opportunity to explore Hatcher Pass and Government Peak Recreation Area. MSB Trail Information.
Accessible Adventure for the Whole Family!:
14. Reflections Lake Loop: This quiet lake at the confluence of Knik and Matanuska Rivers offers stunning views and an easy 1-mile walk around the lake to the slough.
15. Pink Wild Rose Trail: This is a Universal Access Trail. The gravel-surfaced trail meanders .4 miles through boreal forest and over a mountain stream before descending to a picnic table at the bottom of Pioneer Loop. The picnic table is complete with a checker/chessboard and pieces, and would arguably be the site of the most picturesque game of checkers ever played provided you can tear your eyes from the expansive views of Pioneer Peak.
16. Old Glenn Hwy. Bike Path: This bike path travels from Palmer to the Butte between the Old Glenn Highway and the Matanuska River. Enjoy the scenic views of the Matanuska River and Pioneer Peak. There are many ways to access the bike path along its route.
17. Palmer-Railroad Trail: Paved pathway in downtown Palmer.
