What to do and see in Palmer, Alaska (AK): The Best Nature & Parks

November 8, 2021 Stefan Strunk

Palmer is a city in and the borough seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is part of the Anchorage Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 5,937.
Restaurants in Palmer

1. Government Peak Recreation Area

North Mountain Trails Drive, Palmer, AK 99645 +1 907-745-9577 http://www.matsugov.us/trails/gpra-winter
Excellent
87%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 15 reviews

Government Peak Recreation Area

Reviewed By AlaskanTravelBuddies

We had our wedding at the Chalet and it was absolutely beautiful! Sierra was so helpful and kind in making our day a wonderful experience!

2. Independence Mine State Historical Park

23264 Gold Cord Road, Palmer, AK 99645 +1 907-745-2827 http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/indmine.htm
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 427 reviews

Independence Mine State Historical Park

Park dedicated to the history of the gold rush.

Reviewed By StefanieH443 - Lincoln, United States

I honestly expected that we would visit this historical part for about 30 minutes on our way from Talkeetna to Anchorage, but we ended up staying for two hours! We had a beautiful day, so we hiked some trails, explored the historical buildings, and let our kids do some gold panning. Parking is $5, and I'm guessing that they get a lot of visitors when the tourist season is normal, because the parking lot is big, and there are signs posted about traffic congestion. However, during COVID, we obviously did not have the same experience and were lucky that we could see everything without crowds. The park is being managed by a tourism company right now, so they do offer tours of the closed buildings for a fee. If you self-tour, you can see the manager's house, the assay office, and an exhibit of artifacts in the gift shop building. The miners expected to come back, so everything is very good condition inside the buildings. Gold panning is $5 for a pan, sieve, and shovel, and there is a small creek you can pan from. They also give you a vial if you find anything. :-)

3. Bodenburg Butte

Bodenburg Loop, Palmer, AK http://aktrailhead.com
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 135 reviews

Bodenburg Butte

Reviewed By shirleyhQ458QY - Issaquah, United States

August 20, 2020: I can scratch walking the trail to the summit of Bodenburg Butte off my list as of today! Yay me! Yes, I'm very proud of me as I'm not a hiker or walk long distances regularly i.e., healthy for 72 1/2 years young but, not "physically fit" by any standard. Bottom line? The 360 degree view at the summit was worth every breath I took during the climb! I highly recommend it! Shirley Hall Palmer, AK

4. Lazy Mountain

Huntley Road, Palmer, AK
Excellent
77%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26 reviews

Lazy Mountain

5. Pioneer Falls

Knik River Road, Palmer, AK http://waterfallrecord.com/2014/08/12/pioneer-falls-alaska/
Excellent
65%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Pioneer Falls

6. Crevasse Moraine Trail System

Palmer, AK 99645
Excellent
80%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

Crevasse Moraine Trail System

7. Reflections Lake

Glen Highway, Palmer, AK 99645
Excellent
43%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Reflections Lake

Reviewed By A-Eland - Anchorage, United States

This lake is right next to the highway. I drive by this lake hundreds of times a year. I finally decided to stop here with my family one weekend to see this lake. I was surprised to find a beautiful and quiet walking trail around the lake. There is also an observation tower that cannot be seen from the highway. Don't pass up this easy to access lake and it's beautiful scenery.

8. Skeetawk

13500 N. Skeetawk Circle, Palmer, AK 99645 +1 907-746-7277 [email protected] http://skeetawk.com
Skeetawk

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