Matanuska Glacier Tour
It’s not every day you get to hike along the base of a 26-mile-long advancing glacier! Join the original guiding company on Matanuska, founded over 30 years ago, and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of one of Alaska’s most accessible natural wonders on foot with NOVA’s popular Glacier Tour!
This unique adventure offers an up-close look at a dynamic, ever-evolving landscape. Our expert guides will lead you through the rugged terminal moraine, sharing their knowledge of the region’s formation, natural features, and the forces that have shaped it over thousands of years. Along the way, you’ll encounter stunning ice formations, jagged seracs, deep crevasses, and flowing moulins.
You’ll be outfitted with all the necessary gear and transported to the glacier’s terminus at the park. From there, you’ll hike across the moraine and into the breathtaking 'Ice Falls' area, where towering ice cascades over the rocky landscape—truly a memorable experience.
Options
Matanuska Glacier Tour
What's included in Matanuska Glacier Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Discover the wonders of Matanuska Glacier on this unforgettable tour! Begin your adventure with a full gear outfitting, then enjoy a comfortable ride as you’re transported by vehicle to the glacier’s terminus at the park’s edge. From there, your expert guide will lead you across the rugged rock fields of the terminal moraine and into the stunning 'Ice Falls' area of the Matanuska Glacier. Marvel at the striking spire formations (seracs) as the glacier’s dense ice cascades over the submerged rock below, creating natural towers. At the base of the Ice Falls, enjoy views of a pristine lake—the source of the powerful Matanuska River flowing downstream. As you explore, your guide will share fascinating insights about glacier formation, the surrounding environment, and the dynamic geology that shapes this incredible landscape. Along the way, you may encounter deep crevasses, flowing moulins, and an ever-changing terrain. Don’t forget to hydrate—there’s even the chance to fill your bottle with fresh glacier water! After your exploration of the glacier, you'll return to the starting point, having experienced the scale and geology of this stunning natural landscape.
Inclusions
- Shuttle transportation to and from activity.
- Helmet, Boots & Boot spikes
- Professional tour guide
- All Fees and Taxes
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Shoe size limit: US Men 5, Women 6
- Not recommended for travelers under 10 yrs, over 75 yrs
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting / End Points
- Mile 96.5 Glenn Hwy. At Hick's Creek bridge turn into Trailhead Rd. Follow the driveway under the bridge and proceed to our camp check-in location.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
*GLACIER PARK FEE: All Glacier clients are required to pay the additional Glacier Park entrance fee due at trip check-in. Matanuska Glacier Park is privately owned and charges per person every time you go through the gate; Alaska State passes do not apply. This outfit has a NO DRONE policy in place for the glacier. Regular entry fee at MGP gate is $45 per person. Teens (13-16): $25 Adults (17+): $45 Alaska Residents, Military and Seniors (65+): $30 Please remember that Alaskan highways can cause delays with road construction, motor homes, and vehicle accidents. Please plan on these potential delays and leave early enough to make sure your party is not late for trip check-in time! We recommend arriving 15 minutes early to sign Nova's trip waiver. Please make sure you meet our trip limitations stated on our website. If anyone is outside these limitations, please email our office so we can evaluate the information. What to Wear on the Glacier: Long pants, no shorts. Hiking boots that come over the ankle. Boots Provided if needed. Small Backpack. Snacks and Water bottle. Sunglasses! Rain gear, even if it is not raining. Light gloves. Warm Hat Clothing made of Synthetic material versus cotton. Tall synthetic or wool socks. Sunscreen, lipstick with sun protection. Please have your booking confirmation # prepared at trip check-in. See our website for more trip details. www.novalaska.com. Thank you! Nova team
