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| Our advisors are a team of Alaska's top park rangers, wildlife biologist, bush pilots, naturalist, photographers, hoteliers, and other seasoned travel professionals sharing their best insights with you. |
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| What should I do
on the drive to Talkeetna? |
Just two hours north from Anchorage, Talkeetna is a town with authentic pioneer feel and modern tour and lodging facilities. You'll find gorgeous flightseeing, world—class fishing, and the staging ground for climbing expeditions. Take in a slice of Alaska's past—and have a drink—at the historic watering hole, the Fairview Inn. Talkeetna is actually closer to Mt. McKinley than the entrance of Denali National Park. If the mountain's out, you'll get spectacular southern views of North America's tallest peak. There are a number of scenic highlights and activities on the drive up—here are a few of our favorites:
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| Eagle River Nature Center (mile 13.4) |
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Eklutna Village Historical Park (mile 26.5) |
Just 30 minutes out of town, you’ll come to the dramatic Eagle River Valley and the nature center, the gateway to Chugach State Park. Pick the brains of the volunteers for activities; perhaps you’ll hike a section of the Iditarod Trail and hark back to the days when the trail was used as a mail route. Albert Loop Trail meanders three miles through prime beaver—watching territory and serves up great peak views.
- 907 – 694 – 2108; exit at mile 13.4 and take Old Glenn Highway, follow signs to Eagle River Rd. Take it up the valley all the way to the end; you’ll see the parking area there.
- More on hiking in the nature cente
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Dating back to 1650, the park is the area's oldest continuously inhabited Athabaskan Indian settlement. Russian Orthodox missionaries came here in the early 1800s, and you can still see St. Nicholas Church, the oldest standing building in greater Anchorage. Snap some pictures of the colorful Spirit Houses build over the graves of the deceased—a custom that came from the melding of the cultures. Up for a walk? It'll pay off with a glacier view, as well as the chance to see foxes, eagles, and black bears.
- 907 – 696 – 2828; exit at mile 26.5 and take Eklutna Lake Rd. to the north side of the highway
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| Thunderbird Falls (mile 25.2) |
Eklutna Lake |
| Walk through the mossy forest of birch trees about one mile; you're soon surrounded by ferns, and then at the viewing platform, where you can watch the thunderous falls tumble down the rocky cliff face. |
On the south side of the highway, a 10 – mile road leads to this secluded lake, a great spot to picnic, hike, or fish. Trails include the easy 8 – mile Lakeside Trail or 6.5 – mile Twin Peaks Trail, which climbs to magnificent views
Eklutna Lake hiking |
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| Old Glenn Highway (mile 29.6) |
Parks Highway Junction (mile 35.3) |
| To explore the road less traveled, take the Old Glenn Highway to Palmer, a back road that feels like old Alaska. The roadside homes and farms are rural and private, with space and beauty all around them. You’ll cross the old Knik River Bridge where you can get out and hike around, but there tend to be a lot of four—wheelers in the area. |
Turn off onto the George Parks Highway, which leads north to Talkeetna, as well as Denali and Fairbanks. The Glenn Highway continues east toward Hatcher Pass, Matanuska Glacier and McCarthy. |
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| Wasilla (mile 42.2) |
Talkeetna (mile 98.7 – halfway to Denali) |
Wasilla boasts historic buildings and, for dog-mushing fans, the Iditarod Headquarters. Here you can buy sled—dog booties actually used in the race—you're practically guaranteed to be the only one on your block with 'em!
- Iditarod HQ: mile 2.2 Knik Road (south from Wasilla); 907 – 376 – 5155; www.iditarod.com; open daily 8:00am – 7:00pm (summer hours, May15 – Sept t 18)
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A 15 – mile spur road leads you into town |
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