
Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 223 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour worth booking?
Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour is a 8.5-hour experience in Anchorage, United States, from $369 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 223 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (223)
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- From
- $369 per person
Experience the natural wonder of Alaska's Matanuska Glacier with our full-day guided tour. Beginning with a convenient pickup from downtown Anchorage, you'll embark on a scenic two-hour journey, driving through landscape
What you get
About this experience
Experience the natural wonder of Alaska's Matanuska Glacier with our full-day guided tour. Beginning with a convenient pickup from downtown Anchorage, you'll embark on a scenic two-hour journey, driving through landscapes of towering mountains. Along the way, we'll stop at local eateries, offering you the chance to purchase lunch. Upon reaching the glacier, a seasoned guide will equip you with crampons, making glacier navigation safe and manageable. Then, an all-terrain vehicle will transport you to the glacier's base. Here, you'll set off on foot to explore the glacier's icy expanse, discovering fascinating ice formations and gaining insight into the glacier's natural history from your knowledgeable guide. After this unforgettable experience, we'll journey back to Anchorage, ensuring a comfortable drop-off in downtown. This tour is a perfect blend of adventure, education, and scenic beauty, offering an in-depth encounter with one of Alaska's most impressive glaciers.
What's included
Included
- Transportation From Downtown Anchorage
- Knowledgeable Glacier Guides
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Glacier Walking Equipment
Not included
- Gratuities
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Matanuska Glacier
Matanuska Glacier is a valley glacier in the US state of Alaska. At 27 miles long by 4 miles wide, it is the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States. The drive to is approximately 2 hours each direction with 4 hours total along the scenic Glenn Hwy. During the winter season the start time of the tour may vary in order to accommodate the safest driving conditions for our drivers and guests. Your guide will communicate with you prior to the day of departure for the tour.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Glenn Highway
The Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway follows a path carved by ancient glaciers. Following the braided Matanuska River for over half its length.
240 minutes here
Palmer
During the tour we will stop in Palmer Alaska and allow you time to purchase lunch at a local grocery store. Just 45 minutes from Anchorage, this picturesque little town has agriculture flair. Start your adventure in this ‘country' at the Palmer Visitor Information Center. Don't forget to pick up a downtown walking map while you're there.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Anchorage
Please check in at our new location: 509 W. 3rd Ave, directly across from the Hilton Hotel. Parking is available across the street. Check in at the concierge desk, then wait in our garden or indoor lobby. Please arrive 20 mins before departure. Look for the gray van with a bear!
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please check in at our new location: 509 W. 3rd Ave, directly across from the Hilton Hotel. Parking is available across the street. Check in at the concierge desk, then wait in our garden or indoor lobby. Please arrive 20 mins before departure. Look for the gray van with a bear!
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Alaska's Finest Tours & Cruises
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos



What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 223 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Physical effort
4 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
223 verified traveler reviews for Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Glacier tour
Our driver was kind, friendly and and informative. The on site tour guide was very knowledgeable and careful to keep everyone safe.
via Viator
Great experience
It is a great experience. The glacier is amazing to see. Our guide Frank was awesome and informative. It would be nice to split into kids and no kid groups, but overall it was great.
via Viator
Matanushka Walk
Excellent arrangements ...from pickup at Anchorage to the actual hike on the glacier ... They arranged for a separate guide for our family to handle the knee injury of my husband and do a slower and safer walk on the ice ... Grateful for that ...
via Viator
The hike on the Matanuska...
The hike on the Matanuska Glacier was super fun. The two guides (Emory and Dominic) who took us were very knowledgeable and helpful when we had to cross a few truckier spots. The views are amazing but it is an active hike - not for anyone unsteady on their feet. The drive out there was beautiful and we had a fantastic driver - Rexy - who was professional, friendly and offered lots of great information and history of the area. All in all, it was a really great excursion and I would highly recommend making it part of your trip to this area of Alaska
via Viator
Not a reputable company. Owner is a jerk and not an honest person.
Owner refused to provide a refund after the company canceled a scheduled tour. Told blatant lies about services the company supported to offer and when I asked for proof would not provided. Needed to file a legal complaint with CC company to force them to return the funds. There are many companies that provide similar services, I would recommend that you try another.
Response from the operator: We are sorry that you were dissatisfied with your experience. To clarify, you did not communicate with the owner regarding this reservation. Your interactions were with our reservations and sales team, who worked to assist you as quickly as possible. When the scheduled tour could not operate and we were unable to reach you by phone or text, the owner arranged for someone to personally greet you and direct you to an alternate transportation provider for your trip to the Matanuska area. Our goal was to ensure that your travel plans could continue with as little disruption as possible. Regarding the refund, your request was processed as soon as we learned that you had paid the alternate transportation provider directly. In most cases, our backup transportation partners bill us directly, eliminating any out-of-pocket expense for the guest. Because that did not occur in this instance, a refund was promptly issued once we were made aware of the situation. While it is not uncommon for tour operators to have minimum participation requirements for longer excursions, we made every effort to find an alternative solution rather than simply canceling your plans. We believe this demonstrates our commitment to customer service and to helping guests enjoy their Alaska experience. For these reasons, we believe portions of your review are inaccurate. Your refund was issued, and every effort was made to ensure you were able to continue with your planned excursion. We strive to provide reliable service and responsive customer support, and we wish you safe travels in the future.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 78
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Anchorage.
How much does Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour cost?
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Prices start at $369 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Anchorage usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour take?
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Plan for about 8.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Anchorage is not rushed.
Is Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 223 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Anchorage, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour?
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Around 78 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Anchorage can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Anchorage and add a light layer if any part of the 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike And Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Anchorage within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Anchorage?
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Anchorage is the staging point for glacier cruises out of Whittier and Seward, Denali flightseeing, wildlife conservation centre visits, dog sledding and northern lights chases in winter. Long transfer times make itinerary honesty essential. On Outty we rank every Anchorage experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include PRISTINE - Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience in Anchorage, Anchorage Trolley's Deluxe City Tour, Anchorage Trolley's 1-Hour City Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Anchorage?
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June to August for glaciers, September to March for aurora. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Anchorage?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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