There are so many exciting and unique-to-Alaska things to do in Palmer Alaska that it was one of our favorite stops of the entire trip! We spent four months RVing Alaska, and Palmer absolutely captured our hearts. We even circled back to the area and installed solar panels so we could spend more time in Alaska camping off-grid!
Palmer has a few major things going for it:
- Idyllic setting surrounded by gorgeous mountains
- Proximity to outdoor adventures like Hatcher Pass and several glaciers
- Several fun animal excursion options
- Good base for enjoying the cultural offerings of Anchorage without being based in Anchorage (which was not our favorite)
Keep in mind that we visited from early June (which is still really spring!) until early September (which is definitely the beginning of fall!), so I can’t speak to things to do in Palmer Alaska during the winter. Before we get to my ideas, consider checking out our RVing Alaska e-book that has things like our favorite Palmer, Alaska RV park!
RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide
If you’re looking for Alaska vacation ideas, you’ve come to the right place! This guide features 20+ pages of what we learned throughout a summer RVing Alaska with Kids.
Okay, on to the many reasons why we loved Palmer Alaska!
Things to do in Palmer Alaska
Hatcher Pass
Possibly the best thing to do in and around Palmer is to explore the breathtaking Hatcher Pass. Do not, and I can not emphasize this enough, miss Hatcher Pass! We loved the hiking up there so much that I wrote a whole blog post just about hiking in Hatcher Pass. But even if you’re not a big hiker, it’s way worth the drive up. The views are amazing right from the road, plus you can visit the historic Independence Mine. You can even rent gold panning tools there and try your luck! Keep in mind that the road up to Hatcher Pass is only open in summer, so check before you go. Skiing and snowmobiling are popular winter activities up there, but I can’t speak to that!
Animal Encounters
Palmer is lucky to offer a couple of really fun animal encounters for tourists. We visited the Williams Reindeer Farm and loved feeding the reindeer there. It’s not a super cheap excursion and it’s definitely touristy, but where else can you pet a reindeer in the U.S.? Palmer also offers a Musk Ox farm where you can visit these unique animals, although we didn’t make it out there.
Dog Sledding
There are a variety of options for dog sledding excursions in and around Palmer and the rest of interior Alaska. They can be quite pricey, though, so are a bucket list sort of experience for visitors. But if you’re looking for a more budget option, The Iditarod Headquarters in nearby Wasilla is the perfect choice! In summertime, the tiny one-room museum offers short dog sledding rides for just $10 a person. It’s the cheapest way to have this special (and super fun!) experience in Alaska.
Downtown & Farmer’s Market
Palmer has a cute little downtown with a couple of breweries and cute restaurants. There’s a visitor center that gives some background into the unique history of the town (a depression-era project!). If you need any outdoor gear, there’s a great thrift store called Bishop’s Attic where I bought a few things, including hiking boots for $12. In the summer, there’s a farmer’s market and live music on Fridays.
Anchorage Museums
While not technically in Palmer, Anchorage cultural offerings are only about an hour away. The Anchorage Museum (free for ASTC members!) and the Alaska Native Heritage Center are two of my recommendations for places to day trip to from Palmer. Palmer makes a great home base for Anchorage attractions, but we didn’t love Anchorage too much, so I’m glad we didn’t spend a ton of time there.
Glacier Adventures
Everyone who comes to Alaska wants to see glaciers, right? Palmer offers two day trip options for glacier adventures, Knik Glacier and Matanuska Glacier. You can rent off-road vehicles to drive to Knik Glacier or pay to hike to or ice climb on Matanuska Glacier. More on my sample 7 day itinerary.
Eklutna Tailrace Fishing
During salmon season, Eklutna Tailrace offers the closest and most accessible salmon fishing option to Palmer. Salmon can be caught about 20 feet from the parking lot in abundance, just make sure you have a permit! Salmon fishing is a way of life here, so this definitely belongs on any list of things to do in Palmer Alaska.
Eklutna Lake
Eklutna Lake is a gorgeous nearby destination for hiking and paddle sports. There is a scenic trail around the edge of the lake, or you can get on the water with a kayak. Always wear a life jacket and watch the weather forecast here, though. It is beautiful, but someone dies on the water almost every year here because of the combination of strong winds and deadly cold waters.
Archangel Road Blueberry Picking
If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Alaska during berry season (August!), then you can join the hundreds of folks picking fresh-off-the-vine blueberries. Archangel Road up in Hatcher Pass is an extremely popular and easy to access spot. Just pack the bear spray because they like them, too! And be sure you’ve correctly identified any berry you forage before eating.
Eagle River Nature Center
The Eagle River Nature Center is another worthwhile trip between Palmer and Anchorage. There are many hiking trails (more about that on our best hikes in Alaska list!), and a high probability of wildlife spottings. Plus, it’s gorgeous!
Alaska State Fair
If you end up in Palmer when the state fair is on, this is a must on the list of things to do in Palmer Alaska. Popular entertainers perform, and there are so many events to choose from. Local vendors are here for souvenir shopping, and it’s one of the biggest events in the state if you’re looking for local culture!
Souvenir Shopping at Alaska Chicks
Alaska Chicks sells primarily sweatshirts, and has locations in Palmer, Wasilla, and Eagle River. These sweatshirts are SO high quality and in fun Alaska prints (like fireweed!). Once you’re familiar with what they look like, you’ll start to notice their sweatshirts on all of the locals! We got one for each of us, and we all love them.
I hope this list with ideas of things to do in Palmer Alaska was helpful in planning your time there! If you need more help planning your trip, check out my Alaska packing list and RV Alaska guide.
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[…] starting in a convenient central location in Anchorage (although we recommend staying nearby in Palmer!). If you’re cruising, you’re likely visiting only Southeast Alaska, which is gorgeous, […]