Wasilla is a city located in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Southcentral Alaska. Close to Anchorage yet with a small-town feel, Wasilla offers visitors scenic natural beauty and outdoor recreation against the backdrop of the Talkeetna and Alaska Ranges.
From hiking and fishing to museums and sporting events, there is plenty to see and do in Wasilla for a few days of Alaska adventure.
Go hiking at Independence Mine State Historical Park
Independence Mine State Historical Park offers over 15 miles of hiking trails through a scenic forested area located right in Wasilla. Some of the most popular hikes include the 3-mile round-trip trail up to Independence Mine, site of a former gold rush-era mine, and the 2.5-mile Tundra Trail Loops, which provide scenic views of the surrounding mountainsides.
History buffs will enjoy checking out relics from the gold mining era. The park is also a top spot for viewing wildlife like bears, moose, and bald eagles.
Visit the Mat-Su Salmon Festival
Held annually in late August, the Mat-Su Salmon Festival celebrates the bounty of salmon in the Mat-Su Valley. Events include a salmon bake cook-off, arts and crafts fair, live music performances, fishing tournaments, and more.
But the main attraction is the famous Salmon Slide, where thousands of salmon travel up a natural rock slide to spawn. It’s a unique opportunity to observe salmon up close in their natural habitat. Locals also love to show off smokejumping and log rolling demonstrations during the three-day festival.
Go fishing at Fish Creek
Fish Creek, located about 15 minutes east of Wasilla, is renowned for being one of the top fishing spots in Alaska. From May through October, huge runs of salmon including sockeye, coho, chum and pink make their way up Fish Creek to spawn.
The best fishing is usually during the salmon runs in July through September. No license is required and you can fish right from the banks of the creek. It’s a fun way for the whole family to try catching fresh Alaska salmon.
Check out the Matanuska Glacier
The Matanuska Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in Southcentral Alaska, located just 35 miles northeast of Wasilla. A scenic 30-mile drive on the Glacier Highway takes you right up to the face of the glacier, where you can witness the huge slow-moving river of ice.
Several hiking trails also provide fantastic panoramic views of the Matanuska Glacier and surrounding alpine scenery. During the summer, guided interpretive hiking tours are available on the glacier itself. It’s a breathtaking way to experience the power and beauty of an active Alaska glacier.
Go dogsledding or skijoring
In winter, Wasilla is a paradise for dogsledding and skijoring enthusiasts. Many local kennels offer dog sledding tours where you can ride in a sled pulled by a team of huskies across groomed trails through beautiful boreal forest scenery.
Alternatively, try skijoring where you cross-country ski while being pulled by happy dogs. It’s a thrilling heart-pumping adventure and gives you an insight into the traditional Alaskan winter sport of mushing. Many kennels also have educational programs to learn about the history of dogsledding in Alaska.
Visit the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum
Aviation buffs will love exploring the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, home to an extensive collection of historic Alaskan aircraft. Some of the highlights include bush planes like the Piper Super Cub featured in the film “Northern Pursuit” as well as Cold War-era jets.
Informative exhibits trace the development of aviation in Alaska from sled dog teams to modern airlines. Be sure to check out the outdoor park with many unique vintage planes on display. It’s a fascinating introduction to how flying changed life in remote Alaska.
Go snowmobiling or dogsledding
During winter, adventure seekers will enjoy guided snowmobiling or sled dog tours through scenic forests and along frozen rivers outside of Wasilla. Outfitters like Alaska Snow Dog Sled Dog Tours offer three-hour sled dog rides where you get to drive your own team of huskies across the snow-covered landscape.
For a thrill, try snowmobiling through idyllic white forests and marshlands in search of moose, caribou and other wildlife. Both activities provide stunning scenic vistas and wildlife viewing opportunities in winter.
Check out the Alaska Museum of Natural History
Located in downtown Palmer, just 15 minutes from Wasilla, the Alaska Museum of Natural History houses a fascinating collection focusing on the natural and cultural history of Interior Alaska. Visitors can learn about the geology of the region, view dioramas of Alaskan habitats, watch cultural presentations on Alaska Natives, and see animal specimens in the natural history hall.
Temporary exhibits often highlight topics like polar exploration, gold mining history and art of the northwest coast tribes. It’s a fun way for history and science lovers to spend a couple hours.
Go berry picking
Depending on the season, Wasilla is a haven for berry picking enthusiasts. In summer, you may find trails of wild blueberries, cranberries and crowberries ripe for the picking especially in areas like Meadow Lake, just outside the city. Look for families filling buckets with juicy berries along the sides of roads.
You can also pick your own at U-Pick berry patches beginning in July. Come prepared for mosquitoes but leave with bags of fresh local berries for pies and jam-making back home.
Visit the Iditarod Starting Line
No visit to Wasilla is complete without stopping by the Iditarod Starting Line, where the iconic sled dog race begins each March. Located downtown, this is where the mushers line up to kick off the 1,000 mile journey to Nome along the famous Iditarod Trail.
Even outside of race season, the starting line area pays homage to the tradition with monuments, maps and interpretive signs providing a fascinating introduction to the grueling race and the endurance of sled dogs. You may also spot local mushers training their dogs year-round.
Go on a scenic charter flight
For truly life-changing Alaskan views, consider booking a scenic flightseeing tour out of Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Wasilla. Pilots fly light aircraft like Cessnas or float planes to provide panoramic vistas of Denali, Mendenhall Glacier, Cook Inlet and Chugach Mountains.
It’s the finest way to witness peaks, glaciers and endless forests from the sky, spotting eagles, bears and caribou along the flight path. Many pilots are also excellent storytellers, sharing the natural and cultural history of Southcentral Alaska’s amazing landscape.
Conclusion
From hiking and fishing to aviation history and berry picking, Wasilla offers a variety of activities showcasing Alaska’s stunning natural beauty and pioneering spirit. Use it as a home base for day trips further afield or spend a few days exploring everything this small town has to offer.
Be sure to allow time simply gazing at Denali on clear days when the mountain seems close enough to touch. Wasilla is the perfect place to soak in Southcentral Alaska’s epic scenery and authentic way of life.