Events

In the summer, residents, and visitors play at our world-class 18-hole golf course, hike in the mountains, raft our rivers, leisurely stroll through the gardens and Visitor Center Museum, and enjoy outdoor music, food, farm and craft vendors at the Friday Fling market and fair.   Palmer is the seat of the Matanuska Susitna Borough government. The borough spans 23,000 square miles, about the same size as West Virginia.

Winter recreation also abounds in Palmer.  The snowy slopes at nearby Hatcher Pass and surrounding areas offer snow machining, snow-shoeing, ice skating, dogsled mushing and cross-country skiing.

Any time of year in Palmer, one can eat at truly Alaskan gourmet restaurants, and shop at many unique and surprising retail stores.

Just outside Palmer roadside attractions include the Knik Glacier, Matanuska Peak, Pioneer Peak, Hatcher Pass and to the north the Matanuska Glacier, each of which offers several outdoor adventure opportunities. Trek on a glacier, go flightseeing or take an airboat ride, fish, hike, white-water raft, ride ATVs or horses, or sight-see and photograph some of the most accessible natural beauty in Alaska.