Wasilla

Wasilla is a city of approximately 9,000 people (2020) in Southcentral Alaska, in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley (Mat-Su Valley). It is the last city of significant size on the Parks Highway heading north, making it a frequent stopping point for travelers driving to Denali National Park, Fairbanks, or other points north. Wasilla is most famous as the hometown of Sarah Palin, who served as mayor for six years before becoming Alaska Governor and the 2008 Vice Presidential nominee.

Wasilla sits in the same fertile valley as neighboring Palmer, with a climate characterized by cold, snowy winters (lows in single digits to teens °F, highs in the 20s–30s °F) and mild summers (highs in the mid-60s to low 70s °F). The area receives significant snowfall in winter and enjoys long daylight hours in summer. The best time to visit is June through August for warm weather and outdoor activities, though winter offers excellent skiing and snowmachining.

By Plane

Wasilla does not have a commercial airport. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (IATA: ANC), approximately 42 miles (68 km) southwest, is the nearest major airport with flights from the continental United States and beyond. From the airport, drive the Glenn Highway north to Wasilla in approximately 45 minutes to one hour.

By Train

By Car / Road

Wasilla is located at the intersection of the Parks Highway (Route 3) and the Glenn Highway (Route 1). From Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway north to the Parks Highway junction, then continue north approximately 15 miles (24 km) to Wasilla, about 45 minutes to one hour. From Fairbanks, take the Parks Highway south approximately 280 miles (450 km), about 5 hours. Route 3 (Parks Highway) passes through the heart of the city.

In general, you need a car to get around Wasilla. The city is spread out and car-dependent. Valley Mover bus service connects Wasilla to Anchorage, and Mat Su Transit serves local routes within the valley. Rental cars are available in Anchorage.

• Wasilla Museum & Visitor Center (formerly Dorothy Page Museum) (391 Main St, +1 907 373-9071) — Tu–F 10AM–3PM. $3. Cultural and historical heritage of Wasilla, Knik, and Willow Creek.

• Knik Museum and Mushers' Hall of Fame (Mile 13.9 Knik-Goose Bay Rd, +1 907 376-7755) — Jun–Aug: Th–Sa 1–6PM, Su 1–5PM. $5/person. Historical museum in a ghost town setting with a picnic area.

• Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (3800 W Museum Dr, +1 907 376-1211) — Exhibits on Alaska's transportation history.

• Finger Lake State Recreation Site (7278 E Bogard Rd, +1 907 745-8950) — Scenic lake with camping, fishing, and winter activities.

• Knik Glacier — Accessible by guided tour, this spectacular glacier is one of the highlights of the Mat-Su Valley area.

• Matanuska Glacier — One of the few road-accessible glaciers in Alaska, approximately 100 miles northeast on the Glenn Highway. Guided ice hikes available.

• Pioneer Peak — Prominent mountain visible from Wasilla and Palmer, offering challenging hiking with panoramic valley views.

• Summer hiking — Trails at Hatcher Pass, The Butte, Lazy Mountain, Crevasse Moraine, and around the Matanuska Glacier area offer a range of difficulties with spectacular mountain scenery.

• Whitewater rafting — Several convenient whitewater streams in the area offer guided rafting experiences.

• Canoeing and kayaking — The Wasilla Lakes canoe trail, Nancy Lakes canoe trail, and Meadow Creek offer paddle routes through scenic wilderness.

• Winter Nordic skiing — Hatcher Pass, Moose Meadows, and Government Peak offer groomed and backcountry cross-country skiing.

• Outdoor ice skating — An astonishing variety of lakes, rivers, and marshes freeze in winter, providing outstanding natural skating. Wasilla and Palmer are to ice skating what Yosemite is to rock climbing.

• Snowmachining — Extensive trail networks in the Mat-Su Valley offer winter snowmachine adventures.

Wasilla contains a collection of standard fast-food and quick-casual eating options along the Parks Highway corridor, plus a few local establishments.

• Evangelo's Restaurant (2530 E Parks Hwy, +1 907 376-1212) — Italian cuisine.
• Windbreak Café (The Trout House, 2201 E Parks Highway, +1 907 376-4484) — M–Sa 6AM–11PM, Su 7AM–11PM. Diner-style food with local fishing furnishings. Trout's Place hotel and bar/lounge.
• Donut King (490 Main St, +1 907 376-8300) — Gyros, doughnuts, and coffee. Wi-fi.
• Mekong Thai Restaurant (473 W Parks Hwy, +1 907 373-7690) — Authentic Thai food.

Bars

• The Grape Tap (322 N Boundary St, +1 907 376-8466) — Tu–Th 5–9PM, F Sa 5–10PM. Tapas restaurant and wine cellar with local, domestic, and import beers in a 1930s-era pioneer home in downtown old Wasilla.
• Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill (161 W Parks Hwy, +1 907 376-1314) — Su 8:30AM–midnight, M–Th 11AM–midnight, F Sa 11AM–2AM. Drinks, food, darts, karaoke, and 20 HD TVs.
• Silver Fox Inn, Bar & Grill (Mile 50, Parks Hwy, +1 907-892-6179) — M–Th 4PM–midnight, F Sa 4PM–4AM. Pool, darts, and weekend karaoke.

Coffee

• Mocha Moose (240 N Boundary St, +1 907-376-1225) — Drive-through coffee stand run by a longstanding local barista.

Hotels and motels

• Grand View Inn and Suites (2900 E Parks Hwy, +1 907 357-7666) — Mid-range hotel on the Parks Highway.
• Lake Lucille Inn (Best Western) (1300 Lake Lucille Dr, +1 907 373-1776) — Mid-range hotel with lake views.
• Alaska's Select Inn Motel (3451 E Palmdale Dr, +1 907 357-4768) — Budget-friendly motel.

Bed and breakfast

• Lake Lucille Bed and Breakfast (235 W Lake View Ave, +1 907 357-0352) — Charming B&B with lake views.

Cabins and campgrounds

• Alaska Creekside Cabins (3200 N Dolly Varden Dr, +1 907 746-7632) — Cabin accommodations in a natural setting.

Wasilla has several branches of chain stores for buying food, clothes, and outdoor supplies, dominated by a huge Fred Meyer superstore. If you are heading north and forgot something important, you should be able to find it in Wasilla.

• Fred Meyer (1501 E Parks Hwy, +1 907 352-5000) — Large superstore with groceries, clothing, outdoor gear, and household items.
• Various local shops and boutiques in the downtown area offer Alaskan crafts and gifts.

• Denali State Park (approximately 2 hours north via the Parks Highway) — Stunning views of Denali from across the Susitna Valley, with hiking and camping.
• Denali National Park (approximately 4 hours north) — Alaska's premier national park with Denali, North America's tallest peak, and abundant wildlife.
• Fairbanks (approximately 7 hours north via the Parks Highway) — Interior Alaska's largest city with museums, gold rush history, and access to the Arctic.
• Palmer (approximately 10 miles east) — Mat-Su Valley farming community with the Alaska State Fair and Hatcher Pass access.
• Anchorage (approximately 45 miles southwest) — Alaska's largest city with museums, dining, and outdoor recreation.