Biking in The Mat-Su
Our trail systems are designed for the cyclist who doesn’t believe in an off-season. From the energetic flow of our summer mountain bike trails to the quiet, wide-track world of winter fat tire biking, the Valley offers a diverse terrain that challenges the legs and rewards the eyes. Whether you are navigating technical roots, catching air, or pedaling across mirrored ice, biking here is about more than just mileage. It’s about a year-round connection to a landscape that is constantly shifting beneath your wheels.
Singletrack & Alpine Vistas
The Government Peak Recreation Area (GPRA) offers purpose-built singletrack with berms, rollers, and breathtaking views of Pioneer Peak. The Crevasse Moraine Trail System system offers a technical playground of ups and downs carved by ancient glacial movements. It’s a favorite for those who love a rooty, punchy challenge. The Matanuska River Park offers fast, flowing loops right on the edge of downtown Palmer.
Respect the Surface
In the summer, avoid riding on muddy trails to prevent rutting and long-term erosion. In the winter, if you are sinking more than an inch into the snow, your tire pressure is too high or the trail is too soft. Head for firmer ground.
Yield to Wildlife
You are sharing these trails with moose and occasionally bears. A bike is fast and silent. Avoid surprising wildlife by making noise around blind corners. If you encounter a moose, they have the right of way. Period.
Multimodal Courtesy
On shared winter trails, please yield to dog teams and stay off the groomed Nordic ski tracks. Keeping the peace between the tracks and the tires helps ensures our trails remain open for all adventurers.
The Fat Tire Revolution
We don’t put the bikes away when it snows. We just drop the PSI. Winter fat biking on the frozen Susitna and Talkeetna riverbeds offers a flat, fast, and surreal perspective of the Alaska Range. The Nancy Lake State Recreation Area provides miles of groomed crust and packed trails, perfect for multi-day bike-packing trips between public-use cabins. The trails at Mirror Lake and Edmonds Lake offer some of the best groomed snow-track in southcentral Alaska.
BUILD YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Our multi-day itineraries are filled with helpful suggestions as you sculpt your own Alaska journey. If you’re staying in nearby Anchorage, check out our day-trip ideas.
