Matanuska-Susitna Valley
Photo: Clark James Mishler | Alaska State Fair
In the interior of Southcentral Alaska, is the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) valley, a fertile farmland protected by mountain ranges that is Alaska’s major agricultural area.
Because of the long summer days, vegetables can grow to become huge. These vegetables are a popular attraction at the Alaska State Fair held in Palmer every year where many national and world records have been recorded.
In 2012, a green cabbage weighing 138 lbs grown by Scott Robb of Palmer won the “Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off” at the Alaska State Fair and set a new world record.
Matanuska Glacier
The Matanuska Glacier is the largest glacier in Alaska that can be reached by road. It is 26 miles long and 4 miles wide at its terminus. It originates from within the Chugach mountain range of Southcentral Alaska.
You can explore the Matanuska glacier ice up-close at the privately-owned Matanuska Glacier Park (Glenn Highway milepost marker 102). The $20 entrance fee gives travelers access to drive up to and park next to the glacier. From there, if you wish, you can continue on foot onto the ice in about fifteen minutes.
For more information about getting to the Matanuska Glacier see the Glenn Highway.