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Kayaking, Canoeing & Rafting

The Matanuska and Susitna Rivers are what formed the Mat-Su valley with its many tributaries and streams. Many of the rivers and streams do not have yearly salmon runs, but that does not keep us away.  Many options are available for floating down a glacier-fed river, kayaking through pristine waterways or canoeing around one of the many lakes this region is known for.  In fact, you can canoe and kayak right out the backdoor of the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn - weather permitting of course. It doesn't take long to get into wilderness once you pull away from the dock. Try one of these guides to get you going. 

Denali Southside River Guides, Denali Nat'l Park  |  Nova Riverrunners, Chickaloon  |  Lifetime Adventures | Denali Outdoor Center

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Flight Seeing

What better way to see where you are than from the air! Your adventure begins in the Mat-Su Valley where you will see braided rivers, wildlife, and glaciers tucked high atop the surrounding mountains. Just north is Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America. You will go from the lake-filled boreal forest to the alpine tundra and see the valley as the eagles do.

Grasshopper Air, Wasilla

ATV & Snow Machine Tours

Best Western Lake Lucille Inn does not sleep in the winter, and neither does the Mat-Su Valley!  Winter and summer offer outdoor adventures to those seeking to do something out of the ordinary. Get off the beaten path using snow machines and/or 4-wheelers to explore hundreds of acres of wilderness.

Alaska Backcountry Adventures | Gate Creek Cabins | Lifetime Adventures
Extreme Alaska Adventures, Willow |  Gate Creek Cabins |

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Valley Attractions

Mat-Su Valley has plenty to offer as your Alaska destination.  From the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn you can visit museums, catch a play, see musk ox and reindeer farms, taste a local treats, and enjoy all the natural wonders Alaska has to offer.  No need to fight city traffic or wade through throngs of people to see what you came here to see. And at the end of the day, relax in the lounge overlooking majestic mountains and pristine Lake Lucille.

Dorothy Paige Museum | Iditarod Museum | Valley Performing Arts | Musk Ox Farm |
Reindeer Farm | Alaska Transportation & Industry Museum | Knik Museum
Mat-Su Multi Use Sports Complex | North Star Speedway | Alaska Travel | Alaska Cruises

Transportation

Need a ride to the airport or local attraction?  No problem. You can rent a vehicle, call a cab, or ride in luxury in a limousine to take you wherever the road will take you.  But the beauty of this place is that roads are limited, but wilderness is not!

Alaska Splendor Limousines | Classy Car Rentals

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Horseback Riding

Leave the motorized transportation behind and gallup into the Mat-Su Valley to experience nature at a slower pace. Hear the songbirds flitter among an abundance of wildflowers while eagles soar over head. Pass along a lake or river's edge to see spawning trout or salmon swimming under families of newly hatched ducklings. Fall brings golden birch and red cranberries among natural patches of blueberries.

Kim's Scenic Tours

Hiking

If anyone has ever told you to "take a hike," there is probably no better place to do it. The Mat-Su valley was formed from the flows of glaciers from the foothills of Mt. McKinley.  As the glaciers recede, the rivers braid through the valley and offer unlimited opportunities to explore. Volunteers maintain a system of trails throughout the valley. Don't forget your camera and journal because you will want to remember this feeling for a long time. After a day on the trails, relax back at your room at Best Western Lake Lucille Inn.

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Golf

Just can't leave the greens? How about the unique experience of golfing at midnight? Or how about putting the last hole as a moose meanders across the previous green? Golfing in Alaska is like no other experience.  Nature surrounds you, with wildlife sharing the space, and mountains rising above you in the background. It is not only golf when you do it in the Mat-Su valley. After a day at the links, enjoy a nice evening at the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn - bragging is optional.

Dog Sledding

Most people associate dog sleds with Alaska, and they are right!  The Mat-Su valley is home of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race that is held each March.  Many local kennels operate here year round, with some housing over 100 dogs.  In the summer you can experience what it feels like sitting behind a team of these world class athletes. In the spring you can view the next generation - puppies! In the winter you can stay at the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn and witness the official start of the Iditarod as the teams take off for their 1049 mile trip to Nome.