ROAD SORTIES Scenic Roads

Glenn Highway

Fall color reflected in Long Lake
Fall color reflected in Long LakePhoto: HDR Alaska, Inc / America's Byways (FHWA), public domain

Glenn Highway is a National Scenic Byway in Alaska. Within Alaska it covers roughly 150 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Glenn Highway with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.

The Glenn Highway runs east from Anchorage along the Matanuska River toward Glennallen, with the Chugach Mountains on one side and the Talkeetnas on the other. Its centerpiece is the Matanuska Glacier, a vast river of ice that flows nearly to the roadside and can be hiked with a guide. The route passes through homestead country and crosses high passes with sweeping mountain views.

Designated for its scenic qualities

Plan a drive on Glenn Highway → Drive this route in Road SortiesTurn-by-turn on iPhone · App Store

Places to stop along Glenn Highway

  1. Downtown Anchorage

    The highway's starting point, with the Chugach Mountains rising just east of the city.

    Website

  2. Eklutna Village Cemetery

    Brightly painted spirit houses over Dena'ina graves beside a small Russian Orthodox church, a blend of two traditions.

  3. Palmer Hay Flats

    Tidal wetlands with a ghost forest of trees killed when the 1964 earthquake dropped the land, beneath Pioneer Peak.

  4. Palmer

    A farming town founded by New Deal colonists in 1935, home of the Alaska State Fair and its giant vegetables.

  5. Long Lake State Recreation Site

    A narrow lake along the highway, especially colorful in early fall.

  6. Matanuska Glacier

    A 27-mile glacier reaching almost to the highway. Guided tours walk out onto the ice from the private access point.

Where to Stay along Glenn Highway

2 campgrounds and RV parks sit within about 5 miles of Glenn Highway.

Palmer, AKMatanuska River ParkBook a site →Palmer, AKThe Springer RV & CampgroundBook a site →Hotels & motelsNear Chickaloon, AKSearch stays →Renting an RV?Near Chickaloon, AKSee RV rentals →Harvest Hosts20% offPark free overnight at farms and wineriesSee membership →

Campsite, lodging, RV rental and membership links are affiliate links — booking through them may earn Road Sorties a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Recreation.gov links are not affiliate links.

Photos of Glenn Highway

The Matanuska Glacier spilling out of the Chugach Mountains
The Matanuska Glacier spilling out of the Chugach MountainsPhoto: Bill Evans, Alaska State Parks / America's Byways (FHWA), public domain
The highway curving toward King Mountain
The highway curving toward King MountainPhoto: HDR Alaska, Inc / America's Byways (FHWA), public domain
Fall colors on the descent toward Sutton
Fall colors on the descent toward SuttonPhoto: HDR Alaska, Inc / America's Byways (FHWA), public domain
Pioneer Peak above the flats outside Palmer
Pioneer Peak above the flats outside PalmerPhoto: America's Byways (FHWA) / Public domain

What is a National Scenic Byway?

National Scenic Byways are roads recognized at the federal level for at least one outstanding quality — scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological or recreational — that gives travelers a reason to seek them out rather than just pass through.

← All scenic roads in Alaska