Looking for an amazing Alaskan adventure? Palmer, Alaska is a beautiful town in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and is home to some of the most unique tourist destinations in the state. On your next visit to Anchorage, plan a day trip here to tour a gold mine and a farm that raises strange creatures. Then sample a great farm-to-table dinner at a local favorite Turkey Red.
Day Trip to Palmer, Alaska
There are many ways to tour Alaska. Visitors arriving by cruise ship and travelers staying in Anchorage will find it easy to make a day trip to Palmer, a short one-hour drive north of the city. You can choose to explore on your own or join an organized small group tour.
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A self-guided tour of Palmer is a great way to see the town at your own pace. Guided excursions such as those provided by Salmon Berry Tours are an excellent approach to see some of the region’s most stunning attractions, including ice fields and musk ox farms, and learn about the area’s history.
When I visited in September 2021, I opted for a guided tour with Salmon Berry Tours that provided transportation from Anchorage to Palmer and back. (Note: another outdoor blogger I know works with them and I was offered a media discount on my tour.) You can learn more about their seasonal tours here.
Palmer Itinerary
Let me share with you my itinerary for a one-day visit to Palmer, Alaska
12:55 PM — I met up with my Salmon Berry Tours guide and the other tour members in front of the tur company’s downtown office. From there we travel to Palmer. (Note: This complimentary transport is included in the ticket price.)
1:50 PM — My first stop in Palmer was the downtown area. We arrived ahead of schedule for the musk ox farm and so we made a stop here to stretch our legs. It’s a fun place to walk around and see shops with books, yarn, clothes, and other goods.
At the intersection of Alaska St. and Evergreen Ave., there is a local coffee shop called Vagabond Blues you can stop at. Across the street, I found a lovely community garden and Train #5 outside the historic Palmer Train Depot.
The Musk Ox Farm
The Musk Ox Farm is a nonprofit facility located just outside Palmer that raises Alaskan native muskoxen. Their ancestors walked the Earth alongside wooly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers. The farm offers scheduled farm tours with a member of staff. Walk-ins are accepted, but reservations are recommended.
2:15 PM — We arrived at the farm and checked in for our guided tour. The tour began indoors and then headed outside for a closer look at these mammals with long wooly coats that resemble a cross between a fluffy cow, water buffalo, and camel.
You can read more about the tour, animals, and what it is like visiting The Musk Ox Farm – Palmer here. After the tour, I browsed through the gift shop, and then we were off to the next stop, the Independence Gold Mine.
Stop for Scenic Photos
The Independence Gold Mine is located along Hatcher Pass Highway and there are several spots along this road ideal for taking landscape photos.I think this one below is my favorite from the trip. The mountains ringed in clouds ad the water rushing by.
Image above – Wearing Duer performance jeans, Kuhl Petra turteneck, Xtratuf Buoy Ankle Deck Boots, Mishi Takin Qaras Jacket, and REI beanie.
3:50 PM — There is a great photo top where the Little Susitna River crosses the road just north of E. Santa Fe Circle. There’s a parking area here and this river is stunning here flanked by trees and the mountains in the background. Note: There are more viewing areas along the road if you want to stop.
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Independence Mine State Historical Park
4:20 PM — The real attraction in Palmer is the gold mine tour at the Independence Mine State Historic Park. The grounds are beautiful and I really enjoyed walking around and getting shots of this place.
This mine is one of the oldest in Alaska and was operated until the 1950s. Visitors can visit here and explore this area on their own or as part of a group. There are several building open during the summer months that illustrate Alaska’s gold mining history in the area, what life was life for miners’ families, and how process of gold mining.
There is a 45 minute guided tour available for those that want a more in depth tour of the area. All the tours are operated by Salmon Berry Tours.
Note: If you are touring Palmer on your own, admission to the grounds is free, but the guided tour is extra. If taking the Salmonn Berry Tour day trip, this tour is included.
Something extra – After my visit, I learned that if visitors continued 2 miles up from the mine parking area, there is Summit Lake, a stunning alpine lake well worth the hike up to it. For more about the lake and other things to see, see this Hatcher Pass area guide from Travel Alaska.
Dinner at Local Palmer Restaurant
5:15 PM — We left the mine and headed back to Palmer for dinner at Turkey Red, our last stop.
Turkey Red is an eatery in downtown Palmer near Vagabond Blues ( the coffee shop I mentioned earlier). It’s a really casual place for pasta, sandwiches, salads, soup, baked goods, and more with fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers.
8:00 PM — After dinner at Turkey Red, we rode back to Anchorage. Guests could be dropped off at their hotels or back where we started downtown.
Final Thoughts
On my last day in Alaska, I wanted to see more native wildlife and learn a bit of history. I really enjoyed this tour and would recommend it to anyone interested in getting outdoors while learning more about Alaska’s rich past.
My Salmon Berry Tours guide was quite knowledgeable and showed me and the other four tour guests a good mix of history and wildlife. He tailored the tour to meet all of our interests and provided great insight. We stopped along the way too for scenic photos which are some of favorites from this trip.
Many visitors to Alaska, opt for guided tours and experiences to make the most of their time. I highly recommend the Palmer tour for anyone interested in taking an offbeat tour of the area, learning about gold mining history, and seeing some native wildlife. The company also has many more tours to choose from ranging from glacier walking and dog sledding to northern lights watching and eco-tours.
For more information visit Salmon Berry Tours’ website.
For more stories from this Alaska trip, see:
- Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise (Seward)
- Kenai Riverside Lodge – Coopers Landing
Disclaimer: A media discount was provided for this tour. All opinions are my own.
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