When searching for places to visit in Alaska, you may have come across Palmer, Alaska. This is a small town located about 42 miles northeast of Anchorage, Alaska in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
Palmer may not catch your attention at first. In this post we’ll dive into common questions about Palmer and why NOT to visit Palmer Alaska.
What's Inside
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At first glance, Palmer might seem like just another small Alaskan town in the last frontier. Is it really worth your previous vacation time? Let’s dive into what Palmer has to offer.
What time zone is Palmer, Alaska in?
Palmer operated on Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT) during daylight savings time, which is UTC-8 hours. Outside of daylight savings time, it follows Alaska Standard Time (AKST), which is UTC-9 hours.
This website makes it easy to quickly compare time differences anywhere around the world.
What is the elevation of Palmer, Alaska?
The town of Palmer itself sits approximately 233 feet (71 meters) above sea level. Several places in Hatcher pass in the Talkeetna Mountains range up to ~3,885 feet. While some people can get altitude sickness, it’s not typical at this elevation.
Does Palmer, Alaska have an airport?
While Palmer has a small regional airport, Warren “Bud” Woods Palmer Municipal Airport (airport code PAQ), it’s recommended to fly into Anchorage to the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). Flights can be hard to find into find to Palmer directly and at a pretty penny. Also, with less than an hour drive from Anchorage, it’s best to rent a car.
One of our favorite ways to find, compare, and track flight prices is with Google Flights.
What is Palmer, Alaska known for?
Palmer is renowned for it’s agricultural heritage. Did you know that Palmer is known for producing giant vegetables often showcased at the Alaska State Fair? The unique microclimate has enabled the communities farming success.
From fertile soil to longer days of sunlight, this region has produced record-setting vegetables, such as:
- 138-pound cabbage
- 2,051-p0und pumpkin
- 63-pound carrot
Many local farmers offer farm tours and is an important income source for the community. This is our favorite land package that includes local farm and brewery tours.
5 Reasons Not to Visit Palmer
#5: You hate being outside
Palmer is tucked away between the Chugach and Talkeetna mountain ranges, which offers absolutely incredible views and endless outdoor activities. Plus, being a less-popular travel destination means you get more trails all to yourself.
A few of our favorite outdoor things to do in Palmer are:
- Hike or drive Hatcher Pass
- Enjoy heli-hiking, kayking, and dog sledding (experience them all in this tour package)
- Visit Independence Mine State Park
- Hike around Reflections Lake
- Hike to the butte of Knik Glacier
If you’d rather listen to David Attenborough narrate a Netflix nature documentary, then maybe Palmer isn’t for you.
Willing to take scenic day drive? Talkeetna is just 1 hour and 30 minutes north of Palmer and is home to our #1 rated winter dog sled tour and summer dryland dog sled tours.
#4: You want to rack up hotel points
There is a range of places to stay in Palmer, from cozy bed and breakfasts, cool chalets, yurts, and hotels. Not only are you supporting local businesses by staying in these fun options, but you really get to enjoy the local charm.
If you’re looking to rack up the hotel points by staying in a Marriott or Hilton then you’ll be disappointed as the closest options for those chains are in Anchorage (as of publishing of this post).
Situated in Chugiak, one of our favorite stays is BlueWater BaseCamp located just 34 minutes away from Palmer. Their chalets are absolutely magical and are discounted in our adventurous and mellow ultimate Alaska land packages.
#3: You don't want to rent a car
We hate to break it to you, but like most towns in Alaska, a rental car is non-negotiable. Since Palmer is just 45 minutes from Anchorage, it’s a great place for a day trip or long vacation. At the same time, to get the most out of what Palmer has to offer, it’s best to rent a car.
Alternatively, there is a Alaska Railroad train stop 21 minutes away from Palmer in Wasilla.
#2: You think culture is boring
Attractions like the Palmer Museum of History and Art and the Colony House Museum are top things to see in Palmer. The Palmer Museum of History and Art created The Matanuska Valley Historical Photo Project, an online photo database dedicated to preserve, catalogue, and share historical of the area. We’re proud and grateful for our local hiking tour partner for their deep-rooted support of the Palmer Museum.
Not only do these provide insights into the town’s past, but also provide down time in a quaint town. The town also has many local events, farmers markets, and locally-owned shops.
View the Palmer events calendar.
#1: You love crowds
Last but not least, if you love crowds then you may want to consider traveling to Yellowstone National Park instead. Palmer is a hidden gem destination in Alaska, unlike Juneau or Fairbanks. As shown in the 2022-2023 Alaska Visitor Profile Report, only 7% of total visitors traveled to Palmer as compared to 49% visited Juneau.
So, if you love waiting in lines and paying tourist prices, then Palmer is not for you!
Final Verdict: Is Palmer worth the visit?
While Palmer may not be the largest town or be a top cruise destination, it packs quite the punch with plenty of things to keep you busy for your next vacation. In addition to it’s unique blend of agriculture and immersive experiences, quaint small town charm, and views as far as the eye can see, Palmer should make your list if you’re looking for places to visit in Alaska.
More Information:
Alaska Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go
Best Time To Visit Alaska: When to Go and What to Expect
Top Places to Visit in Alaska
Megan Shurites
Megan is Chief Adventure Officer and Founder of GuideR Adventure with extensive experience in adventure travel all over the world. Megan has been to almost all US states and 5 of 7 continents and enjoys off the beaten path experiences. She strives to empower others to collect memories with those you love and conserve our natural spaces.
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