Matanuska Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matanuska Glacier |
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Matanuska Glacier
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 Location in Alaska
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 61°39′21″N 147°34′52″W / 61.65583°N 147.58111°W |
| Length | 27 miles (43 km) |
| Terminus | Matanuska River |
| Status | Retreating |
The Matanuska Glacier is a huge river of ice in Alaska, U.S.. It's special because it's the biggest glacier you can drive to in the entire United States! This amazing glacier is about 27 miles (43 km) long and 4 miles (6.4 km) wide. It slowly moves about 1 foot (30 cm) every day. The ice at its end, called the terminus, melts into the Matanuska River. You can find it near the Glenn Highway, about 100 miles (160 km) northeast of Anchorage.
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Visiting Matanuska Glacier
The Matanuska Glacier is a popular spot for visitors. It's the largest glacier in Alaska that you can reach by car. This makes it easy for people to see it up close or even walk on the ice.
Getting to the Glacier
You can get to the Matanuska Glacier by taking a single road called S Glacier Park Road. This road is found at Mile 102 of the Glenn Highway. It's a gravel road with a small bridge. At the end, there's an electronic gate.
Glacier Tours and Access
The gate is operated by a company called Glacier Tours. This company also takes care of the rest of the drive to the glacier. They provide parking, a shelter, paths, and picnic tables for visitors.
- You can pay a small fee to explore the glacier by yourself during the summer.
- You can also join a guided tour of the glacier. These tours are available all year round.
- Some tours even leave from Downtown Anchorage and include a guide and shuttle service to the glacier.
Nearby State Park
Close to the glacier, there's a special park called the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site. It's an Alaska State Parks facility. This park is 229 acres (93 hectares) big and has trails for walking. It also has a small campground where you can stay overnight.
Fun Facts About the Glacier
Did you know that the Matanuska Glacier has a famous namesake? The Alaska Marine Highway ferry, called the M/V Matanuska, was named after this very glacier!
See also
In Spanish: Glaciar Matanuska para niños
