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Matanuska River Park Campground

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CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Matanuska River Park Campground, near Palmer, Alaska, is a convenient and friendly place for both RV and tent campers. With sites that offer electric hookups and easy access to drinking water, it’s a practical choice for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort.

The campground is known for its nice grassy spots and proximity to the Matanuska River, making it a great spot for a short walk to the water. Visitors have mentioned the friendly hosts and the availability of amenities like showers and a sanitary dump station, which add to the overall convenience of the stay. As one camper noted, “Great friendly host” really sums up the welcoming vibe here.

Families will appreciate the nearby playground and open areas for games like soccer or frisbee. While some campers have pointed out that the sites can be close together, the atmosphere remains lively and engaging, perfect for those looking to connect with fellow campers. Whether you're just passing through or planning a longer stay, Matanuska River Park Campground offers a comfortable base for your Alaskan adventures.

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Location

Matanuska River Park Campground is located in Alaska

Detail location of campground

Directions

Make your way to Palmer along the Glenn Highway and head North. Turn right on E. Arctic Avenue (which eventually turns into the Old Glenn Highway). Drive and travel approximately two miles, the Campground is on the left directly after the Palmer Memorial Park.

Coordinates

61.60910487 N
149.08841067 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile
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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 8 users

Drive Time

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Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 8 users

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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5 Stars

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1 Star

34%
25%
34%
10%
0%

4.0

out of 5

12 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 21, 2025

Nice place well looked after

Lots of green, a big part if the camping grounds are in a forest, RV with E Nicely arranged with well looked after grass, so you don't soil your RV.

Site17
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Andrea W., August 21, 2025
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Andrea W., August 21, 2025
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Andrea W., August 21, 2025
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2025

Nice Campground but lots of air traffic

This is a nice little spot but there's two drawbacks; The campground lies just at the end of a small plane airport so there's almost constant noise. Secondly the restrooms close at 10pm.

Site26
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 5, 2024

Great park for the price

Matanuska River Park campground

$20 to dry-camp. Water station and sani-dump usage included. There are also some sites with electricity - a few more dollars but extremely close together. Saw a few with overlapping awnings

72 is a great site, our 30 ft 5er and f250 fitted in fine, but some caution needs to be exercised when driving. Trees made Starlink coverage a bit spotty. Short walk to River

Small planes continually passing overhead during the day, but not too noisy ( apparently glide path is over us to land, and engines are apparently idling at this time )

Great friendly host

Site72
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Kevin H., July 5, 2024
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Kevin H., July 5, 2024
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Kevin H., July 5, 2024
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Jun. 7, 2024

Nice Spot in Palmer

This campsite has showers and really nice, quiet spots in the woods. The only downside was the mosquitos which were terrible.

Site62
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Erica C., June 7, 2024
Reviewed Sep. 4, 2022

Matanuska River Park

Nice grassy spots but very very small and if you get here after everyone else it’s almost impossible to navigate getting into your spot. The camp host was super friendly and even gave us some wood. There are no fire pits, we brought our own as did some other people at other sites. If you are wanting any kind of privacy this is not the spot for you but if that doesn’t bother you, then it’s a nice spot.

Site#37
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2022

Great City Park RV & Tent in Palmer

This is a wonderful campground in the town of Palmer. We have a 26’ travel trailer and are connected to 30 amp electrical. Sites have plenty of trees and grass. Public rest rooms with showers.

40 electric sites 47 tent

Site22
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Timothy W., July 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Timothy W., July 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Timothy W., July 11, 2022
  • (5) View All
Reviewed May. 31, 2022

Edge of town, Palmer: Good for a night

Small campground attached to park with playground, pavilion and volleyball court. RIGHT next to a cemetery. Had a dump station and water. No Mountain View’s and bustling on the weekend. Spots are close together, parking lot style but do have grass and picnic table. I don’t see any fire pits. I’d say if you need to stop for the night this would suffice.

Site10
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Jennifer G., May 31, 2022
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Jennifer G., May 31, 2022
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Jennifer G., May 31, 2022
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2020

Didn’t like highway noise and lots of traffic drives through

Great place to get out for a quick trip or trail trip for children. We had a few campsites next to each other between our groups which was great. The kids had a park they could play at, needs a lot of attention though. Seems after hour parties come here and don’t clean up. Big yard area in park to throw football or small soccer game. There’s a volleyball net set up. Also grills and covered pavilions for day use. At the camp site there is areas for fire and most have picnic tables. Very close spots with paved road in. Bathrooms available in day use area, locked at night according to the sign but we used them later than said times. Short walk to the river, we had a blast with kids and dogs at the water.

Reviewed Sep. 6, 2020

Not the best in the valley

This is not my favorite campground in the Matsu Valley. It is a great opportunity if you have a group of people who are looking for campsites right next to each other. Camping spots are not dispersed and you can see into the campsite next to you. This is not a bad campsite, it just would not be my first or second choice.

  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Tanya B., September 6, 2020
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Tanya B., September 6, 2020
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Tanya B., September 6, 2020
  • (20) View All
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2020

Very Family friendly

This campground has lots to offer. Water and sewer via dump station...30 amp service available up top. Wooded tent and RV sites down the hill in “The woods”. There are bathrooms with showers, large green area for soccer, frisbee, ect. Volleyball court, covered picnic areas, great hiking. Just off the Matanuska River with trails down to the river. Very convenient to town. Hosts were great.

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2020

Not terrible

There are a number of places you can stay in the valley. There are a number of trails. This is an option when other campsites are full.

Reviewed Nov. 1, 2019

Family Awesomeness!

Although there is no no alcohol allowed this campground is just pure cool. Quiet times from 10pm to 8am, they have a dump, day use area, tons of trails, and fire rings. There are several loops to choose from with a paved RV section up top. Sherrod loop is only 30 feet but much more secluded than above but with no hookups. Pull throughs sites above with over 87 sites total including the paved and dirt road ones. 4 pavilions with a playground and dog station.

  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Shadara W., November 1, 2019
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Shadara W., November 1, 2019
  • Review photo of Matanuska River Park Campground by Shadara W., November 1, 2019
  • (14) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What do visitors say in reviews about Matanuska River Park?

Visitors describe Matanuska River Park as a convenient location in Palmer with both positives and limitations. Many appreciate the numerous trails, showers, grassy areas, and playground facilities. The camp host receives praise for friendliness, sometimes providing firewood. While some enjoy the wooded tent and RV sites, others note the campground can feel crowded with closely spaced sites, especially in the electric hookup area. The park's location is convenient but some mention airport noise from nearby small planes. Mosquitoes can be problematic during certain times. The park is noted as a good option for groups wanting adjacent campsites.

What amenities are available at Matanuska River Park campground?

Matanuska River Park Campground offers a variety of amenities for campers. The facility includes 40 electric sites with 30-amp service and 47 tent sites. Campers have access to bathrooms with showers, a dump station, and water stations. Recreation facilities include trails, a playground, a volleyball court, large grassy areas for activities, and covered picnic areas. Each site has a picnic table, though some sites may not have permanent fire rings. The campground enforces quiet hours from 10 pm to 8 am, and there's a no-alcohol policy. The fee is $20 for dry camping, with electrical sites available for a few dollars more.

Is there a map of Matanuska River Park showing campsite locations?

While specific information about an official map isn't detailed, the campground has a clear layout with distinct camping areas. The facility features several loops including Sherrod loop (with 30-foot sites that offer more seclusion) and an upper paved RV section with electrical hookups. There are 40 electric sites and 47 tent sites distributed throughout the property. For the most accurate and current map showing specific campsite locations, check with the campground office upon arrival or contact Palmer Parks and Recreation department before your visit.

Are there photos available of Matanuska River Park to view before visiting?

Photos of Matanuska River Park can be found on various camping platforms and the official Palmer city website. These images typically showcase the campground's wooded areas, grassy sites, playground, volleyball court, and pavilion. The photos reveal the park's mix of RV sites with electrical hookups in the upper section and more secluded tent sites in the wooded areas. Visual content often highlights the green spaces available for recreation and the natural setting. For the most current and comprehensive collection of photos, check the official Palmer Parks and Recreation department website or call the park office directly.