Alpine Historical Park


This park preserves several buildings, including the Chickaloon Bunkhouse, the spirit house of Ahtna Indian John Goodlataw (a spirit house is a blend of indigenous holy lodge and Russian Orthodox place of worship), and the original Sutton post office, which now houses a museum. The 6-acre park makes for a good picnic spot.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Musk Ox Farm

9.74 MILES

The Musk Ox Farm is home to a domesticated herd of these big, shaggy beasts. These ice-age critters are intelligent enough to have evolved a complex…

2. Colony House Museum

10.87 MILES

This friendly museum is run by enthusiastic Colony descendants. Take the time for a guided tour, and you’ll leave with an appreciation of the enormity of…

3. Palmer Museum of History & Art

10.96 MILES

The log cabin that used to be just a visitor center is now more museum than brochures, with local art and interesting displays on Palmer’s agricultural…

4. Friday Fling

10.97 MILES

An open-air market with local produce, art, crafts, food and live music. Held every Friday in summer.

5. Matanuska Valley Agricultural Showcase

10.98 MILES

A garden next to the visitor center that features flowers and the area’s famous oversized vegetables. But you have to be passing through in August if you…

6. Reindeer Farm

13.15 MILES

The Reindeer Farm is one of the original Colony farms and a great place to bring the kids. Here they will be able to pet and feed the reindeer, and are…

7. Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm

14.09 MILES

South of Palmer, Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm is the largest pick-your-own-vegetables place in the Mat-Su Valley, with would-be farmers in the fields from…

8. Independence Mine State Historical Park

14.72 MILES

The main attraction of Hatcher Pass is 272-acre Independence Mine State Historical Park, a huge, abandoned gold mine sprawled out in an alpine valley. The…