Matanuska River

The Matanuska River is a waterway in southcentral Alaska that flows southwest through a valley, fed by meltwater from the Matanuska Glacier. It eventually joins Knik Arm, which connects to Cook Inlet.

The Dena'ina Athabascan people called this waterway Ch'atanhtnu, meaning 'trail comes out river', which shows how important it was as a travel route for early inhabitants. This name reveals the river's role in connecting people and places across the landscape.

Local families have long used this river for fishing salmon, and along its banks are traditional spots that connect generations of people to the water. The vegetation of poplars and spruces creates a green corridor that shapes how the landscape looks and feels.

Several access points along the river allow visitors to enter the water for fishing or paddling, including Chickaloon Bridge and King Mountain Wayside. The best time to visit depends on weather conditions, which change significantly with the season.

The amount of water flowing in this river changes dramatically between seasons, with far less water in spring than in summer months. These shifts affect how the river looks and which activities are possible at different times.

GPS coordinates: 61.78291,-148.13835

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:25