This is a beautiful park in Willow with a lot of new features. It's really intended for locals,…read morebut if yoy happen to be in the area (for example at Nancy Lake camping) this is a nice little park. The pond has some interesting bird activity so I recommend binoculars if you have them. There's also several trails and disc golf.

Good place overall to go kayak around a smaller lake. The lake is close to the highway so you can…read morehear all of the highway noise so its not as peaceful.

We stopped by here on our way to Denali, it is was a random stop but turned out to be absolutely…read morebeautiful. We were here on Thursday afternoon and there was no one here. We had the lake to ourselves. The area around the lake was clean, there are plenty of picnic tables, bbq pit and kids play area around as well. They also have a boat launch area on the other side. Tip: Come here during week day to enjoy the quaint lake, 'cause when we stopped by on our way back on Saturday, the place was fully packed.

Nancy Lake State park is HUGE. If someone has a negative experience, it's likely due to their…read morefailure to explore. In addition to two campgrounds cabins, there are countless lakes, ponds, streams and creeks, trails, parking lots and toilets. There's even canoe rentals. In winter theres some limited trail grooming as well. Fishing is popular in some of the lakes- see the state website for deets. Berry picking is excellent you're willing to explore as well. Bears are a real concern here so be prepared, we've seen them. Amazing bird watching as well. My only negative comment is the smaller campground by Nancy Lake proper is garbage- it needs a total overhaul. Head toward the campground by Rollly Lake deep in forest for the goods- you won't be disappointed.

This area is a perfect close to home getaway location. Lots of winter exploring to be had, and I'm…read moresure even more fun in the summer time with additional water activities. If the ratings are good definitely a nice spot to view the aurora. We rented a dry cabin for an overnight trip, and we're upset we didn't book for 2 nights. We were in cabin #4 as a party of 4 adults, 1 toddler & a lab with plenty of space. This cabin could easily accommodate 6 adults comfortable, but there was bunk space for 8. There are quite a few state owned dry cabins in this area. A few of them are even newer constructions, and very nice. We thought we were going to have to snowshoe into the cabin, but to our surprise the trails were groomed for cross country skiing so it was a very easy walk to cabin #4. The only downside of renting this cabin is this area is pretty busy with skiers and snowmobilers (snowmachiners) accessing the lake. We took a few mile walk around the lake. We considered ice fishing, but didn't due to lack of daylight. We saw a few people out fishing, but Nancy lake isn't exactly known to be a fishing location. We had a very nice time staying at the dry cabins, and I think they're a really fun activity to get out in the winter time!

We've been to 2 of the 3 entrances to the Hay Flats- this one is the best hidden and least well…read moreknown. It has a very strange and difficult to access entrance (as does the Norman Rd entrance). You have to take Fireweed - a road that runs parallel to the highway, but does not reconnect for a long way, which likely compels only those with intent to visit. Entrance to the park is free. This ride down the narrow dirt road is bumpy and had me wishing I had remembered my binoculars- the birds are always very active on the Flats. It's also common to see moose activity. At the end of the road is a single picnic table, a dock with overlooking Spring Creek full of lots of juvenile salmon , a small boat launch, and an incredible view of the Palmer snow capped mountains. This is a grossly underused refuge. According to the state website which I've linked here, camping, fishing, trapping, boating, hiking and birdwatching are just some.of the activities permitted here. Some have specific requirements, so please educate yourself you go. And of course, this is Alaska so... yeah.

Located in between Anchorage and Palmer is Peters Creek DGC located just off of the Old Glenn…read moreHighway (right next to the Glenn Highway). This 18 hole course plays through heavily wooded areas with some of the holes on the back 9 playing near or along Peters Creek. This was my first and only disc golfing experience while I was up in Alaska. And one I had heard very little about as far as on DGC Review website or by word of mouth. Actually, my golfing buddy suggested I make the trek out to downtown Anchorage to play Westchester Lagoon but it's been closed during the summer due to clashes between golfers and other users of the park. Since I was staying in Palmer, I decided to give this course a try. There's two parking lots to choose from when entering the park. The closest one (near the course's bulletin board) is located near the path to hole # 1, while the other parking lot (through the gate) is closer to hole #10...so depending on where you want to start your round, parking in either of these lots will accommodate your plans. While I played early (10 AM) on a Wednesday morning the course and parking lot was pretty empty, I did do some reconnaissance the evening before on the way back from dinner in Eagle River. I noticed that the course and front lot can get crowded, especially in the summer evenings when it doesn't get remotely dark-ish until Midnight or 1 AM. A short walk from the front lot down a path into the thick forest of Birch Trees is where the tee for hole # 1 awaits. As a California disc golfer and a first time player of this course, I stood for a while trying to take in the path and overall set up for the first basket. It's not too often you play a course in California with this many trees in your line of sight. Courses in CA tend to be a bit more wide open. I can imagine this is what those on the east coast have to deal with when playing some of their heavily wooded, tight fairway courses. After the shock, I started my round...hitting a share of trees but making Par on most holes on the front 9. Aside from the trees, you have quite a few holes that tend to play extremely short (some as short as just over 150 feet) but hook hard to the right, meaning if you're not left handed, you need to have a disc you can turn over or have a decent side arm game. This course definitely forces you to break out of your normal throwing game if you want to have a shot at some birdie opportunities. Most of the front 9 plays through the maze of Birch trees, with a few holes giving the player an opportunity to power out some throws on a few open fairways (holes 4,5,6 come to mind as they play along side of a rocky hill and down what looks like a dirt fire lane path.) Hole 7 is an straight away up-hill shot with a drop off to the left side (another good hole for something understable or a side arm shot for RHBH throwers). Hole 8 proved to be one of the more exciting holes on the course for the fact it's the only downhill shot in all 18 holes. With a mandatory on the right side, it's a straight and slightly to the left 237 foot hole that could easily lead one to empty their bag because it's such a fun hole to throw on. Much like the front 9, the back has a mix of tree laden holes as well as quite a few long holes as well. You can also hear Peters Creek throughout the back 9, making the atmosphere quite relaxing. Hole 15 is likely what many consider the courses signature hole, especially since this is where we get our first sight of Peters Creek. It's the longest hole on the course (375 feet) with a long and wide fairway and a basket nestled in a grove of thick trees to the left. But BEWARE! There's a drop off beyond the basket (both behind it and to the right...where the fairway leads you) into the "creek". The "creek" runs more like a river in the summer due to the snow / glacier melt from the nearby mountains. Chances to loose a disc to the creek come into play on holes 17 and 18 as well. I finished 4 over on my first 18 and 3 over on my second 18. Not bad considering this was my first time here. Some other thoughts... - Perhaps the only reason why I didn't give this course a perfect rating is due to the fact that there are no tee pads. Some tees were muddy and unplayable (had to throw from one side or the other on some holes). This is honestly the only complaint I could come up with. - Along with tee signs at every hole, there was a garbage can attached to the tee at every hole as well. It's something we need to see more of in CA. Unfortunately I did see some trash while walking the course. Seriously??? It's fucking Alaska! Show some respect! - While there are tee signs at each hole, navigating the course could be troublesome if you fail to bring a course map with you (map can be found at the link at the top of this business page). - During the summer the mosquitoes are relentless, so be sure to bring some repellent with you. - Look out for wildlife (saw moose prints in the mud).

This is a really strange park. I would have given it 4 stars had it been not for the very strange…read moreand invasive list of rules they have posted at this STATE park that is run by a private company. Ive posted them in the pictures section- you can read them for yourself. One of the rules is consumption of alcohol while at this park is illegal. I'm sorry WHAT?!?! As a person who works in Healthcare in a state with a problem with alcoholism, I can appreciate the need for regulation. But there is a line that should not be crossed. Its not the 1920's kids. And if someone isn't being a public problem, then what they do while they are on vacation is none of your damn business. Hard stop. Its also $2 more for day parking here than at other Alaska State Parks. Psh

Great Hospitality, Food, Bed - Cabin, Location, & Cleanliness…read more My stay was the Perfect Vacation! It was everything I wanted to do while literally getting away from everything. I didn't have to worry about a thing. The only complaint I have, is that I wish I had two more nights. In fact, I'm looking into booking for 2021. If you want to get away and do nothing or hike and see animals or explore untouched lands, then this is the place. I had to fly to get to the property. There is no cars or noise pollution. Hikes are so much fun. I was able to see Black bears and Grizzly bears. The food was great & plenty, plus they took our dietary needs into consideration with each meal. Thanks again and can't wait for next year! Until then... FREEZE!!

Let's get something out of the way, right away. There is no "s" in Hatcher Pass, between the…read more"Hatcher" and the "Pass". Correct: Hatcher Pass Hatcher NO!: Hatcher's Pass Hatcher's Anyway, this is one of the shortest "real" trails in the large area above/between Wassilla/Palmer/Willow known as "Hatcher Pass". In case you're not confused yet, this trail is located right at the actual pass of Hatcher Pass. That's right. It starts from Hatcher Pass, located in "Hatcher Pass (East Management Area)" Anyway, this trail is about 2.2 miles roundtrip and has 800 ft of elevation gain. It tops out on the summit of Hatch Peak. It's a great hike to take people that are a little bit adventurous, but maybe don't consider themselves "hikers". You'll pass a couple beautiful alpine lakes that are perfect rest stops. The trail eventually gains a rock ridge that leads right up to the summit. On a rare day with good weather, the views are stunning. You can see a large chunk of the greater Hatcher Pass area, Denali, and look back towards the Chugach Mountains near Palmer. (Pioneer Peak is particularly prominent) It's a favorite jumping off point for paragliders. It's a gravel road to get to the trailhead, but it's pretty well maintained. Any car will do.