Although Palmer’s population sits at just under 6,000, it is one of Alaska's largest cities. Several Native American groups, including the Ahtna and Denaʼina tribes, initially occupied this beautiful city. Russian settlers later migrated to the region during the 1740s.
A Russian entrepreneur named George Palmer came to the area around 1893. He later set up a trading post, a supply store, and an unofficial post office. Palmer impacted the region so much that the town was named after him. Around this time, the United States government started to take an interest in the area’s coal mines. Soon, an influx of homesteaders and coal miners began to move into the room.
In 1935, United States President Franklin Roosevelt created an initiative to send over 200 families from the struggling Midwest to Palmer. The hope was that the families would be able to rebuild their lives through farming. Although many migrants weren’t remarkably successful, some made considerable progress.
Visit the Colony House Museum to glimpse the lives of the American colonists who settled in the Palmer region. The museum displays antique medicine bottles, typewriters, and empty food containers. Palmer’s Reindeer Farm is a unique petting zoo that features reindeer, alpacas, moose, bison, and elk. Self-guided tours and hand-feeding experiences are available.
If you’re looking for a homestyle, hearty meal, check out The Noisy Goose. This casual eatery serves prime rib, New York steak, halibut chunks, and much more. For great food and a lively pub atmosphere, head over to the Palmer Alehouse. Menu options include pizza dishes, sandwiches, burgers, and wraps.
Campgrounds in and Near Palmer, Alaska
Big Bear RV Park is a pet-friendly campground that offers pull-through sites, Wi-Fi access, shower facilities, and much more. You can even access fire rings, laundry rooms, and tire compressors.
Even though Fox Run RV Campground is small, it still provides several desirable amenities including shower facilities, Wi-Fi access, and adequate cell reception. There is also an on-site restaurant, art gallery, and fishing opportunities.
Full hookups, potable water, and hot showers are just a few amenities that Slide Mountain RV Park provides. In addition, this family-friendly campground offers lots of recreational facilities, including trails and open fields.
Government Peak Campground provides good cell reception, pull-through sites, and picturesque mountain views. Recreational activities include uphill racing, skiing, and fishing.
Nature lovers will enjoy a stay at Mt. View RV Park. The park offers riverboat tours and gorgeous scenic views of Matanuska Peak. Amenities include full hookups, hot showers, and laundry services.
State Parks Near Palmer, Alaska
The 495,000-acre Chugach State Park is a massive state park that houses the Chugach Mountains, Eklutna Lake, Eagle River, the Turnagain Arm Drive, and portions of the Hillside Trail System. The Chugach Mountains, which run along the southern part of Alaska, feature several peaks that measure over 10,000 feet in elevation. These peaks are perfect for hiking, climbing, and mountaineering. Eklutna Lake provides both salmon and trout fishing opportunities. Take a ride along The Turnagain Arm Drive, and witness some of the country’s most stunning views. Enjoy a day of rafting, kayaking, and paddling on the 40-mile-long Eagle River. The Hillside Trail System offers wildlife encounters, hiking, and sightseeing opportunities.
Denali State Park is a gorgeous state park in Trapper Keeper, Alaska. This 325,000-acre wilderness area offers a host of recreational activities. These activities include everything from rock climbing and kayaking to backpacking and fishing. The park also consists of a diversity of wildlife. You may find grizzly bears, water birds, Pacific salmon, and beavers here. This intriguing state park provides guided hiking tours, camping, river rafting tours, multi-day backpacking, and kayaking activities.
Chena River State Recreation Area is an ideal destination for hikers and campers. The Chena River, located within this 254,000 park, is stocked with salmon, northern pike, and shellfish. During winter, you can participate in various winter activities, including ice fishing, dog mushing, and cross-country skiing. Some wildlife inhabiting the park includes caribou, wolves, and grizzly bears.
National Sites in Palmer, Alaska
Independence Mine State Historical Park houses the ruins of a former gold mine that dates to 1897. The mine, which officially ceased operation in 1983, was once one of the largest hard-rock gold mines in Alaska. The park’s visitor’s center is the former site of the mine manager’s home. Exhibits include a mining tunnel experience and a variety of restored buildings. These reconstructed buildings include a mill, a warehouse, and bunkhouses. Adjacent to the mine is the Hatcher Pass recreation area. The mountain pass is excellent for hiking, berry picking, and sledding.
Constructed in 1935, the Bailey Colony Farm was built due to President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal Program. The farmstead was inhabited and run by Ferber Bailey, Ruth Bailey, and their two children. The family had migrated from Wisconsin to manage the farm. The family home, partially built by Ferber, contains one and a half stories and a basement. Unfortunately, due to the widening of the Glenn Highway in 1940, the original barn has moved a little over 100 feet from its original site.
The two-and-a-half-story Hyland Hotel was built in 1935. This historic wood-frame building was one of the first structures constructed in Palmer, Alaska. The building is named after the couple who erected and managed it, Joanna and Myles Hyland. The hotel offered single rooms, double rooms, and apartment options during its operation.
National Forests Near Palmer, Alaska
Established in 1907, the Chugach National Forest features glaciers, rivers, shorelines, alpine trees, and wildlife. This enormous forest is home to bald eagles, black bears, mountain goats, humpback whales, and more.
Spanning over 16 million acres, Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States. The forest consists of mountain peaks, glaciers, islands, brown bears, river otters, and much more. In addition, at least 19 wilderness areas are contained in the forest, including the Karta River Wilderness and the Chuck River Wilderness.
The state of Alaska only contains two national forests. However, Haines State Forest is beautiful and deserves some recognition. The 286,000-acre forest features three rivers, a rugged landscape, and wildlife. Available recreational activities include berry picking, hiking, fishing, and camping.
