GPRA Trail Maps
10690 N. Mountain Trails Dr., Palmer, AK
The Mat-Su Ski Club maintains 17 km of groomed Nordic ski trails, with 6.5 km lighted in the evenings. GPRA opens at 8 AM and closes at 10 PM (summer), 9 PM (winter)
What is GPRA?
Government Peak Recreation Area is located on the southern flank of Government Peak, within the community of Fishhook and near the towns of Palmer and Wasilla, GPRA is a 1420 acre (2.22 square miles) parcel of Mat-Su Borough-owned land within the State of Alaska’s Hatcher Pass Management Area. GPRA is bounded on the west, east, and north by undeveloped public land. Private residential land lies south of GPRA. Long-term Mat-Su Borough plans for GPRA include amphitheaters, additional parking, a disc golf course, a biathlon facility, and continued development of mountain bike trails, cross-country ski trails, multi-use trails, hiking trails, and equestrian trails. The map to the left shows only the part of GPRA with developed cross-country ski and singletrack (bike) trails. The Castle Mt. Fault is an interesting geological feature that cuts through GPRA. Similar to the San Andreas or Denali Faults, it is thought to be capable of large earthquakes. Over time, the north (mountain) side of the fault has risen a mile or more. Cliffs of broken and twisted rocks are exposed nearby in a roadside landslide where the Little Su River cuts a canyon through the fault trace.
Government Planning Documents Concerning GPRA
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Government Peak Recreation Area Trail Map
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Moose Range Trail Map
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Archangel Road Map
Trailheads Location Map
Driving directions to GPRA:
Drive towards Hatcher Pass on the Palmer-Fishhook Road or the Wasilla Fishhook Road.
Turn left onto Edgerton Parks Road 3/4 mile after Turners yellow store.
Turn right after 1 mile onto N. Mt. Trails Dr. to GPRA.
Driving directions to Wendt Road trailhead of the Moose Range:
Take Trunk Road, or drive through Palmer, to get to the Palmer-Fishhook Road.
Drive north on the Palmer-Fishhook Road towards Hatcher Pass.
Keep going until you see Turners store. Slow down and turn right onto Sun Valley Dr. before the store. Drive slowly through the neighborhood, around the curve, then turn right onto Wendt. Drive to end of road.