Hatchers' Pass Road takes you into a less traveled region of Alaska seldom scene by visitors but held in secrecy by Alaskans as the local retreat of grand proportion.
Hatcher Pass Road; The places where Alaskans go to get away from it all include the scenic and inviting Hatcher Pass between Palmer and Willow AK. Camping along Hatcher Pass Road is limited to wide spots along the road. There are camping options at both ends of the road and along Fish-hook Road on the Palmer side.
Alaska Campgrounds & RV Parks
Hatcher Pass, Alaska
A 50 mile scenic loop between the George Parks and Glenn Highways takes you to Hatcher Pass and the Historical Independence Mine State Park. Hatcher Pass Road is one of the Mat-Su valleys hidden hideaways with a rich mining history with a number of old gold mines. Over 500,000 ounces of gold has been removed from the local area. The first mining claims were staked in the Hatcher Pass area in 1906.
Independence Mine
What is now called Independence Mine was once two mines: The Alaska Free Gold (Martin) Mine on Skyscraper Mountain, and Independence Mine on Granite Mountain. In 1938 the two were bought together under one company, the Alaska-Pacific Consolidated Mining Company (APC). With a block of 83 mining claims, APC became the largest producer in the Willow Creek Mining District. The claims covered more than 1,350 acres and included 27 structures. In its peak year, 1941, APC employed 204 men, blasted nearly a dozen miles of tunnels, and produced 34,416 ounces of gold worth $1,204,560 which is equivalent to $57,474,720.00 at today's prices.
Hatcher Pass Road
Scenic views from Hatcher Pass Road between Palmer and Willow Alaska. Hatcher Pass doesn't typically open till the 4th of July weekend due to snow. There are numerous places to camp along Hatcher Pass Road on the Willow side. Most are small pullouts or just open areas along the road. There are no sanctioned campgrounds nor rv parks as this is a primitive road that is best not traveled by the large motorhomes.
Palmer Alaska Campgrounds and RV Parks
- Big Bear RV Park – 16533 Old Glenn Highway, Chugiak, AK 99567 (907) 696-1970
- Fox Run Campground – 16533 Old Glenn Highway, Chugiak, AK 99567 (907) 696-1970
- Hatcher Pass RV Park & Cabins – PO Box 1021 Willow, AK - (907) 495-4955
- Homestead RV Campground – 4643 Glenn Highway Palmer, AK - (907) 745-6005
- Kepler Lake Campground – Mile 37.4 Glenn Highway Palmer, AK - 907) 745-3053
- Mountain View RV Park – 1405 Smith Road, Palmer, AK - (907) 745-5747
- Town & Country RV Park – 1150 Town and Country Lane, Palmer, AK - (907) 746-6642
