Government Peak Recreation Area
Just a short drive from Palmer and Wasilla, at the base of the iconic Hatcher Pass, lies the Government Peak Recreation Area (GPRA)—the Mat-Su Valley's premier destination for year-round trail adventures. With professionally built singletrack for summer mountain biking and dedicated fat bike trails for winter, GPRA offers an incredible experience for every rider, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Chugach and Talkeetna Mountains.
The Riding Experience: Two Seasons of Fun
GPRA is a true two-season playground, with trails that transform from hero dirt in the summer to a snowy wonderland in the winter.
Summer Mountain Biking
Thanks to the incredible work of the Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers (VMBaH), GPRA boasts a growing network of purpose-built singletrack designed for flow, fun, and progression. The trails are well-signed and feature everything from gentle rollers to technical descents with berms, jumps, and natural features.
Winter Fat Biking
When the snow falls, GPRA becomes a fat biker's paradise. The area features dedicated singletrack trails packed down for fat bikes, offering a thrilling ride through the quiet winter landscape. For a more relaxed spin, the groomed, multi-use Pioneer Loop provides a perfect option for riders of all abilities.
Featured Trails at GPRA
The trail system is designed as a stacked loop, allowing riders to progress to more challenging trails as they climb higher.
| Trail Name(s) | Season | Difficulty | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puffball & Amanita | Summer | Beginner/Intermediate | Fun, fast, and flowy! These newer trails are wide with deep berms and purpose-built jumps, perfect for honing your skills. They are quick laps accessed by a short, steep climb. |
| Fireweed & Monk's Hood | Summer | Intermediate | A classic loop combination that winds through the forest with nice corners and great flow. The 2-mile Fireweed trail connects to the 1-mile, counter-clockwise Monk's Hood loop for a fun, longer ride. |
| Larkspur & Jacob's Ladder | Summer | Advanced | For those seeking a challenge, Larkspur is a fantastic downhill trail with fun jumps and corners built off natural features. It's best lapped by climbing the Jacob's Ladder trail. |
| North & South Fat Bike Loops | Winter | All Levels | These two singletrack loops offer 4.2 miles of dedicated fat biking. The South Loop is great for all abilities, while the North Loop provides more challenging terrain for experienced riders. |
| Pioneer Loop | Winter | Beginner | This gentle, 1.32-mile rolling loop is groomed in the winter and is the only ski trail at GPRA that is also open to fat bikes and snowshoers, making it a perfect multi-use trail for a scenic winter ride. |
Get the Right Bike for the Trail
Having the right bike is key to enjoying all that GPRA has to offer.
- For Summer Singletrack: A versatile mountain bike is your best friend on the GPRA trails. A Norco Hardtail is perfect for the climbs and flowy sections, while a Norco Fluid Full Suspension will give you the confidence to tackle the descents and more technical features.
- For Winter Snow: To float over the snow, you need a fat bike. The Norco Bigfoot is an absolute beast on winter trails, offering incredible traction and stable handling that’s optimized for cold-weather performance.
Stop by Alaska Bicycle Center and we'll get you set up with the perfect bike for your GPRA adventure. We have a full rental fleet, including hardtails, full-suspension mountain bikes, and fat bikes!
Know Before You Go
- Getting There: From Palmer, take the Palmer-Fishhook Road toward Hatcher Pass. At mile 7, turn left onto Edgerton Parks Road. Drive one mile and take a right on Mountain Trails Drive to the entrance.
- Parking: A Mat-Su Borough parking pass is required. Day passes are $5 and annual passes are $40.
- Amenities: A beautiful, heated chalet with restrooms is available for visitors to warm up in during the winter and is also available for private rentals.
- Trail Grooming: The Nordic ski trails are professionally groomed by the Mat-Su Ski Club. For the latest grooming reports, check their website or Nordic Pulse.
Safety & Trail Etiquette
GPRA is a wild space with abundant wildlife, including moose and bears. Always be aware of your surroundings, make noise, and carry bear spray.
Winter Trail Etiquette is Key!
- Fat Bikes Yield to Skiers: Skiers don't have brakes, but you do! Always give them the right of way.
- Stay Off the Classic Tracks: Never ride in the parallel grooves set for classic cross-country skiers.
- Check Conditions: If you are leaving a rut deeper than one inch, the snow is too soft to ride. Please turn back to preserve the trails for everyone.
- Multi-Use Trails: On the Pioneer Loop, be courteous to all users, including skiers, snowshoers, and skijorers.
Support the Trails
The amazing trails at GPRA exist thanks to the hard work of local volunteer organizations. The mountain bike trails are built and maintained by the Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers (VMBaH), and the Nordic ski trails are groomed and maintained by the Mat-Su Ski Club. Consider supporting them to help keep the trails awesome!