Fishing attracts many people to Montana Creek, which is well known for its king and silver salmon and trout fishery. If you are just passing through and have no fishing equipment with you, the Tackle Cache can meet your needs with sales or rentals.  We can also freeze and store your fish for you.  If you have questions about fishing regulations in this stream, you can get a free copy of the fishing regulations at the Tackle Cache or click on our link to the Sport Fishing Regulations for on-line access to this information.  (After reviewing information on that site's home page, select Southcentral, Susitna Drainage, then Unit 2, where you can scroll for information regarding Montana Creek.)

Enter a fishing derby.  King salmon that you catch from Montana Creek (and other are streams) are eligible for the Mat-Su King Salmon derby. You can pre-register at the Tackle Cache. There are weekly and daily prizes.  Contact the folks at the Tackle Cache for more information.  Remember, if you don?t register, you can't win!

Walking trails will take you west, to the mouth of Montana Creek, where it flows into the Susitna River. It?s a short, pleasant walk to the midpoint, where the trail goes under the railroad tracks. From there, the trail is unimproved. You can also stroll on other trails to view the wildflowers or berries in season.  

Hike to Montana Creek Falls.  The Luthman Trail is one of the most beautiful day-hikes to be found in the entire upper Susitna Valley.  Be certain to pack plenty of snacks, drinking  water, and lots of mosquito repellant.  The trail is four and a half miles long over gently rolling terrain until the last half-mile, which is steeper and offers more strenuous hiking. To find the Luthman trail (named after the local homesteader who discovered the falls 30 years ago and, over the years, built most of the trail himself), drive north on the Talkeetna Spur Road to Mile 3.  Turn right on Yoder Road and cross Montana Creek bridge (approximately 2.6 miles).  Turn left immediately after the bridge and park in the trailhead parking lot.  (Shuttle service to the parking lot is available from our campground.  There is a fee for this service.)  Make noise as you hike; the trail is located in bear habitat and bears can be dangerous.

Take a scenic riverboat or rafting trip on the Talkeetna or Chulitna River.  

Go dog sledding! This wheeled version is a fun summer adaptation of a winter sport that is quite popular in this area. While there are several trainers, kennels, and racing teams in the area (some of which participate in the 1,000 mile Iditarod race and others), visit the Talkeetna Sundog Kennel for either a dog mushing trip or for a tour of their world champion sled dog racing kennel (phone 733-3355).

Rent a bicycle!  Lynn, at Busy Bikes (phone 733-2675) will deliver a rental bike to you at the campground if she is given enough notice.  Otherwise, you can rent one at her outlet in Talkeetna.  Call her for more information.

Enjoy our live music on July 4^th.  This annual free concert for our customers will present a variety of music over the years: country, folk, jazz, blues, steel drums, rock and roll, and so on. 

Tired of RV or campfire food? Eat out! Every Tuesday at noon, our Upper Susitna Seniors prepare a delicious lunch for the public at their new senior center, 2 miles north on the Parks Highway (turn right on Helena Drive, just after the church). Prices are always reasonable, and all meals include the salad bar and beverage.  This is a great opportunity to chat with and hear the remarkable stories of some of the folks who founded and built this community, some of the original homesteaders who settled here before the highway existed! Every Sunday, the public is also invited to brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This event is a fundraiser for the seniors.  You will be seated, order off a menu, and be served by volunteers.  These meals  include salad and desert bars.  

In addition, our neighborhood eateries are all open 7 days a week:  

Those of you who are roughing it in style may want to rent a video.  The largest selection is at Som?s Sunshine Laundry and Video at Mile 2 on the Talkeetna Spur Road.

Go to church. The Montana Creek Baptist Church, 2 miles north on the Parks Highway, welcomes visitors of all denominations.  You can call the church if you need transportation (733-2591).  Services are on Sundays:  

  Go to a meeting.  AA and Al-Anon meet downstairs every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at Montana Creek Baptist Church.

Visit Talkeetna. Take the Talkeetna Spur Road (located 3 miles north on the Parks Highway). This makes a perfect day or afternoon trip. Be sure to stop at the Mt. McKinley viewpoint; it is absolutely the best place in the state from which to view McKinley -- if the mountain is "out". Then park in town and stroll through "beautiful downtown Talkeetna". The town is only a few blocks long, but is filled with many original and historical buildings and cabins. Be sure to visit the Talkeetna Museum, which is located in what was once the little red schoolhouse, to learn more about this old mining town. The Wax Museum of the North is fun to see, and is unlike any other wax museum you have visited. There is also a Museum of Northern Adventure, and the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum. Talkeetna is home to many craftspeople and artists, so be sure to stop in at the little shops to see what they?ve done. And if you're looking for Alaskan gifts or mementos, you?ll find those in Talkeetna as well.

Observe the aurora borealis (?northern lights?).  On clear nights in May, late August, and September, look up during the night.  (They are there year-round, but it is not dark enough to see them during the bright nights of summer in Alaska.)  Brightest around midnight, these wonderful patterns of light can sometimes be seen straight overhead.  More often, they?re located toward the north and can be obscured by the trees in the forested part of the campground.  If you feel like taking a late-night stroll, walk out to the open part of the campground for the best opportunity to see the lights.  They may appear (most often) as a rainbow-shaped pale green glow, pale green and/or pink waving curtain, or as (overhead) spectacular flat planes of light.  Occasionally, they?ll appear as a swirling, cloud-like mass.  They?re always exciting to see and are worth staying up or getting up for.  (And if they don?t make an appearance, you?ll still see our starry, starry night?)