Overview
Willow is an unincorporated community in Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
1 sights · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Willow
Nancy Lake State Recreation Area
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Aug. Summer highs reach about 68°F; winter lows dip to about 8°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Aug and Sep. (climate data from nearby Palmer)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MRI Merrill Field, Anchorage — 37 mi away. Directions
- ANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage — 39 mi away (major hub). Directions
Willow is easily accessible by car, being an approximately two-hour drive from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Willow is easily accessible by car, being an approximately two-hour drive from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).
Get around
It is easiest to get around Willow by car or bicycle, but there are many lakes in the area and a crafty few travel by boat.
See
- The lakes. Willow is home to many lakes and small ponds, and these are very popular among boaters, primarily Nancy Lake and Willow Lake. The latter is also the location of the seaplane base, owned by the airport across the street.
- The rivers. Willow is known for Willow Creek State Recreation Area. The point where Willow Creek feeds into the Susitna River is popular as a fishing hole.
Do
- Fish. This is a common sport among the locals as well as tourists.
Buy
Willow is not known as a tourist trap, but souvenirs can be bought at many shops in the area.
Sleep
The nearest inn is a Best Western in Wasilla. A motel used to exist at the Capitol Speedway in north-central Willow, but it was shut down after a guest manufactured meth in one of its rooms.
Stay Hatcher Pass Castle
All-inclusive adventure lodge on Hatcher Pass. It hosts small groups with private guiding and custom year-round itineraries, including summer UTV tours, glacier hikes, gold panning, and wildlife or history excursions, as well as winter snowmobiling and Northern Lights viewing. En suite rooms, chef-prepared meals, round-trip transport, Starlink Wi-Fi, and optional add-ons such as Denali flightseeing are available.
Nearby
My experience
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