Anchorage Outdoor Activities

The crew at the helm of 907 Paintball lives for the thrill and the team spirit fostered by the game of paintball, and they strive to share that experience with their community. Amidst mountains and verdant trees, they've fenced in an outdoor field, populating it with strategically placed inflatable obstacles and Rubik's cubes for a physically and mentally challenging match. Welcoming players of all skills, the crew arrange games by only pitting paintballers of like skill level against each other. The staff boasts a spotless safety record to date, strictly adhering to all safety measures with the utmost vigilance.

At Alaska Horse Adventures LLC, trails extend from the stables and into deep woods with mountain views, immersing riders in the natural beauty of the local landscape. Rides are tailored to accommodate all skill levels, allowing beginners to enjoy leisurely strolls along forested trails while advanced riders take advantage of more open terrain, streams, and the lack of backcountry speed-limit signs. From the vantage point of a noble steed, riders can catch glimpses of moose, bears, undomesticated uncles, coyotes, and migrating birds in their natural environment. Alaska Horse Adventures LLC also organizes seasonal activities such as backpacking trips and winter sleigh rides.

Nestled in the heart of the Mat-Su Valley and alongside the Matanuska River, the Palmer Golf Course’s verdant fairways—designed by William Overdorf and repeatedly named one of the best in the state by Golf Digest—treat players to breathtaking views of Pioneer Peak and Knik Glacier. Their cleated feet tread over bluegrass, and their gloved hands grip clubs tightly as they assess the 7th hole’s wicked dogleg left or crush spheres toward the water-bracketed green of the 17th hole. Before romping beneath the course’s jagged brushstrokes of mountain, players equip themselves at the pro shop, and after, they can drop by the snack bar. Those interested in honing their game can schedule lessons with an instructor with nine years of experience, or a caddy that can eat a hoagie impressively quickly. Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course

• Length of 7,125 yards

• Course rating of 72.6

• Slope rating of 121

• Four tee options

Outfitting patrons with brand-name gear from Gary Loomis and Lefty Kreh, Alaska Tackle Rental supplies equipment for fishing excursions throughout the state. Fly-rod and spinning setups abet clientele in catching salmon and trout, and tackle, licenses, and hip boots help procure fish in murky town-square fountains. The in-house experts also dispense advice on prime fishing spots with take-away info sheets. During off-hours, clairvoyant staffers can rendezvous with clients for gear deliveries to their hotel or van down by the creek.

Rockin’ B Riding Club’s 2.5-acre ranch boasts an indoor and an outdoor arena as well as a network of wooded paths for private rides. These facilities are home to seven school horses, who help teach young riders equestrian basics during camps and lessons alongside veteran instructors. Using the Certified Horsemanship Association curriculum, teachers focus on the basics of English- or Western-style riding but also throw in lessons on how to groom horses and how to tell the difference between a mare and a tall four-legged table.

What began as a colony farm built by the U.S. Army in 1935 became, by the mid-1950s, the childhood home of Reindeer Farm's head honcho, Tom Williams. After studying the habits of Scandinavian and Siberian reindeer herders in high school, Tom began to understand why the antlered creatures were considered the "cattle of the North": The brisk Alaskan climate suited their dense coats and languid presence at pool parties. In 1987, after years of practicing law throughout Alaska, Tom ventured to Canada to meet his first herd of reindeer, which he kept corralled next to a tiny sign and donation jar on the modest farm. Since then, that initial herd has blossomed into 150 reindeer, who graze beside 35 elk, 13 horses, one bull moose, and one surprisingly well-adjusted bison. Now a petting zoo, the farm has grown alongside the herd, with guided tours, scavenger hunts, and horseback rides treating guests to an up-close and hands-on experience with the majestic animals. Located in the colony's original chicken coop, a gift shop provides guests with any number of collectibles to commemorate their visits.