Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Area
This 300 acre state park has walking trails to scenic overlook that looks over the valley with great views of the Matanuska Glacier. There is no access to the glacier from this park, but it is a lovely spot to stop for a picnic lunch or short walk to kill some time before your guided tour.
Location: Mile 101 Glenn Highway
Lions Head Trail
Lions Head is a unique rock feature with stunning views of the valley and glacier. Switchbacks are not a concept Alaska trails are familiar with, so while this hike is short it is quite steep and not for the faint of heart. It is not a clearly marked trail, but if you keep going up you will reach the summit eventually. The trail begins by the AT&T tower off the side of the Glenn Highway. More details here.
Location: 61.79081439508722, -147.67640175811115
Caribou Creek Recreational Mining Area
Just past Lions Head and right before the curve in the road, there is a pull off that will take you down and short and steep trail down to the Matanuska River where many try their hand at gold panning. A great place to check out if you have a small window of time or are looking for a serene place to relax.
Location: 61.79182582599177, -147.6669929275877
Gunsight Mountain Trail
This is a longer (7 miles) out and back trail for those looking for a bit of a challenge. The trail is in the Talkeetna mountain range, but once at the summit you can see the Chugach, Talkeetna, Alaska, and Wrangell mountain ranges. More detailed information on getting started on the trail here.
Location: 61.8196945158511, -147.46139271313626