Back
Hatcher Pass Road, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
Photo: Wizz4prep · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives Alaska Anchorage, the Kenai and Southcentral Alaska

Hatcher Pass Road

Hatcher Pass · Palmer → Independence Mine turnoff

Sweeping16.8 mi25 min3,100 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,900 ftOne way
Scan to drive it in CarvePoint a phone's camera here. It opens ready to drive.
Drive it in Carve, free

Opens this route in the app, or where to get it.

Drive this road
in the appOpen

The drive

Hatcher Pass Road, signed as the Palmer-Fishhook Road, leaves the Glenn Highway at Palmer and climbs to the Independence Mine turnoff. Alaska State Parks says it is the only paved route from the Palmer side to Independence Mine State Historical Park, about 20 minutes from Palmer.

This drive ends before the Independence Mine turnoff. Past mile 17.5 the road is gravel, narrow and steep, and it is not maintained in winter.

Along the way

  1. Palmer (Glenn Highway)
  2. Independence Mine turnoff
Elevation
3,100 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,900 ft
PalmerIndependence Mine turnoff
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
PalmerIndependence Mine turnoff
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The paved road is open year-round except the last mile to Independence Mine in winter; four-wheel drive is recommended from about October 1 through May 31.
  • Hatcher Pass Road is closed to vehicles between mile points 17.5 and 20.6 each winter. It usually reopens in mid-to-late June, depending on weather.
  • RVs and large vehicles are not recommended on the gravel section because of steep grades and tight hairpin corners.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Alaska State Parks: Hatcher Pass.

Questions about this drive

Is Hatcher Pass Road open in winter?

The paved Palmer-Fishhook Road stays open year-round except the last mile to Independence Mine, according to Alaska State Parks. The summit section from mile 17.5 to 20.6 closes each winter and usually reopens in mid-to-late June.

How long does Hatcher Pass Road take from Palmer?

Hatcher Pass Road from Palmer to the Independence Mine turnoff is 16.8 miles and takes about 25 minutes.

Can RVs drive Hatcher Pass Road?

Alaska State Parks does not recommend RVs or large vehicles on the gravel section beyond the paved road, because of steep grades and tight hairpins.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
Record your drivesAPEXRecord a drive and turn it into a route to drive again or share.

Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.

Download on theApp StoreEarly access onGoogle Play

More drives near here

All 17 drives in Alaska ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

+ Plan a new route
Map of Hatcher Pass Road, from Palmer to Independence Mine turnoff