Knik Sand Dunes

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4.6/5 (12 reviews)
Butte, Alaska (Matanuska-Susitna County)
Last Updated: 01/07/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

The Knik trails offer beautiful Alaskan scenery! You have sand dunes, a beautiful river and views of the Knik glacier all at the base of Pioneer Peak. These trails are probably the most popular offroad destinations in south-central Alaska. They are often filmed by out of state crews when they offroad in Alaska; parts of Expedition Overland (Season 1, Episode 5), Dirt Every Day (Episode 57), and Nitto's 2016 JK-Experience all have been filmed along these 4x4 trails. Viewing the Knik Glacier, gazing into a display of the northern lights in the winter months, and salmon fishing are all highly recommended activities of the area. Often small planes fly overhead and occasionally land on gravel bars. Great place for a quick picnic or an overnight stay. Northern lights viewing is best further away from the dunes as the aurora often appears low on the horizon in the darker months.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.6/5 (12)
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/21/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Nice little outing to the river and Knick Glacier view. Popular with locals on weekends, so patience and courtesy are recommended in tighter spots. Trail is fairly easy to follow, but numerous branches make it maze-like in places, but add to exploring opportunities. Nice campground (dry) is adjacent. Numerous mudholes, but all had good gravel bases and not hard to avoid most of them.
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Official Crew
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6600
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 01/07/2023

The trail was frozen hard and bumpy but solid. Super frigid day today at -13°F but great views of Knik Glacier.
Trail Review: Knik Sand Dunes - Kyle Todd
Trail Review: Knik Sand Dunes - Kyle Todd
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Official Crew
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6600
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/29/2020

Barely any water on the trail out and lots of fishermen on the banks of the Knik River.
Trail Review: Knik Sand Dunes - Kyle Todd
Trail Review: Knik Sand Dunes - Kyle Todd
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Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/28/2020

Had a great first run with the truck, the sand dunes provided a great location for a trial run, and a beautiful day to top it off.
Trail Review: Knik Sand Dunes - Robby Bray
Trail Review: Knik Sand Dunes - Robby Bray
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Official Crew
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6600
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/16/2020

Knik Cleanup hosted by Alaska Extreme Four Wheelers was great!
Trail Review: Knik Sand Dunes - Kyle Todd
Trail Review: Knik Sand Dunes - Kyle Todd
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