Comment on State Parks Regulations

October 16, 2025

By administrative order, Dunleavy has mandated that regulations regarding State Parks be REDUCED by 25 percent by December 2027. This means the rules and guardrails for careful use of Alaska State Parks will be cut by 1/4. Think motorized bicycles, drone use, commercial vendors inside the parks, etc. The public comment period for this executive order ENDS October 31.

This is alarming to say the least. But it may also offer equestrians an opportunity to ask that horse use be expanded in the parks. Here’s the deal: Very few people know about this very short public comment period. So whatever feedback they receive will be heavily weighted. There was just one public meeting (online) on October 6. All public comments must now be received by mail or email by the end of the month. Here is the Administrative Order (AO):  

AO 360 – https://gov.alaska.gov/admin-orders/administrative-order-no-360/

Contains review of regulations and directs agencies to reduce regulations through public process.

Public notice for commenting on DPOR regs due Oct 31 – https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=221093Here is where to send an email before October 31:

dnr.dpor.AO360Comments@alaska.gov. 

Using language toward their objectives, below is an example letter. Use this letter or edit to fit your own local State Park. Please comment by Oct 31!

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To Whom It May Concern: 

Please continue to restrict motorized/technology uses of State Parks, including e-bikes and drones. 

One area of regulation that could be reduced is the current restrictive rules regarding equestrian use in Alaska State Parks. Reduction of regulations in this area would expand the use of the parks for non-motorized recreational purposes. Horses and riders are wonderful ambassadors for the parks, adding scenic and historic significance to one of Alaska’s greatest treasures.

Particularly, I would like to see the Chugach State Park historic Iditarod trail near the Eagle River Nature Center be opened seasonally, when trail conditions are good, for equestrian use. This trail was used historically by horses, with antique horseshoes and harnesses found near the area where a roadhouse once stood on Raven Creek. Established trails are hardened and ready for equestrian use. But currently, horses are not allowed. Seasonal use of trails aligns with national rules, such as allowing horses on Resurrection or Johnson Pass trails in the summer only.

Please consider reducing regulations for horse use in all of Alaska’s State Parks, to help make the parks more streamlined and accessible. Thank you

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Mat-Su Summer Events

May 7, 2025

Register now for the Trail Trials and Competitive Trail Ride!

June 7 – about 6 mile Trail Trial outside Wasilla $55

June 14 – about 7 mile Trail Trial in the Butte $55

August 2-3: Competitive Trail Ride

Mat-Su Trail Trials Save the Dates!

March 14, 2025

Save the dates for this summer’s Trail Trial series! We are once again partnering with 4-H to hold three events this summer.

• June 7th: in the Schrock area, starting from private property
• June 14th: in the Butte area, starting from private property
• August 1-3: short (non-sanctioned) competitive trail ride (CTR) or long Trail Trial, likely starting from Valley Pathways like last year

BCHA or 4-H membership will be required, in addition to negative EIAs. We will likely have a discount again for volunteering (or bringing a volunteer) to one of the events. 

Registration coming soon! 

Mat-Su 2024 Annual Report

January 24, 2025

We had a great year! Check out our 2024 report and consider joining us in 2025. Membership information here.

Kenai Peninsula Annual Report

December 29, 2024

The KP Chapter had a lot going on in 2024! Read all about it in the 2024 Annual Report!