HomeAlaskaPalmer › Lazy Mountain Trail Head

Lazy Mountain Trail Head

4.7 ★★★★★ 122 Google reviews · Running trail in Palmer, Alaska · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Lazy Mountain Trail Head's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceScenicHillyTrailhead parking

Challenging hiking trail on a 3,720-ft. mountain offering views at the top.

What runners say about Lazy Mountain Trail Head

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (122 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Beautiful trails - best to go on dry days so it is not diabolically slippery.”

I say 5 because it was the hardest and most satisfying trail I've done. Great views! You might want hiking sticks and you absolutely need shoes with traction. No joke. To get to the sunmit feels amazing!!!! Up, up and more up...Just do it!

★★★★★ — Jennifer , Jul 2020

It is a great Trail for a day hike. Can be fairly difficult and is steep in spots. Some trails have markers every 100 feet. Early in May there are mud puddles in spots due to snow melt.

★★★★☆ — Nathaniel , May 2022

I love it after for 1100miles walk up to mountain .its good hike to person love chalenge.take big water bottle

★★★★★ — Half , Sep 2025

Lazy Mountain is a 3720' peak near Palmer that takes about 2-3 hours to hike up and another 2-3 hours to hike down again. It offers some excellent views on a sunny day at the summit. I'd say it's a challenging hike, but if you just go at your own pace, you should be fine.

★★★★☆ — Norman , May 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 122 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 16 mentions

“Beautiful trails - best to go on dry days so it is not diabolically slippery.”

More trails like this →

⛰️ Hills / elevation 7 mentions

“It was a definently hard getting up there but it was harder to come down the steep incline.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“Take care when leaving your possessions in the parking lot - like Anchorage break-ins are dishearteningly common.”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 4 mentions

“trail is over grown, and be prepared to get muddy and wet, most of the trail in the woods or bushes, till you get higher”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Lazy Mountain Trail Head

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitealaska.org
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find Lazy Mountain Trail Head

2955 Mountain Trail Cir, Palmer, AK 99645

Get directions

Running trails near Palmer

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Matanuska River Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 12 reviews

Palmer, AK

Scenic

2.9 miles away

Palmer Rail Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 47 reviews

Palmer, AK

ScenicDog-friendly

Open hiking trail featuring views of the Matanuska River, Lazy Mountain, and wildlife.

3.0 miles away

West Butte Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 310 reviews

Palmer, AK

4 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Hiking area featuring a trail and 500-plus steps that lead to panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

4.3 miles away

Crevasse-Moraine Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 120 reviews

Palmer, AK

6.7 miDog-friendly

Community park with hiking trails and paths popular for biking, skiing, and other outdoor activities.

6.0 miles away

Kin-Win Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 16 reviews

Palmer, AK

ScenicDog-friendly

8.3 miles away

Wasilla Creek Boardwalk Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 100 reviews

Wasilla, AK

4 miBoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Trail through the woods and marsh ending at a nice platform that overlooks mountains.

10.1 miles away

All running trails in Palmer, AK →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.