2023 Tour Rhonda and Richard head to Alaska

2023 Tour Rhonda and Richard head to Alaska - Printable Version

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RE: 2023 Tour Rhonda and Richard head to Alaska - hbens - 09-08-2023

Thanks for the update and Driver's Notes.
I think I would consider the rental RV as an option. My sister Ginny took an inside passage cruise and flew back to the states a few years ago.
Still I would want to do the drive for the first trip up there. Whether I do or not will be decided when we actually plan on the trip to Alaska.

RE: 2023 Tour Rhonda and Richard head to Alaska - Jack Houpe - 09-08-2023

Great write up, I agree the drive there is long and I'm glad you did it first so now I know not to go that way. I have heard of a ship that leaves out of Washington that will take you to Alaska with your rig. Don't know the cost but that might be an option for some. I think your idea of renting a class C in doing the coast is a perfect idea. I'm still intimidated by the size of the beast we bought and can't imagine getting stuck someplace in Alaska.

Thanks for sharing all that!

RE: 2023 Tour Rhonda and Richard head to Alaska - TJ Clark - 09-08-2023

Your descriptions of the weather is spot on.
The more anchorage embraces the ideas and practices of Los Angeles and San Francisco the more grit to deal with.

1990 Anchorage was more like any small town in Minnesota or Wisconsin. Full of friendly kind folks that looked after each other. Now it's California North.

RE: 2023 Tour Rhonda and Richard head to Alaska - folivier - 09-08-2023

Cindy and I have talked about another Alaska trip and we both agreed that we don't want to drive 5000 miles just to get to Alaska. A couple ideas I came up with are to buy a cheap class C with another couple. One of us drive it up and spend half the summer then the other couple fly up to spend their time and drive it back. Or sell it up there.
Or try to find a cheap van for sale, fly up, buy a mattress, campstove, potty, etc. and drive around then sell it up there.
Some of the areas we didn't get to are the Arctic sea, Juneau, Kodiak Island and other islands. The ferry went on strike when we were there.
If driving to and from Alaska you're limited to an early leave due to possibility of snow and ice through Canada. But buying/selling an RV in Alaska then flying home you're able to stay much later in the season. That gives you a greater possibility of seeing the northern lights. Also we wanted to do a trip to Tuktoyaktuk to see the polar bears.

RE: 2023 Tour Rhonda and Richard head to Alaska - Jack Houpe - 09-08-2023

Forest that is genius idea.

TJ, that sucks.

RE: 2023 Tour Rhonda and Richard head to Alaska - hypoxia - 09-08-2023

You had a great trip, quite the experience!

We fly there and rent a Class C out of Fairbanks or Anchorage. I drove Florida-Fairbanks when I moved there and when I lived in Anchorage I drove to Prudhoe in the winter before the highway was open to the public. I don't plan to do the Alcan again. Renting a 26' has worked well. I saw most of Alaska through the windscreen of many airplanes. If there was a product in a village we flew it there. Polar Bears on the ice, Musk Ox forming a defensive circle, Wolf attacking a Moose etc., I had a great time.

RE: 2023 Tour Rhonda and Richard head to Alaska - [email protected] - 09-08-2023

This sounds like it was an amazing trip. Alaska has always been on my bucket list. I had the concerns of driving up there and things falling apart. Maybe you are right to stick to the more scenic areas and make the trip up to the north in a rental rig. I had a plan with some friends to fly up there and do the rental thing but something came up and we had to cancel.

That is some planning, not sure we could be as disciplined to plan the trip out like that.
I noticed the stop at Twin Oaks, that used to be the rally location for the Wanderlodge group. We stayed there one time when we bugged out for a hurricane. I now usually stop at Fair Harbor RV park up in Perry, it has more long sites that will accommodate up to 75', so we can pull in with the bus and trailer and not have to unhitch. Oh and there is an 80's era Newell that looks like it has not moved from the park in some time.

Anyways, thanks for the tips and recommendations. I was just watching that Big RV travel channel and they made a trip up there to Alaska and they showed the roads and the bad section to destruction bay. It was a bit eye opening.

RE: 2023 Tour Rhonda and Richard head to Alaska - TJ Clark - 09-09-2023

(09-08-2023, 12:51 PM)folivier Wrote: Cindy and I have talked about another Alaska trip and we both agreed that we don't want to drive 5000 miles just to get to Alaska. A couple ideas I came up with are to buy a cheap class C with another couple. One of us drive it up and spend half the summer then the other couple fly up to spend their time and drive it back. Or sell it up there.
Or try to find a cheap van for sale, fly up, buy a mattress, campstove, potty, etc. and drive around then sell it up there.
Some of the areas we didn't get to are the Arctic sea, Juneau, Kodiak Island and other islands. The ferry went on strike when we were there.
If driving to and from Alaska you're limited to an early leave due to possibility of snow and ice through Canada. But buying/selling an RV in Alaska then flying home you're able to stay much later in the season. That gives you a greater possibility of seeing the northern lights. Also we wanted to do a trip to Tuktoyaktuk to see the polar bears.

If one were to drive a desirable RV to Alaska it could be sold there with ease and they one could fly back to the little states. I have first hand knowledge of this.

RE: 2023 Tour Rhonda and Richard head to Alaska - Richard - 01-15-2024

Rhonda makes detailed notes on every campground. Perhaps this info will aid someone contemplating a trip to AK. Sorry for the formatting, it’s a cut and paste from Word. BRF is Big Rig Friendly.

Here are some random thoughts about our Alaska trip and the stops I would have planned for us knowing what I know now. The stops are Edmonton to Edmonton but obviously different people will chose different routes. Hopes this helps a few of you in some way.

Bought and used Mile Post Book
I’ve heard of a Tour Saver Book but I’m not familiar with it
Starlink was amazing for us
Car Bra is a good idea
We used our bug house at several stops
Our TDS/EFS card worked well in Canada & Alaska for buying gas
Make a sign to hang at the Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake
If you plan on fishing it will take 48 hours for store to package
Alaska State Park Pass is $30/year or $5/visit
Harding Icefield is the must do hike in Alaska
Would not advise driving RV through the Whittier Tunnel – 2.5 narrow miles
I did not investigate taking a ferry from Haines to Skagway to make a loop
Overall the restaurants were not great
We had good luck shopping for produce at Farmers Markets
The Alaska was not as bad as we were expecting
The roads are wide for easy passing
There are loads of turnouts
Not all rest areas are Big Rig Friendly
Many of the frost heaves and pot holes were marked

Alaska Trip

Stop 1Edmonton, AB
Camp N Class RV Park(855)455-2299
Nicely manicured. Wide sites. Lots of pull-through BRF sites.
Elk Island NP, river walking paths, Old Strathcona Farmers Market
Stop 2Drive 195 miles to Valleyview, AB
Sherk’s RV Park(780)524-4949
No need to unhook. BRF in every way. Sites 12 – 15 are best
Stop 3Drive 152 miles to Dawson Creek, BC
Northern Lights RV Park(250)782-9433
Sites are a little narrow. Fairly easy in and really easy out.
Visitor’s Center, Mile 0 marker & post Eat @ Brown’s Socialhouse
Stop 4Drive 280 miles to Fort Nelson, BC
Triple G Hideway(250)774-2340
BRF. Back – ins are 50 amp. Just long enough for us.
Walk to Visitor Center, Museum & pickleball courts
Good lunch at Boston Pizza
Stop 5Drive 116 miles to Toad River, BC
Toad River Lodge & RV Park(855)878-8623
BRF row 18 – 22. 19 and 20 probably the best. 30 amp.
Located on beautiful Reflection Lake
Hike Flower Springs Lake Trail in Stone Mt. Provincial Park.
Parked RV at Muncho Lake P Park to hike Stone’s Sheep Trail while driving to our next stop
Stop 6Drive 201 miles to Watson Lake, YT
Downtown RV Park(867)536-2646
Site 17 is 50 amp & no one on your left. Pull into the left for this one
Walk to everything: Sign Post Forest, Visitors Center, Northern Lights Center, 2 m walk around Wye Lake & decent grocery store
Stop 7Drive 161 miles to Teslin, YT
Yukon Motel & RV Park(867)390-2443
BRF. Didn’t unhook. 30 amp & water Pull Thru. Dump station @ CG
George Johnston Museum
Stop 8Drive 98 miles to Whitehorse, YT
Caribou RV Park(867)668-2961
Tight Campground. Trees. No sewer. Sites 8 & 9 are best – 60’ long.
Try the breakfast basket 59CA$. Good beer @ Yukon Brewery
Hike Miles Canyon. 2 museums
Stop 9Drive 107 miles to Haines Junction, YT
Fas Gas RV(867)634-2505
BRF pull thru 30 amp FHU #16 – 23. Mostly dirt
You are camping next to a gas station, but good location for us
Walk to Visitors Center. Hike Auriol Trail Loop in Kluane Natl Park
Eat at the Bakery
Stop 10Drive 148 miles to Haines, AK in car or RV
Aspen Suites Hotel(907)766-2211
Hiked 5m to Elias Lake on drive down.
Hiked Battery Point 4miles while in Haines
Don’t go on a Sunday. Whole town is closed!
Hiked Million Dollar Falls on the way back to Haines Junction
Stop 11Drive 148 miles to Beaver Creek, YT
Discovery Yukon Lodgings & RV(867)862-7408
Nice park. Interesting things to see at CG. Did not unhook.
A jewel in the middle of the roughest part of the Alaska Highway.
Stop 12Drive 141 miles Tok, AK
Tok RV Village(907)883-5877
BRF. Lots of pull through 50 amp FHU sites.
Visitors Center. Car trip to Chicken. See dredge, eat lunch
Stop 13Drive 198 miles to Fair Banks, AK
Fairbanks KOA (former Riverview RV) (888)562-8625
Site 97 is you want a little extra space on your passenger side
Super Visitors Center, Museum of North, Pan for gold @ Gold Daughters’, Santa’s House, Pipeline, hike Angel Rocks & Wickersham Dome, Chena Hot springs - great lunch, eat at Pump House and go to Silver Gulch, Northern most brewery, good beer @ Black Spruce
You could also drive to Prudhoe Bay from here if you wanted to
Stop 14Drive 121 miles to Healy, AK
Denali RV Park & Motel(907)683-1500
A bit tight. Sites around 60’ long. B9 is best. 30 amp
Denali NP: Visitors Center, Hike: Horseshoe Lake, Savage River & Savage Alpine Trails. Schedule bus ride into the park.
Eat/drink outside patio at Karstens Public House
This is close (sorta) to place where “Into the Wild” happened.
Stop 15Drive 82 miles to Wasilla, AKDenali Viewpoint North(907)745-3975
1st come/1st serve. 20 super long pull through sites. Dry camp
Enjoy best view of Denali Mountain. Hike Ermine Hill & Curry Ridge
Stop 16Drive 162 miles to Anchorage. AK
Golden Nugget RV Park(800)449-2012
Pull through and back in 30 amp sites are tight & 45’ long
203 is a good back in site
Visitors Center, Farmers Market, buy fishing license at Bass Pro
Bike/Walk Tony Knowles. Hike Thunderbird Falls & Flattop Mt.
Eat at Moose Tooth. 49th State Brewery
Stop 17Drive 123 miles to Seward, AK
Seward KOA(800)562-9105
BRF. Wide 50 amp Pull Thru sites. Eagle nest @ campground
Northwestern Glacier cruise with Major Marine. Hike Tonsina Pt. Hike Exit Glacier Overlook and Harding Icefield in Kenai Fords National Park. Eat @ Resurrection Roadhouse 0.3 mile from CG
Stop 18Drive 97 miles to Soldotna, AK
Diamond M Ranch(907)283-9424
Pull Thru Supersize RV sites are arranged in a square. Wide Roads
Hike Russian River Falls for bears 1 hour away.
Great lunch @St. Elias Brewery
Stop 19Drive 74 miles Homer, AK
Homer KOA(800)562-9949
Back-in FHU. Beautiful view of Bay. Decently wide & long.
Plane trips to Katmai NP with Emerald Air & Smokey Bay
Mako Water Taxi to Kachemak Bay SP to hike to Grewingk Glacier
Homer Brewing
Stop 20Drive 70 miles to Soldotna, AK
Klondike RV Park(907)262-6035
Nice park. Big Rig Possible Best sites 7, 28 & 11. Have to jockey.
Good lunch @St. Elias Brewery. Good beer @ Kenai River Brewery
Salmon fishing with Kasey Burk
Stop 21Drive 111 miles to Girdwood, AK
Williwaw CampgroundRecreation.gov
Easy to maneuver CG. Lots of back in sites would work. Dry camping Blue Ice Trail runs through campground
Bryon Glacier, Hike Portage. Drive through 2.5 m tunnel to Whittier
Train depot nearby for day trips, bike Bird to Gird path
Stop 22Drive 90 miles to Palmer, AK
Big Bear RV Park(907)745-7445
Nice Park. BRF. Sites #48 - 53 best. Really long and pretty wide.
Hatcher Pass, Independence Mine SHP & hike Reed Lakes Trail
Stop 23Drive 131 miles to Glennallen, AK
Ranch House Lodge & RV(907)822-5634
BRF, but rough. Dirt & some rocks. Site 23 has paved patio on river.
Wrangell-St. Elias NP Visitor Center.
Stop 24Drive 134 miles to Valdez, AK in car or RV
Bestwestern (855)564-2515
Boat to Columbia Glacier on LuLu Belle. Valdez Museum.
Good beer @ Valdez brewing. Good food @ The Fat Mermaid.
Stop 25Drive 148 miles to Tok, AK
Tok RV Village(907)883-5877
BRF. Lots of pull through 50 amp FHU sites.
Stop 26Drive 141 miles to Beaver Creek, YT
Discovery Yukon Lodgings & RV(867)862-7408
Nice park. Interesting things to see at CG. Did not unhook.
A jewel in the middle of the roughest part of the Alaska Highway.
Stop 27Drive 113 miles to Destruction Bay
Dry camp at turnout at Mile Marker 1662.5 KM.
Beautiful spot right on the water. We rode our bike here.
Parked RV at Kluane NP Visitor Center and hiked Sheep Creek Trail on our drive to Whitehorse, our next stop
Stop 28Drive 160 miles to Whitehorse, YT
Caribou RV Park(867)668-2961
Tight Campground. Trees. No sewer. Sites 8 & 9 are best – 60’ long.
Try the breakfast basket 59CA$.
Surprised that we could not find a true BRF campground here.
Stop 29Drive 109 miles to Skagway, AK in caror RV
Klondike Gold Rush NHP
We didn’t get to do this because of health issues, but heard its nice
Stop 30Drive 257 miles to Watson Lake, YT
Downtown RV Park(867)536-2646
Site 17 is 50 amp & no one on your left. Pull into the left for this one
Walk to everything: Sign Post Forest, Northern Lights Center, 2 m walk around Wye Lake & decent grocery store
Our sign was still hanging in Sign Post Forest!
Stop 31Drive 128 miles to Liard River Hot Springs
Camp in the Provincial Park – tight and lots of trees or
Camp in overflow lot on right and walk across the street to park
Stop 32Drive 201 miles to Fort Nelson, BC
Triple G Hideway(250)774-2340
BRF. Back – ins are 50 amp. Just long enough for us.
Walk to Visitor Center, Museum & pickleball courts
Stop 33Drive 282 miles to Dawson Creek, BC
Northern Lights RV Park(250)782-9433
Sites are a little narrow. Fairly easy in and really easy out.
Visitor’s Center, Mile 0 marker. Eat @ Brown’s Socialhouse
Stop 34Drive 342 miles to Edmonton, ABElk Island NP
Camp N Class RV Park (855)455-2299
Nicely manicured. Wide sites. Lots of pull-through BRF sites.
Elk Island NP, river walking paths, Old Strathcona Farmers Market

RE: 2023 Tour Rhonda and Richard head to Alaska - Guy - 01-15-2024

Thank you both for all the leg work !!