packpe89
NC
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We are planning to take a trip next summer. Think we will try Alaska. Planning to fly and rent a Class C (or A). We have traveled for years including across country in a TT, but with limited time, don't want to drive all the way from NC, maybe later. Any help and advice.
Thinking a 24'-28' rental, does longer limit anything? We are used to a 28' couples TT. Also any companies to recommend or avoid?
Itinerary, planning to fly to Anchorage, rent, stock up on groceries and travel (or sleep depending on flight times) Denali, then what??? Want to see the whales, glaciers, etc. No planes or white water, but kayak and boat trips ok.
Boondocking or campgrounds or both?
10 days RV and a couple in Anchorage or add RV days for two weeks?
how to do Denali the best? Bus trip? Take RV?
Thanks so much for advice!
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happynow
Florida
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Alaska.org has great information.
Google Alaska RV travel. You will find many blogs from RV couples and families who have traveled at different times of the season and a variety of itinerary ideas.
happynow
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Be advised that part of the Denali road has a rocky glacier under it which has been melting resulting in the road being closed. There may not be a quick road bypass.
To us Fairbanks was interesting but not the best and not so impressed with the North Pole city with Santa.
The Kenai area is however, fantastic and has everything you want to see/do. Go to the Homer spit and take the Jenny B across Kachemak Bay. Great sights/tours in the Seward area. The fish were running on the Kenai river and it was wall to wall fishing, no RV sites available. Great sights/tours in the Seward area. Whittier was interesting with the train tunnel that you drive on. But be very careful as they are full steam and DON’T stop. Valdez was also worthwhile.
My blog has more detail, just skip to the Alaska part.
https://2013alaska.blogspot.com/
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The Western States
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Expect the unexpected. We went to Hope for a few days. The town roads were completely blocked off and closed for a wedding. You're in Alaska, not the lower 48, continued with plan B.
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Veebyes
Bermuda & Maryland Eastern Shore
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With limited time the fly & rent is the way to go.
With time & distance you will not get to Anchorage till late in the day so forget Denali the first day. First day will likely be pick up RV & stock it. You might get lucky & get part way to Denali.
Denali is a big place. Been there four times now. Consider doing Teklanika CG 30 miles inside the park rather than the CGs outside the park in what is known as Glitter Gulch. Teklanika avoids about an hour uncomfortable bus ride from gate to Teklanika & an hour of had enough bus ride from Teklanika to the gate.
Figure that your last day will be spent packing up & returning the RV so as many days as you can book in between the better. It is a big state & most roads are only two lane so when there is a jam, there is a jam.
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Crowe
Merrimack, NH
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To us Fairbanks was interesting but not the best and not so impressed with the North Pole city with Santa.
Agree with North Pole not being that interesting but the Christmas shop there is fun. Fairbanks was a bust for us this year-they have been hit hard by COVID and a lot of things were not operating or had really reduced schedules. Websites were not accurate, either, so call ahead. Anchorage isn't the city it used to be as they've been hit fairly hard as well but does have some great shops.
For Denali I'd take a bus tour. You can only go in 13 miles without doing so and parking for RVs is limited when you get to the end. There isn't all that much on that portion of the road, either. The Kenai Peninsula and Seward will satisfy the whales/glacier issues.
Whether to spend more time in the city or exploring is up to me. I'd explore. Anchorage itself is good for a day but there are places to go not far outside the city like the reindeer or musk ox farms. If you like museums there are some there also plus the Alaska Native Heritage Center. It's a matter of what your preferences are.
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be Douglas Adams
RV-less for now but our spirits are still on the open road.
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Scottiemom
Florida
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Do yourself a favor and order Mike and Terri Church's book, Alaskan Camping
They give all sorts of hints and suggestions. Mike is an Alaskan native and together they have traveled all over the world and write travel books. The Alaska Camping book is exceptional.
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packpe89
NC
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Thanks for the input so far. any rental advice?
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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We took a land/sea (small boat) cruise a few years back. I think it was 10 days. The way to go if you have the money but not the time.
Dick_B
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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10 days, I'd split time between the Kenai Peninsula and taking a big lap from ANC past Denali, run the Denali Hwy (unless you're following the no dirt roads rules that come with most rentals), drop down to Glenallen and on to Chitina and Mc Carthy. The high tail it back to Anc.
Alternately, if that's too much driving, Kenai Peninsula and out to Mc Carthy and back, maybe visit Valdez.
10 days isn't alot of time, but enough to see enough to make indelible memories.
And I would plan on boondocking it 100% in the interior. Little tougher to do on the Kenai Peninsula, consider campgrounds I think. One great boondocking spot in Cooper Landing is Cooper Lake. You can count on finding a spot there....don't tell anyone.
Also, Hatcher Pass is a great area, mellow drive and close to Anc. Good way to spend a half day if you have time to kill back near town.
We lived up there for a summer. I was working full time, but took one 2 week vacation and several weekends camping, and we didn't even begin to see everything. So don't bite off more than you can chew. Like going to Fbks and back will kill 2 full days traveling. And Northern AK is awesome too, but IMO not making the cut for a less than 2 week excursion.
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