I am planing to take a much anticipated trip to Alaska this summer with my fifth wheel, along with a friend in his trailer. Have never been there before. Would appreciated any information on good trailer parks, time to go, places to see, etc. . I am a complete newbe on Alaska. Any advice or good references would be appreciated. Looking at being there three to four weeks. Thanks in advance. Might like to work in some halibut fishing if possible.
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Alaska trip help
- Thread starter Xgunfighter
- Start Date
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I made the trip from CA 3 1/2 years ago. Like you I pulled a fifth wheel. There were 3 rigs in our "convoy". We used a Good Sam Campground guide to locate and evaluate places to stay. There are adequate parks although sometimes a bit far apart. I also blew 2 tires on the RV and had a flat on the truck on the trip. That was actually in the Yukon. Tires were available in both cases fairly near the RV park (within 20 miles).
Passing through the Yukon was perhaps the best wildlife, etc. we saw on the trip. The bus tour though Denali was a bit of a disappointment. Although we saw bears, etc at great distance there weren't many close up. Perhaps we were expecting too much.
Do take a halibut fishing day on a small party boat. I found reeling in a couple of fair size fish to be exhausting but well worth the money. The 3 of us brought home about 200# of fish filets, including the salmon we caught. I bought a small freezer to transport it since shipping costs would have been much more than the freezer. We also ate fresh fish a number of times on the trip.
In Anchorage we found a park that could accomodate all of usfor a week. Turned out next to a railroad crossing where coal trains ran multiple passes each night, blowing the whistle long and load each time. The train was only about 15' away from the RVs.
In short, take your time. Stop early and see sights along the way. Take lots of pictures and a pocketfull of money, and enjoy yourself.
Dan
ps: Most of the people you'll encounter will be very friendly and helpful.
Passing through the Yukon was perhaps the best wildlife, etc. we saw on the trip. The bus tour though Denali was a bit of a disappointment. Although we saw bears, etc at great distance there weren't many close up. Perhaps we were expecting too much.
Do take a halibut fishing day on a small party boat. I found reeling in a couple of fair size fish to be exhausting but well worth the money. The 3 of us brought home about 200# of fish filets, including the salmon we caught. I bought a small freezer to transport it since shipping costs would have been much more than the freezer. We also ate fresh fish a number of times on the trip.
In Anchorage we found a park that could accomodate all of usfor a week. Turned out next to a railroad crossing where coal trains ran multiple passes each night, blowing the whistle long and load each time. The train was only about 15' away from the RVs.
In short, take your time. Stop early and see sights along the way. Take lots of pictures and a pocketfull of money, and enjoy yourself.
Dan
ps: Most of the people you'll encounter will be very friendly and helpful.
One word..... a book called ""The Mile Post"" published new each year that outlines almost every berg in Canada and Alaska based on the milepost along side the road... .
Motels, RV Parks, Stores, Fuel stops are all upgraded each year... and any on going road construction is also noted...
A lot of places are only open some months and go in and out of business... . so the mile post is the answer... . see you local book store for a copy... . don't buy one 3-4 years old or buy one of the copy cats.....
When we go again with our 5er we will dry camp 3-4 days along the road and park in a RV park 2x's a week to dump the tanks and recharge the water system... .
I've done it 3 times on a motorcycle and would go again my 5er... but 3-4 weeks is not enough time... . each of our motorcycle trips were 4-5 weeks and we came home to Wa on the ferry... (Alaska Marine Highway) but travel by ferry in MHO is too expensive for pickup and trailer... they charge you by the foot... (over all length)
We flew into the wilderness from Homer and did some bear hunting at $350. 00 per person and it was the best day of the trip... (with a camera) we were 20 ft from a sow an 2 cubs working on the salmon in the river and later saw 2 adult males playing about 60-75 ft away..... wife shot 10 rolls of film... . we now have a high end SLR Digital.....
We always go in August... June is spring, July and August is summer and Sept is fall..... and have hit warm days... . but never short sleeve weather for the goldwing... . rain, hail, and snow in the mountains.....
We liked to travel either early in the morning or into the evening for wildlife along side the road... . usually once or twice a week we'd start at 5 a. m. and see Moose, Bear, Fox, Rain Deer, along the road... . we'd stop and take photos... . I would stop and drop a fly or two into the rivers and creeks... always would catch a few fish with the fly rod... . but since we were on a bike I'd have to release them...
Maybe the most beautiful vacations we've ever taken... .
Motels, RV Parks, Stores, Fuel stops are all upgraded each year... and any on going road construction is also noted...
A lot of places are only open some months and go in and out of business... . so the mile post is the answer... . see you local book store for a copy... . don't buy one 3-4 years old or buy one of the copy cats.....
When we go again with our 5er we will dry camp 3-4 days along the road and park in a RV park 2x's a week to dump the tanks and recharge the water system... .
I've done it 3 times on a motorcycle and would go again my 5er... but 3-4 weeks is not enough time... . each of our motorcycle trips were 4-5 weeks and we came home to Wa on the ferry... (Alaska Marine Highway) but travel by ferry in MHO is too expensive for pickup and trailer... they charge you by the foot... (over all length)
We flew into the wilderness from Homer and did some bear hunting at $350. 00 per person and it was the best day of the trip... (with a camera) we were 20 ft from a sow an 2 cubs working on the salmon in the river and later saw 2 adult males playing about 60-75 ft away..... wife shot 10 rolls of film... . we now have a high end SLR Digital.....
We always go in August... June is spring, July and August is summer and Sept is fall..... and have hit warm days... . but never short sleeve weather for the goldwing... . rain, hail, and snow in the mountains.....
We liked to travel either early in the morning or into the evening for wildlife along side the road... . usually once or twice a week we'd start at 5 a. m. and see Moose, Bear, Fox, Rain Deer, along the road... . we'd stop and take photos... . I would stop and drop a fly or two into the rivers and creeks... always would catch a few fish with the fly rod... . but since we were on a bike I'd have to release them...
Maybe the most beautiful vacations we've ever taken... .
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Forgot the Milepost. Didn't buy one until we were already there, then followed it backwards. It would have been much better ahead of time. You can also contact Alaska Governor's office for tourism info.
Dan
Dan
There was a long thread on here started by Grizzly about a year ago... a wealth of information. Do a search. He had a great trip and is planning to go back in his new 5er.
Found it:
https://www.turbodieselregister.com...forum/151781-alaska-trip-cab-over-camper.html
Found it:
https://www.turbodieselregister.com...forum/151781-alaska-trip-cab-over-camper.html
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North To Alaska
Xgunfighter
Yes please do find Grizzly's previous post and read away. You will save me alot of time and two finger typing in repeating myself.
I made the trip in 05 and related alot of experiences to Grizzly when he was preparing for his venture. There was another chap from Florida I believe who also contributed alot of stories.
After reading all that is there and you still have some guestions, and if I can help I will. There alot of folks on this site who have made the trip.
ttlu Pete
Xgunfighter
Yes please do find Grizzly's previous post and read away. You will save me alot of time and two finger typing in repeating myself.
I made the trip in 05 and related alot of experiences to Grizzly when he was preparing for his venture. There was another chap from Florida I believe who also contributed alot of stories.
After reading all that is there and you still have some guestions, and if I can help I will. There alot of folks on this site who have made the trip.
ttlu Pete
Pick up a Halibut charter in either Seward or Homer. Keeping your catch frozen takes some planning though. Likely, air freight or buy a freezer.
Like jelag said the best time to be in Alaska is July and August, less rain and a few less mosquitos. Many attraction and business are shutting down for the winter by late August. Our best experience was a guided tour of the Katmai NP by float plane out of the Homer Spit. We were within 40, 50 feet from grizzlies fishing for salmon. Currant Mile Post is a must. For better scenery and more wildlife we like the Cassier Hwy better then the Alcan Hwy. You still take the Alcan from Whitehorse, Yukon to Tok, Alaska. The Cassier Hwy is also some 200 miles shorter, which is not a big deal when considering a 10K to 11K mile round trip.
As Mr. Goat and EEdmondson said, I will be glad to answer any question you have. I also have a trip summery I wrote that I will be glad to share with you or anyone interested on taking the trip to Alaska.
As Mr. Goat and EEdmondson said, I will be glad to answer any question you have. I also have a trip summery I wrote that I will be glad to share with you or anyone interested on taking the trip to Alaska.
We did the trip in '05 pulling a 29' TT. Left on 5/7 and returned byt 3rd weekend of July. Awesom trip! As someone else posted 3-4 weeks is a bit short but that leaves you another excuse to go again!
We toured Banff and Jasper Parks and then went up the Alcan returning on the Cassiar. Cassiar is a bit more remote but is paved all the way except where they are working on the hwy. You'll find some hwy construction somewhere, trust me!
Go to RV. Net : RV. Net – The Leading RV Community, Club, RV Travel and Information Source for Recreational Vehicle Camping and follow the Alaska forums. Lots of good info there!
Larv
We toured Banff and Jasper Parks and then went up the Alcan returning on the Cassiar. Cassiar is a bit more remote but is paved all the way except where they are working on the hwy. You'll find some hwy construction somewhere, trust me!
Go to RV. Net : RV. Net – The Leading RV Community, Club, RV Travel and Information Source for Recreational Vehicle Camping and follow the Alaska forums. Lots of good info there!
Larv
Sir,
I don't want to be a wet blanket, but road conditions are questionable at best. I daerly hope that your 5er does'nt have a rear kitchen. ours did and we lost lots of dishwear. Don't take glass stuff, when it breaks its a mess. Double lock the fridge door too for obious reasons. We stayed most of the trip in the ever present and free gravel pits and "wide spots" which are quite prevelent. It was a wonderful trip but, GO PREPARED! and take lots of film/memory cards.
dg
I don't want to be a wet blanket, but road conditions are questionable at best. I daerly hope that your 5er does'nt have a rear kitchen. ours did and we lost lots of dishwear. Don't take glass stuff, when it breaks its a mess. Double lock the fridge door too for obious reasons. We stayed most of the trip in the ever present and free gravel pits and "wide spots" which are quite prevelent. It was a wonderful trip but, GO PREPARED! and take lots of film/memory cards.
dg
As dg said take lots of film/memory cards. I took 800 pics.
The road was no trouble for us. If you see the fog lines getting wavy SLOW DOWN as there are frost heaves coming up and you can see where others didn't slow down. This ain't the NJ Turnpike! LOL
They use sodium chloride to settle the dust in areas of road construction and it is VERY corrosive so plan to wash your rig a couple of times. There was a guy in Hyder washing trucks and TTs for $50. He did a good job, even underneath the rigs and it was $50 well spent!
Larv
The road was no trouble for us. If you see the fog lines getting wavy SLOW DOWN as there are frost heaves coming up and you can see where others didn't slow down. This ain't the NJ Turnpike! LOL
They use sodium chloride to settle the dust in areas of road construction and it is VERY corrosive so plan to wash your rig a couple of times. There was a guy in Hyder washing trucks and TTs for $50. He did a good job, even underneath the rigs and it was $50 well spent!
Larv
I agree with most of what you've experienced, but I have to disagree with what you've said about July/August weather. I've been here for 20 years now and July can go either way, I've seen it rain all but 3 days in 2001 when my folks were here and I've seen the sun shine all month the next year. August will have a nice mix of both decent and terrible days. If you want the really good weather on a consistent basis, in south central AK, come up in June, it can be really hot then!!
We've got a saying up here, if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes, it'll change!!
Hope you guys have a good trip up here and enjoy what you can of our state, you probably won't have time to see everything!
june
I agree with June having less rain than July or August. It has always seemed like that for the past nine years anyways.
I agree with June having less rain than July or August. It has always seemed like that for the past nine years anyways.
I've never been there in June and I'm sure you are correct, however you will see more wildlife. especially bears, in July and August. Wildlife is my number 1 priority. Also on the return trip home through the Yukon in early September, the fall colors are spectacular.
Last time I made the trip was June of 03, we saw a ton of bears, buffalo, sheep and moose alongside the road, it was awesome!
The point I was trying to make was correcting the statement that July is dryer, that isn't necessarily the truth, June is typically the dry month here, july can be very wet.
I would imagine that the fall colors were spectacular in the Yukon, I would like to see BC during that same time frame.
Xgunfighter
AK is a real treat.
You've already got good advice and the best one was the Milepost book. You'll have all the CG you need, for free and for lots of $$$.
If you're hauling heavy, you might want to stick to paved roads which isn't hard anymore. Some paved roads are heaved esp at AK border for about 30 odd miles both sides and you have to go slow.
With the time you're giving yourself Tok, AK is place to make decisons. You'll be driving back through Tok also.
For Halibut, go west down to the Kenai Penninsula and there are great trips to Valdez, Anchorage and esp Homer for your "barndoors". You'll want to spend a few days in Homer. The roads to Valdez and Homer are paved and super scenic. From Anchorage you could make Denali a side trip... book Denali bus tour in advance. Then on the way down to Homer you can do Whittier / Seaward for a glacier boat trip. Valdez has a "small hill" at Thompson Pass... I think its like 8% grade for 3 miles!!!
Now at Tok you could have gone straight North to Fairbanks and wind round down through Denali on way to Anchorage, but that will use up precious time imo.
On your way back at Tok, if you have time, go East and take the top of the world highway through to Dawson City and back down through the Yukon - a worthwhile trip. You'll want a few days in Dawson... but you can decide on your way back if you have time. The top of the world highway is gravel... no trees either... huge forestfire a few years back. Go slow, no problems!
If you don't have time for Dawson, you might consider Haines when passing through Haines Jct. It's a very scenic trip over the Chilkat Pass Summit...
Check my web site here for more info. Hit the "blue" words for some of the side trips we took.
North to Alaska
Have a great trip.
AK is a real treat.
You've already got good advice and the best one was the Milepost book. You'll have all the CG you need, for free and for lots of $$$.
If you're hauling heavy, you might want to stick to paved roads which isn't hard anymore. Some paved roads are heaved esp at AK border for about 30 odd miles both sides and you have to go slow.
With the time you're giving yourself Tok, AK is place to make decisons. You'll be driving back through Tok also.
For Halibut, go west down to the Kenai Penninsula and there are great trips to Valdez, Anchorage and esp Homer for your "barndoors". You'll want to spend a few days in Homer. The roads to Valdez and Homer are paved and super scenic. From Anchorage you could make Denali a side trip... book Denali bus tour in advance. Then on the way down to Homer you can do Whittier / Seaward for a glacier boat trip. Valdez has a "small hill" at Thompson Pass... I think its like 8% grade for 3 miles!!!
Now at Tok you could have gone straight North to Fairbanks and wind round down through Denali on way to Anchorage, but that will use up precious time imo.
On your way back at Tok, if you have time, go East and take the top of the world highway through to Dawson City and back down through the Yukon - a worthwhile trip. You'll want a few days in Dawson... but you can decide on your way back if you have time. The top of the world highway is gravel... no trees either... huge forestfire a few years back. Go slow, no problems!
If you don't have time for Dawson, you might consider Haines when passing through Haines Jct. It's a very scenic trip over the Chilkat Pass Summit...
Check my web site here for more info. Hit the "blue" words for some of the side trips we took.
North to Alaska
Have a great trip.
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I sure do appreciate the great response to this thread. I have a stack of notes on my desk from the responses and the sites they sent me to. We are trying to move the trip up to six weeks as I reially want to get to Homer dor the halibut fishing.
Again thanks to everyone. Its almost as good as talking over coffee with a friend about his trips.
Again thanks to everyone. Its almost as good as talking over coffee with a friend about his trips.
I enjoy talking about Alaska. Feel free to ask if you have any questions that I or someone else here can answer. There are many others here that are far more knowledgeable then I on the subject of Alaska.
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