Planning a drive to Alaska

[Tractorat]

Im planning on driving up to Alaska some time in late June or early July (unless Exxon etc price me out of it) I would be driving from Seattle up thru Tok, to Fairbanks, down to Anchorage, and then back to Seattle.

I was hoping to get some good advise on camping along the way as well as in Fairbanks and Anchorage. Is it a good idea to make reservations at camp sites along the way (and in Alaska) ? And if so, how far in advance ?



I also thought I heard that you can just pull off the road (at least in Canada), which I would probably do quite often. But Im sure my wife would like to stop at real camp sites at least some of the time.



Thanks for your help,

TRat

 

[LEPage]

Go to a bookstore and get a copy of the "MILEPOST". Everything, I mean everything you want to know will be in it.

 

[Tractorat]

Thanks, I do plan on picking up a copy of the milepost. But I was hoping to hear from someone thats had recent experience as well

 

[LEPage]

I made the trip in '98, '99, & 2000. I never had a problem getting a place to stop for the night, but you've got to stop early or they fill up. From what I remember, there were signs at a lot of the pull offs in Canada saying no overnight camping. I think I would make reservations in Fbks. It can fill up in tourist season. Same with Valdez, if you plan on going there. Never been to Anchorage. Five of my trips were by way of Winnepeg, but I came down your way one time & crossed at Oroville. It was a nice ride. Have a great trip.

 

[ScottLewis]

Made the trip in '04. The only time we (there were 3 rigs) had trouble finding campsites was because the road had been closed due to fires and everyone was backed up in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Had 2 blowouts on the fifth wheel and a flat on the truck and had to buy tires. Didn't have any problems finding them though. We were on the road over 2 months. We separated after Anchorage and friends went to Valdez while we headed home. Alaska was great but I actually enjoyed the Yukon more. I was a bit disappointed in Denali although many others loved it. Actaully saw more wildlife iin the Yukon.



Dan

 

[DMcGalliard]

Hello Tractorat,

We made the trip last year from NC, 11000 miles, we took the slide-in which weights 6000lbs and we had no trouble. My tires were stock and over half worn out. We had no trouble finding camping but we were about a month earlier. We would still try to get to campground by 4:00pm and in a couple places we got the last spot. In canada you can camp anywhere and there are many pull overs just for dry camping. We made no reservations until we got back to the states. The people are great, the entire trip I did not meet single cross person. Did had a small scrape in Prince George, the police were great but would not write the logger a ticket as he would have lost his job. But we were ok with it have to remember you are in not in the US. I did get a speeding ticket in Carmack, so watch your speed. It was a great trip that we will always remember, not sure I would do it again. The truck preformed perfectly and the slide-in is the way to go.

The book that we used is: Traveler's Guide to Alaskan Camping, sold by camping world, I think it is better that milepost as it cover all of the Canada/Alaska experience. The other point is that each town or wide spot in the road has an information center and all of them give information on camping,fishing, eating, etc. If we had kept it all it would have filled a bushel bag. We liked BC and the return down thru BC to the states.

If you need any more info I can be reached at: -- email address removed --



PS for phone we used Verison extented service and I only had to use a pay phone once. Wifi is available in Canada more than US, some US campgrounds have Wifi.

Dave Mc

 

[HBarlow]

Tractorat:



I made the trip pulling a travel trailer in the summer of 2003 spending about 6 -7 weeks on the roads as I remember. The Milepost advised that it was not permitted but I parked overnight along the roads during the entire journey. Most of the time I simply pulled into what is called a turnout alongside beautiful rivers or streams, sometimes slightly concealed by woods. Local citizens ignored me and even a few RCMP police cars passed by without notice. I parked at Wal-Marts when in the larger cities. One or two nights I parked at large truck stops and once beside a bar in Chicken. I caused no damage and left no trash. I had no problem filling my water tank and dumping my holding tanks when I bought diesel fuel. The only "problem" I experienced was one nail puncture in a trailer tire that was quickly and easily repaired. I didn't even get a windshield chip. I had one oil change done at a Wal-Mart and did one myself at a roadside park. I found my Canadian hosts to be friendly and welcoming. It was a wonderful trip that I'd like to repeat someday.



Harvey

 

[Dieselnerd]

I'll repeat two pieces of advice from earlier posts.

1. Get the Milepost, has all the info you need on the way.

2. Stop early, very early, or you may not get a spot. In the summer season they fill up quick.

 

[BrentKaiser]

TRat,

Driven the Alcan 10 times and love it, can I come with you? Oo. Like everyone else has mentioned before me, stop early or you won't find a spot. The Milepost will be your bible for the trip, it is a must have. Get your passports, they require them now. If you bring a pet, have a health certificate. No hand guns period in Canada. Bring lots of bug dope "mesquito spray". Plan on a visit to Denali National Park (make reservations). While in Fairbanks my house is open, door is always unlocked and the dogs name is Daisy. I can get you a camp site at Ft Wainwright Army Post or you can do the Wal-Mart parking lot thing. :-laf If at all possible try to make it down to Valdez or Kenai, some of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Email me if you have any questions or want a home cooked meal while visiting my beautiful state. My Email Address

 

[akshadow]

I don't believe you need a passport yet, some time in 2008

I don't believe you can bring any gun

unless you have a special license

if you are bringing one check it out very carefully before you start your travel

 

[GDollenger]

Ak trip

I made the drive summer of 05. I lived in Anchorage for 7 years and can honestly say you will not regret the trip. When I drove out I had my 97 duelly and towed my 30' 5'ver from Anchorage to the East Coast. I never had a problem getting a spot. Like said before definitely pick up a Milepost, or we also used a trailer life campground directory, it will have all the info you need. June and July is about the heaviest part of tourist season in Alaska so in the bigger cities like Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali, Valdez, Kenai, and Homer definitely try to make reservations ahead of time. Going through the Yukon was not that bad, if you plan your trip well enough you can usually call a campground you are planning on stopping at in the morning and they will hold a spot for you that night with a credit card. I am not sure of the exact route you will be traveling but in the Yukon I highly recommend stopping in Muncho Lake, and also Liard Hot Springs. Muncho lake campground is nice and the scenery is the best. Liard Hot Springs has a small campground but the springs dip was awesome. Once in Anchorage, try to stay outside the city, not much for camping in Anchorage, unless you like parking lots. I would recommend staying in Eagle River campground about 15 miles outside of Anchorage. If you venture all the way down to Homer AK, you have to stay out on the spit, it is a great experience. I did read that Canada was going to start requiring passports starting in Jan 07, so you might want to check on that before heading out. Feel free to PM me if you would like me to elaborate on any of this. Enjoy the trip.

 

[BrentKaiser]

I don't believe you need a passport yet, some time in 2008

I don't believe you can bring any gun

unless you have a special license

if you are bringing one check it out very carefully before you start your travel

You can bring rifles or shot guns, just have to pay a fee. I guess they haven't gone to passports yet for drivers just flying, I know for sure you have to have a birth certificate with a second form of identification.

 

[Grizzly]

I started a thread called, "Alaska trip in a cab-over-camper", last year. There are 170 posts with much information about anything you may want and then some. Go to, "Towing Hauling and RV Foram", page 16. If I can tell you anything in particular, let me know.

We had a great trip. We rarely paid to stay at a regular campground because pull outs were so plentiful. We stayed at many Wal-Mart, with permission. Wal-Marts in Fairbanks won't let you stay, however, we found that Fred Meyers were a much better choice. Some Fred Meyers even have dump station and water for RV's. Get a Discount Card from Fred Meyers to purchase you diesel and anything else. We liked their breakfast counters, which were reasonable and quick. More FM in Anchorage and Soldotna. Have a great trip.

 

[gonzo2]

A passport is not required to enter Canada, It will be required to re-enter the US when you return overland in 2008. It is now required for re-entering the states by air or water even if you are American.

 

[Tractorat]

Thanks for all of the useful information. Im getting excited about the trip already. Ill probably be taking the shortest route from Seattle to Fairbanks. Can anyone tell me what I might run into as far as steep grades ?



TRat

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks for all of the useful information. Im getting excited about the trip already. Ill probably be taking the shortest route from Seattle to Fairbanks. Can anyone tell me what I might run into as far as steep grades ?



TRat

Again, see my thread, "Alaska trip in a Cab-Over-Camper"

 

[dsherman]

Alaska trip in a Cab-Over-Camper

Again, see my thread, "Alaska trip in a Cab-Over-Camper"

Grizzly,

Can you find your thread and then post the link to it

I did a search and can not find it

Thanks

David

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly,

Can you find your thread and then post the link to it

I did a search and can not find it

Thanks

David

Click on my name, "Grizzly", then click, "Find More Post by Grizzly", scroll down to the 14th page, then look for "Alaska trip in a cab-over-camper. " That's the last post. You can read the posts going back or you can scroll back to the 1st post and start from the begining. I copied all the posts and put them in a three ring binder and took them to Alaska for reference. We actually did use them at times.

 

[Tractorat]

Grizzly,

Thats a very useful thread. Thanks for pointing me to it. Im sure Ill have more questions as I get ready to head north.



TRat

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks for all of the useful information. Im getting excited about the trip already. Ill probably be taking the shortest route from Seattle to Fairbanks. Can anyone tell me what I might run into as far as steep grades ?



TRat

The shortest route from Seattle to Fairbanks is north I-5 into Vancouver to Prince George, west to the Cassier Hwy, then north to just west of Watson Lake on the Alcan Hwy, then northwest into Tok and north to Fairbanks. The Cassier is not bad, only 12 miles of gravel, just go slow. When you see an 18 wheeler, pull over as far as you can and stop to avoid getting sprayed with rocks. Stop in Hyder, Alaska at the start of the Cassier Hwy to see grizzlies and many other wildlife, which is also a very scenic route. Stop for the night anywhere you find a large pullout and try to get far away from the highway. Large trucker may also stay in the same pullouts and they like leaving their engines running all night. If that happens just get back in your truck and drive somewhere else.