First timers and need advice!
Im from the UK and travelling to Alaska in August for 2 weeks travelling in an RV - very excited. We are driving from anchorage up to Faribanks and then onto Tangle Lakes, Glenallen, Valdez and bac...
Forum Discussion
You can do kayaking tours from Seward and Valdez....almost any degree of guiding, outfitting, and support is offered. I can't recall the names right now, but a quick web search will reveal them.
When driving to Fairbanks from Los Anchorage, swing by Hatcher Pass if you have time: Neat part of Southcentral and a fun drive through the pass if you have a passenger vehicle (not RV suitable)
Tangle Lakes...part of the most beautiful drive in Alaska (IMNSHO: Los Anchorage - Glenallen-Paxson-Cantwell- back to Paxson-Glenallen-Los Anchorage). Be sure to access from the Paxson side, more pavement and less restrictions in a rented vehicle.
I would recommend planning on taking the fast ferry from Valdez to Whittier (close to Anchorage) on the return leg as it saves 6-8 hours of return driving from Valdez to Anchorage.
There are several spots on the Parks Highway to see the Alaska range: Weather is often iffy, but don't miss the pullouts. The vistas are impressive even if shrouded in cloud.
I recommend a stop in Talkeetna. Kind of a neat little town. Riverboat tours and airplane tours of McKinley are available from Talkeetna. I think there's dog mushing tours and rides in dogsleds, but not sure.
The part of the Parks Highway from circa 75 miles south of Cantwell to Healy is, or at least can be, incredibly scenic and winds through some fantastic country at a very close level.
IMNSHO, Glitter Gulch (around and near the entrance to McKinley)is disgusting and an abomination in what used to be a special part of Alaska.
When driving from Fairbanks to Valdez, you're closer to "Real Alaska" (whatever the heck that is :)) than anywhere on the western side of the loop.
Drive in to Copper Center....neat little Alaska town, even if the Lodge burned down a couple of years ago.
Don't miss the view/scenery at Thompson Pass on the way into Valdez and don't miss the waterfalls (Horsetail, Bridal Veil) on the way into Valdez.
A tour of the Sound (or Fjord) from Valdez is a wonderful way to spend a day.
In Los Anchorage, depending on time and taste, I'd recommend the Crows Nest and Seven Glaciers (actually in Girdwood) for eating on the high-end. F Street station is fading, but still a great place for a burger. Lucky Wishbone is a local institution and has pretty good fried chicken.
When driving to Fairbanks from Los Anchorage, swing by Hatcher Pass if you have time: Neat part of Southcentral and a fun drive through the pass if you have a passenger vehicle (not RV suitable)
Tangle Lakes...part of the most beautiful drive in Alaska (IMNSHO: Los Anchorage - Glenallen-Paxson-Cantwell- back to Paxson-Glenallen-Los Anchorage). Be sure to access from the Paxson side, more pavement and less restrictions in a rented vehicle.
I would recommend planning on taking the fast ferry from Valdez to Whittier (close to Anchorage) on the return leg as it saves 6-8 hours of return driving from Valdez to Anchorage.
There are several spots on the Parks Highway to see the Alaska range: Weather is often iffy, but don't miss the pullouts. The vistas are impressive even if shrouded in cloud.
I recommend a stop in Talkeetna. Kind of a neat little town. Riverboat tours and airplane tours of McKinley are available from Talkeetna. I think there's dog mushing tours and rides in dogsleds, but not sure.
The part of the Parks Highway from circa 75 miles south of Cantwell to Healy is, or at least can be, incredibly scenic and winds through some fantastic country at a very close level.
IMNSHO, Glitter Gulch (around and near the entrance to McKinley)is disgusting and an abomination in what used to be a special part of Alaska.
When driving from Fairbanks to Valdez, you're closer to "Real Alaska" (whatever the heck that is :)) than anywhere on the western side of the loop.
Drive in to Copper Center....neat little Alaska town, even if the Lodge burned down a couple of years ago.
Don't miss the view/scenery at Thompson Pass on the way into Valdez and don't miss the waterfalls (Horsetail, Bridal Veil) on the way into Valdez.
A tour of the Sound (or Fjord) from Valdez is a wonderful way to spend a day.
In Los Anchorage, depending on time and taste, I'd recommend the Crows Nest and Seven Glaciers (actually in Girdwood) for eating on the high-end. F Street station is fading, but still a great place for a burger. Lucky Wishbone is a local institution and has pretty good fried chicken.
