Unfortunately, I have only 8 days in Alaska. Or shall I say, fortunately, I have at least 8 days in Alaska! We are a family of four; the kids are ages 3 and almost 6. We fly into Anchorage July 3rd and fly out July 12th. I am seeking advice on campgrounds.We rent a small RV on July 5th and return it on July 12th. I was planning an itinerary along the lines of this:July 4: Anchorage (stay in a hotel)July 5: TalkeetnaJuly 6: Byers Lake or Denali NP July 7: Byers Lake or DenaliJuly 8: GirdwoodJuly 9: Seward/ Kenai PeninsulaJuly 10: Seward/ Kenai PeninsulaJuly 11: Seward/ Kenai PeninsulaJuly 12: Return to Anchorage for flight out at nightWe are thinking of limiting the amount of times that we change campgrounds to avoid having to waste time on checking and out and hooking up. Does that seem to make sense? Which campgrounds do you recommend that have some activities for the kids (a lake, a playground), a nice view, maybe an on site restaurant, and a camping, natural, feel.Also, once parked at a campground, for example, if I stayed at a Seward campground, is it easy to get around the city without using the RV to leave the camp site? Can I see much of the peninsula if I stayed in one campground? Would you recommend an overnight in Girdwood or a day stop and then continue on to camp/park in Seward? Same question for Talkeetna. Do you recommend staying in the Denali NP campground or somewhere nearby? I think we will probably do the bus tour, but if so, is it easy to do other hikes and activities if parked at the NP? Sorry, really new at this! Never RVed before.

Oh, one more question, do I need a car for July 4th in Anchorage or can I otherwise get around?

Yes rent a car. Book it early as they're sometimes scarce from all the tourists. It won't be cheap, ask if there's a limit on the miles, sometimes they're extra.You might skip Girdwood, but that would make Byers Lake/Denali to Seward a long day. There's not a lot to see in Girdwood, but the ski tram should be running to the top of ski slopes for nice pictures if it's a good day. If you do stay in Girdwood, taking the tunnel through to Whittier is interesting (I don't know the cost) and then you'll have time to stop at the Boggs Visitor Center at the Portage Glacier. I believe there should be some road side boondocking spots on the way into Boggs.Bill

Byers Lake campground is a nice spot http://yukonsights.ca/20100902_TrapperCk.htmlIt is in Denali State Park, rather than Denali National Park. Rustic sites with no services, which we prefer. Good hiking in the area. And not too far from Trapper Creek, which is the start of a road that will give you good views of the south side of the mountain.

You may want to take a time out here. Anywhere on the Kenai is basically 125 to 225 miles from Anchorage of more. Anchorage to Denali is 240 miles.You will spend a lot of time driving Are we there yet?Pick either north or south. The kids will love it .

I've done something on the scale you are trying to do it. From my experience it would be best IMHO to rent a car and stay in hotels or cabins.You will do lots of driving. Seward would take 3 days by itself (day cruises, fishing, general sightseeing). It would take all day to drive from Seward to Homer if you take your time to stop and see anything. Then another day to drive to Anchorage. That's 5 days and you haven't explored Homer or anything between there and Anchorage. Anchorage itself is worth at least a day. Second the idea on going to Whittier.Going north towards Denali is a full day there. A day for a tour in the park. Next day a drive to Talkeetna. A day in Talkeetna, (zip-lining, flightseeing, etc..). Next day a full day of driving to Seward. A couple days in Seward. Go home. Lots of driving and the cost goes up to get a dolly to pull the rental car, because you will need one.Just my 2 cents.

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2gypsies1
Explorer III
Mar 31, 2015
tonymull wrote:
You greatly increase your chances of seeing wildlife by going into the park for as many days as you can.

Exactly. We spent 5 nights in Teklanika campground and 5 nights in Denali's front campground, Riley Creek. This was in August and we saw every one of the 'big 5', many multiple times.

If you plan only 1 day in Denali you won't see much - especially if you stay outside the park and just do a day trip. We saw bear and moose in our campgrounds while staying IN the park.
tonymull
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
You greatly increase your chances of seeing wildlife by going into the park for as many days as you can. The drivers radio back and forth as to where animals are near the road and that multiplies your chances of seeing them. Also animals outside the park are far more wary of people and usually will be moving away from you when you see them, not always but usually.
jnharley
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
We stayed in Denali in August (last year) and saw tons of bears because they were out feeding for their winter sleep. The bus in front of us reported a mamma grizzly with her 2 two year old cubs in the road. Mama grizzly was upset with the bus being in her territory and slapped the bus door with her paw, nearly breaking the door, thrilling and scaring the passengers. By the time we got to that location, the bears had moved off the road onto the hillside to continue feeding. Must have been the time of year we visited Denali but we saw tons of wildlife with the exception of the elusive wolf.
His_Hers_Alaska
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
I completely understand your situation. Having a limited time frame and trying to take in as much as you can. I have a saying, Alaska is not just a destination, it's a state of mind. Meaning you should make realistic expectations for your trip.

IMHO the Kenai Peninsula alone deserves 7 days for a first time visitor. This will give you time to enjoy yourself and not spend so much time driving. We live here in Seward and could help you with some local knowledge, if needed.

Denali is great but it's a long drive and truthfully gets mixed reviews. The natural beauty is there but seeing Bears, Wolves, Moose, Caribou, etc. is all a gamble because it's not a zoo. I have learned you need to be in the right place at the right time so see wildlife. Sometimes you will see more moose in Anchorage than Denali.

Enjoy the trip.
SBradley
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Most rentals are limited to wheels, very strict about where you can land. Usually restricted to FAA maintained runways, some even restrict further to paved runways.

It would be more cost effective to simply take a commercial flight seeing trip.
PA12DRVR
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
fourontheroad wrote:
Do you know Of any planes on skis? Prefer float over cub. Have already done cub. Any idea of prices? also do you know of anywhere he can get a checkout and then rental to take the family up?

ACME offers training on floats (180 HP PA-18) in the Summertime from Lake Hood.

Land & Sea Air offers rental from Merrill...they include (IIRC) the fleet formerly at Take Flight Alaska...152's up to 207

I believe Artics in Palmer rents as well, but limited to 172 for multi-pax.
fourontheroad
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Do you know Of any planes on skis? Prefer float over cub. Have already done cub. Any idea of prices? also do you know of anywhere he can get a checkout and then rental to take the family up?
tonymull
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Lake Hood in Anchorage is the largest float plane base in the world.
SBradley
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Instruction depends on what you are wanting learn cub or float plane?
fourontheroad
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
Great thanks

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