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JJPCheers's avatar
JJPCheers
Explorer
Oct 04, 2019

RV trip 14 nights itinerary help

We have owned both motorhomes and travel trailers in the past.  All the RV rentals places in Anchorage will not allow you to tow a car so we are thinking we will rent a truck and trailer trailer (though private owner) so we have a vehicle to get around.  Thought on this please.  Also this is the 2nd attempt at an itinerary.  Should we add/delete anything? Are we staying too long or not long enough in each place? Any driving distances from place to place too long? The only reason we are considering swinging over to Matanuska is because I read on a TA forum that the scenery is beautiful but haven't seen anyone else mention it.  Also considering staying 2 nights instead of 3 in Denali.

Day 1 fly into Anchorage, pick up RV, get groceries then drive to Matanuska Glacier.
Day 2 Glacier Hike and Zipline
Day 3 Drive to Denali National Park - ATV tour in the afternoon
Day 4 Shuttle, bus or hike
Day 5 Dog sled and more time in the park
Day 6 Drive from Denali to Talkeetna - activity in the afternoon
Day 7 Drive to Portage - activity in the afternoon
Day 8 Drive to Seward - possible afternoon fishing trip?
Day 9 Day cruise
Day 10 Kenai National Park
Day 11 Seward to Homer
Day 12 - Bear viewing in Katmai
Day 13 Homer to Cooper Landing
Day 14 Cooper Landing back to Anchorage
  • I revised the trip a bit so hoping this isn't too much driving like my first post. Actually Day 1 will be us flying in from Fl and staying in a hotel for the night to catch up on time change. Then we can pick up the RV or truck/travel trailer the following morning.

    Day 1 fly into Anchorage, pick up RV, get groceries then drive to Matanuska Glacier. – Glacier hike and zipline –micaguides.com
    Day 2 Drive to Talkeetna – shopping/lunch
    Day 3 Drive to Denali National Park – Denali Grizzy Bear Campgound- need reservations- ATV tour in the afternoon
    Day 4 Shuttle, bus or hike
    Day 5 Drive from Denali to Wasilla or Willow- snowhookadvenures.com (dog sledding)
    Day 6 Drive to Portage/Girwood – 26 glaciers boat tour
    Day 7 Drive to Seward - possible afternoon fishing trip?
    Day 8 Day cruise Kenai National Park
    Day 9 Seward to Homer
    Day 10 Alaskabearviewing.com in Katmai
    Day 11 Fishing trip/walk around town
    Day 12 Homer to Cooper Landing (Kanai Princess RV Park-need reservation and hike to Russian River falls to see salmon spawning upsteam and fishing with a license)
    Day 13 Cooper Landing back to Anchorage
  • Doable but ambitious. You need to determine the distances you will be traveling and remember it's slow-going in the summer due to construction and tourists. If you are going in peak season make any reservations as soon as possible. It's a short and very busy season there. I've been there three times and personally I would slow down some. You will see a lot with your itinerary but it's questionable how much you will actually enjoy. Some of the beauty of Alaska is taken in by just sitting and soaking up the ambience.

    Where do you plan on staying in Denali? You can only drive a few miles into the park. The shuttle buses will take you all the way in to Wonder Lake but I've read that sometimes they pack up full in the summer and you can't necessarily get a ride out when you want to. Just something to consider. If you want to spring for it stay at one of the lodges inside. Pricey but I've known many people who have done that (and hopefully in our plan for next year) and have loved it. My take is two nights is enough but it depends on what you are going to do there. If you are going to Katmai your best bet (and almost only bet) is to fly. Been there, LOVED it, but book early so you aren't disappointed. I'd suggest an overnight there. There are one-day fly outs but there's nothing like the goosebumps I got sitting at breakfast and seeing bears walk right by.

    I agree with going to Whittier-there's some nice shops and restaurants plus the Prince William Sound cruises. I'd highly recommend the 26 Glacier Cruise by Phillips Tours. It's a good half-day but you'll get up close and personal with glaciers and you should see seals, birdlife and whales.

    Before you make any plans just sit down and think what your goals are-too see as much as possible (and then plan on going back to revisit if you can) or stopping to smell the roses some. It's a personal choice that no one else can make for you. Pros and cons to both as are most things in life.
  • It's doable, but when you're in Portage, you might as well take the tunnel out to Whittier and back. Goes under the mountains and is shared with the Alaska Railway, if I'm not mistaken.
    We missed that one in 2016, and I've been kicking my self for it ever since.
    I'd also spend the night at the municipal CG on the Homer Spit. Right on the water, $15/night, no hookups in 2016. Lots of eateries along the spit. Variable cuisine.