Hi folks, I am in the early stages of planning a road trip north from our new home in Vancouver, BC. We are looking to spend about 14 days in total around June, July, August 2013. We want to camp (Pickup camper) along the way rather than use hotels. We really want to hear ideas of where to stop, stay, and best routes for up and back. Also, contact info of outfitters you really liked for some outdoor adventures, really anything you think will help us plan our trip. Oh and we have not even settled on an ultimate destination in Alaska so that is up for discussion as well, I think it's more about the journey anyway. We want to do some river fishing, camping, hiking, fun outdoor activities along the way where possible. I was considering a Ferry one way and a drive one way, but it's all up for discussion.

We have only flown up so far, 2010 & 2011....here's a report of the trip were we got to do some camping: Our 3 weeks in Alaska - 2011No Expert, but if wanting to do Salmon fishing....Kenai Peninsula about mid-July seems to be the time it gets started, but all depends on when they are running. Lot of neat things down on the Peninsula.Some Pics from the 2010 trip:At the Alaska Pipeline Exhibit north of Fairbanks - 2010 TripPipeline Eielson AFB.... At the start of the Dalton Hwy. same trip.The Dalton Hwy.Near where Dalton begins...the pipeline. A rest stop at a pull out by a nice stream on the way back to Fairbanks from the Dalton Hwy. Out in early Oct on a trail 2010 with a couple of Quads. All Denali Nat'l Park Late Sept. Last photo: Only view of Denali (Mount McKinley) we had while in the Park. It was late in the season, they were allowing vehicles to drive into the park (normally only the tour buses allowed). At least we believe it was Denali.Tanana River Vista near Fairbanks.Moose eating leaves by our son's home. At Fairbanks Air Port saying farewell to our Granddaughters in Oct 2010.Some photos from the 2011 trip:Delta Junction 2011.Fairbanks Pioneer Park 2011.Alaska Black SpruceWhittler from a day cruse ship. 2011.With only 14 days total, I'd suggest looking into using the Ferry or to Fly up rent a car & use B&Bs, motels, etc. But those are not inexpensive, using the ferry up & back might be best depending on the size of your unit.The Alaska Marine Highway Ferry, I was thinking of, would be out of Bellingham. You may check Fares by Clicking Here. I've looked for departing in Canada, but it seems one must drive a long ways up & do a good looping curve to get to a port. When I last looked it as Bellingham to Haines: $353 per person, VEHICLES UP TO 10' $462, Up to 15' $797, Up to 19' $947, etc. as you get longer or higher. Cabin Rates would vary from $337-$393 for two berths. Or one can just sleep on deck or somewhere for free. They also have height restrictions with fees as well.Remember, once you get to Haines, one must drive into Canada to get to the rest of Alaska via highways. Seems like it is about 600 miles or so to either Fairbanks or the Alaska border. Most in Canada.I'm sure one can get a vehicle by ferry to Whittier (not a long drive to Anchorage from there), & I have found it before, but it is hard to find. Not sure why. Didn't see it listed when just looking.Here's something on the Ferry to Whittier. For prices or Fares to Haines, & this one To Whittier.The Alaska Ferries often have a special, driver gets to go free if using round trip on them. Good luck with your goal of going, it is really neat.

Bud, welcome to the Forum. If you are thinking Vancouver/Alaska and return in 14 days, plan on arriving and just turning right around again. You can do it, but it'd be no fun at all and seriously, it'll take you a week in each direction. ok ok..maybe 5 days, flat out.It's a long ways and you wanna stop and see stuff. If I might make a suggestion? If 14 days is what you have...head out, enjoy the drive..maybe check out the road to Bella Coola from Williams Lake...drive as far as you go in seven days and figure out from there, which way to get home. You can go home via the Peace, down thru the Rockies and so on...and have just a great great time. I'd say do it in June too..come July/August, the roads are full...kids, you know. And..if you like colours...do it in September, even.If you just have to do Alaska, maybe look at flying up, rent a vehicle and so on. Take 10 days and have a blast.Gary Haupt

garyhaupt wrote:Bud, welcome to the Forum. If you are thinking Vancouver/Alaska and return in 14 days, plan on arriving and just turning right around again. You can do it, but it'd be no fun at all and seriously, it'll take you a week in each direction. ok ok..maybe 5 days, flat out.It's a long ways and you wanna stop and see stuff. If I might make a suggestion? If 14 days is what you have...head out, enjoy the drive..maybe check out the road to Bella Coola from Williams Lake...drive as far as you go in seven days and figure out from there, which way to get home. You can go home via the Peace, down thru the Rockies and so on...and have just a great great time. I'd say do it in June too..come July/August, the roads are full...kids, you know. And..if you like colours...do it in September, even.If you just have to do Alaska, maybe look at flying up, rent a vehicle and so on. Take 10 days and have a blast.Gary Haupt+1 Everything he said he said well. 14 days will not cut it. It's a long drive. It can be done, but you won't have much fun.

Go for it. I have often said I would fly to Alaska just to spend a weekend, if I could afford it. While two weeks isn't the optimum amount, you can have a great vacation in that time frame. Not go to be able to stop and spend any large amounts of time anywhere, but you can get a good taste of the north country for planning your next trip. If your age and health allow you to put in some long days, it is very doable IMHO. Get up in the morning and be on the road by 7 AM or earlier. Some folks will tell you they only drive about 200 miles a day or less. The same people usually will admit to only driving from about 10 AM or later till mid afternoon. No wonder they only make 200 miles a day. :) if you have the time and that schedule works, then great, but everyone doesn't always have lots of time for the trip Any amount of time spent in Northern Canada and Alaska is better than not going. IMHO. The OP should get many responses to this question, some from members that have driven to Alaska.

Some Pics from the 2010 trip:Awesome pics DesertHawk! thanks for the info.

Vancouver, BC to Alaska info needed | Good Sam Community

tsimtcu8
Explorer
Jun 22, 2013
Update- given the flooding in Alberta I'm now thinking northern BC and Yukon may be the plan again. We leave in 7 days and any additional info for routes or ideally key sights/hikes that must be seen along the way would be very helpful. Thanks
paulj
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2013
According to drivebc, you can now drive to Banff from the west. It's the connection to Calgary that's cut off. Highway through Jasper is fine, but I think Icefields Parkway is still closed.
tsimtcu8
Explorer
Jun 22, 2013
paulj wrote:
According to drivebc, you can now drive to Banff from the west. It's the connection to Calgary that's cut off. Highway through Jasper is fine, but I think Icefields Parkway is still closed.

Thanks for the info, please keep me posted on what you all hear in this are. Icefields parkway is an area we were planning on spending a lot of time so we'll see if they open that.
paulj
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2013
https://twitter.com/BanffNP

https://twitter.com/JasperNP

RT @banffnp: Campground Update Banff, Yoho, Kootenay: Open:Lake Louise; Tunnel Mountain.; Redstreak; Kicking Horse; Monarch.

AB road map
It appears from this that Icefields Parkway (93N) is open between AB11 and Jasper. That includes the glacier visitor center. It's the part further south towards Lake Louise that is closed.

--------------
Sat evening - Banff twitter says Icefields is now open.
daveB110
Explorer
Jun 22, 2013
We got as far as Dawson City, Yukon, a few years ago in a truck and camper, with a little more than two weeks at our disposal. We never spent more than one night anywhere, left via B.C. Ferries from Port Hardy, to Prince Rupert, drove the Cassiar Highway, and returned on the Alaska Highway. We've always wanted to return, but at a much more leisurely pace, since we've long since retired. As Joe said, GO! It will be something of a Whirlwind Tour, but will whet your appetite for a longer trip later.
tsimtcu8
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
paulj wrote:
https://twitter.com/BanffNP

https://twitter.com/JasperNP

RT @banffnp: Campground Update Banff, Yoho, Kootenay: Open:Lake Louise; Tunnel Mountain.; Redstreak; Kicking Horse; Monarch.

AB road map
It appears from this that Icefields Parkway (93N) is open between AB11 and Jasper. That includes the glacier visitor center. It's the part further south towards Lake Louise that is closed.

--------------
Sat evening - Banff twitter says Icefields is now open.

This is great, thanks for sharing. It looks like things are finally moving in the right direction. Now we just need the Banff to Calgary section to open up by Thursday of next week and we'll be good. We have now officially decided we'll continue with our original plan of the Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Calgary trip. Hopefully we'll get up to Yukon next year. We've got a pretty good itinerary lined up as long as things aren't too destroyed, hoping all the scenery, hikes, campsites along the Icefields parkway are okay.
garyhaupt
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
tsimtcu8...what the heck are you guys doing? Going to see the misery from the flooding? Seeing's as you are heading east, perhaps look at the Kootenays/Banff/Jasper and stay out of Calgary and most southern Alberta. There's nuttin to see right now but mud, trashed homes and the bugs will be plentiful.

You could map out a fabulous camping trip..south to north...up thu the Kootenay Valley and on up to Revelstoke, go left to Kamloops and up the Yellowhead into Jasper and down the Parkway to Banff. Just sayin, ya know?

Gary Haupt
currently IN Vancouver.
paulj
Explorer II
Jun 25, 2013
Banff National Park

June 2013 Flood - Information for Park Visitors

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