TCers travel a bit different is the reason I'm asking here instead of the Canada/Alaska forum.Say you are retired and plan on crossing into Canada near Glacier about last week of May and departure date only set by when the snow starts covering everything. Would you just do some basic research and wing the trip? By basic research, I mean be familiar with the different main roads and get a copy of the Milepost. Then let the whims, conditions, and signs take you on the journey of a lifetime. We are familiar with crossing borders so no worries there. Our usual travel style is pick a distant destination and head that general way. Sometimes we make it, sometimes we get distracted and have to return for work. But one thing we are sure of is we hate reservations and only need a flat spot to park for the night.

I would do some research and put together a list of "MUST SEE & DO" items, then figure out an approximate route that will let you make a loop to catch most of them. If you want to do the ferry thing there are ferry schedules to deal with.Otherwise, sounds like you have a great "non-plan" for a fun trip.

100% easy to do and better IMO, given your travel style as stated. There is no lack of "camping spots" for an overnight or longer once you get out of extreme southern BC. Not to say you wouldn't want to make some reservations at particular places like Denali or similar if that's on the agenda, but in general you can find a place to park the rig no problem. In my experience, most NF campgrounds are usually full on the weekends in the summer. Never had much luck there, but always found a pullout or forest road etc to camp pretty easily.

That's exactly the way we did it 2 yrs ago. Got the milepost and gasoline and took off. there were no problems and had a great time. Go go for it!!!

There's lots of flat places to just park. And services are not few and far between like they used to be.I'm for winging it. But, I do suggest buying a copy of The Milepost. That will cover all your bases.My opinion of course but based on several trips to and from the Lower 48 to Alaska.

As you are comfortable with no plans, changing plans, etc., it seems the only question would be how available are boondocking spots.You might grab some maps from the national forests for the US to identify potential spots for boondocking. I'm not familiar with boondocking in Canada, but I'm sure there are maps, etc., that would assist.Then, with maps at hand, just go and enjoy. Use a parking lot as needed to for quick overnight rests.

Alaska - Just wing it? | Good Sam Community

coolmom42
Explorer II
Sep 13, 2017
I would do some research and put together a list of "MUST SEE & DO" items, then figure out an approximate route that will let you make a loop to catch most of them.

If you want to do the ferry thing there are ferry schedules to deal with.

Otherwise, sounds like you have a great "non-plan" for a fun trip.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 13, 2017
100% easy to do and better IMO, given your travel style as stated.
There is no lack of "camping spots" for an overnight or longer once you get out of extreme southern BC.
Not to say you wouldn't want to make some reservations at particular places like Denali or similar if that's on the agenda, but in general you can find a place to park the rig no problem.
In my experience, most NF campgrounds are usually full on the weekends in the summer. Never had much luck there, but always found a pullout or forest road etc to camp pretty easily.
daily_double
Explorer
Sep 13, 2017
That's exactly the way we did it 2 yrs ago. Got the milepost and gasoline and took off. there were no problems and had a great time. Go go for it!!!
Geewizard
Explorer
Sep 13, 2017
There's lots of flat places to just park. And services are not few and far between like they used to be.

I'm for winging it. But, I do suggest buying a copy of The Milepost. That will cover all your bases.

My opinion of course but based on several trips to and from the Lower 48 to Alaska.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Sep 13, 2017
As you are comfortable with no plans, changing plans, etc., it seems the only question would be how available are boondocking spots.

You might grab some maps from the national forests for the US to identify potential spots for boondocking. I'm not familiar with boondocking in Canada, but I'm sure there are maps, etc., that would assist.

Then, with maps at hand, just go and enjoy. Use a parking lot as needed to for quick overnight rests.
work2much
Explorer
Sep 13, 2017
That's essentially what we did. We left central CA at end of April and took our time. We got home first week in Sept. We don't like rigid plans or making reservations and we were able to see everything we wanted just "winging it"

We were in Alaska for about 2 months of the trip which was a good amount. The milepost was helpful. We especially enjoyed the port cities like Homer. We also enjoyed the top of the world highway and glad we drove the extra 60 miles of dirt road into Eagle. We drove pretty much most of the improved and graded dirt highways. All were pretty easy to negotiate.
cewillis
Explorer
Sep 13, 2017
You got it right. Probably need a reservation if you want to camp at Teklanika in Denali (highly recommend)
Yeti_plus
Explorer
Sep 14, 2017
When we were there in 2016 we made reservations for July 1 in Whitehorse ( Canada Day), July 4 in Valdez AK, and 3 days in Denali. The rest we winged it.
The only regret was after Labour Day on Vancouver island there was no space available at Long Beach Provincial Park. Seems all the boomers were still on the road, just like us! Seems to be getting worse as all us boomers are travelling later in the shoulder seasons.
Brian
MORSNOW
Navigator II
Sep 14, 2017
Wing it, it's not like you will be traveling in the middle of nowhere along the Alaska Highway, its full of travelers.
lakeside013104
Explorer
Sep 14, 2017
We crossed this year at Sweetgrass, MT on May 10th. Went on to Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, and then Alaska for about three months. WE did NOT make reservations anywhere and only had one night that we could not get into the Russian River National CG due to huge fishing pressure and lots of campers in that area.

Wing it. No problem. No stress.

A little advice, probably not a good idea to drive by any open fuel station on the Alaska highway if you are close to 1/2 or even 3/4 of a tank of fuel. Less stress of a running out situation this way. If you drive a POV that gets 25 - 30 mpg or an RV vehicle with auxiliary fuel storage, this advice does not apply.

Have fun and safe travels.

Lakeside

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