Alaska by RV, solo or caravan . . . . opinions please

[DOTLDaddy]

Being the compulsive, long range planner that I am, I am starting to think about an RV trip from STL to Alaska. This probably won't happen until 2015, but I don't want to wait much longer than that, as you never know what tomorrow brings. 😛

Anyway, I am quite sure this would be our one and only trip to Alaska, so I don't want to blow it. Should I try and plan such a huge trip myself, or spend a rather substantial amount of $$$ on a caravan. I know there are several companies that offer such caravans, but I have no idea which one is "best", if any.:@

[alaskan-rver]

If you opt to go for the caravan, do it because you want the caravan experience (traveling with same group, planned itinerary, someone else doing some of the prep work, etc.)

As many others have said, the trip is definitely doable on your own.

Inquire into what level of adventure versus luxury the caravan is striving for. There are plenty of unique opportunities boondocking and heading down some gravel roads which many caravans will not include, as their clientele is looking for the full hookup campground every night. Read through this forum and you'll see that most Alaska campgrounds are not as luxurious as those in the lower 48.

The above paragraph could also apply to traveling with another camper. Yesterday I was talking to someone from Outside traveling with 2 rigs--one wanted to venture off the paved roads more (see places like the Denali Highway, Kennecott mine, etc.), but was being held back by the other one who didn't.

There are many ways to see Alaska. Pick the one which suits your interests, sense of adventure, and budget.

[Hjudge49]

We are in the middle of our second trip from Florida to Alaska, 6000 miles and a month and a half, without a single reservation until we got here. Once we spent some time up here and decided what we wanted to do with our guests (daughter and grand-kids now and best friend next week), we made reservations for those time periods and activities. In addition to the MILEPOST and Church's book, get the "Allstays" app for your Ipad, and the Alaska Toursaver coupon book. It will save you lots of money.

[browalt]

Definitely go it alone. My husband and I took this trip in the summer of 2011 and we are ready to go back now! You can check out my blog on the trip if you like. It was my first time blogging but hope you can get some idea of what we did. Alaska is awesome by RV and it was so easy to do it on our own. Only plan was our plan...didn't need to keep up to a schedule made by someone else. Hope you do it soon! You will enjoy it all. Click on the link below. Make sure you start reading in APRIL.
http://bev-ontheroadagain.blogspot.com/

[PA12DRVR]

I can't comment on RV'ng to Alaska either solo or with a caravan as I've done neither. There was the trip in '76 with a duece-and-a half Jimmy that kept breaking down, but that is the days of old.

Since I can't comment on the RV perspective, I'll only offer that if this is truly going to be your one and only trip to AK, take the whole bloomin summer to come and go....3.5 - 4 months, maybe even 5 depending when you want to leave STL and how leisurely you want to travel to the U.S./Canadian border.

Don't know if that kind of time is at all in the cards, but there is so much to see on the way to/from and in Alaska that the "only" trip deserves to be a long one.

If that resonates, it probably eliminates the caravan option.

[gswcgi]

Been to Alaska twice, both times for 8 weeks each. The first time alone and the second time with friends with a motor home. Haven't done it with a caravan so I can't comment. You will have much more freedom of movement and be able to do you own schedule and change your plans & schedule on your own. Were I to do Alaska again I would do it alone.

[Tee_Jay]

There are a number of ways to "go to Alaska". Most people here envision driving the whole way. You can also take a one-way cruise and rent an RV to tour then fly home, or tour then cruise then fly. There is the option of flying to Alaska and then renting an RV. And some people use the Great Alaska Holidays system, where you pick up a class C motorhome in Iowa and drive it to Alaska (you pay fuel, but no rental), then renting it for another week or 10 days, then flying home.

In favor to driving to Alaska is you can schedule a route that takes in a number of western National Parks in both the US and Canada.

Going on your own allows time to dawdle in places of interest, or to just put on the miles. Look up the paid tours/caravans and have a look at their itinerary as a basic guide to the primary things to see or do.

BC, Yukon and Alaska all have a lot of tourist/visitor information, and they will send it to you for free. One of the most helpful places we have found is the tourist info in Taylor, BC.

Best wishes for a good trip.
Terry

[2gypsies1]

Honesty, traveling to Alaska is no different than traveling for Ballwin, MO to California & we lived in Manchester at one time. 🙂

Going to Alsaska isn't the all about the stories of long ago. The highway are modern as are the stores. Yes, sometimes you will encounter bad roads but then, you will also in the lower 48. They have a very short season for repairs. When they tear up the pavement the gravel portions aren't that long you'll just be going slower and you might even see more wildlife since you have more time!

As stated above, don't overplan and make gobs of reservations. They aren't needed. Sometimes you'll want to stop for something unexpected and other times you might think "what are we doing here"? We only made for July 4 weekend and 5 nights in Denali's Teklanika campground and made those only about 3 weeks prior when we could judge where we would be at that time. The rest of the time we had absolutely no problems finding sites.

Get the Milepost and Mike & Terri Church's book "Alaskan Camping". Those are the only resources you'll need - except this forum. 🙂 Have fun planning!

[pigman1]

Do it yourself for sure. If you travel alone in the lower 48, you can feel comfortable that you'll do just fine by yourself in Alaska. We've been up 5 times so far in the RV and once flying up in 2011 to see the Iditerod, and will go many times more, Lord willing. We have always traveled solo. The roads are excellent in Alaska and in planning your trip you'll find that you get a much greater appreciation for this great land and it's attractions than you would if you just were one of the herd in a caravan. The people in Alaska are friendly, helpful toward everyone, and your interaction with them will give you a much better appreciation of their state and it's attractions. Our experiences in dealing with caravanners is that they tend to keep to their own group and miss a great deal by not interacting with the rest of the people they come into contact with on the trip. RV parks are a bit on the primitive side, but water and power are available, and most have showers and bathrooms. Reservations beyond a few days in advance are usually not necessary except for things like the 4th of July in Seward or Denali and if your selected park is full, they are very helpful helping you check with others. Of course when you're solo and you find a place you like, it's a simple matter to stay longer, or leave earlier if that's your desire.

Go alone and explore. In all the trips we've made, we always find something new to do or a different place to see in Alaska. You're obviously an adventurous type simply by being an RV'er, so do your planning and research and then enjoy the fruits of your effort.

[sljohnson1938]

We took a 'paid' caravan tour in 2004 and it was the best vacation we have ever had. If I had the money I would do it again in a NY heart beat. Problem, they a very expensive. Figure in 2015 the cost will be about $9000 for a 50 day tour, plus or minus a day or buck, plus fuel cost. On our trip I drove 12K miles and spent about the same. Before you eliminate a paid tour be sure to check them out. There are about 5 different tour companies. The tours will keep you busy and you will do more than if you are alone. For those who will tell you that you have to travel as a group or must be at a specific location at a specific time, that is bull scat.
You can PM me if you would like more info on our tour.

[lonnie4801]

If you want someone else to plan a very structured trip for you then take a caravan. If you are comfortable doing your own planning then go by yourself.

Travel through Canada and in and around Alaska is safe and the roads are in fair to good condition. In fact, some of it is in excellent condition.

We took our one and only trip to Alaska in 2005, then again in 2009, and we are currently setting in Wasilla on our way to Fairbanks. We much prefer the leisurely pace travelling by our self provides.

[dbbls]

We made the trip alone in 2011 and never regretted it. We met a couple in Homer that were with a caravan and they were disappointed in that they could not stop and stay at places they found interesting because they had to stay with the group. I will go by myself next time too.

[sue_t]

Walter, we don't bite up here. You'll do fine on your own.

Gives you greater flexibility to adapt your plans if the weather is good, or not. If something catches your interest, you can hang around and enjoy. If something isn't so wonderful, carry on.

My advice is don't overplan. Be knowledgeable and do your research - know where you want to go - plan your potential stops - figure out what you want to see - then hit the road.

Mother Nature can be cruel up here and you might need to adapt. If you've got a tight schedule she'll mess with you. Road washouts. Forest fires. Snow until mid-June. Pouring rain (which we'd LOVE to have right now to put OUT all the forest fires!). So gather all your intell BUT go with the flow.

When we first started visiting Yukon, I compulsively planned. Every overnight stop was planned.

Eventually I loosened up a bit and planned only the route without planning where we'd be for the night until that morning. Made the trip more enjoyable.

Now that we live here, I enjoy amazing freedom in just heading out having absolutely no idea where we're going to spend the night. We just go. Have boondocked in some incredible spots as a result.

You can also drop in for an evening with old RV Pet Stop friends (nudge, wink).

[GENECOP]

Go yourself.....Alaska is easy and safe....have some extra fun with the $ you save....

[tandkj]

Go by yourself, plan what you want to see and do and then go. Our last trip we met someone in Dawson Creek and traveled with them all summer. They sometimes went to other places and rejoined us later. Contact me on PM if you want more info.