Best time to cross into Canada for Alaska trip

[llberge]

My wife and I are going to Alaska next spring/summer. We are retired and will be spending at least 2 months there, maybe longer. The first big question we have is when to go. What are the pros and cons of going in mid to late May? Are there advantages to being there in September? We want to see wildlife (bears) and enjoy some fresh salmon. My wife would really like to see the northern lights, but that’s probably not going to happen in the summer, right?

We will be driving a 24’ Sunseeker MBS with no toad. With a small MH like that, I am thinking that we won’t have problems getting into campgrounds, except for holidays and Denali.

[PghBob]

We went up the summer of 2015. We left W. PA the first week of June, spent a few days in Calgary, then on to Alaska via Banff and Jasper NPs. We returned via the Alaskan Ferry from Juneau to Bellingham WA the first week of August. The weather was great the whole trip, and had no bug problems at all. I think the posts provided so far are on target and I would add only a couple of points.

If going up the Alaska highway, make sure to carry enough food and water for four days, for everyone on board. The highway can close due to fires, floods (this summer), or other reasons and you are stuck with no where to go, until it reopens. Don't let this stop you from the trip. Just plan for it.

Remember that July 1 is a holiday in Canada, so campgrounds tend to fill up. If traveling in Canada on this day, it would be wise to make reservations in advance.

Have a great trip.

[Rolin]

Just returned from Alaska. We started our trip in August and returned in mid September. We had some great weather...got to see Denali from all angles. Really enjoyed the fall colors and I believe that some of the road work was complete so we didn't have to endure as much gravel/delays as you might earlier in the year. Plus as earlier stated, the bugs are not as bad.

The only reservation we made was at Denali Riley campground and a train excursion. Most times if you stop early the campgrounds/rv parks have space. However, later in the evening things start to fill up.

Some campgrounds were beginning to close as we headed home.

Talked to some who decided they would not tow a toad next time. Rocks, mud, dust, and rough roads take their toll. We found a lot of places with rv washes...but some times the facility was really dirty because everyone was washing all the mud and dirt off of their RV.

I think the Cassair hwy (hwy 37) had the most construction, and most mixture of dust and oil as they would spread oil, but gravel on top, then repeat. The Alcan seemed less of a problem, but it might be that it was later in the season and more projects had been completed as we headed home.

Watch for the red cones or small red flag on the side of the road. Means slow down as there is a rough spot, gravel, or dip. I've got buns of steel...trying to lift the RV over some of those bumps. Never worked but I always tried ;-).

Got to see some bear, moose, and buffalo. Northern lights were active on a few of the nights...but we were usually where things were too lite up, or we just got too tired and went to bed. It was a great trip

[mockturtle]

Last year I crossed the Canadian border in late May. I went through the Icefield Parkway (beautiful!) and none of the NP campgrounds were open yet but I spent the night at the visitor's center near Jasper.

There was a lot of smoke last summer in Alaska but the weather was nice until late July. Be sure to visit Valdez. Beautiful even in the rain.

[sue_t]

The past few years, May and June have offered up the best weather in Yukon.

August and thus far in September the weather has been variable. Thunderstorms and rain showers, then patches of sun. Not at all like the "old days" when late August and September were glorious with brilliant clear days and chilly nights.

I've always enjoyed September camping but not this year - wet, overcast and windy with occasional sun. So here I am at home writing this note 😞
It isn't uncommon for Yukon to have grey skies through to December now.

Other locals have also been commenting that our summer is May and June, and have been taking their camping/fishing trips then so they can enjoy the warm weather.

It's unpredictable though. Can't even guess what next summer will be like. So just plan your trip and go. Enjoy your journey!

Northern lights were visible in August - as soon as the nights get dark enough then there's potential to see them. My favorite website for monitoring aurora potential is: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast

Here's my page of aurora photos with links to more of my aurora photos: http://yukonsights.ca/Aurora.html

[scrubjaysnest]

Late May, early June if the crossing at Chief Mtn is open.

[2gypsies1]

Gordon Three: Sorry you had issues with your Alaska trip. I hope you'll try again. That is so rare to have non-stop rain, fires, smoke and fog. Our summer was just the opposite. You just can't count on the weather - anywhere. I agree though, the Yukon is a fabulous area and everyone should allow some time to explore it.

[GordonThree]

2013 I left Michigan early May, returned early July. No problems with snow in any mountains in Alberta, BC or Yukon. I stopped in Banff while heading North and they were still mostly closed. They were in the process of clearing lots of snow, but nothing new was coming down. Stopped in Jasper on the way back, all the snow had melted, had a fantastic few nights at the Whistlers campground.

I spent the week around Memorial Day in Valdez and it was amazing, mid 70s and sunshine every day, 50s and clear skies at night. Flocks of bald eagle would come in to pester fisherman for scraps every afternoon. Lots of fresh halibut coming in, it's expensive but so much better than the cod they serve here in the lower 48.

The rest of Alaska was mostly off limits due to non stop rain and wildland fires. I tried to enjoy the Kenai, but the smoke was so thick, unless you were right on the beach, it was hard to breath.

They say you have a slim chance of seeing the peak of Denali, well, I couldn't see anything, the entire park was in a dense fog bank for a week, gave up on Alaska and went back to the Yukon. Spent a week in the Klondike, Dawson City, it was fantastic. Great weather day and night, no fires, no rain.

[2gypsies1]

We crossed from Sumas, Washington the 3rd week of May and returned into Montana near Glacier Nat'l Park the first week of Sept. We took our time for the whole trip and had plenty of time to do everying.

The only reservations we made for our 40' motorhome was the July 4 weekend (Alaskans like to camp, too) and for 5 nights in Denali's farthest campground you can drive, Teklanika. For those we made reservations a few weeks prior. As it was, we got into the Denali area a little early so on a whim we stayed nearby at a lovely boondocking spot and pulled into the park early morning. We easily go an additional 5 nights in the front campground, Riley Creek. We spent 10 nights in the park and saw 'THE' mountain 7 of 10 days and every one of the big animals residing there - more than once. This was the first week of August.

We saw many animals and babies on our drive up in May/June. We returned via the Cassier Hwy and saw the grizzlies at Hyder late August.

Purchase online the 'Milepost' which is great for maps and history. We read to each other as we took turns driving. Get Mike and Terri Church's book 'Alaskan Camping' which includes Canada and the Yukon. They lived in Fairbanks and traveled back and forth to the lower 48 all the time so they include every park and also great boondocking areas. Also get the TourSaver 2/1 coupon book. One glacier cruise will pay for the book.

Have fun planning! Check this site when winter begins for the 2017 group going. They'll be communicating back and forth previous and during the trip. It'll be labeled 'Alaska 2017' or similar.

[llberge]

Thanks for the info. Keep the opinions coming, we want a lot to think about this winter. 🙂

[SideHillSoup]

Early May can and does often snow in the mountains of BC and Alberta, however if you wait a day it will usually be melted and gone. Always plan to spend an extra day someplace because of weather. The days can be warm however they will still get cool at night. .

June can also have snow, but far more infrequent, usually June is nice warm and comfortable weather, we love camping in June ( less kids around grin) My Oldest Daughter lives just west of Calgary towards Banff and 2 years ago on June 2nd they got 6 inches of snow. The next day it was gone.

July and August are the best but way more people RV's and everything else that goes with the Summer. August 2015 we were at the kids place west of Calgary and we woke up to a clear sunny morning. Sitting on their sundeck we could see the Rocky Mountains around Banff had a fresh dusting of snow, later that afternoon it was all gone.

September is usually nice, warm, but nights start cooling down. Where we were camping last weekend there was snow on the mountains above our campsite on Saturday morning. To give you an idea of how far north we are in Canada, the Campsite is a 4.5 hr drive North of Spokane Wash, so we are not that far up in the great white north.
Traveling is 99% of the time just fine to travel between May and September, but like I said it can snow in any month of the year. Usually if you just stay an extra day someplace or wait out the weather it is "usually" better and the roads good to travel on.

Campgrounds start opening up usually" around the third Monday in May which in BC Victory Day long weekend and that the weekend that most of us Canucks that have been snowbound all winter break out the RV's and head to them campgrounds that just opened. "IF" you plan on being in BC and or Alberta on that weekend you "should" make a reservations someplace and stay there for the weekend. BC provincial campgrounds for all long weekends make you reserve and pay for all three days of the long weekends, not sure about our National park system ( Banff / Jasper for example) I haven't camped in them for a few years. However if you are in a Campground no matter where you are on any long weekend in Canada I would plan on spending the entire weekend as if you happen to leave and drive someplace else, you may not get in or be stuck in over-flow. There is the option of boon docking, so there is that option.
Also a "some" campgrounds start winding down after Labour day weekend so just be a wear of that.
Also you should be aware of Canadian Sat holiday weekends because Like I said us Canucks come out of the wood work camping as do the rest of the RVing public, so site will be at a premium. Just google them and write them down on your calendar to be reminded. This last July 1 ( Canada day) three USA RVers showed up at our campground looking for three spots to camp in. Well the place was full to the brim, but the owners found a spot put in a field for them to spend the weekend after she explained what was going on. July 4th is not a sat holiday up here ( grin)
There are other how live farther north and travel more frequently up there like, Sue in the Yukon who can answer you.
Soup.

[diazr2]

I like to travel in Alaska mid August to late September. "BUT" everything in that state closes up on September the 25th. So you will have to be creative. The mosquito problem is non existent at this time of year so that's why I pick that time to travel. I also think Alaska has the best weather this time of the year. Just my two cents worth.