Planning summer 2022 trip to Alaska Fly/Rent

[packpe89]

We are planning to take a trip next summer. Think we will try Alaska. Planning to fly and rent a Class C (or A). We have traveled for years including across country in a TT, but with limited time, don't want to drive all the way from NC, maybe later. Any help and advice.

Thinking a 24'-28' rental, does longer limit anything? We are used to a 28' couples TT. Also any companies to recommend or avoid?

Itinerary, planning to fly to Anchorage, rent, stock up on groceries and travel (or sleep depending on flight times) Denali, then what??? Want to see the whales, glaciers, etc. No planes or white water, but kayak and boat trips ok.

Boondocking or campgrounds or both?

10 days RV and a couple in Anchorage or add RV days for two weeks?

how to do Denali the best? Bus trip? Take RV?

Thanks so much for advice!

[Crowe]

I'd have to agree with all of the above and I live here. Ditto on the "check everything"...both Squarebanks and Los Anchorage have lots of impacts, including a variety of "they're blaming that on covid?" impacts, that have changed the landscape for visitor activities. For me, for a 10-day trip, I'd probably skip going North and focus on the Kenai: Glacier tours from Whittier, whale / wildlife tours from Seward. Hope and/or Whittier for hiking and local flavor. Kenai and Slodotna if you are here when the reds or silvers are running. FWIW, if it was me, I'd take the time to drive to Valdez and to drive the Denali Highway (Paxson-Cantwell) but either of those trips is at least 2 days to do, more likely 3-4 and probably not worth doing on this short trip....gives you a reason to come back.

Agree with this line of thinking. If this is not going to be a "once in a lifetime trip" then consider returning and exploring different parts. I've been 4 times (flying because I'm on the east coast), plan on going back in 2023, and still won't see everything I want to. Key to Alaska is slowing down and enjoying what the state has to offer. Sure, you can do drive-by touring and see a lot but you won't SEE a lot.

[packpe89]

Wow, great stuff everyone!

[PA12DRVR]

"To us Fairbanks was interesting but not the best and not so impressed with the North Pole city with Santa.

Agree with North Pole not being that interesting but the Christmas shop there is fun. Fairbanks was a bust for us this year-they have been hit hard by COVID and a lot of things were not operating or had really reduced schedules. Websites were not accurate, either, so call ahead. Anchorage isn't the city it used to be as they've been hit fairly hard as well but does have some great shops.

For Denali I'd take a bus tour. You can only go in 13 miles without doing so and parking for RVs is limited when you get to the end. There isn't all that much on that portion of the road, either. The Kenai Peninsula and Seward will satisfy the whales/glacier issues.

Whether to spend more time in the city or exploring is up to me. I'd explore. Anchorage itself is good for a day but there are places to go not far outside the city like the reindeer or musk ox farms. If you like museums there are some there also plus the Alaska Native Heritage Center. It's a matter of what your preferences are."

I'd have to agree with all of the above and I live here. Ditto on the "check everything"...both Squarebanks and Los Anchorage have lots of impacts, including a variety of "they're blaming that on covid?" impacts, that have changed the landscape for visitor activities. For me, for a 10-day trip, I'd probably skip going North and focus on the Kenai: Glacier tours from Whittier, whale / wildlife tours from Seward. Hope and/or Whittier for hiking and local flavor. Kenai and Slodotna if you are here when the reds or silvers are running. FWIW, if it was me, I'd take the time to drive to Valdez and to drive the Denali Highway (Paxson-Cantwell) but either of those trips is at least 2 days to do, more likely 3-4 and probably not worth doing on this short trip....gives you a reason to come back.

[Thermoguy]

Most things worth doing book up a year in advance. Have you looked at availability of rentals? You might want to start there, just in case you have to start looking at 2023...

[thomas201]

Quick side note, the sales tax on your rental should be much cheaper in Fairbanks than Los Anchorage. In my case the airfare was also cheaper to Fairbanks, so we flew to Fairbanks and rented there. Pays to check both.

[SpeakEasy]

SpeakEasy wrote:


If you like reading trip reports, ours was written up here.

-Speak

By the way - if you do click on my link to read the trip report, it is a daily journal. At the bottom of each page is a link to the next day. The link is a rectangle with a -> on it and the title of the next day's entry

-Speak

[SpeakEasy]

You are definitely on the right track with your planning so far. In 2014 Mrs. S. and I celebrated our 40th anniversary with a similar trip: flew to Anchorage, rented a class C for 10 days, toured around, had a great time. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. We rented from ABC Motorhomes in Anchorage.

If you like reading trip reports, ours was written up here. If you read it, you'll get a lot of insights into what a trip like this can offer.

-Speak

[thomas201]

We did the fly rent this June. Get a copy of Churchs' book and determine your wish list first. Since we wanted to drive the dirt roads: McCarthy, Nabesna, Denali (not the park), and Dalton, we chose a 4X4 truck camper. Now with your wish list you will know the number of days and the type of camper.

I think the bus for Denali park is hard to beat. You have 40 sets of eyes, a telescopic camera and an experienced guide with a radio talking to the other bus drivers. Plus you can spend all your time looking instead of driving.

Don't miss for us: Denali Park, Kennicott mine, and beach camping on the Kenai.

We used GoNorth for the rental. They were honest and the equipment performed well. We did have a fridge problem, they returned phone calls and tried to help. Just a burnt out 12 volt fuse, and they had a pack of fuses in the camper. I would shop based on price and availability. Churches' book has a list, plus the internet, of rental outfits.

Go and enjoy.

[Grit_dog]

10 days, I'd split time between the Kenai Peninsula and taking a big lap from ANC past Denali, run the Denali Hwy (unless you're following the no dirt roads rules that come with most rentals), drop down to Glenallen and on to Chitina and Mc Carthy. The high tail it back to Anc.

Alternately, if that's too much driving, Kenai Peninsula and out to Mc Carthy and back, maybe visit Valdez.

10 days isn't alot of time, but enough to see enough to make indelible memories.

And I would plan on boondocking it 100% in the interior. Little tougher to do on the Kenai Peninsula, consider campgrounds I think. One great boondocking spot in Cooper Landing is Cooper Lake. You can count on finding a spot there....don't tell anyone.
Also, Hatcher Pass is a great area, mellow drive and close to Anc. Good way to spend a half day if you have time to kill back near town.

We lived up there for a summer. I was working full time, but took one 2 week vacation and several weekends camping, and we didn't even begin to see everything. So don't bite off more than you can chew. Like going to Fbks and back will kill 2 full days traveling. And Northern AK is awesome too, but IMO not making the cut for a less than 2 week excursion.

[Dick_B]

We took a land/sea (small boat) cruise a few years back. I think it was 10 days. The way to go if you have the money but not the time.

[packpe89]

Thanks for the input so far. any rental advice?

[Scottiemom]

Do yourself a favor and order Mike and Terri Church's book, Alaskan Camping

They give all sorts of hints and suggestions. Mike is an Alaskan native and together they have traveled all over the world and write travel books. The Alaska Camping book is exceptional.

Dale

[Crowe]

To us Fairbanks was interesting but not the best and not so impressed with the North Pole city with Santa.

Agree with North Pole not being that interesting but the Christmas shop there is fun. Fairbanks was a bust for us this year-they have been hit hard by COVID and a lot of things were not operating or had really reduced schedules. Websites were not accurate, either, so call ahead. Anchorage isn't the city it used to be as they've been hit fairly hard as well but does have some great shops.

For Denali I'd take a bus tour. You can only go in 13 miles without doing so and parking for RVs is limited when you get to the end. There isn't all that much on that portion of the road, either. The Kenai Peninsula and Seward will satisfy the whales/glacier issues.

Whether to spend more time in the city or exploring is up to me. I'd explore. Anchorage itself is good for a day but there are places to go not far outside the city like the reindeer or musk ox farms. If you like museums there are some there also plus the Alaska Native Heritage Center. It's a matter of what your preferences are.

[Veebyes]

With limited time the fly & rent is the way to go.

With time & distance you will not get to Anchorage till late in the day so forget Denali the first day. First day will likely be pick up RV & stock it. You might get lucky & get part way to Denali.

Denali is a big place. Been there four times now. Consider doing Teklanika CG 30 miles inside the park rather than the CGs outside the park in what is known as Glitter Gulch. Teklanika avoids about an hour uncomfortable bus ride from gate to Teklanika & an hour of had enough bus ride from Teklanika to the gate.

Figure that your last day will be spent packing up & returning the RV so as many days as you can book in between the better. It is a big state & most roads are only two lane so when there is a jam, there is a jam.

[CA_Traveler]

Expect the unexpected. We went to Hope for a few days. The town roads were completely blocked off and closed for a wedding. You're in Alaska, not the lower 48, continued with plan B.