RV trip 14 nights itinerary help

[JJPCheers]

We have owned both motorhomes and travel trailers in the past.  All the RV rentals places in Anchorage will not allow you to tow a car so we are thinking we will rent a truck and trailer trailer (though private owner) so we have a vehicle to get around.  Thought on this please.  Also this is the 2nd attempt at an itinerary.  Should we add/delete anything? Are we staying too long or not long enough in each place? Any driving distances from place to place too long? The only reason we are considering swinging over to Matanuska is because I read on a TA forum that the scenery is beautiful but haven't seen anyone else mention it.  Also considering staying 2 nights instead of 3 in Denali.

Day 1 fly into Anchorage, pick up RV, get groceries then drive to Matanuska Glacier.
Day 2 Glacier Hike and Zipline
Day 3 Drive to Denali National Park - ATV tour in the afternoon
Day 4 Shuttle, bus or hike
Day 5 Dog sled and more time in the park
Day 6 Drive from Denali to Talkeetna - activity in the afternoon
Day 7 Drive to Portage - activity in the afternoon
Day 8 Drive to Seward - possible afternoon fishing trip?
Day 9 Day cruise
Day 10 Kenai National Park
Day 11 Seward to Homer
Day 12 - Bear viewing in Katmai
Day 13 Homer to Cooper Landing
Day 14 Cooper Landing back to Anchorage

[PartyOf_Five]

Very insightful comments here, i after with them all. I went to Whittier to meet my friend Eric and as a local he can give you a quick tour of the city as well. Just DM me. We did this itinerary in 4 weeks but it could be done in 3 or less easily. Wasilla has the shed dog HQ and that might fulfill your need for a ride, and it's probably cheaper. I think two hours there would be plenty.

The question that comes to my mind is how much would a compact car motel rooms actually cost you versus the cost of rental and gas. If you're booking early enough plenty of little spaces in every Town, even just north of Denali.

We went recently so feel free to DM what specific questions. Enjoy your trip, and make sure you relax as much as you want to 🙂

[MDKMDK]

Grit dog wrote:

"Cool scenery at the bay there"
"nothing to do in Whittier except have lunch at one of the couple local places"
"Tunnel is cool"

Those 3 items are all good enough reasons for me.
Each to his own.:C

[Grit_dog]

MDKMDK wrote:
I'd swap the Matanuska Glacier for a day in Whittier. JMO.
Have a good trip. Get lots of rest before you go.:B

And fwiw, especially on a thought schedule, I'd skip Whittier. Cool scenery at the bay there, but there's literally nothing to do in Whittier except have lunch at one of the couple local places and nothing special. Tunnel is cool, but again, not worth your time.

Although everything in AK, outside of Anchorage is decidedly local Alaska and awesome in that regard just becasue.

[time2roll]

Itinerary would fit 3 weeks for me.

[Scottiemom]

JJPCheers wrote:
We have owned both motorhomes and travel trailers in the past.  All the RV rentals places in Anchorage will not allow you to tow a car so we are thinking we will rent a truck and trailer trailer (though private owner) so we have a vehicle to get around.  Thought on this please.  Also this is the 2nd attempt at an itinerary.  Should we add/delete anything? Are we staying too long or not long enough in each place? Any driving distances from place to place too long? The only reason we are considering swinging over to Matanuska is because I read on a TA forum that the scenery is beautiful but haven't seen anyone else mention it.  Also considering staying 2 nights instead of 3 in Denali.

Day 1 fly into Anchorage, pick up RV, get groceries then drive to Matanuska Glacier.
Day 2 Glacier Hike and Zipline
Day 3 Drive to Denali National Park - ATV tour in the afternoon
Day 4 Shuttle, bus or hike
Day 5 Dog sled and more time in the park
Day 6 Drive from Denali to Talkeetna - activity in the afternoon
Day 7 Drive to Portage - activity in the afternoon
Day 8 Drive to Seward - possible afternoon fishing trip?
Day 9 Day cruise
Day 10 Kenai National Park
Day 11 Seward to Homer
Day 12 - Bear viewing in Katmai
Day 13 Homer to Cooper Landing
Day 14 Cooper Landing back to Anchorage

We went to Alaska in 2013. First, we took a 22' motorhome. No need for a toad. We could drive wherever we wanted to go. Nice and convenient.

Second, do yourself a favor and buy Mike and Terri Church's book: Alaska Camping

They are good about telling you what there is to see and how many days you will want to stay. . . what to see, what to skip, etc. Best reference ever. Mike is an Alaska native and Terri moved there after college I think. Info on campgrounds, etc. And they keep things updated on their website.

Most of the rental places rent the smaller Class C's and truck campers. Perfect for getting around Alaska. I would never "borrow" someone's rig to take anywhere. Alaska can have some bad roads and I wouldn't want to be responsible for someone else's property.

Great trip. Wish we were going back.

Dale

[MDKMDK]

I'd swap the Matanuska Glacier for a day in Whittier. JMO.
Have a good trip. Get lots of rest before you go.:B

[JJPCheers]

I revised the trip a bit so hoping this isn't too much driving like my first post. Actually Day 1 will be us flying in from Fl and staying in a hotel for the night to catch up on time change. Then we can pick up the RV or truck/travel trailer the following morning.

Day 1 fly into Anchorage, pick up RV, get groceries then drive to Matanuska Glacier. – Glacier hike and zipline –micaguides.com
Day 2 Drive to Talkeetna – shopping/lunch
Day 3 Drive to Denali National Park – Denali Grizzy Bear Campgound- need reservations- ATV tour in the afternoon
Day 4 Shuttle, bus or hike
Day 5 Drive from Denali to Wasilla or Willow- snowhookadvenures.com (dog sledding)
Day 6 Drive to Portage/Girwood – 26 glaciers boat tour
Day 7 Drive to Seward - possible afternoon fishing trip?
Day 8 Day cruise Kenai National Park
Day 9 Seward to Homer
Day 10 Alaskabearviewing.com in Katmai
Day 11 Fishing trip/walk around town
Day 12 Homer to Cooper Landing (Kanai Princess RV Park-need reservation and hike to Russian River falls to see salmon spawning upsteam and fishing with a license)
Day 13 Cooper Landing back to Anchorage

[maddog348]

HOPE those days are REALLY LONG up there.

JM2¢ ~~ YMMV

[Crowe]

Doable but ambitious. You need to determine the distances you will be traveling and remember it's slow-going in the summer due to construction and tourists. If you are going in peak season make any reservations as soon as possible. It's a short and very busy season there. I've been there three times and personally I would slow down some. You will see a lot with your itinerary but it's questionable how much you will actually enjoy. Some of the beauty of Alaska is taken in by just sitting and soaking up the ambience.

Where do you plan on staying in Denali? You can only drive a few miles into the park. The shuttle buses will take you all the way in to Wonder Lake but I've read that sometimes they pack up full in the summer and you can't necessarily get a ride out when you want to. Just something to consider. If you want to spring for it stay at one of the lodges inside. Pricey but I've known many people who have done that (and hopefully in our plan for next year) and have loved it. My take is two nights is enough but it depends on what you are going to do there. If you are going to Katmai your best bet (and almost only bet) is to fly. Been there, LOVED it, but book early so you aren't disappointed. I'd suggest an overnight there. There are one-day fly outs but there's nothing like the goosebumps I got sitting at breakfast and seeing bears walk right by.

I agree with going to Whittier-there's some nice shops and restaurants plus the Prince William Sound cruises. I'd highly recommend the 26 Glacier Cruise by Phillips Tours. It's a good half-day but you'll get up close and personal with glaciers and you should see seals, birdlife and whales.

Before you make any plans just sit down and think what your goals are-too see as much as possible (and then plan on going back to revisit if you can) or stopping to smell the roses some. It's a personal choice that no one else can make for you. Pros and cons to both as are most things in life.

[Flute_Man]

Sounds like a wonderful trip.

[MDKMDK]

It's doable, but when you're in Portage, you might as well take the tunnel out to Whittier and back. Goes under the mountains and is shared with the Alaska Railway, if I'm not mistaken.
We missed that one in 2016, and I've been kicking my self for it ever since.
I'd also spend the night at the municipal CG on the Homer Spit. Right on the water, $15/night, no hookups in 2016. Lots of eateries along the spit. Variable cuisine.