We are planning a trip to Alaska this year. I'm reading the posts, will buy a couple of books and MilePost but would like some other advice. I have a "trip planner" that recommended a ferry from Homer to Valdez. I believe it stops at Kodiak. Anyone ever taken this ferry ? Cost ? I'm working on an estimate and was wondering if $4.50 a gallon for diesel would be a good average cost for the lower states, Canada and Alaska ? Is it reasonable to estimate that we could boondock in Alaska 50% of the two month+ we will be there ? Average full hook-up RV parking costs in AK ? Best three months to go ? Any legal way to transport a weapon through Canada ? Any and all advice appreciated and if anyone is heading that way from South Texas let me know.

This site might answer some questions for you about bringing firearms into Canada on your way to AlaskaUnited States Embassy

Today diesel prices are running around $5.00 US a gallon in Canada with lows and highs changing on a regular basisTry this site .... BC GAS PRICES

Well Jim and Carmel, here is link to boondocking in AK, it is old but if you google RV Boondocking in AK you'll find a lot of info.clickyAs far as the ferry, I don't know what great things you would see that you need to spend that much money to take the ferry. I met up with my wife and daughters in Kodiak one time and rode back to Seward with them and they went on to Valdez and then took the ferry to Whittier where I picked them up in the MoHo. They felt the Fjiordlands cruise(one day) out of Seward was better.I would estimate the cost of campgrounds is about $35 - $45 per night in privates and less in public parks.June, July, August and part of September, any earlier or later and you will find cold weather and possible snow.I took a shot gun to AK the first time we drove. Didn't park the MoHo and go into the bush, so never needed it.Just my 2 bits worth.Dave

D.E.Bishop wrote:Well Jim and Carmel, here is link to boondocking in AK, it is old but if you google RV Boondocking in AK you'll find a lot of info.Link???

USMC46 wrote:We are planning a trip to Alaska this year. I'm reading the posts, will buy a couple of books and MilePost but would like some other advice. I have a "trip planner" that recommended a ferry from Homer to Valdez. I believe it stops at Kodiak. Anyone ever taken this ferry ? Cost ? I'm working on an estimate and was wondering if $4.50 a gallon for diesel would be a good average cost for the lower states, Canada and Alaska ? Is it reasonable to estimate that we could boondock in Alaska 50% of the two month+ we will be there ? Average full hook-up RV parking costs in AK ? Best three months to go ? Any legal way to transport a weapon through Canada ? Any and all advice appreciated and if anyone is heading that way from South Texas let me know.I'm not sure where you're trying to go to/from with the ferry. If you're simply cutting off miles, the ferry stops at Whittier and Seward between Homer and Valdez, But you're missing a lot of beautiful country and sightseeing. Google 'Alaska Marine Highway' for rates, times, schedules and everything you need to know. Although it's an easy trip, it could get expensive for longer legs if you spring for a cabin, meals and so forth. Ferries charge by length and they do measure, so a little thing like removing the towbar can help. As far as boondocking is concerned, Alaska allows off road parking anywhere it is NOT prohibited by signs, and you're off the travel way. We boondock a lot and we also stay in parks. Parks in Homer can be $40 or more to $5 for dry camping on the Spit. We usually sepend 6 weeks or more in Bayside RV Park in Valdez, as you can walk about everywhere in town, and we fish Shrimp, Pink Salmon, and Silver Salmon there. Current prices are on line. Many parks in AK are glorified gravel parking lots, but that's fine with us. You can also dump and take on water all over for $5-10 all over. Scenery is grand wherever you go so a few legs on the ferry is an experience, but we never used it to save money. First year up we ferried from Prince Rupert to Ketchikan, Wrangel, Petersburg, Juneau, Skagway, and Haines. Spent 2-3 days in each location and boondocked or payed minimal fees all over. Different things to see in each place. You get the idea. If you need more info, post or PM me. We've been up in 06, 07, 09, 11(twice, we flew up for the Iditerod) and 13. Good Lord willing, we'll be up in 15 and beyond. About 11,500 round trip from Delaware.

Some Alaska Trip Questions | Good Sam Community

Orion
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
My weapon is for protection inside my motorhome not outside in the wilderness

Make sure that you do not say this at the border, unless of course you are expecting nasty wildlife IN your motorhome!
FreeLanceing
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2014
I was thinking of taking a home defense shotgun myself. Maybe I can just convince Sue to come along and hold my hand. Great photo's!
nbargolf
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
As I understand it from the Canadian web page. A long gun can be carried across the boarder just fill out the form from their web page and present it to the border guard. My weapon is for protection inside my motorhome not outside in the wilderness so I always have it onboard.
fanrgs
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
Take a look at the "Alaska Costs" thread on this forum. Many of your questions have already been answered in detail there.
PA12DRVR
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
If one routinely carries a weapon and feels comfortable with it, by all means, bring it to Alaska...I'm not against it and I REALLY don't want to divert the thread to a "weapons or not" thread.

I've lived in Alaska the better part of my life and covered a great deal of it on foot, plane, snow-go, or boat. Never felt the need for a weapon for protection from wildlife that I wasn't specifically chasing.....I guess what was meant is that, given the difficulties (both serious and not-so-serious) with getting a weapon to/from Alaska, I'd simply offer that,for an RV trip, a weapon isn't needed, particularly if, as Sue mentioned, one stays aware of wildlife.
lanerd
Explorer II
Jan 11, 2014
I can only add that another, and probably better, publication for traveling through Canada and Alaska is Mike and Terri Church's book "Guide to Alaskan Camping".

Have a great trip.

Ron
TripleE
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
USMC46 - if you are retired look into staying at the military campgrounds up there. They are all good. Use this link to check out the campgrounds.
sue_t
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
Moose kill more people than bears in the north. Cow moose with calf can be downright vicious.
sue_t
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
We live in the wilderness. We camp and explore deeper into the wilderness.

Have never used a weapon for "protection" from wildlife while hiking, snowshoeing, exploring deep in the wilderness.

Instead, we stay keenly aware of the sounds around us, and we make lots of sound ourselves. In bear country, we talk loudly to each other as we hike.

We see wildlife, unfortunately they rarely hang around long enough for me to get a good picture. Those that do stick still for a bit are more interested in the berries and food on the ground then they are in me.

I photographed many bears, some around the cabin. None have ever threatened me. But then I don't threaten them. http://suethomas.ca/Bears.html
PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
PA12DRVR wrote:
Strictly as opinion, and recognizing it doesn't answer the question, I question why so many feel compelled to bring a weapon to Alaska.

I think it is more that the person carries a weapon normally. Either for personal safety or a hunting firearm.

They really don't want to give it to a gun shop near the border for storage, nor have to find a way to ship it to someone in the US to hold the gun for them. Either is a big pain and expense.

It is not 'I need a weapon in Alaska' but rather 'I always have a weapon with me'.

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