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Alaska or bust

newcomers
Explorer
Explorer
So, we are making the leap. After months of talk, putting our money where our mouths are and going FT. We want to take a leisurely trip to Alaska, for the summer. I have been scouring campgrounds and asking people but a lot of advice is contradictory. So here are my questions:
1. Do we need to make reservations now to have a campsite or RV park spot in june and july? In SD the majority of the sites are booked by March, and walk up sites are not always very nice. What's the best way to see alaska this way? We want to be close to fishing, parks, mountains, etc but from time to time have some access to showers, wifi and some comforts.
2. I did a preliminary estimate of taking the ferry and with a 30ft trailer, it seems much more expensive to do that than to drive. Is this correct?
3. Security. I have not seen any comments or issues on any forums but I can't help but wonder how safe it will be to have that flimsy door and a dog between us and any potential crime. Is this even an issue to worry about?
4. I am really attached to the security of having a freezer of food to carry me through. Our trailer does not have anything but the fridge/freezer combo. I wanted to buy a small freezer but is it worth it? How would I power it while in motion? Or is it again, not an issue.
5. How do I keep from pinching myself and running up to everyone to tell them we are going full time RV'ing. Not really a problem but I am really excited and maybe a little nauseated all at the same time.
6. What am I forgetting?
20 REPLIES 20

jnharley
Explorer
Explorer
I can understand the question about the extra freezer. We plan lots of fishing and hope to bring back some halibut and salmon. We have an Engle ac/dc fridge/freezer in the basement of our 5th wheel on a sliding tray and use it exclusively as a freezer. It runs on electric when we are hooked on shore power and automatically switches to dc when we disconnect from shore power. It is not cheap but we are very happy with it. We hope to put it to good use when we go to Alaska this summer. We will also be able to stock up on meats for our trip since groceries are so expensive, especially in Canada. We are fulltimers so the extra freezer space is great for us.
2015 Dodge Dually
2012 NuWa Discover America 355CK

Veebyes
Explorer II
Explorer II
We are usually no reservation people however sometimes & some places reservations are wise to have. You can wing it for most CGs in Denali however Teklanika is always in big demand so it is wise to reserve early for that one. Fairbanks for the Summer Soltice is a big deal so reserve there if that event is in your plans. As anywhere July 4th is a big deal. Be wherever you are going to be early or make reservations. If you are a fisherman or even if you are not there is high demand when various seasons start so a little knowledge is useful for when & where to be or not to be.

In Canada watch out for July 1st, their Independence Day. Every Canadian who has a scrap of anything that resembles camping gear is out. The towns are abandoned.
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2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
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Supercharged
Explorer
Explorer
If I made it on a 1962 Honda M/C you should make it ok.
So big a world, so little time to see.

newcomers
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks to all the good comments! I look forward to RV bootcamp and after that: Alaska or bust. Hope to see some of you out there on the road.

GeoRV
Explorer
Explorer
I've made 3 road trips to Alaska the past 6 years. It's a fantastic trip with tons of info. available online. Milepost Guide is a must have and an invaluable piece of gear. Even with the most up to date guide it won't be 100% accurate. On my last trip I found 4-5 gas stations closed in BC and Yukon and barely made it to the next gas stop. You have to travel about 500 miles across the Yukon with gas spaced out 100 miles or more, so you really have to plan out your stops. 2-5 gallon cans of gas mounted on the outside of your rig will really help with the gas anxiety.

Do take a full took kit with tire repairs a priority and excellent spare. Plan on at least one flat. The roads are decent for the most part, but depends on the winter and frost heaves. There's always extended areas of road under construction in Canada down to rig shattering washboard and the occasional frost heave that will snag you at the least expected time as you're tooling along at 60 mph. If it's wet and it probably will be early season your rig will be absolutely filthy. If you're a neat freak and worry about a spotless rig Alaska isn't the place to go. Most of the RV parks have washing facilities, so you can clean away if so needed. I'd just wear the dirt as a badge of honor.....:)

Do look up the Cassiar Highway N. BC as an alternate to the most scenic route to Alaska. This highway is now paved the entire length, so you won't have any gravel roads to deal with. Take the side road off the Cassiar (50miles) to Stewart BC and drive into the tiny town of Hyder Alaska. The closest access to Alaska from the lower 48. This is an incredible scenic area with glaciers next to the highway and a cool little funky town. Large bear viewing area just outside of town that's gets very busy once the salmon runs start in July. You could easily spend a week here. Up the road (10 miles) from Hyder you go back into BC and climb your way on good roads to the Salmon Glacier. 2nd largest glacier in Canada, so it's amazing to see. 2-3 RV places in Hyder and more in Stewart next door, so no problem if you want pay camping. Tons of places to park overnight for free throughout BC,Yukon, Alaska, so I wouldn't think you would have any problem finding a place for the night unless it's a holiday weekend.

Everyone goes like hell to Alaska, so if you want to enjoy some wild lonely country spend time in the N. 300 miles of BC and the Yukon. I've done the Robert Campbell Hwy in the Yukon out of Watson Lk (250 miles gravel) and saw maybe 4 vehicles in 10 days. Dozens and dozens of lakes, rivers and creeks. If you're into fishing for grayling or n. pike the fishing is incredible.

The highways in Alaska are in good-excellent condition, but for the most part only go from point A-B, so if you're wanting to do much side road wandering the roads aren't there. June-August is mobbed with RV's, tourists and fishermen,so if that's not a concern Alaska is an excellent destination. Early mid May-June is excellent depending on how much snow, and then mid August-Sept. when the mobs go home. Look up the Old Denali Hwy, Tangle Lakes area out of Paxson Alaska. Another excellent area to spend a week or more if you are heading to Denali. Early in the summer you will be very fortunate to actually see Denali as it's clouded in about 90% of the time.

My next trip this summer will be spent in N. BC-Yukon, I'll save 2,000 miles of driving and see every bit and more that Alaska has to offer without the mobs of people. I found no issues in Canada or Alaska safety wise. Be sure to have proper documents in order going across the border (passport/enhanced DL) and read up on what is allowed. If you decide you need bear spray save yourself the trouble crossing into Canada and buy it when you arrive in Alaska. If you tell the border guard you have bear spray they will pull you over and make you show it to them along with a thorough search. No firearms and know how much alcohol you are allowed to bring in. That will avoid the majority of border trouble. Oh, and if you have pets, have the documentation up to date on rabies etc. If you don't they won't let you cross. Don't ask how I know this!.....:)

Dar_H
Explorer
Explorer
I'm green with envy, and I know that's not right. I have only been once, but I am itching to go back. My own feelings regarding reservations are different than some, we were there at the end of May and into June and we did not make a single reservation but had absolutely no problems, even at Denali. We were two women alone and had no security issues. Since food is more expensive than the lower states, we planned our meals and shopped from our list. Certainly it is more reasonable to shop at the chains such as FredMyers & Wal Mart. We were only there 3 weeks, but we did one major shopping trip with pickups for random items, This does take careful planning. Wishing you a wonderful and safe trip.

2gypsies1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Alaska is a very easy trip to do without planning every step of the way. July 4 and Denali Nat'l Park are the only plans you need and for those you can easily make them about 3 weeks out when you get closer and can judge your time a little better. Just GO!!!
Full-Timed for 16 Years
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

newcomers
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks everyone for the advice. I may have been a little confusing about the SD comment. We live there and every year when we want to book a campground at a park where there are lots of things to do such as Lewis and Clark in Yankton or Palisades they are always booked months in advance. I was wondering if it was the same in Alaska but apparently not. My husband and I keep having the same conversation about how much we need to plan in advance in terms of booking dates, etc. Believe it or not I'm the free spirit.

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
The ferry ride from Prince Rupert to Haines is awesome scenery and experience. Expensive though with a trailer due to length. We were at 42' long and it was almost $4k one way. Thx to my company for footing the moving expense bill!
Camped on the way up. Plenty of spots to boon dock for the night anywhere in N Canada and AK. If you want to camp in Denali or Chugach or any of the popular state parks or national forests I'd make some reservations now. Places like Lake Louise and Nancy Lakes are open but the popular campgrounds will be full.
It will be the trip of a lifetime. Can't wait for the 2nd summer here this year.
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EsoxLucius
Explorer
Explorer
Because of Holly and Dave's map on the first page. Your post is the first on the second page which should be back to normal width.
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j_p_f_
Explorer
Explorer
why is this post so WIDE?
makes it a pain to try to read it.

Peg_Leg
Explorer
Explorer
newcomers wrote:

1. Do we need to make reservations now to have a campsite or RV park spot in june and july? In SD the majority of the sites are booked by March, and walk up sites are not always very nice. What's the best way to see alaska this way? We want to be close to fishing, parks, mountains, etc but from time to time have some access to showers, wifi and some comforts.

Went 2 yrs ago, no reservations and never a problem. Remember the Dakota's have a mining boom, campgrounds are at a premium. Wifi and showers weren't a problem but showers in Canada most needed a Loonie (Canadian dollar coin) to operate.

2. I did a preliminary estimate of taking the ferry and with a 30ft trailer, it seems much more expensive to do that than to drive. Is this correct?

We took the ferry from Haines to Skagway to save some back tracking and for the experience. Price by the foot for the RV plus people fare for us I think it came to about $200.

3. Security. I have not seen any comments or issues on any forums but I can't help but wonder how safe it will be to have that flimsy door and a dog between us and any potential crime. Is this even an issue to worry about?

More of a issue of keep the food put away so you don't attract furry friends.

4. I am really attached to the security of having a freezer of food to carry me through. Our trailer does not have anything but the fridge/freezer combo. I wanted to buy a small freezer but is it worth it? How would I power it while in motion? Or is it again, not an issue.

We had a small popup TC with a very small fridge and a cooler. Civilization really isn't that far away.



5. How do I keep from pinching myself and running up to everyone to tell them we are going full time RV'ing. Not really a problem but I am really excited and maybe a little nauseated all at the same time.
6. What am I forgetting?


You sound almost normal but we all know that being involved with RV's in any way makes you completely off your rocker.
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crabbin_cabin
Explorer II
Explorer II
You should ask the moderator to move this thread to the Alaska forum.

2gypsies1
Explorer II
Explorer II
As stated, food is readily available so no need for additional freezer. Yes, the ferry is expensive but if you can afford it for one-way, the scenery is fantastic. However, definitely drive the return trip. The land is beautiful, too. Safety? No problem. We mainly boondocked not far from the highways and sometimes alongside. You'll see many RVers doing this in fantastic spots. Reservations? The only ones recommended are for the July 4 weekend and staying in Denali Nat'l Park. Those can be had at only 3 weeks prior when you can better judge where you'll be when.

Hopefully this post will be moved over to the Canada/Alaskan forum where you'll find much information by looking on the 'Sticky' at the top of the page for past RVers suggestions and also on the current thread going on of those traveling this summer 2014.

Alaska is just like traveling in the lower 48 two-lane backroads. You'll be just fine. Millions drive it and you'll see many of the same folks along the way.
Full-Timed for 16 Years
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel