Entries Feed However, these few extra miles are well worth the effort and time. Fantastic views of Denali (McKinley) on aclear day. It might sound like Anchorage is just another big metropolitan city but thats not true. Along the way, youll see wilderness landscapes, incredible wildlife, and maybe even get a peek at Denali itself, if the mountain is not hidden behind clouds of its own making. After about an hour of driving from Anchorage, youll find yourself in Wasilla, AK, the largest town in Matsu Borough. Reaching the coal mine will require you to get off the highway and drive deeper into the wilderness. This is the highest point on the Parks Highway. This six-day itinerary is a great gold-rush-focused addition to a. You can set up camp for the night in one of the many campsites available here and enjoy the gorgeous network of hiking trails and abundant wildlife. When youre not in your room, relax in the Great Room with its huge stone fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows. Nauti Otter Inn & Yurt Village|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeHarbor 360 Hotel|Booking.com|Agoda.com|, Seward Windsong Lodge|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. Or, step outside and stroll one of the three nature trails, either on your own or on aguided, park ranger-led walk. One of the best Denali (McKinley) viewpoints on aclear day. When youre ready to move on, Anchorage is just an hours drive away. This quaint town might be small but has plenty of interesting sights for one to admire. You can also see Twin Peaks over thetrees. Another option: if youre ready for a break from long-distance driving, you can follow this itinerary using the Alaska Railroads passenger trains, minus the stop in Eklutna. This village on the south bank of the Nenana River, where the railroad meets the river, served as home port for old paddle wheel riverboats that plied interior rivers for many years. Of course, Denali (Mt. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Theres a parking lot available near the lake where you can leave your RVs and enjoy a hearty picnic at one of the picnic tables. Gold Rush Heritage in Nome, Fairbanks, & Girdwood. Who can say no to acool waterfall only ahalf-hours drive from town? But the route from the Willow side is just as pretty. Escape to the natural beauty of Alaska. Its totally possible, just a long day. Id recommend a visit to the Seward Sealife Center and having a fresh Alaskan seafood dinner if your budget allows. Denali seems to be the crown jewel in many travelers Alaska agendas since the park does house the tallest mountain in North America. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. If you are craving a nap before you reach the end of your journey you can also head to the Nenana RV Parks and Campground and doze off before hitting the road again. Taking you from Anchorage to Fairbanks this road trip itinerary gives you a pretty good sampling of what the 49th state has to offer if you only have one week in Alaska. If you have extra time after you arrive in Fairbanks you could continue up to North Pole(no, not the actual one, just the goofy town with the name). Under an hour from Anchorage, this 22-mile drive takes you away from Alaskas towns and cities, and into Chugach State. Dating back to 1650, the park is the areas oldest continuously inhabited Athabaskan settlement. This makes it the ideal camping destination for those seeking outdoor recreational activities such as mountain climbing, skiing, hiking, bird and wildlife watching, and of course fishing in Alaskas pristine river and lake waters. The race begins at 2p.m., with mushers leaving the gate every two minutes. Option:Take afishing charterinstead, relax in Seward, enjoy a nearby hike. Located at mile 1.1 of the Talkeetna Spur Rd, just offthe. Dont miss the University of Alaska Museum of the North, one of the top 10 visitor attractions in the entire state. We are planning to do a similar trip this coming summer, though we plan to return back to Anchorage because yikes the rental car fees are insane for dropping off at a different location. The Denali Highway is approximately 135miles long stretching from Paxson to Cantwell, connecting the Richardson and Parks highways. But, thanks to the midnight sun you'll find enough daylight to enjoy some of the scenic highlights and activities along the way. Driving distances in Alaska can be long, and dont be surprised if you get caught up in construction, especially in the summer. In the Talkeetna Mountains between the towns of Willow and Palmer, Hatcher Pass is alocal favorite for recreation or ascenic drive. This bridge over the Susitna River appears without warning, so if you want to stop and see this huge drainage, slow down and pull off the road at either end. Excellent outdoor recreation opportunities in both the summer and winter draw visitors from all over the state. Because if you make the turnoffright where the wooden grizzly stands on its hind legsyoull be on your way to one of Alaskas funkiest little towns: Talkeetna. Check the Alaska DOTs511for road condition information. Overwhelmed by choices? In-person support no matter where the road takes you. However, if your timing is off and you aren't able to catch sight of the aurora or the midnight sun, you can still have loads of fun hiking Table Top Mountain, relaxing at Chena Hotsprings, exploring Chena River State Recreational Area, admiring antique cars at the Fountainhead Auto Museum, visiting the Aurora Ice Museum, and taking the little ones to Pioneer Park. Once you are well-rested, grab a quick brunch(BearstoothandSnow Cityare some of my faves), and run by a store to grab any supplies youll need before heading south on the Seward Highway. Use code ADVENTURESOFNICOLE The more your referral link gets used, the more money youll start earning. Rooms offer nine-foot ceilings and fans; some offer amazing mountain views. This route is by far the fastest and most straightforward way to get to Fairbanks. Check out the following posts in the One Week In Alaska series: Start shopping plans over atbattleface, my go-to travel insurance choice, or over atWorld Nomads. Your email address will not be published. Logout Check out myDenali National Park Guide, BudgetCamping (tent & RV) in Denali National Park|Reservedenali.com|, MidrangeAurora Denali Lodge (Healy)|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeMcKinley Creekside Cabins|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. Browse creations of over 80 Alaskan artists and chefs that make for perfect souvenirs or gifts for friends backhome. Which one is right for you? The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Link two of Alaskas largest cities together in this 360-mile road trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage, with stops in Denali National Park, Talkeetna, and Eklutna along the way. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. Fine dining-quality meals using the freshest, highest quality ingredients, In astrip of restaurants pumping out good meals, 229 Parks stands alone as creating fine dining-quality meals using the freshest, highest quality ingredients. OFFICIAL STATE OF ALASKA VACATION AND TRAVEL INFORMATION, Copyright 2022 Alaska Travel Industry Association. The Glenn Highway runs northeast to agricultural Palmer, and from there you can take amountain road to scenic HatcherPass. more. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Our airport is the busiest between 10 pm-2 am. Your email address will not be published. If this is the case, your best option will likely be to add an additional day onto your trip and return back to Anchorage and fly out from there. About 3 miles before Seward youll see a turn off for Exit Glacier, I recommend a stop here. The drive from Denali toFairbanksis 130 miles and should take about 2-2.5 hours not including any stops. National Park Pass holders just need to show their pass to get in. The Chulitna River flows to the south out of ahuge valley from Broad Pass, one of only two breaks in the Alaska Range Mountains, where the highway, the train, the geese, and the river, all pass on their way to Cook Inlet. Halibut fishing here is usually great and youll usually find many charters on offer in the summer. Products are also available online. This bridge is the connection between southcentral Alaska and the interior of the Territory. Rich in coal reserves, smoke would constantly rise up from the coal seams found here and is the reason behind the chilling name. Learn how to pan for gold while enjoying the beautiful landscape of Alaskas backcountry and great views of Denali. Pick up yourrental carand head to your hotel room for a few hours of sleep before heading off on the road. Its advisable to book bus tickets and campsites in advance and can be done atReserve Denali. Wander through spruce and birch trees on the north side of the lake and enjoy bigviews, 2019 UPDATE: Trail, day use area, kayak tours &rentals, and public use cabins are open, but the main campground will be temporarily closed beginning in 2019 due to the danger posed by trees infested with spruce-bark beetles. ), Coastal Classic Train (Anchorage to Seward), Glacier Discovery Train (Anchorage - Whittier - Spencer - Grandview), Denali Star Route (Anchorage - Talkeetna - Denali - Fairbanks), Princess Rail Tours (Anchorage - Talkeetna - Denali - Fairbanks), Denali Rail Tours (Anchorage - Talkeetna - Denali - Fairbanks), Wilderness Express (Anchorage - Talkeetna - Denali - Fairbanks). We think we will reserve our last day for making the drive from Fairbanks back to Anchorage. Guided day hikes, kayak rentals, and kayak tours available. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. more, The Official Race Start begins in the town of Willow on the first Sunday in March. Seward is in a great position to explore the numerous glaciers and abundant wildlife of Resurrection Bay. One reason: that huge mountain that youre always in the shadow of. Hi Cherise, Theres still gold in Alaska, and you can learn from Denali Gold Tours what it takes to pan for the shiny flakes in pristine water near Trapper Creek. Skip everything else if youre short on time and make a beeline for Wasilla Lake. Forty minutes from downtown Anchorage lies Eagle River Nature Center, agateway to Chugach State Park and aglacial river valley as wild and dramatic as any in Alaska. The main museum building, once acommunity center for basketball games and church services, nowtells RV campers can make use of the clean and well-maintained toilet facilities as well as plenty of other amenities available here. Youre covered with our custom protection packages. Continuing left will keep you on the Seward Highway to Seward. You could head toward Chena Hotsprings and have a soak in the hot waters. You cannot drive past the Savage River post in Denali National Park (unless you visit in September and secure aDenali Road Lottery Permit) which is only a few miles past the visitor center. Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? Homer is a funky, fun little fishing town. You could see goats and sheep on the cliffside along the road and sometimes whales in the inlet. Talkeetna is a funky, fun, little Alaska town that at one point in time had a cat for a mayor (RIP Stubbs). From there, end your day with a scenic, two-hour drive south to Denali National Park, home to North Americas tallest peak. This is one of four trails that lead to Kesugi Ridge. Come see the mushers head out on The Last Great Race and get afeel for asmall-town Alaskan winter. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Canoes and kayaks are fun on the upper but tippy on the lower section. After arriving in Fairbanks, rent a car or RV and tour some of the citys biggest sights. Or head inside and learn about Alaska Pioneering women, gold mining and aviation. From glaciers to the tallest mountain in North America, small towns, cities, inlets, rivers, and everything in between. In the afternoon, try your hand at panning for gold, then stop for a close-up view of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline on the Steese Highway. Spend your last day in Alaska touring local attractions like the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Anchorage Museum, book a day cruise from a nearby port town, take a scenic day trip on one of the Alaska Railroad passenger trains, or fish for salmon right in the middle of downtown Anchorage. The trip can be done one way fromSewardtoFairbanksafter a cruise or from Fairbanks to Seward before the cruise. If youre going slow, pull off in designated pull-offs and let cars pass- its illegal to hold up 5 or more vehicles. *Note: there is no fee to enter the national park or visit the glacier. Dont endanger others lives by stopping in shoulders or even worse in the middle of the road because you see something you want to look at. Follow route 3 from near Anchorage to Fairbanks. Fairbanks is one of those cities where you can enjoy the best of both worlds as it offers plenty of amenities and luxuries, as well as seclusion and raw nature depending on what you prefer. Some of the most memorable places to visit in Anchorage include Eklutna Historical Park, Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, McHugh Creek, Lake George, and Harriman Fjord. for 20% off at checkout, Login Stop in to shop, or for atour of the facility at mile 1.1 of the Talkeetna Spur Rd, just off the Parks Highway. Youll also find Alaskan food products (many wild harvested), botanicals, and functional art like pottery, tiles, birch bark and wood crafts. And berry pickers in the fall. more, Mt. Car, train, or group tour. Raised in Alaska since age 3, Kikkan has always been an athlete at heart, aspiring to the, Youve probably heard of the Klondike Gold Rush. In fact, the colder it gets the more beautiful and scenic this place becomes. Its an 115 mile, about 2-2.5 hour drive north from Anchorage. You can also follow this itinerary via passenger train, minus the stop in Eklutna. In fact, driving this 14-mile paththe Talkeetna Spur Roadis kind of like following the white bunny down the rabbit hole of Alaska. It offers achance for afloat of 75miles and can take as little as 3days in kayaks but can be anice 4or 5day trip. more, Dedicated to the technology that opened the Last Frontier, this museum is agearheads dream. Blueberries and mountain views dominate Broad Pass. Hatcher Pass is known for its mining history and scenic beauty. At this Fairbanks wildlife sanctuary, you might see up to 15 different kinds of mammals: beavers, flying squirrels, snowshoe. You can opt for a quick 1 mile round trip walk to the face of the glacier or the much longer and strenuous hike up to Harding Icefield (about 8.4 miles roundtrip to the emergency shelter). Stops include Seward (Kenai Fjords), Girdwood, Whittier & Spencer Glacier, Stops include Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park & Fairbanks. Then just kick back, or grab apaddle if you like: You can expect easy-gliding Class Iand II rapids on this gentleriver. Go for arelaxing 3hour float trip down gentle Willow Creek as you take in the gorgeous scenery of the Alaskan backcountry. This fascinating museum showcases dozens of historically significant, pre-World War II cars and is also atrip backto. Set on 20acres, you can wander through old train cars, around commercial fishing boats and cars and explore old farm and oil machinery. Fairbanks has a few sites on offer as well such as Pioneer Park, the Chena River, and downtown Fairbanks. It is also a great place to stop and enjoy a full-course lunch or dinner before you reach your destination. Highest point on the Parks Highway with greatviews. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. The speed limit is 60-65 mph which makes the trip about 7-hours from Anchorage, longer including stops. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Departing from Pioneer Lodge, just off the Parks Highway south of Talkeetna, youll board araft with up to 6others and an expert guide. Before the Parks Highway was completed in the early 1970s, the Denali Highway was the only road access to Denali NationalPark. The Susitna River winds its way over 313miles of Southcentral Alaska; this old railroad bridge crosses the water on the eastern edge of Denali If going into the backcountry you must obtain a backcountry pass at the visitor center- they are free. Non-narrated buses range from $26.50 to $34.00 per person (kids under 15yo are free). Rent from a pro and travel like one, too. This lodge offers spectacular views of Mount McKinley and is situated within Denali State Park on the banks of the Chulitna River.