Community Forums

Ri-Di · 05-18-2025, 06:14 PM

Hey Guys.
My wife and I are considering a trip to Alaska for the summer of 2026. Just trying to get our ducks in a row with a few questions.
1. Would you recommend going solo or with a tour group?
2. If a tour, which company would you recommend and why?
3. If solo, what would you recommend to make it a safe and fun experience?
I know there are a lot of veteran Alaskan RVer’s out there and I look forward to hearing your stories.
Thanks in advance.
Rick

NoviBill · 05-18-2025, 06:39 PM

I am thinking of a 10ish week trip from Michigan to Alaska and back in 2027.
My current thinking is run my own "caravan" trip with 4-8 other couples (don't need to know them). Plan major stops and meetups and make reservations.

This looks like a good first pass plan - https://www.fantasyrvtours.com/RV-To...EF-071926/rl/0

My thoughts are stay in the USA heading west to Glacier then head into Canada and the Yukon coming in via Chicken Alaska. Spend 4-5 weeks and then possibly ferry down the coast. But still a 2027 pipedream...

JMcG · 05-18-2025, 07:38 PM

RI-DI,
I lived up there for 3 years and loved the state and all it had to offer. Lots of things to do right around Anchorage, i.e. hatchers pass, Alaska state fair. I didn’t do any RVing while I was up there due to my work schedule. Denali Park a great place to visit also. If you are down by Seward try and visit Moose’s Pass and Mad Sally Lake, aka Upper Trail Lake. Great fishing in Homer if you are down that way. I wish I could name some RV parks for you, but as I said, I did no RVing while up there. You will love Alaska.

twogypsies · 05-18-2025, 10:22 PM

For many posts on the subject you may want to check out the Alaska section on this forum.

We've gone a few times and I'd recommend doing it on your own. It's not a difficult trip... just a long one.

There are many places where you'd want to spend more time than a tour would allow and there will be places where you have had enough after a few hours. You can be so much more flexible on your own.

You will not be alone, however. Thousands do the drive and there's always someone near you traveling. Also, the 'natives' are so very helpful and friendly if you would happen to have any issues.

Get the Milepost book for things to see and do along the way and for the history of the area. We both took turns driving daily so the other could relax and enjoy the scenery. The one not driving kept the Milepost on the lap and read about things as we were approaching. It was a very pleasant way of traveling.

Also, take the whole summer for the trip so you don't feel rushed. Explore every nook and cranny.

The only reservations we made were for the July 4 weekend as Alaskans like to camp also.... and for 5 nights in Teklanika campground - the farthest you can take a RV in Denali National Park. We only made those reservations a couple weeks prior when we could better judge when we'd be in the area. As it turned out we were early for Denali so on a whim we boondocked nearby at a gorgeous spot and drove into the park early morning. We easily secured an additional five nights in Riley Creek in Denali without reservations. So unplanned... we spent 10 nights in Denali and saw 'THE' mountain in full sun 7 of the 10 days and saw every one of the big animals in the park... more than once.

Have a great trip... and check out the other section on this forum.

joelminer · 05-19-2025, 08:40 AM

My wife and I have done some long trips by ourselves and done some others with caravans. We did both Alaska and Newfoundland on our own. We then went back to Newfoundland for a second time last year, again on our own. We both felt like we should have done both Alaska and Newfoundland with a caravan group the first time, and then returned for a second trip on our own. When you take a trip like these, you find areas that you really like and other areas you could pass on. It is almost impossible to determine this until you visit the first time. It then is difficult to find a caravan group that focuses on where you want to go back to on your second trip. So if you think there is a good chance you will want to go back again, I would definitely do the first trip with a caravan.

We will be returning to Alaska again in a few weeks. This time we will be going with the "Adventure Trek" caravan group. They are a relatively small caravan company that only goes to Alaska and the Canadian Maritimes. We liked their trip itinerary the best for what we personally want to go back and see.

If you decide to go on your own, I would definitely make sure you take a toad, Starlink or a satellite phone, and a good roadside assistance plan. There are numerous places where you won't have cell phone service and you don't see any passing vehicles for an hour or two. You also should have a qualified mechanic do a thorough service and inspection of your RV for potential developing issues When you do have cell or internet service, be sure to download google maps data (or whatever you use) for where you want to go. The "Milepost" is invaluable tool as well.

Safe and happy travels!

JMcG · 05-19-2025, 12:28 PM

Great advice joelminer. Best to be prepared when going to Alaska. Don’t get too far off the main road. Alaska is about 440 million acres, but only about 180 thousand acres are inhabited.

Random01 · 05-19-2025, 12:38 PM

So, is Alaska crowded with RV tourists these days?
According to some youtube channels it is and best to visit with compact 4x4 setup

twogypsies · 05-19-2025, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Random01

So, is Alaska crowded with RV tourists these days?
According to some youtube channels it is and best to visit with compact 4x4 setup

You're watching the wrong channels! Many RVers in the biggest rigs are on the road.

Thinking that you NEED "Starlink or a satellite phone" as someone stated or "Don’t get too far off the main road." that another stated makes one wonder how travelers survived before all the technology. There are many places that you can get off the main road safely.

This is really an easy trip! Just allow sufficient time to do it justice. Enjoy!

Random01 · 05-21-2025, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

You're watching the wrong channels! Many RVers in the biggest rigs are on the road.

Thinking that you NEED "Starlink or a satellite phone" as someone stated or "Don’t get too far off the main road." that another stated makes one wonder how travelers survived before all the technology. There are many places that you can get off the main road safely.

This is really an easy trip! Just allow sufficient time to do it justice. Enjoy!

Oh Im watching the right channels
When I camp and I boondock/disperse campfull fime I do not want to have anyone anywhere near me, I'm talking at least half a mile away but prefer miles. Anyone closer 0.5 miles from me is my definition of crowded
Sounds like in Alaska RVs end up in crowded situations and packed paid parking lots basically since not many boondocking spots that aren't very tight, plus ground conditions, lots of RVs compete for spots and one really needs 4x4 truck camper or van for good private peaceful camping. I can see a very small trailer with good ground clearance doing ok may be. No way I'd try in my 26 ft 2x4, tall motorhome. May be later when I get low roof, 4x4 high clearance setup.
I keep hearing about Alaska all the time, seems like it increasd in popularity and the North in general. One channel I watch the lady drove 800 miles on remote unpaved road to Arctic ocean in Canada only to find the shore full of camper vans.Bleh, no thanks. I mean there is video documentation of crowding. Where I summer in the lower 48 even campgrounds are free and empty, so boondocking is non competitive and easy, Alaska, despite low population density, seems to have very crowded camping and jacked up campground pricing as a result

Unplanned Tourist · 05-21-2025, 11:23 PM

Ri-Di, I will throw out another vote for getting the Milepost book. Try to get the latest one because things change.

Going by yourself has pluses and minuses. We don't mind going on our own, but did it a couple years ago with my cousin and his wife. The walkytalkies were handy then.

twogypsies · 05-22-2025, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Random01

"SOUNDS LIKE in Alaska RVs end up in crowded situations and packed paid parking lots basically since not many boondocking spots that aren't very tight, plus ground conditions, lots of RVs compete for spots and one really needs 4x4 truck camper or van for good private peaceful camping.

Where I summer in the lower 48 even campgrounds are free and empty, so boondocking is non competitive and easy, Alaska, despite low population density, seems to have very crowded camping and jacked up campground pricing as a result

All I can say is that we never stayed in a commercial RV park in our three months in Alaska... two times. No, you won't find boondocking like you do in the lower 48. IF YOU EVER GO you'll have to be satisfied with 'possibly' people near you when you boondock. There just aren't many public roads made in the wilderness so you can't get way back in the boonies in most places. However, you can find peaceful, beautiful spots with the 'possibility' of being by yourself. We did even with our 40' motorhome. The Alaska trip is meant for exploring; not to sit in the boonies. It's very unique.

jacwjames · 05-22-2025, 02:12 PM

We went in 2009, were gone 3.5 months. It was a spur of the moment decision, so no reservations but did quite a research before and during the trip. The one regret was that we didn't pull a toad, which made exploring very limited.

Stayed most of the time in state/provincial campground, most didn't have electric or water/sewer at the sites. The Canadian provincial parks were pretty nice and the campsites weren't that close to each other.

Almost 50 nights boondocking, some in parking lots, other times in pull offs along the side of the road.

It was still a great trip.

`

SafariBen · 05-22-2025, 05:25 PM

The boondocking available in the lower 48 is remote because of either logging roads in national forests, BLM roads in the interior West. I don't think there are as many public logging roads in Alaska, and not the dry interior where a dirt road is reliably passable for 2wd RV's. So yes, if you want more than a mile of space, then 4x4 is helpful.

Triangle Drifter · 05-23-2025, 06:59 PM

Five times to Alaska with a 34' 5th wheel here. Done on our own every time. Don't need the handholding of a 'caravan' group. The caravans remind me of a nursery school group out on an outing, all holding onto a rope so that nobody gets lost.

Alaska is not to be rushed. Plan for plenty of time and plan to be flexible. You never know when and where you might want to stay longer, never know when you might get delayed by mechanical issues, never know when somebody might get sick & you need to stay put extra days, never know when weather will disrupt plans.

You need to be flexible. A caravan is not flexible. It moves on no matter what. The best campsites are not the CGs with the hookups. The best campsites are the Yukon Government CGs, the BC and AB provincial parks and the Alaska State Recreation areas. All of those give the true vibe of The North.