Community Forums

D Lindy · 02-21-2014, 11:00 AM

I know that it's a matter of preference, Caravan or Solo trips to Alaska. My question is, that with so many caravan's (FMCA, Winnebago club, 2-3 different companies) running up to Alaska, is there really that many campground there that if traveling by yourself you don't have issues finding a campsite, or do you make your reservations months in advance and Hope you can stay on schedule to make your reservations?

spritz · 02-21-2014, 11:34 AM

Great question. I will watch for responses,
Thanks,tb

1ciderdog · 02-21-2014, 12:40 PM

We drove up about 6 or 7 years ago and had no problem finding RV parks. None we came across were full.

MDPD · 02-21-2014, 01:02 PM

When we went to Alaska we went alone although we did use a compilation of several caravan itineraries to set our destinations. The thing we appreciated the most from not being on a fixed schedule was the ability to stay as long as we wanted and in most cases we did. We stayed in Alaska for over three months and had the greatest time ever.

On two occasions we did have some difficulty with campgrounds, the first in Anchorage. We stayed for over a week and during that time two caravans came through necessitating our having to move sites. When we first arrived we were put into an overflow electric only site for one day and moved to a full hookup the next day. On the sixth day we had to move back to the electric site. Moving sites is not something you want to do, but the campground did everything they could to accommodate us. The second difficulty was in Whitehorse on the way south where we had to stay in an unimproved section of the campground for the night. Fill the water tank on the way in and stop at the dump station on the way out. Oh well, this is still called camping.

During the time we were in Alaska, we stayed in at least 10 different campgrounds and had no other difficulty. Some of the campgrounds were not what we had become accustomed to in the lower 48 but all had the necessaries.

Go for it. It is an adventure you will never regret.

scenic route · 02-21-2014, 01:15 PM

The only time you might have a little trouble(and that's doubtful) getting a site is during a major holiday(ie, July 4th). When we were in Fairbanks, we called ahead for a reservation for the 4th... they were pretty full, but still could have had a site.

The caravans didn't cause any problems (other than closing some CG interior roads) as far as getting a site in any CG. We would jump ahead of them because we would not want to stay in an area as long as they did...but in other areas, we wanted to stay longer. This convinced us that 'caravaning' wasn't for us. Gad, sometimes they were already gone by the time we got up and then in some cases, a caravan would pull in just before 8PM. No, we are NOT doing that. We like to take our time, sightsee while traveling and stop after maybe 150 - 200 miles or after 2PM...which ever came first. We have even stopped and stayed the night after 25 miles because we saw something that we might like...like cinnamon buns!

'Solo' is what we like, some prefer the 'safety in numbers' theme. We did our Alaska trip in 2011 and we had no trouble and I know we experienced a few more side trip adventures than maybe the caravan'ers did. Love that Jeep!

scenic route · 02-21-2014, 01:37 PM

Like the Salmon Glacier side trip out of Hyder:

Click image for larger version

Name: Salmon Glacier.jpg
Views: 113
Size: 34.5 KB
ID: 56610

scenic route · 02-21-2014, 01:49 PM

Sorry that didn't work...

Just wanted to add a pic we took just outside of Hyder on the way to Salmon G:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1068760...56625539759874

For some SERIOUS golfing~

sirpurrcival · 02-21-2014, 01:52 PM

I remember it being pretty busy around Denali National Park but there was a KOA near the boundary where I had to put for the night until we could get in.

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-21-2014, 01:52 PM

It worked. Great shot. I've been there. Incredible. Did you go to the viewing stand to watch the bears feed on salmon ?

pagosajoe · 02-21-2014, 02:03 PM

Be sure to get a copy of the Milepost to help you in planning your trip - invaluable for adventures in the Northland!

The MILEPOST: Alaska Travel Guide and Trip Planner

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-21-2014, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pagosajoe

Be sure to get a copy of the Milepost to help you in planning your trip - invaluable for adventures in the Northland! The MILEPOST: Alaska Travel Guide and Trip Planner

X2. Don't leave home without it.

scenic route · 02-21-2014, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifftall

It worked. Great shot. I've been there. Incredible. Did you go to the viewing stand to watch the bears feed on salmon ?

Sure did. The salmon were thick...the bears had no problem catching them and were just eating the fattiest parts. There were salmon carcasses all over the place which attracted a wolf...geez that thing was BIG and the ranger said they very seldom show up in the daytime...lucky us!, and a few bald eagles. We hope to visit Alaska again...just so much we didn't see.

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-21-2014, 02:18 PM

I've got a 45 minute video of them feeding there. I got tired and shut if off

. They just kept coming.

99-Am.Star · 02-21-2014, 02:53 PM

Alaska is a place that once you have seen some of it you want to see it all. I have been there three times and hope to get back again before I cash in my chips.