Alaska 16-day RV Itinerary
May 26 - June 15, 2022
Sits visited: Anchorage, Homer, Seward, Whittier, Glenn Highway, Valdez, Denali Hwy, Denali National Park, and Hatcker Pass
Day 1 - 2, May 26, 2022: flight to Anchorage
Day 3, May 28, 2022: Homer
Day 4 - 5, May 29 - 30, 2022: Seward
Day 6, May 31, 2022: Whittier
Day 7, June 1, 2022: Anchorage
Day 8, June 2, 2022: Enroute to Valdez
Day 9 - 10, June 3 - 4, 2022: Valdez
Day 11, June 5, 2022: Denali Highway
Day 12 - 14, June 6 - 8, 2022: Denali National Park
Day 15, June 9, 2022: Talkeetna, Hatcher Pass
Day 16, June 10, 2022: Anchorage
Map Overview
Itinerary Summary
Valdez -> Denali Hwy -> Denali National Park -> Talkeetna -> Hatcher Pass -> Anchorage
Driving Map (by Segments)
Anchorage -> Homer -> Seward -> Whittier -> Anchorage
Anchorage ->Valdez
Day 1-2, May 26-27, 2022
We flew out of Atlanta at night, layover in Seattle, arrived in Anchorage around May 27 2AM local time (jet lag saved us time), took Uber to self-check into our rented RV. Paperwork in the morning, stock up the RV then headed to Homer and stayed overnight at Heritage RV Park (3550 Homer Spit Rd, Homer, AK 99603) https://alaskanheritagervpark.com
Day 3, May 28, 2022
At Homer, in the morning took Seldovia Bay Ferry across the Kachemak Bay to Kachemak Bay State Park. Hiked from the beach, cross the woods, up and then down hills to the glacier. Then hiked to the shore on the other side of the mountain and ride the ferry back. The return trip was much more fun as the we passed several small islands that are home of puffins, otters, and flocks of loons in thousands count. I record on both photos and videos, please check out the video link in below.
Drove to Seward afterwards, passing Moose Creek, and realized that we are two weeks early from the salmon season. Please keep this in mind when you plan your trip, as that is one of the most important season in Alaska.
Day 4-5, May 29-30, 2022
You can also check my Kenai Fjords National Park page for more detailed information of these two days. https://www.sevenkingdomsadventure.com/kenai-fjords
Arrived at Exit Glacier in the early morning and saw two moose in the Nature Center parking lot. Park ranger said they were there every day.
Hiked Harding Icefield Trail, which has several stopping points on the way to the top of the mountain. You can choose when to stop based on your schedule and physical condition. However the snow was too thick in the waist of the mountain, thus we had to return without completing the last 1/3 section of the trail. The trail was very slippery and muddy with melting snow, so be prepared.
Exit Glacier Overlook is a must-see for almost everyone, as it gives a good view to the glacier with a short, flat hike cross a woods. Also be aware that that glacier has retreated a lot from what you see on some web photos. That’s what has been happening to many glaciers in Alaska, unfortunately.
Camped at Seward Marathon waterfront RV park. It is on the beach and offers a dazzling views of Resurrection Bay and Mt. Alice. We saw otters from RV window numerous times.
At dawn, hiked Tonsina Creek Trail (3.4 miles round trip). Trail head is a short drive south from town, and trail ends on a beach with nice views of creek, waterfall, mountains, etc.
The second morning, took Northwestern Kenai Fjords 7-hour Tour at 9:00 am to tour the Kenai Fjords National Park, lunch included. Absolutely awesome tour with sites of glacier, mountains, floating ice, sea lions, sea otters, puffins, bald eagle, porpoise, harbor seals, humpback whales, orca whales, cormorants, etc. Amazing experience, highly recommend.
Bring winter jacket, hat and gloves to keep you warm even in the middle of the summer as the cruise ride was windy and chilly.
Day 6, May 31, 2022
Headed to Whittier and stopped at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (https://alaskawildlife.org). The center is a sanctuary for Alaska wildlife preservation, and takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round. Family friendly, close to anchorage, thus attracted many visitors at all ages.
Went through the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America! The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel alternates direction every half hour. Roundtrip tickets start at $13 one-way. https://dot.alaska.gov/creg/whittiertunnel/schedule.shtml. End of the tunnel is Whittier, and Whittier is the dead-end to the pacific ocean.
We hiked Portage Pass Trail, which is an uphill climb with a good view of the Passage Canal (looks more like a lake instead). Highly recommended. Once crossed the top of the pass, this stunning view of the Portage Lake and glacier rolled out in front of you. You can walk all the way to the lakeshore if you want to. Our sneakers were all soaked by walking in snow unprepared. But the view and experience worth the efforts. The trail head is very close to the tunnel exit.
We dry-camped at the waterfront RV park nearby.
Day 7, June 1, 2022
Headed back to Anchorage to switch out our RV as it had run out of electricity for two days due to a problem with the vehicle :( Stopped at Alyeska Resort at Girdwood to hike Winner Creek Trail. It is relatively easy with zero snow involved. Hiked through a towering forest with a hand-tram ride over a thundering gorge at the end. The hand-tram was in maintenance, but at least we saw what it looks like. I think the tram of the resort was also not running, so we didn't linger too long there.
Stopped at Potter Marsh Wildlife Viewing Boardwalk, which is on the side of the road to Anchorage. Kids and elder friendly.
Stayed overnight at a Mountain View RV park on Old Glenn Highway near Palmer, 1405 N. Smith Rd., Palmer, AK 99645, starr1@mtaonline.net, (907) 745-5747, https://www.mtviewrvpark.com
Day 8, June 2, 2022
At Mutanuska Glacier booked a group tour with guide walking with you on the glacier. This is a largest glacier accessible by car in the U.S., so do not miss it please. It was a cool (not mean the temperature) and unforgettable experience. https://glacier-tours.com/matanuska-glacier-access-and-self-guided-tours/ The guide first of all wanted to make sure you are safe on the glacier, and/or the glacier is safe from you. In addition his knowledge about the glacier and ecosystem was very enriching and just add one more layer of appreciation to the wonders of nature. Hiking gears are included in the tour fee, so no need to bring your own. You also have a view of Mutanuska Glacier on Glenn Highway.
The landscape along the scenic road of Glenn Hwy was beautiful. Before arriving at Valdez, we stopped at the Copper Center, the official gateway and park headquarter to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. We didn't make a plan to visit the park as it is just too gigantic to even cover a toe in a meaningful amount of time. Combining with Glacier Bay NP and two other national parks of Canada, geographically they are one big piece, the whole wildness of 13.2-million-acer is the world's largest internationally protected area. It has Mount St. Elias, the second highest peak in the United States. Which mountain is the highest you may ask. Denali!, which we visited shortly after. So No. 1 and No. 2 tallest mountain are both in one state. You will see some peaks of the tall mountains in the national park around Copper Center area.
Thompson Pass near Valdez offers some nice views of valleys and snow capped mountains. It is a popular recreational area.
Stayed at the Valdez Eagles Rest RV Park & Cabins https://eaglesrestrv.com 139 East Pioneer Dr, Valdez, AZ 99686, 800-553-7275, info@eaglesrestrv.com
Day 9-10, June 3-4, 2022
Boarded at 9am the 6-hour Columbia Glacier Cruise run by Valdez Stan Stephens, Valdez https://www.stephenscruises.com to tour Prince William Sound. Another cruise option with the operator is the Meares Glacier Excursion, which is 1.5 hours longer.
After off board the cruise, we hiked Overlook Trail near harbor. It is a short, easy walk with wooden-steps and railings on top of a small hill and offers a bird-eye view of the town, the port, and the Chugach Mountains.
In the morning of the second day in Valdez, we hiked Goat Trail for Keystone Canyon (with more than 20 waterfalls in the early summer by melting snow). The most iconic waterfalls among them are Bridal Veil Falls, which is right on the side of the road near trail head, so you won't miss it. Took us a while to find the deserted railroad tunnel entrance at the bottom of the hill, barely visible from the trail.
In the afternoon, we visited the Solomon Gulch Hatchery located 1561 Dayville Road. It was built by Valdez Fisheries Development Association in 1981, and has operated consistently since then. The Hatchery releases approximately 250 million pink salmon fry, and 1.8 million coho salmon smolt annually. These fish return to the hatchery spawning building in early summer by entering the facility using a fish ladder. Again, if we waited for two more weeks, we are bound to see a much more exciting scene: thousands of Alaska salmon swimming back to the Hatchery to spawn, and bears and variety of sea birds busy feasting on the beach nearby. The Hatchery's operation is based on Alaska salmon's unique life cycle that starts in Alaskan rivers and streams, to the wild, high seas of the Pacific Ocean, and then end precisely where they were born (spawn then die). It is still a mystery today how they complete the 2,000 miles round trip. Nature is amazing.
We then hiked Solomon Gulch Trail. The trailhead is very close to the Hatchery. It is a slow uphill climb ending at a water reservior that is still mostly covered by ice.
When we were back in town, we also hiked the short and sweet 3/4 mile loop Duck Point Trail on a narrow peninsula of meadows and spruce forest.
Day 11, June 5, 2022
Headed to Denali via north-bound Richardson Hwy to Paxson, then onto west-bound Denali Highway to Cantwell, then north-bound again to Denali NP. We visited Worthington Glacier site in the morning.
Driving on Denali Hwy is an enjoyment, not a chore, although it is only paved less than 25 miles of its total length of 135 miles. It has very little traffic, and is closed most part of the year. You will see Alaska Range, lakes, boreal vegetation, mountain ranges, summit, glacier, river valleys, wild animals, etc. It is a change of scenery every few minutes, and all of them are spectacular. This brochure might be helpful for your planning: https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/PublicRoom_Alaska_2015-Denali-Hwy-Brochure.pdf
We camped at Brushkana Creek Campground at night.
Day 12, June 6, 2022
Started driving in the morning and saw Mountain Denali in distance on the road. We took it for granted until later to find out that Denali is mostly visible only mid-May to early June!
Arrived at Denali National Park in the morning, and checked in at Really Creek Campground near the visitor center and park entrance. Near the visitor center, there are a few hiking trails with various lengths and difficulty levels. We went on to the Savage Alpine Trail (4 miles, strenuous with 1,500 ft elevation). Trail map and info can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/upload/trail-map-letter-size.pdf
I was wondering why the whole trail felt like going uphill, until I saw the short steep descend from the rocky peak to the Savage River at the end. We also hiked Savage River Loop Trail before hopping on the bus heading back before dinner time. That was a flat and easy road along the river. However we didn't see any animal though this trail is famous for wildlife viewings.
Even if you know this, you still need to listen to me when you plan your Denali visit as it is so important: no private vehicle is allowed in the park except in the visitor center area. Park shuttle and your two legs are the only two options to go anywhere in the park, the former is on a fee depending on availability, and the latter is free of charge and can take you whenever you feel like to. Plan to spend some time at the shuttle ticketing station to learn the shuttle system and schedule.
About Denali National Park: it was established as "Mount McKinley National Park" back in 1917 with around 2,146,000 acres at that time. Renamed Denali National Park (I guess as a result of changing the name of the mountain?) in 1980 and the park tripled in size (similar size of the state of New Hampshire or Massachusetts). The park only has 92 miles of Denali Park Road with total park perimeter of 606 miles. As far as I know, most of the park is still closed due to a recent landslide, so what is accessible is only a tiny portion of the park area. Sled dogs are a unique feature of Denali, because reason above - most park area is not accessible by modern transport so dogs are the only option in many scenarios, in addition to many other reasons.
Day 13, June 7, 2022
Took the early bus to Eastbrook station, which is further deep in the park, but actually it is still kinda at the outskirt given how massively big the park is. No bus could go further deeper in the park in the year due to the landslide in one section of the park road. Then you can hike around and plan to take any busy back as long as it is available. Saw moose, caribou, bear, dall sheep (only in far distance as some white moving dots), so we were happy. We also visited the Sled Dog Kennels and watched an informative and entertaining sled dog demonstration. It is a short drive in your own vehicle from the visitor center, or you can take a free bus from visit center.
Stopped at the Denali Sate Park for a view of the Denali Mountain and river valley. Guess what, we were able to see the Denali again, lol ;) When we got closer to the town of Talkeetna, we stopped at Tiger Lake and hiked some section of the Otter Loop Trail.
The town of Talkeetna is not big, like all other towns in Alaska, but surprisingly artsy and fun. It is supposed to be a staging area for Denali climbers. Hiking to the river front, you have another chance to see Denali and other neighboring peaks under a good weather condition.
Day 14, June 8, 2022
Day 15, June 9, 2022
Took Denali Flyer with Glacier Landing flightseeing tour in the morning, run by K2 Aviation (https://www.flyk2.com). The flight departed from the Talkeetna Airport, within walking distance from the center of the town. There were 8 passengers I remember, and everyone has a window seat on the flight. This experience is one of the highlights of the trip, absolutely worth doing as this is your only chance to get so close to the tallest mountain in the U.S. without climbing on your feet. The view was just breathtaking. After circling around the peak, the flight descended on a flat area about half way from the peak. We step off from the flight and took some photos, played with the snow, etc for about 15-20 minutes. Then the flight took off again and brought us back to the airport.
Remember most of these packages include only one circle around Denali, so take as many photos or videos as you can as you don't have a second chance. Make sure to book your tour ahead of time and as early as you can. Also one passenger could sit in the cockpit next to the pilot. I was there on the return flight but I didn’t like it as photographer. The propeller in the front blocked the view, and the seat was deep so I couldn’t see much from the front window. I had to take shots out of the side window so not much a difference.
Drove to Hatcher Pass, which is between Willow and Palmer, 90 minutes drive north from Anchorage. We visited Iditarod Headquarters at Wasilla for a dog sled ride, but none of the dogs was there at that time (forgot the reason). But there was a well made movie in the museum telling the history and tradition of the Iditarod Race. In the museum there was a stuffed carcass of heroic sled dog Togo. As kids just watched the movie about the story of Togo and his musher Leonhard Seppala not long ago, that was a nice bonus.
By the time we arrived Hatcher Pass, the miner historical site was already closed. The road to the summit and the Summit Lake was still closed for cars without any warning on the website. So we hiked by feet. All snow on the road had been cleared to the side of the road. Luckily it was not dark around 7pm. Exhausted but we had a nice view at the summit. The Lake was still covered by ice at that time.
We decided to boondock near a RV park not far from the Hatcher Pass as it was already very late and rained.
Day 16, June 10, 2022
On our way to Anchorage, we stopped at Eklutna Lake and hiked Twin Peaks Trail (2.5 miles, difficult). The trail gave a gorgeous look down the Eklutna lake. After the switchback turn into the Twin Peaks Valley, we identified several groups of Dall sheep, which is awesome. To find those, you need to really pay attention and gaze at the mountain to search.
We also visited Alaska Native Heritage Center, before retuned the RV by 5PM in the afternoon. The RV company allowed us to stay in the RV overnight, and we took a 5am Uber for 8AM flight back to Atlanta, with layover in Seattle again.