A couple of weeks ago we asked our readers, “Tell us: What is your dream RV trip?” Can you guess what the number one location was? If you guessed Alaska, you’re right!
Has Alaska always been on your bucket list as an RV destination, or was it a recent interest in the beautiful state that sparked your wanderlust? Do you want to make the drive through Canada in your RV and drive the Alaska Highway, or do you want to fly (or cruise) to Alaska then rent an RV once you’re there? Please feel free to answer in the comments below the poll. Thanks!
We plan to drive next summer (2022) if possible.
Did it twice, first time with a truck camper 2012, next time with a 5th wheel 2014. It is a long drive but so much to see between Florida and Alaska.
Always wanted to ride up on my Harley and take the ferry back. I can no longer ride so the Motor Home is now the vehicle of choice. Hopefully in the next two-three years.
We sat with friends last spring to plan a caravan to Alaska until I figured out it would cost over $5,000 in just gas !! Scratch one item off bucket list.
We rented an RV and traveled around for 3 weeks the first time we stay in bed and breakfast. Saw so much more in RV and would do it again in RV. Many happy memories.
Probably fly there & rent. Too far to travel from the East coast just to visit Alaska.
Several years ago my parents went to Canada on a fishing trip, said the mosquitoes almost ate them alive, they’re probably worse in Alaska, plus since you have to have a passport to go to Canada now I reckon I’ll continue to love the lower 48. I’d like to go to Hawaii but it doesn’t look like the bridge will be completed before I die, so.
LOL!!!!
We were scheduled last year, but you know. We are going this year if the border opens up.
No desire to visit Alaska
It’s not for everyone
Planning on it in 2023, driving fifth wheel from Colorado
We made upgrades on our 5th wheel and pick up just for the trip. We were all ready to go then the world turned upside down. Maybe someday
You should have added the option “been there, done that”.
Indeed!
Had reservations made to visit last year and changed them to this year due to covid. Just canceled this years reservations as the U.S. / Canadian border is still closed. Plan to take our fifth wheel.
I’ve been to Alaska twice. 1 cruise, 1 flight.
So, not on my bucket list per se, but wouldn’t mind going again. It is definitely a beautiful place.
“Maybe” should be a selection.
I will fly. visit my grand daughter there and then rent an RV for a couple weeks if possible. Getting too old to make the long trek from Miami to Alaska. Flown into Alaska many times when you had to have a refueling point.
Already been there 3 times, once by air, & twice with our 5th wheel, but would still like to go back one more time.
Was going with 30 other WInnebagos last year and was put off till this year due to Covid. Was just put off again due to Covid. WIll go next year, fingers crossed
Should have an answer of “Already done that”. We did our Motor Home trip to Alaska in 2009. It was an 88 day 12,806 mile round trip. We also did the Calgary Stampede on the way up, spent time in the Canadian National Parks in the Rockies, did Glacier National Park on the way back, among other things. There are a few companies that have group caravan trips of various lengths and prices if you don’t want to do it alone. Do it, you will not regret it only if you don’t. Stay Safe, Stay well, Safe travels.
It was, but after two cancellations due to Covid, not any more. Just too much for us and our old RV from here in coastal Virginia. Instead, we’re planning the trip of a lifetime in ’23 on an 18 day Holland America cruise and land tour that will include Denali and the Yukon. Adding on an extra few weeks after that for some touring around on our own or with specialized tours.
Been there to spend the summer three times already and will return for another summer once the restrictions have been lifted making it easier to get through Canada into Alaska. My sons and families both live there. One in Fairbanks and one in Anchorage. We get there early in May and leave by the 3rd week in September. They only have two seasons, summer and winter.
We flew to Anchorage and got a van from “rent a wreck” . They removed the bench seat. We bought an air bed locally. We had a lovely week camping from Talketna to Homer,cooking out, sleeping in. We drove as far North as Denali. Hiked the Matanuska Glacier. Saw the State Fair in Palmer. Went down to Seward. Up,over,down to Homer. Our rental was an old, but serviceable Chevy Van. We had no cooler, but bought things that didn’t need refrigeration. A 12 volt hot pot heated water. Otherwise, we didn’t cook. We traveled in late August. We stayed in the van a lot, the skitters were big and hungry.
We turned in our van after a week. We then took a shuttle up to Fairbanks. Stayed in a motel, rented a small car for local exploring.
We than joined a tour that ended in Seward. We boarded a cruise
That took us down the coast, Glacier Bay, to Vancouver, BC. Bus to Seattle where we met Family. All ‘n all, a fine trip.
Been there, done that, three times, twice in our Navion. Love it and yes, it is our favorite destination
Actually, already been there! Drove up from Florida and hit the Alcan to Fairbanks, Denali, Ancorage, the Spit and then headed back to Tok and picked up the Cassier Hwy through BC! What a trip! The Cassier was the best!
We have cruised there as well as driven the motorhome. Once we get a few others off our bucket list I would LOVE to go back!
Went in 2005. Loved it but didn’t get to see everything. on our list. Hope 2022 will be our return trip.
Worked in Anchorage a week then took off a week to explore using an itinerary compiled by my local co-workers. In a word WOW! Unforgettable natural beauty with the wildlife to match. Will fly to save the wear and tear on the 5th wheel and truck.
Seeing Alaska had been on my bucket list but since I’m handicapped and my motorhome is 44 years old, don’t think
l’ll ever get up there taking that since it is quite the distance from NY. Then again, flying up there someday is a possibility.
Planning to take our little class B van to Alaska the summer of 2022. Researching and planning right now. Can’t wait!
I answered no, but I meant yes, well, kind of.
I would really love to go back to Alaska, but I’d rather fly there and rent a motorhome like we did a few years ago.
Some trips great a couple not so great……bugs bugs bugs….funny they card u no matter your age…..beautiful though…..think we will stay in our northern area of western Montana. Long trips are over with…..
We had no problem with bugs on the highway or in Alaska.
We spent about one month getting to Alaska, two months there, and one month getting home between mid-May and early September in 2019. We enjoyed the trip so much that we plan to go again in the next 5 to 10 years.
Worked in Alaska off and on from 1972-199. Played in Alaska multiple times from 2000-2017. Took a travel trailer on a 3-month RV trip to Alaska in 2013. Would go back again next week if my wife would sanction another trip (I tried, she won’t) and Canada would let me cross their border (I haven’t tried, but they won’t)!
Drove up the Alaska highway in 1966 in camperized VW bus. 1500 miles of gravel! Came back on the ferry Haines to Prince Rupert. Drove up on all-paved road in Winnebago Navion in 2017 and back on the Cassiar Highway. All great.
Have made 3 trips to Alaska. Absolutely LOVE Alaska….. except winter. Twice by Marine Hghway Bellingham to Haines, the rest driving. We joke, kinda, that every bend in the road provides an “AWWW” vista. Entire trip from lower 48, through B.C., Yukon, and back is just beautiful. Can’t wait to go again!
Been there, done that twice, loved it and got the t-shirts!
No way would I EVER take my motor home up to Alaska and get it beat to heck!!!!!
My wife and I have both been to Alaska, but not in the motorhome. She wants to go and I’m digging my heels in. Too many good trip possibilities closer to home.
PS to my previous post: We have taken the AMHS ferries within Alaska three times. But my dream trip would be to take an RV on the ferries from Bellingham alk the way to Seward, getting off at each port and spending a few days sightseeing kayaking,, fishing, visiting with locals and eating at the local fish stands/cafes. And would probably include at least a week in Sitka, since that is my favorite town in the state. But that trip would probably work best with a pickup camper or Class B, neither of which we have.
It was on my list for years because we drove from Tampa Fl to Alaska when I was 8ys old and I always wanted to relive that momentous trip.
No immediate plans to go to Alaska, but who knows in the future? I would like to go to Newfoundland, but that is also iffy.
Have driven from Denver to Alaska every year for the past 15 years pulling an Airstream trailer until Covid closed Canadien border in 2020. Loved it.
We have made the trip to Alaska and we are currently heading there now. The first time we took nine weeks. It was not enough time. This time we will be gone five months. We are taking a month to get there and a month to get back home. We will be in Alaska for three months. It should be great!!
PS to my comment. Take it slow. Trouble happens when you drive too fast. The road is good but there are spots where the frost heave can get you in trouble. There are always some construction spots. Slow and easy and it will be a great trip.
Have you any issue with crossing Canada? Im an Alaska resident getting ready to head up there from Washington. Have been told i shouldn’t have any problem and that heading north is limited to Alaska residents or those who can show proof of employment there.
It would make me a little anxious in my Mercedes Sprinter…. it’s bad enough with service in the lower 48…..
There is an authorized sprinter facility in Anchorage
Would love to go, but wife not interested. I’ll keep working on her…
We hauled our 36-foot 5th wheel coach from VA to AK twice and spent the summers of 2012 and 2015 there. Awesome trips and I’d love to do it again!
Already went in 2010. Saw the mountain on a clear day. As long as the trip was, once was enough. Now, if they build the bridge (or Ferry?) to Hawaii …
Wife has wanted to do it for years, and once we retire and get a diesel pusher we will.
We’ve driven it numerous times (yearly) and always want more time. One of the last times we caught the marine ferry in Haines and got off in Bellingham, WA. An adventure we enjoyed. We really missed our trip last year (and probably this year) because of COVID19 restrictions and Canada being closed.
We drove TO Alaska in 2000 (Haines and Hyder). The good advice: see a gas station, top up, have blinds that will make it dark, “Alaska Highway” roads are in fairly good shape, mid July bug problem improves (sort of), bring a CB radio. The bad news of the Alaska Highway it can be boring to see nothing but the same trees for miles AND miles (from BCers who love forests), even without caravans you see same people every night as it is only place to camp.The strange things: we met no other Canadians on the road, we wanted our daughter to see our country but her memories of the trip are: listening every night to several people in class As, blinds pulled down and men adjusting their antennas “honey it’s not right, A’m not gettin ma wildlife show!”, a mother and daughter in an enormous Class A, collecting 2 rocks ( gravel) from every camp, a Class A pulling a Hummer. The interesting fauna was our fellow travellers. Beautiful scenery was similar to other west coast mountainous areas.
Yes, but have to wait until 2023 when wife retires. Will be leaving northeast coast. Thinking a 3 month adventure to and return. Flew while in the service in the 70s at winter time I surely didn’t find anything then grand about Alaska. So look forward to seeing late spring, summer ending season.
Took a trip in the RV to Alaska in 2018. Was a great trip.
I live in Alaska and have been here for 30 years have been up and down the ALCAN many times. So many people seem to be afraid of that road, it is a long but beautiful drive
Used to be but due to age and disability it’s no longer possible. Will stick closer to home.
Worked driving those green backcountry buses 80 miles into Denali Ntl Park 6 days/wk — 10 years before I retired & started RVing f/t. Loved every tour in, not a day went by that I didn’t see half a dozen grizzlies as well as moose, wolves chasing caribou, fox digging out huge marmots, all kinds of animal life. Wouldn’t trade a minute of that summer but would not take an RV over roads deteriorating from melting permafrost.
Best trip ever.
I voted no because I’ve been there tent camping all 8,231 miles. I even did the Too if the world highway, camped that night just south of Dawson. Was a wonderful trip. I even saw Denali while at Denali National Park.
My wife and I flew there several years ago and rented a motorhome. We both said we have to go back and spend more time there now that we’re retired. I am hesitant to drive a high end RV there and looked at taking it on the ferry but we’re over 13 ft. high. We thought about buying a used Class C and drive there and back then sell it but the prices for a good one has sky rocketed. Maybe we’ll just take a cruise.
In 2019 I drove a Monaco Windsor from the east coast to Baja Mexico then to Alaska. It was an incredible trip. Drive anything you want…just go do it.
It’s my dream to drive from my country (Mex), get to US, then Canada and end up in Alaska… And really get to know -and learn- as much as possible from that beautiful place, the people, their strength, the landscape, nature, etc…
I’m working on it and hopefully make it come true in a couple of years on my own.
We are fulltime RVers, but we decided to fly to Alaska. Our 5th wheel is 13’5 high and 41ft long. We drive a F350. Driving from Detroit to Anchorage is over 4500 miles one way. So we went ahead and rent a small RV and do our travel, staying mainly at Military Base FAMCAMPS and shop at the commissary for our own cooking. We fly August, 22nd and so excited. I’ve been in all lower 48 States and so ready for my number 1 on my bucket list. It’s like a dream come true. ❤️
I’d have to say it is not on our bucket list. We have spent four summers there and enjoyed each one more than the previous. It is time to see some more of the lower 48 now!
Have done the trip three times now. First time “moteling”, second in truck camper, last one with a small trailer. Up one road and back on the other. Great drive and fab scenery and wildlife. Hauling your own lodging is definitely the way to go. Functionally the truck camper has the most options. Paved all the way these days, but keep in mind that there are two seasons in such places; 1-winter 2-road repair.
Because the Alaska Highway is deteriorating more and more each year due to thawing of the permafrost on which it’s built, we will not take our RV to Alaska. We are considering reserving a rental RV in Alaska. The plan would be to fly to Alaska, RV around the state for 2, 3 or 4 weeks, depending on budget and our schedule, take a cruise back to the lower 48, and then fly home.