We mostly boondocked it. We stayed on beaches overlooking bays, sometimes next to WW2 bunkers, or the rocket launch gantries (Kodiak is where they launch the targets for the missile defense tests). There were several gas stations in town where you could dump.
There is a state park in town with a few primitive campsites. The cool thing about it, though, is that the park/campground used to be a military fort, so literally feet from your camp spots is a duided trail leading to bunkers and stuff. Also, there's an overlook where you can usually see whales sounding (jumping out of the water) a few miles offshore.
We took our 23 foot class C, towing a trailer with an ATV and small inflatable boat.
* This post was
edited 04/22/08 10:21pm by an administrator/moderator *
Alaskan rv-er: Now that sounds awesome. For a travel trailer/truck combo the cost is around $1000 for the ferry. Is there enough to do on the island to make a two week stay worthwhile?
Whether you could fill two weeks all depends on your interests. For the most part, Kodiak is a take-it-easy, enjoy solitude, comb the beaches, fish or hunt, and explore the trails kind of place. Having the ATV opened up a lot of terrain for myself. Kodiak is kind of a combination of the openness and sparse crowds you'd expect along the Denali Hwy, with scenery somewhat similar to Homer, but greener.
On Kodiak, Anton Larson Bay (northwest of town) offers a fjord-like setting, filled with small islands and plenty of wildlife. The bay is pretty protected (I putted around in an 8 foot inflatable and 4HP motor), and I got to get fairly close to sea otters, dolphins, and tons of seabirds.
Saltery Cove Road is an ATV/jeep trail which leads back about 15 or so miles across a ridgeline. We saw a Kodiak bear (from a safe distance), and a herd of wild buffalo by the bay. Apparently the fishing out there is great,too. It's a fun trail, a little like Petersville Road once you get past Petersville, and crosses the creek 20-some times (most crossings are less than 18 inches deep).
Kaisin Bay is about 15 miles of Kodiak town, on the eastern shore. It's a great place to boondock along the beach, and enjoy the scenery. There are also plenty of rocky islands out in the bay to look at. Towards the eastern end of the bay, we found a coastal defense bunker at the end of a short trail, and boondocked next to it.
At the end of Pasagshak Bay road is a neat place, called Fossil Beach. Some people were quick successful at finding fossils, although we weren't. At low tide, there are plenty of tidal pools to explore, and the whole area overlooks a long and narrow Seward-like bay. This is also where the rocket launch complex is, and there is another buffalo herd there (but I think these ones are domesticated).
When we were there the weather ranged from mostly glorious (in sunny conditions, the greens there are vibrant and Ireland-like), to passing rainshowers, so be prepared for anything.
Geewizard wrote: I'm sorry if I sound like I'm anti-social but....I take my TC to BYERS Lake which is on the PARKS Highway. If I want to really boondock, I go towards CANTWELLand turn off on DENALI HWY. About 25 miles up the road, there's a turnoff to the right which leads down NONAME Creek. Nobody goes there! It's peaceful and quiet. That's what I like about Alaska.
... Sorry! Couldn't resist filling in the blanks.
* This post was
edited 04/22/08 10:22pm by an administrator/moderator *
'05 Chevrolet Silverado LT 3500 Duramax and Allison Equipped
'04 Jayco JayFlight 28FKS
Our four traveling buddies, Kiana & Lexa, Our Border Collies & Baxter and Pebbles, our Yorkies
Here is the link to the Alaska Marine Highway System. It has been a few years but my friend took his 30' 5er pulled by his '05 Chevy Dually and it was about $700 one-way.
There is more pavement now then when I moved from there 6 years ago. It will be easier for RVs to get around without getting beat on washboard roads. If you have access or any friends, the Coast Guard has converted a section of what used to be Nimitz Park housing area (now torn down) for use as an RV Park with full hook-ups available. Heck, it may even be open to the public.
There is also Buskin River State Park which is a few miles south of town and offers dry-camping. Outside of town, one can just about camp anywhere. Further south is Pasagshak River Park. It has a few sites but fills lightning-fast when weather is good and fish are moving.
North of town is Ft. Abercrombie State Historical Park. It is a reall cool place to explore. Further out is White Sands beach. Not sure what is out there now besides some beautiful vistas.
Kodiak is beautiful and I have never met anyone that did not enjoy thier visit. Great fishing for salmon and halibut. It only rains twice a summer, once for about 30-40 days and once about 60 days. Be sure to bring raingear though. That is why it is called the Emerald Isle.
And if your timing is right, you can see some of the largest bears in the world; the Kodiak Brown Bear.
Here is a link to all the state parks in Alaska; Kodiak included.
Enjoy your stay in Alaska and remember to "Leave No Trace".
* This post was
last
edited 04/22/08 10:22pm by an administrator/moderator *
View edit history
Yeah I was all pumped about getting the fifth wheel ready to start camping/RVing too...until I woke up to snow again the other day!
But after 35+ years up here I know "This too shall pass" and it will be spring sooner or later! So tomorrow my new truck goes into the shop to get the hitch transferred over and then got to get the fiver batterries charged so I can start getting things ready for the REAL summer season!
"There's no such thing as too much tow vehicle!"
Wes, Linda, & kids
"Tow Twuck" - 2008 Ford F350 DRW CC LB 6.4 Powerstroke
"Cougar" - 2006 Keystone Cougar 289EFS Fifth Wheel Our Website
All this talk about Kodiak has been exceptional, certainly hitting the high points. Y'all missed one important facet about Kodiak, though.
For those visitors who enjoy the various cultures of the world and may, perhaps, have been missing the energy and spice of the PI, Alaska's own Kodiak has its own little Manila flavor, most evident during fishing season, but certainly noticable year-round.
CRL
Temporarily (5 years & counting)displaced Alaskan
My Other RV is a 1946 PA-12
Hey Bob, Glen and I are trying to get out to Roslyn beach at the end of the month, the only problem is I still can't get my trailer out of storage due to the snow.
The family and I leave the island the last hour of May for out move to S California. All the CG on Kodiak are pretty primative. The 4 spots we have on CG base is only open to authorized patrons and are pretty full most of the summer now due to transfers.
To be honest the whole point of camping on Kodiak is the boondocking experience. There are very few places you can't stop on the road system to stay the night as long it is out of the city limits and not on private property. Our favorate place is a beach out by chiniak that we have the beach on one side and a river that you could walk on the backs of the salmon to the other side if you want. Kodiak is and outdoors place and yes you do need you rain gear at times but when it nice out it is one of the prettiest places on earth.
* This post was
edited 04/22/08 10:23pm by an administrator/moderator *
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 QC SLT 4X4 Cummins Diesel towing a 2005 Trail Cruiser 280BH.
Honda EU3000 w/relay transfer switch and remote start/stop.
2 6volt batteries and elect tongue jack w/water mods for boondocking!
So, has anyone gone south yet? We are planning on going to Seward next weekend (would have gone sooner if this darn white stuff hadn't shown it's presence again ) and I am curious as to how the frost heaves are. Last year when we had gone at the end of April, they were horrible and unmarked.
Offline
... Sorry! Couldn't resist filling in the blanks.
years & counting)displaced Alaskan
