We, Shirley and I, are retiring in July of 2012.
We will become full-timers and are planing our "dream" trip.
Would appreciate any advise on routing, great rv parks and what to see while there.
We will keep everyone posted on this forum of our adventures or mis-adventures.
I hope this is not your first big trip. You are looking at over 4,000 miles one way starting in July and there are wonderful things to experience along the way and this is not a destination to rush through. Having said that, you will experience less traffic on the way up there and that should allow easy roadside camping along the way. The standard reference materials most folks recommend are The Milepost and the Church's book. The governments of Alberta, BC, Yukon, and Alaska also put out a useful guide which is free. Read the posts on this forum for each person's favorites. I am a big fan of Canadian provencial parks as well as boondocking along the way but that is just me.
We have been up there several times and it is always an adventure. For the best overview of the various roads and attractions you might want to take a look at Sue Thomas' blogs:
You will find a whole lot of information here. Buy the Milepost and get started planning. That's half the fun. We took a cruise/train tour to Alaska and then drove there pulling a fifth wheel. The cruise was fun, but we much preferred the drive. We will be making the drive again in the next couple of years. Have a great trip.
2011 Fleetwood Southwind 32VS
2009 Ford Edge
Retired Law Enforcement
U.S. Army 1965-1973/RVN 1968-'69
We went to Alaska this past summer. All I can tell you is have plenty of time ,a long long way there. The roads are very rough in places and you have to go slow because of frost heaves. It is very expensive getting across British Columbia and the Yukon, food and fuel, campgrounds wern't to bad. Once in Alaska food and fuel were better but still expensive. We stopped at a laundry mat cost $24.00 to wash and dry 3 loads of laundry not counting the detergent or bleach. put new tires on before we left and tore two up on the Alaskan Hwy, a lot of gravel for miles. Broken windsheild from oncoming traffic throwing gravel. Roads vibrated a lot of stuff loose in camper but nothing that we couldn't fix. all that said there is a lot of beautiful sites to see. snow covered mountains, glaciers, animals every where. We saw Moose, Deer, elk, stone sheep, bear, wild horses, buffalo, all on side of road and in fields running wild. Read about a lot of folks having trouble at border crossings, we had no problems at all crossing guards were polite and very nice both Canadian and Amerian. Good luck on your trip and enjoy these were our experiences and my opinion. I am sure someone else will give you theirs. George
The trip of a lifetime for us started in Bellingham, Washington. We wrote a pretty complete journal of our trip in a multi-part format by the day. You may find something helpful... Alaska or Bust
Please Support Multiple Use of our Public Lands!
Brian & Margie www.rv-camping.org
'10 Sunseeker Class C - Gozer II
'13 Jeep JKU (Wrangler) - Billie
You might want to mosey on over to the Alaska section of this forum. Lots of info waiting for you there! Hope you can spend a couple months for your trip, at least. Would definitely recommend you purchase Mike & Terri Church's Alaskan Camping book (it includes Canada, also) and the Milepost. Also get the TourSaver 2/1 book to save a lot of money on various tours. One glacier tour can pay for the book. We spent many nights boondocking along the highways in beautiful spots - no need for RV parks all the time. We also liked Canada/Yukon's provincial parks and Alaska's state parks. The only reservations we made were for the July 4 weekend in Palmer, Alaska and for 5 nights at Teklanika campground in Denali Nat'l Park. We made both approx. 3 weeks before getting to those areas. We didn't have reservations for the front campground in Denali, Riley Creek, but we got to the park early in the morning (boondocking nearby the previous night) and we had no problem getting a site. Avoid the Kenai Peninsula around July 4. Alaskans like to go camping, too, and this is their favorite place! Have a great time planning - that's half the fun!
Extremely Happy Full-Timers for 16 years
.... now trying to adjust to 3-season traveling - and it isn't easy!
2004 40' Newmar Dutch Star Diesel Pusher
2004 Jeep Liberty
Just want to watch this thread since we may be going in Mid to late May for 3 plus months.
96 Vogue Prima Vista 37' CAT 3176B
Our Babies: Mollie, Rubie, Cassie and Maggie, all rescued Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Rainbow Bridge: Laddie, Scoutie, Katie, Cooper, Kodie
Rally's and get togethers.....Lots
Offline
Online
