Alaskaphiles! I'd love your feedback on this driving trip for Alaska for June. I have a good sense of the tours and attractions we want to see but please tell me if this is feasible and am I missing anything major?
Day 1: Anchorage
Day 2-3: Drive to Seward - 2 days; Kenai Fjords NP
Day 4: Drive to Talkeetna
Day 5-6: Train to Denali; overnight in Denali
Day 7: Talkeetna to Anchorage
We did the flight out of Talkeetna and landed on a glacier. We opted to drive instead of taking the train and at Denali took the bus into the park.
Don't miss the view of Denali from the Talkeetna Riverfront Park. It's where I got my best picture of the mountain.
Day 4: Maybe stop at Eklutna Historical Park and Independence Mine to stretch your legs. They'll add an hour to the drive.
We did a driving trip in Alaska a few years ago and followed an itinerary fairly similar to the one you have laid out. The one additional thing that we did was that we drove out to Homer after the 2 days in Seward (and then after that on to Talkeetna and Denali). It was a lot of driving, but Homer was so beautiful, to me it was worth it. For Kenai Fjords, we drove out to the Exit Glacier section, which was amazing, and also did the boat cruise - got a great picture of a humpback whale. It is a beautiful state!
It all sounds wonderful.
I would not take the train from Talkeetna to Denali. Driving is faster and there are some nice scenic overlooks on the drive up. additionally, it was convenient to have a vehicle in the Denali area.
On the other hand, we took a train from Seward to Anchorage. You could consider doing the reverse, and picking up a vehicle in Seward.
Why would you ever take the train to Denali? You won't see much, there are only woods around and all wildlife will run away bc of the noise. You already have a car, so drive from Talketna to Denali NP, stay near the entrance. Book the Tranit Shuttle bus for the next morning. It will bring you as far into the NP as possible. You can hop on and hike if you want and flagg the next bus down.
https://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
If you drive you can stop at so many viewpoints on the way you have a look at Mt. McKinley.
Wow, talk about a whirlwind tour. One week in Alaska would be like hitting the highlights of France, Germany & England in a week. In any case, get a copy of the MilePost. During 44 years in Alaska, we have seen a lot but not all - too big & expensive. Talkeetna and Denali NP are, IMHO, a must for a longer trip but not for 1 week. A sightseeing/landing flight is a fantastic experience but weather is not always cooperative. Also the park road is closed at mp43 which is at the Toklat Bridge - not a mt view. We would recommend spending your time on the Kenai Penninsula. Seward is good for the Bay boat trip but include the Alaska Sealife Center. The Seward hwy has lots of wildlife viewing possibilities. Look for other cars stopped for animals. At the junction of Seward & Stirling hwys, Tern Lake has swans & terns. A bit west on the Sterling hwy, look for a large turnout on the left side for viewing mt sheep/goats. On the Sterling hwy south of Soldotna, there are distant views of Redoubt volcano. At Ninilchik is a small Russian Orthodox church & a view of Iliama volcano. Homer has many good restaurants, the Islands & Oceans Center, and a tour boat to Halibut Cove as well as views from Skyline Drive. Wildlife viewing will be best early morn and late eve. Fishing trips are possible in Soldotna ( on the Kenai River for salmon) and in Homer (ocean for halibut and salmon). In any case, travel slow & enjoy the scenery. And make reservations yesterday!
Hi Larry,
I know, most Americans are about fishing. But let me say, for me Denali Nationalpark was always the highlight of our Alaska-trips. And we were there about 6 or 7 times (have to look it up). But at Kenai Peninsula we were only once, it wad not what we had expected from Alaska.
What I want to say: everybody is different and everybody has different likes and dislikes.
OK folks, quit telling people to go to Denali. THE ROAD IS CLOSED. it will be for, at least, another year.
https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
To clarify - From mile 43 you cannot see the mountain. It's a long ride of over an hour to a flat spot of muskeg.
NO, the road through Denali NP is NOT closed. It is only closed after mile 43. And on this 43 miles you would see such a lot of wildlife, if taking the shuttle, as nobody else in Alaska. We did this trip so often and it always was an experience.
Maybe you have mixed it up with the yearly closing in wintertime??????
rei.beate from Munich: I am delighted that you so enjoyed Denali. I do not understand what you expected for the Kenai Peninsula that disappointed you. Our German, Swiss and Norwegian friends loved it very much. Wildlife is everywhere in Alaska. We even had a cow moose use our travel trailer as a scratching post at Kenai Lake. We used to drive into Denali Park with our RV and camp at Wonder Lake. We saw wildlife but that was in September. (And I don't remember seeing the Mt until Polychrome Pass which is in the closed area). Beth is taking a quick trip in June when the sun rises early and sets late. Harder to find critters at the roadside in daytime. Plus lots of road traffic. We personally do not like fast travel, but for some, that is A-OK. There is plenty of Alaska for everyone.
