Jeff Craft asked:
Alaska, the largest state of the 50, is crammed full of beautiful flora, landscape, and tourist hot spots. One affordable way to see it all is on an Alaska RV trip. Whether it’s the towering mountains of Denali National Park, the city life of Anchorage, or the electrifying Aurora Borealis that draws your attention, a motor home tour of the Land of the Midnight Sun is perhaps the easiest, most comfortable way to see the sights. So what does Alaska have to offer the motor home traveler? That’s a very broad question.
First off, why travel in a motor home or RV? Motor homes provide comfort and convenience for long distance traveling. No hotel rooms must be purchased, and it spares those of us that are spoiled from having to camp out in a tent while visiting the parks. If you don’t own your own motor home, RV’s can be rented from many companies located in the many cities of Alaska. Make sure you reserve one early, though. Motor homes tend to sell out during the peak summer season. Once the motor home situation has been solved, you’re ready to tour.
Alaska has over 15 national parks, monuments, and preserves. Each park contains many hiking, biking, and driving trails. These parks provide the perfect opportunity to observe the landscape, wildlife, and flora. The world renowned Denali National Park lies in the heart of the Alaskan mainland. Denali is home to the 20,300 foot high Mt. McKinley, the United States highest mountain peak. The park houses many grizzly bears, caribou, and moose. Other parks, such as Glacier Bay, Wrangell St. Elias, and Kenai fjords, all surround Denali, making the heartland of Alaska an appealing area to hiking enthusiasts.
If you dare brave the frigid weather, a motor home trip to northern Alaska has much to offer. Gates to the Arctic National Park and Bearing Land Bridge National Preserve lie in the area. From the Bearing Land Bridge, one can see into Russia, where a mere 20 years ago, travel to the country would have been forbidden. Northern Alaska’s main attraction, however, is not a place. In the winter time, it is one of the best spots on earth to see the aurora borealis, more commonly known as the northern lights. If you can brave temperatures down to -50 degrees, an electrifying show waits to be seen.
To the south lie the major cities of Juneau, Homer, and Anchorage. For those that don’t want to rough the mountains, a tour of the southern cities may be an option. All the major cities of Alaska are on the southern coasts, and each city has plenty to offer. Homer, for example, has many art galleries and art shows. Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, has guided mountain tours, fishing trips, golf, and even the opportunity to try your hand at angling in a 50 pound salmon. Katmai National Park is located near Anchorage and Homer. Every park and city have motor home camping areas, each equipped with running water and electricity outlets for your convenience.
Aside from the cities’ convenient locations to the National Parks, each city has its fair share of urban thrills. There are art and historical museums for the cultural traveler, fishing for the anglers, kayaking for the adventurer, and shopping and cuisine for everyone. The cities will appeal to all, even the Twinkie munching couch potato.
Planning is essential to getting the most out of a motor home tour of Alaska. Perhaps it’s more work than you want to bother with. After all, you really don’t know where everything is in this giant state. Not to worry. Guided motor home tours are provided by many groups located in Alaska. For $2,500+, you can get a rented motor home and a tour guide for an all inclusive tour. The group will have an itinerary to follow, and the guide will ensure that all the sights and sounds along route will be seen and heard. These tours last anywhere from 11-day tours of the cities to 22+ day tours of all the National Parks, Monuments, and Historical sites.
When planning that next vacation, think Alaska, think about the convenience of an RV trip. Motor homes cram the comforts of home into a vehicle that makes your time in the wilderness that much more comfortable. Hey! It beats a tent!
