I've been a tour guide in both Alaska and Washington and I love to share the places I love with visitors, newcomers and my fellow locals. It may not be a huge fair, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. Homer is a funky, fun little fishing town. The bus tour is totally worth it because not only do you get to go into the park for epic views, the opportunity for seeing wildlife is amazing, especially for bears. Home Tours Alaska Driving Tours Self-Drive All Alaska Classic Self Drive Tour. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Wildlife viewing is not an emergency. The trip can be done one way fromSewardtoFairbanksafter a cruise or from Fairbanks to Seward before the cruise. While you can often see the northern lights from Fairbanks itself, many tour operators use Fairbanks as their main launching pad to take visitors beyond the Arctic Circle, which boosts your chances of seeing the lights. questions about Talkeetna: Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! I recommend spending two nights in Denali if possible because you then get the full day to take the bus trip into the park. First time in Anchorage and looking for lunch and possible site see. You cannot drive past the Savage River post in Denali National Park (unless you visit in September and secure aDenali Road Lottery Permit) which is only a few miles past the visitor center. The scenes from the car window on this trip are unparalleled, from great lakes to the peak of Denali Mountain. Girdwood is great to visit in the fall. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Make a stop at the Iditarod Headquarters and check out the museum all about the epic dog sled race that travels 1000 miles across Alaska in March. If you go straight to Seward with no stops, plan on a roughly two hour drive(about 125 miles). Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. Answer 11 of 11: Hello! Click the button below to explore more questions After all, two of the biggest attractions in Seward offer shelter from the elements: The exhibits of Seward SeaLife Center are mostly indoors, and all Seward day cruiseshave a heated cabin where you can warm up between photo ops out on the deck. Availability: This particular drive is not recommended during snowy and stormy weather, so check weather warnings in advance of setting off. A little further gets you to Denali National Park, the home of North America's tallest mountain, Mount McKinley. Hi! Taking this route will add about 20 miles and an hour of driving time to your road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks. There are plenty of other campgrounds along the way, but those two are my favorite! Overcast Clouds. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Every twenty years or so, a freak early snow will surprise people, but the roads remain open. The three largest towns are Charlotte Amalie (10,354), Christiansted (2,433) and Frederiksted (859). Learn More > Northern Exposure Alaska Sampler - Tour 169 Paddle Alaska Road Trip - Tour 128 Ive not personally done a Denali flightseeing tour yet, but I have yet to hear a bad thing about it from anyone whos done it. What are the road conditions like between Anchorage and Fairbanks? But if you can't, September could be great." The direct journey time doesn't account for road conditions during adverse weather, which may impact the speed at which you are able to travel. The Adventures of Nicole is a participant in the Fall colors in Alaska are beautiful but different from the Lower 48. Camping along the way? Accommodation: 14 nights. I'm Jennie. Make sure your car is equipped with winter tires and you have snow chains available. Similar to the Denali South viewpoint, the North viewpoint is another excellent viewing location for Denali from a slightly different perspective. Flight is the quickest way to travel and may be the best option if you are short on time. At around 60-70 minutes, flying is the quickest option and is sometimes even less expensive than the train. It's often rainy, the crisp clear fall days are not to be missed. 359 mi Total Distance 7 hrs 7 mins Drive Time 30 stops Cities / Attractions National Park Pass holders just need to show their pass to get in. Railroad enthusiasts will appreciate the Alaska Railroad Museum located inside the historic train station from 1923. You can even do a guided walk or hike here to learn even more about the natural history and beauty of Alaska. Set out on the Parks Highway from Anchorage. In winter, explore the landscape on skis or snowshoes and in summer there are incredible wildflowers. You walk to the counter inside the airport (admittedly it's a long walk in Anchorage) and then walk directly out to the garage. Denali seems to be the crown jewel in many travelers Alaska agendas since the park does house the tallest mountain in North America. Enjoy six days traveling from Fairbanks to Anchorage with stops in Denali National Park and Talkeetna for rafting, wildlife viewing, and a once-in-a-lifetime flightseeing trip with glacier landing. There's a pretty good chance you'll see the Northern lights here (during the aurora borealis peak time between September and April) because it's far from the city and it's super dark. Im a fourth generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska for 7 years. The Eagle River Nature Center is a beautiful area just outside of Anchorage with beautiful landscapes, wildlife and hiking trails. Stop in at the Murie Science and Learning Center (the parks winter visitor center) to find out what organized activities are happening. Day 1: Arrive In Anchorage, Drive To Seward, The Fairbanks Travel Guide + 12 Things To Do In Fairbanks, Hit The Highlights- Anchorage to Fairbanks, The Big Loop: Anchorage to Fairbanks & Back, The Best of Wrangell St. Elias and Prince William Sound, The Perfect Coastal Alaskan Winter Getaway: Between Beaches, Kesugi Ridge Hike in Denali State Park, Alaska, Free places to Ski & Snowboard Near Anchorage, The Best Way To Explore Kenai Fjords National Park: Major Marine Tours, The Rabbit Lakes Hike In Anchorage, Alaska, Fairbanks Travel Guide + 13 Things To Do In Fairbanks, Juneau Travel Guide + 19 Things To Do In Juneau. Several buses depart daily, while there is just one train per day. This section could be endless, so rather than trying to In addition to incredible landscapes, you can visit the historic independence mine. Search for RV campgrounds. It has a couple of surprisingly excellent museums for such a small town. The scenery provides plenty of reason to road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, but if you have time to make some stops, there are some great places to stretch your legs, learn about something new, see even more amazing scenery and wildlife and grab a bite to eat. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. Alaska's second largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures. Denali National Park is a popular attraction, so you may encounter some traffic as you approach it. And if you know Anchorage well, please help your fellow That said, the Alaska Department of Transportation makes a significant effort to keep the highway passable and safe. How Much Does It Cost To Travel In Alaska? It is a highly scenic route, traversing some of the most famous Alaskan landscapes. One-day rail tours and multi-day packages can be booked through several local operators. Plan on it taking at least 6.5 hours plus any stops you want to make. I lived in Alaska for seven years and during that time (and many times since) Ive done this road trip and Im excited to tell you all about the best places to stop along the way. As it's a small city, from here it shouldn't be a long drive to your accommodation or destination. You can easily do the drive in a day, but why would you when youd miss so many reasons for doing the trip along the way? By car, Fairbanks is 7 to 8 hours from Anchorage, and only 45 minutes by air. This quirky former tourist attraction offers visitors the eerie experience of seeing a completely abandoned hotel and marks the halfway point between Anchorage and Fairbanks. If going into the backcountry you must obtain a backcountry pass at the visitor center- they are free. Overwhelmed by choices? Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. We locals call these early snows Termination Dust, as in signaling the end of summer and that old man winter is just around the corner. Whether you catch it under a blanket of snow or lit by the midnight sun, you're sure to find something to enjoy in this welcoming community. In winter, there is plenty of opportunity for cross country skiing. Youll zip across snowy meadows and icy lakes and past majestic mountains, stopping to appreciate the spectacular Alaskan backcountry and watch for wildlife. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Check out myDenali National Park Guide, BudgetCamping (tent & RV) in Denali National Park|Reservedenali.com|, MidrangeAurora Denali Lodge (Healy)|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeMcKinley Creekside Cabins|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. A road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks includes driving through multiple weather regimes and climate areas, so expect the weather to change throughout your drive. Starting at: $3569 / per person. Anchorage Depot: 411 West 1st Avenue, 99501 Fairbanks Depot: 1745 Johansen Expressway, 99701 Depart Anchorage: 8:20 AM . Can You Drive To Alaska From The United States? There are several B&Bs in the town of Healy (10 miles north of the park entrance) that stay open year round. At 12 hours (8:15 a.m. 8 p.m.), this is the longest train ride on the Alaska Railroad. Entries Feed If you do have a bit more time to budget for you Anchorage to Fairbanks itinerary, Id suggest spending a night over in Kayakers Cove to add an adventurous day on your trip. It takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive the 360 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks. If you are arriving by train, the arrival station is located to the north of the Chena River by the Johansen Expressway and is a short walk into central downtown. It also stops at Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali. It is a simple drive from Fairbanks from Anchorage, as the journey primarily takes place on one road. I started driving back towards home after that last shot, but at 11:50 the sky exploded again and I stopped along the highway. - See 1,784 traveler reviews, 465 candid photos, and great deals for Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. Driving time in good conditions will take about seven hours, not including stops. You could head toward Chena Hotsprings and have a soak in the hot waters. Car, train, or group tour. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Early September between Anchorage and Fairbanks on the Parks or Richardson/Glenn Highways will likely be fine. It's extremely convenient and easy to rent a car at Alaska airports. Totally worth it! travelers and answer their questions about Anchorage! Right now, our darkest hours in Anchorage are between 2-3am. All land transportation options take you through river valleys and boreal forest, with mountain vistas and Denali (Mt. Highlights plus less visited destinations. It also has amazing views of the entire area. To find lodging and dining in Talkeetna, go to talkeetnachamber.org. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Anchorage is 187 miles from the the junction with the Richardson Highway. Use code ADVENTURESOFNICOLE The road conditions differ between the seasons, and winter in particular can be quite demanding on vehicles. This article is organized by stops starting in Anchorage and going north to Fairbanks. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. Stop off for lunch in Talkeetna, a quirky town in the shadow of Denali about 2.5 hours out of Anchorage. First the bad news: Most tours and hotels around here close between the 15th and 20th of the month, and many summer activities draw to a close by the middle of the month. Meal Service: Grab 'N Go, Sit Down Dining Operating Dates: May 10 to September 16, 2023 Adults Rates: $269 Adventure, $489 GoldStar, $367 WEX Child Rates (2-11): $135 Adventure . *Note: the Denali flightseeing tour, as with any flightseeing tour is heavily weather dependent. Other activities in Talkeetna include theDenali Zipline, kayaking & rafting tours, and the riverboat trip up the Devils Canyon. There are also hiking trails in the area for exploring. Those who want to go further can explore further up the ridges on Mt Healy. Selected excursions, transportation (like the railroad), and lodges offer shoulder season pricing in September--but not all do. This area is similar to Denali in the sense that many hotels and tours shut down by mid-Septemberafter which things are really shut down. Glennallen, at mile 115 is the junction with the Glenn Highway to Anchorage. 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