Related: Denali National Park Planning Guide. Overwhelmed by choices? Is the road between Anchorage and Fairbanks paved? Want to plan the trip back? Im happy to have found this article. Fairbanks is 360 miles north of Anchorage, just north from the Denali National Park and Preserve. Girdwood is great to visit in the fall. Where are the gas stations and other services? Your email address will not be published. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. It's well worth heading into central Alaska to see more of what this dazzling state has to offer. Two trains . Youll zip across snowy meadows and icy lakes and past majestic mountains, stopping to appreciate the spectacular Alaskan backcountry and watch for wildlife. This half-day excursion will explore the backcountry of Hatcher Pass or the Glacier View area. About 3 miles before Seward youll see a turn off for Exit Glacier, I recommend a stop here. It's often rainy, the crisp clear fall days are not to be missed. 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. I'm Jennie. Halibut fishing here is usually great and youll usually find many charters on offer in the summer. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Entries Feed Answer 1 of 18: Hi all, I plan to go to Anchorage 9-11 to 9/15 , then Fairbanks 9/16 to 9/18., Would anyone give me some info: 1) How is the drive / road condition from Anchorage to Fairbank? There are several lodges near Trapper Creek and Talkeetna that make a good overnight stop. Unsubscribe at anytime. Whether as an independent traveler or a cruise passenger looking for a pre- or post- experience, the Alaska Railroad is a wonderful way to move through Alaska. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? If youre doing a round trip drive (which is likely because one way car rental in Alaska is extremely expensive), consider mixing it up with different stops going north and south so youre finding something new to explore on both ends of your road trip. Denali Park Salmon Bake: Best place to eat in Denali Park!! *Note: there is no fee to enter the national park or visit the glacier. Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Visit Kenai Fjords National Park, where you can hike or ice climb on glaciers, go hiking, and cruise the fjords. Duration: 15 days. But that doesnt mean things are totally shut downand there are some nice upsides to September here. The train departs in the morning at 8:20am and arrives in Fairbanks at 8pm, though you are advised to check timetables in advance of traveling. On the other, the tundra can glow bright red--and smell fragrant beyond words. We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children aged 5&7 yrs at time of travel) and we'll be staying in Denali for 3. This article is organized by stops starting in Anchorage and going north to Fairbanks. Where to stay camping, hotels and lodges, Best hikes on the drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks, Best stops on the drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks, https://www.ordinary-adventures.com/privacy-policy/. There's less crowds, but all of the great things about Girdwood still exist. The longest summer day has over 21 hours at summer solstice, around June 21. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Every twenty years or so, a freak early snow will surprise people, but the roads remain open. September in Alaska is the shoulder seasonoffering the promise of lower prices on hotels and excursions, fewer crowds, no bugs, fall colors, and northern lights viewing by mid-September. From here you can see the entire park entrance area. Set out on the Parks Highway from Anchorage. The next point of interest will be a feat of engineering, the century-old Hurricane Bridge, which crosses a wide chasm and connects southcentral Alaska to the Alaska interior. And, many cruise lines discount their September cruises. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The driving distance from Seattle to the Yukon Territory/Alaska border crossing is about 1,800 - 1,900 miles, depending on which route you take. Pack your winter clothes and read on for our tips on how to get there and some of the amazing places to see en route. Labor Day is not the end of the tourist crowds in Alaska. Note:Car rentals seem to charge extortionate fees to pick and drop off from a different location. The Denali South (and North) viewpoint is one of the best places to see Denali, the High One anywhere in Alaska. 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. First time in Anchorage and looking for lunch and possible site see. Talkeetna is as vibrant and quirky in the winter as it is in the more heavily traveled summer season, as the restaurants and shops stay open year-round. Other options:If Seward isnt appealing to you, you can opt to take the Sterling Highway to Kenai & Soldotna for fishing, or go all the way down toHomer(about 5 hours from Anchorage). We respect your privacy. Fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks, rent a vehicle thats well-equipped for winter driving conditions, complete the one-way drive between the two cities, return the vehicle at the other end. In addition to incredible landscapes, you can visit the historic independence mine. Click the button below to explore more questions Driving in Alaska: Alaska is different than the Lower 48 in many ways, which is why it requires more planning and preparation than other domestic vacations. Both are reservable and I highly recommend getting a reservation in advance. After the flats, you will enter the Mat-Su Valley. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. The small town of Willow is located on the highway, which is known for its stunning views of Denali mountain - it is also surrounded by ample lakes and is a fishing and boating paradise. Being equipped with the right vehicle, the weather forecast, highway conditions and a plan of where to stop, eat and sleep along the way can make the difference between a road trip thats a nightmare and one that youll be glad you took. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Once you are well-rested, grab a quick brunch(BearstoothandSnow Cityare some of my faves), and run by a store to grab any supplies youll need before heading south on the Seward Highway. Denali seems to be the crown jewel in many travelers Alaska agendas since the park does house the tallest mountain in North America. Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle via the Steese, Elliot and Dalton Highways features about 50 miles of pavement between Fairbanks and Coldfoot and more than 120 miles of gravel from Coldfoot to the Arctic Circle. Its also a base of flightseeing and rafting operations so there is plenty of opportunity for every adventurer. A little further gets you to Denali National Park, the home of North America's tallest mountain, Mount McKinley. Trails near the park entrance and winter visitor center are color-coded by difficulty level, so you can easily determine the snowshoe route thats best for you. The roads seemed decent, although a bit scary going in and out of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Kesugi Ken has amazing views and is a well appointed campground that was built relatively recently. Kesugi Ridge is one of the best backpacking trails in Alaska, but if youre not up for the multiday challenging hike you can absolutely do a day hike here too! Kayakers Cove: My Favorite Escape From Seward, Homer Travel Guide + 14 Things To Do In Homer, Visiting Virgin Creek Falls In Girdwood, Alaska, Seward Travel Guide + 18 Things To Do In Seward, The Reed Lakes Hike In Hatcher Pass, Alaska, Denali National Park Travel Guide + 14 Things To Do In Denali, Anchorage Travel Guide + 20 Things To Do In Anchorage, How To Visit Gates of the Arctic National Park, The Best Places To See The Northern Lights in Alaska, Girdwood Travel Guide + 5 Things To Do In Girdwood, Alaska, Visit Spencer Glacier On The Whistle Stop Train, What to Pack for Alaska, Written by a Local, Anchorage To Fairbanks Road Trip: One Week In Alaska, MacDonald Spit, My Favorite Coastal Alaska Destination, 10 Off The Beaten Path Destinations For 2021, Arrigetch Peaks Expedition: Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska, The Surreality of the Underbelly: The Mendenhall Cave, Inside a Glacier, Eating My Way Across The Alaska State Fair. So, if you want to experience this area, you just have to come in the early part of the month. Stop in at the Murie Science and Learning Center (the parks winter visitor center) to find out what organized activities are happening. Hatcher Pass is a very worthwhile detour, but it does add some time. Thompson Pass, as seen in May 2009. Driving time: 20 hours, 14 minutes. Totally worth it! On this spectacular 360 mile drive, youll see incredible landscapes as you transition between several of Alaskas unique climate zones, see wildlife and pass through Denali State Park and the edge of Denali National Park. The city itself is a hub of entertainment, fresh seafood and local culture, as well as being one of the best places to view the Northern Lights. 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. In winter expect plenty of snow and ice. Glennallen saw an influx of gold seekers headed for the Klondike Gold Fields in 1898. Enter a city to drive through, or find all. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Fall visitors will almost certainly need to rent a car and drive here on their own, on Alaska Route 3 (the "George Parks Highway"). 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