By no means having pushed to Alaska earlier than, I pictured the Alaska Freeway beginning proper over the border in Canada and going all the way in which to Alaska. Nicely, that isn’t true. An Alaska Freeway highway journey begins in Dawson Creek in British Columbia, Canada and takes you from there to Fairbanks, Alaska.
Under we share our route and a aspect journey off the Alaska Freeway that we extremely suggest. On this superb North America highway journey, you’ll journey by way of BC and into the Yukon Territory.
Map of the Alaska Freeway
Roads: Be ready that there’s frost heave on many roads and building on the Alaska Freeway someplace, just about all summer time. However don’t let this cease you from taking the journey!
Our setup: Household of 6 (Dad, Mother, 15, 13, 13 and 11 yr outdated) in a Keystone Arcadia 248SLRE fifth wheel being towed by a Ford F350.
Animals: Search for bears, moose, bison, stone sheep, deer, and possibly even a lynx.
Here’s what we did on our journey on the Alaska Freeway to get to Alaska.
Dawson Creek to Fort Nelson
We stopped for the evening in Dawson Creek BC – the place the Alaska Freeway formally begins after leaving Jasper National Park.
- Campground: Mile 0 Campground
- Reservation: No – known as on our means there and so they had availability.
- Date stayed: June 1st
The campground was advantageous – nothing fancy however full hookups and laundry, and our Starlink labored right here, so it was all good. We headed to the Alaska Freeway Signal within the morning and received a number of footage and movies!
Mile 0 Alaska Freeway Signal and Customer Heart
There’s loads of room to tug a trailer/RV into right here, and individuals are at all times coming and taking footage.
There’s additionally a customer middle the place we received some stickers and checked out the native journey information brochures.
Drive from Dawson Creek To Fort Nelson
After that, we made certain we had been crammed up on fuel, and we had been on our means on the primary stretch of the Alaska Freeway. Our plan was to get to Fort Nelson at this time (you possibly can plan a cease at Fort St John, too, if you want.).
- Street we took: Alaska Freeway
- Street situation: High-quality. 2 lane freeway with a giant shoulder. Passing lanes occasionally. Not many fuel stops – so refill once you see one.
- General: Some 10 and 9% grades however manageable. We did hit wildfire smoke for a superb hour.
- Cell: Verizon protection was on and off. However extra on than I assumed it could be.
- Animals noticed: We noticed 1 Bear and 1 coyote. My sister noticed 3 bears. And one other driver they talked to noticed 7 bears in whole.
- Surroundings: It was lovely, however not the Icefield Parkway. You don’t see a lot of the mountains.
Fort Nelson to Laird Scorching Springs
After we arrived in Fort Nelson, we stayed on the Triple G Hideaway campground, which was nice! There was a ton of smoke once we had been about an hour out of Fort Nelson, so be ready for that.
- Campground: Triple G Hideaway
- Reservation: No – known as on our means there and so they had availability.
- Date stayed: June 2nd
After we pulled into Fort Nelson, we stopped very first thing to get fuel and, from there, headed to the campground.
You simply pull in, cease in entrance of the constructing, and go in to check-in. They had been fast and environment friendly and received us arrange with our web site.
After that, I received some loonies – they take US {dollars} for a good change – which the speed is just not even proper now – however I wanted loonies for laundry, so that’s what it’s. And I did a few a great deal of laundry.
That they had a number of washers and dryers. However the dryer did take two cycles to dry the garments.
After that, we made dinner – they do have a restaurant on-site if you happen to desire to not prepare dinner.
After dinner, we headed in to get the youngsters ice cream. They had been beneficiant scoops in a waffle cone and had 20 completely different flavors to select from.
We additionally explored the reward outlets (they’ve a number of small reward store huts on the property) earlier than heading in when the mosquitos received too unhealthy to hang around exterior.
The following day, we headed out to Laird Scorching Springs (we did have a reservation for the campground right here. If we didn’t, they’ve an overflow lot you may boondock at – I consider you do pay for it?).
NOTE: Obtain your GPS earlier than you allow!
Drive From Fort Nelson To Laird Scorching Springs
- Campground: Laird Hot Springs
- Reservation: Sure – months earlier than we went.
- Date stayed: June third
This a part of the drive is attractive!!! You’re getting into again into the Rockies, and it’s lovely. However be ready; additionally it is like a curler coaster journey of up and down and winding roads.
Cease 1: Tetsa River Lodge
Come hungry and with cash once you cease right here! Additionally, don’t miss it. Our downloaded GPS had us driving proper previous it. There are a number of indicators, and you will note the cinnamon roll signal, too.
There’s a campground right here and spots to simply pull over and park. We parked to the proper once we pulled in earlier than the campground and headed in to search out out concerning the cinnamon rolls.
She stated she solely had 5 left, and with my sister and her household arising in a couple of minutes, I grabbed all 5! Another person did are available in after that asking for some, and he or she stated her subsequent batch could be accomplished in 37 minutes.
In different phrases, she is cooking cinnamon rolls all day – so that you shouldn’t have an issue getting one, however you will have to attend a couple of minutes for yours.
She gave us ours, which had been nonetheless heat, and we headed to the picnic desk to take pleasure in them. They had been scrumptious! We every had half of 1 and will have simply completed a complete one, although they had been massive.
There’s additionally quite a lot of native meat that her husband prepares that you may purchase. We received beef sticks, salami, Canadian bacon, and Italian sausages.
The Cinnamon Rolls had been $7 Canadian every, and the meat was costlier. The Canadian Bacon we received was $21, the meat sticks had been $18, and the 4 sausages had been about $32. However all the things we had was scrumptious!!
In addition they have soup and low that you may get right here. Plus fuel if you happen to want it.
Cease 2: Muncho Lake
For this a part of the drive, you drive alongside a river, after which attain Muncho Lake, which is that unreal blue shade water!! They’ve a couple of first come first serve campgrounds right here – which at about 2 pm seemed fairly crammed up.
We stopped at a pull-off to seize some footage earlier than heading out once more to our reservations at Laird Scorching Springs.
Cease 3: Laird Scorching Springs
The campground at Laird Scorching Springs was very nice. A large fence surrounds the entire campground to maintain the animals out. This additionally means it’s locked at evening. Ensure to test the occasions so you recognize when you must get there!
The campground has no hookups. However out of your web site, you may stroll to the new springs, and they’re attractive. Being within the campground makes it very straightforward to stroll over there and go to them a number of occasions earlier than you allow.
This a part of the drive was our favourite thus far!! Each flip appeared to get extra lovely!!
- Street we took: Alaska Freeway
- Street situation: High-quality. 2 lane freeway with a giant shoulder. Passing lanes occasionally. Not many fuel stops – so refill once you see one. A lot of up and down and winding by way of the mountains. Craig known as it a curler coaster!
- General: Some 8 and 9% grades however manageable. Some tough gravel and washboard sections by the Tetsa River Lodge for a few miles. Different sections the place the highway had batches of graveling spots – you possibly can go round them within the different lane if there wasn’t site visitors coming.
- Cell: No protection as soon as we left Fort Nelson.
- Animals noticed: We noticed 2 Bears, 1 Caribou, 1 Moose, a couple of deer and 1 lynx on the aspect of the highway that Craig noticed.
- Stops made: Tetsa River Lodge, ToadRiver to get fuel, Muncho Lake pull-off for footage.
- Surroundings: Was a wonderful drive by way of the mountains and alongside rivers and lakes!
Laird Scorching Springs – Whitehorse
- Campground: Caribou RV Park
- Reservation: No known as on our means there
- Date stayed: June 4th
This was an extended drive that initially we thought we’d break up however each Craig and Jake stated let’s go for it so we drove all day to get to Whitehorse.
It rained virtually the entire time – which was good for the world since there have been a variety of wildfires. However not that enjoyable to drive in.
It was one other lovely drive – not as mountainous as the day past however nonetheless lovely!
Cease: Signpost Forest
We had heard this was one other should do on the Alaska Freeway! We had purchased a chunk of wooden at Menards earlier than we left and since we had been scrambling to get all the things able to go we simply grabbed some everlasting markers and wrote Loopy Household Journey 2023 and our names on it.
After we received to the Signal Forest – simply off of Hwy 1 it was pouring rain! We grabbed our umbrellas and headed out to take a look at the indicators and discover a place to place ours.
Craig had his drill and a few screws so we discovered a spot and added our signal and grabbed a couple of footage! Megan and her household did the identical and we had been on our means.
There have been so many indicators! It was enjoyable to learn all of the completely different ones and see the place folks had been coming from. It was additionally cool to see how some folks used no matter they might – a shoe or a bin high or perhaps a children coaching rest room to go away their mark within the signal forest!
There’s a fuel station proper throughout the road and a giant parking zone in 2 completely different locations so parking the RV wasn’t an issue.
You may additionally need to cease on the George Johnston Museum in Teslin you probably have additional time.
- Street we took: Alaska Freeway
- Street Situation: High-quality. 2 lane freeway with a giant shoulder. Passing lanes occasionally. Not many fuel stops – so refill once you see one. A lot of up and down and winding by way of the mountains.
- General: Similar 8 to 9% grades with some spots of gravel – that you possibly can usually go round if nobody was within the different lane.
- Surroundings: It was a wonderful drive by way of forests and mountains.
- Cell: No Verizon protection for more often than not.
- Animals noticed: A number of bison – there are indicators throughout warning about them and a couple of bears.
Whitehorse to Dawson Metropolis
We made a final minute resolution to move to Dawson Metropolis. We figured once we had been right here why not! Earlier than going we known as to verify there was someplace to remain and head off the Alaska Freeway to make a cease in Dawson Metropolis.
We’re so glad we added this cease to our journey. Dawson Metropolis is a novel place and is certainly someplace it is best to go to no less than as soon as in your life!
- Campground: Gold Rush Campground
- Reservation: No, we known as a pair days earlier than we headed that means.
- Date stayed: June fifth – June seventh
This was one other lovely drive however there have been a variety of potholes and building that had us driving on a totally dust highway. It was an extended drive day from Whitehorse – on Google maps it stated 6 hours but it surely took us nearer to eight hours.
- Street Situation: Questionable. We hit a pair potholes and Craig spent the vast majority of the drive tremendous centered on not hitting anymore!
- General: It was a wonderful and lengthy drive however not a simple drive.
- Stops made: We stopped to get fuel and one additional time to go to the toilet.
- Surroundings: Stunning!! At one level we might see the large snow lined mountains within the distance previous a wonderful inexperienced forest.
- Cell: Just about no service – infrequently it could work however nothing constant until we had been passing by way of one of many small cities.
- Animals noticed: A pair bears together with one which stopped on the aspect of the highway and principally seemed each methods earlier than crossing the road proper in entrance of us. It was like he knew to search for vehicles! We additionally noticed a fantastically coloured fox.
Dawson Metropolis – Tok
- Campground: Tok RV Village Campground
- Reservation: No known as a pair days earlier than we headed that means.
- Date stayed: June seventh – June ninth
This was a enjoyable one and a bit nerve wrecking! The journey begins by taking the ferry throughout the Yukon River in Dawson Metropolis. The ferry is a part of the Canada Freeway Division so it’s free and runs 24 hours a day. And sure RV’s can go on it!
What we didn’t understand is that we’d be ready in line for over an hour to get on the ferry. Because of the quantity of individuals attempting to cross at about 11:30 and the scale of the ferry. It was taking 2 possibly 3 RV’s over at a time. Plus there have been common vehicles and work vans that wanted to get throughout.
By the point we received throughout and Megan and Jake did it had been 2 hours. With that we took off on our journey on the Prime Of The World Freeway from Dawson Metropolis to Tok.
Throughout this journey we’d even be crossing the border again into the US and into Alaska! This meant we needed to you’ll want to get to the border crossing whereas it was open.
We assumed we’d have loads of time earlier than we had the two hour wait. Nevertheless it nonetheless appeared like it could be advantageous so off we went.
The Prime Of The World freeway has an indication proper earlier than you get on it that claims: Street is just not maintained – journey at your personal threat. Nicely there you go.
We knew going into it what to anticipate and it was simply that. There have been no guardrails or shoulder and we had been means up within the mountains. Principally driving on the aspect of the mountain with our RV. Even with a automobile it could be a bit scary however with an RV it was much more so!
We took our time and Craig did a terrific job navigating the roads and the grades – the grades weren’t labeled and I feel we hit a couple of that had been no less than 10% and on gravel. There’s additionally a big climb proper earlier than you attain the border crossing.
The views just about the entire time are unreal. You’re principally on high of the mountain simply searching over miles and miles of mountains and forest.
We made it to the border crossing and it was a fast passport test and some questions and we had been on our means. There was no wait and all the things was very easy.
1st Half Of The Tip: Prime Of The World Freeway
Street Circumstances: The highway was paved for some time and have become not paved. As talked about above no guardrails or shoulder on the highway. There have been a variety of dips and bumps and pot holes alongside the way in which. However the views had been unreal!!
General: In case you are ready, know what you’re entering into and really feel assured in your capacity to drive your RV you are able to do it. Notice: I might 100% not suggest in snow or heavy rain.
- Stops made: We stopped to absorb the view and for toilet breaks a couple of occasions.
- Surroundings: Stunning!! You actually do really feel like you’re on high of the world!
- Cell: I forgot to notice this however I’m going to imagine we might have gotten slightly little bit of service right here and there since we had been so excessive up and it was extensive open house throughout us.
- Animals noticed: None – apart from birds.
Cease: Welcome To Alaska Signal
There’s room to tug over together with your RV to take an image by the Welcome To Alaska Signal. Simply don’t miss it or it is going to be arduous to show round!
2 Half Of The Journey: Prime Of The World Freeway To Tok
Proper previous the border crossing is the Welcome To Alaska signal so we stopped there to seize some footage. Don’t miss it! We made it to Alaska!
On the way in which we stopped on the group of Rooster Alaska – however the fuel was all locked up and nobody got here out so we simply took a fast lavatory break and stored going.
We had about 77 miles to go to get to Tok. The highway continued to be paved in most spots with numerous dips and pot holes.
We did see 2 giant caribou standing proper in the course of the highway. The journey to Tok took us extra out of the mountains and decrease. Which I used to be completely OK with!
Arriving In Tok
As soon as we arrived in Tok all the things seemed OK with the RV after that loopy freeway. All we observed on first look was one of many curtains fell off.
After additional inspection:
- A beer exploded within the exterior fridge.
- A pipe underneath the sink got here unfastened – which we didn’t understand till working the water for some time. In order that meant water received on the ground.
- Craig observed the tires had hit the underside of the RV a couple of occasions.
- Plus there have been a variety of knicks within the sheet metallic he had put in above the tires.
- The rig was dusty and a variety of mud received into the RV.
- General nothing too unhealthy and we had been capable of repair all the things.
We spent 2 enjoyable nights in Tok earlier than transferring on.
Tok To Fairbanks
- Campground: Rivers Edge RV Park & Campground
- Reservation: Booked months forward of time – however ended up altering our reservation to much less time – however you’ll want to do that by the point they let you know to.
- Date stayed: June ninth – June eleventh
This was a fairly drive that began trying like we’d drive straight into the mountains. From there it was quite a lot of mountain views and forest roads.
The roads had been respectable, with a couple of sketchy spots – that had been usually marked. You’ll drive on the Richardson Freeway between Delta Junction, Alaska, and Fairbanks on this route.
We stopped on the North Pole on our means in! This can be a must-do when driving the Alaska Freeway.
The Rivers Edge RV Park was simply OK, and Fairbanks is a giant metropolis. We initially thought we’d need to be right here longer to place our RV again collectively. However in the long run, we wished to get out of Fairbanks as quick as we might to get out of the town and extra into what we thought Alaska could be!
We did it! We drove the Alaska Freeway and made it to Alaska! Sticker on the RV: We survived the Alaska Freeway!
One cease we didn’t make on our journey was the Kluane Nationwide Park – you probably have extra time, we have now heard it’s superb and that you simply don’t need to miss Kluane Lake.
Keep tuned for extra content material approaching visiting Alaska plus our publish on driving dwelling on the Cassiar Freeway.
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She loves being exterior and exploring new locations which is all made higher when doing it with household and associates!
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