At around 60-70 minutes, flying is the quickest option and is sometimes even less expensive than the train. Exit Glacier is a part of Kenai Fjords National Park. You can opt for a quick 1 mile round trip walk to the face of the glacier or the much longer and strenuous hike up to Harding Icefield (about 8.4 miles roundtrip to the emergency shelter). because there's an entire community of travelers talking stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am, 10:00 am leave from Talkeetna It takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive the 360 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Eagle River, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park/Healy and Nenana all have plenty of services. Thompson Pass, as seen in May 2009. If going into the backcountry you must obtain a backcountry pass at the visitor center- they are free. Talkeetna is well worth the 30 mile detour round trip from the Parks Highway for all these delights. Note that the recommending starting point for doing this as a backpacking trip is at the other end but this is a good option for a day hike. drive for about 2 hours, 12:08 pm Cantwell (Alaska) Stopping in Anchorage with long layover and hoping for some suggestions on where to go. Your email address will not be published. Pilots will not fly if weather conditions are poor or unstable. Make sure to watch your speed and keep your eyes on the sides of the road in addition to whats right in front of you so you dont miss any wildlife sightings and also so you dont get into a collision with a moose or other animal. Ive allotted two days here for exploring the park, but it can easily be done in a day for those only wanting a bus tour, or you could spend weeks or even months here depending on what you want to do. Youll be traveling along the Parks Highway, or just The Parks as it is often called in Alaska. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Anchorage Depot: 411 West 1st Avenue, 99501 Fairbanks Depot: 1745 Johansen Expressway, 99701 Depart Anchorage: 8:20 AM . Savage River is much smaller and less busy than nearby Riley Creek and you can walk along the river there which is absolutely gorgeous. restaurants around Healy: Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. DENALI TO FAIRBANKS You don't need a passport to travel, as Alaska is part of the mainland United States. (2 answers). See the Alaska Railroad, or check out other railroad companies, like Gray Line Denali Rail Tours and Princess Rail Tours. 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. But not always. Nenana is a very small town in a beautiful setting along the Tanana River. Last updated: [wpautoterms last_updated_date]If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us. Kesugi Ken also has cabins (which book up far ahead of time). Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. You could head toward Chena Hotsprings and have a soak in the hot waters. Farther up the highway, at the braided mouth of the Knik River, you will pass a vast open area called the Palmer Hay Flats. For lodging, dining and attractions in Anchorage, visit anchorage.net; for Fairbanks, visit explorefairbanks.com. Want to plan the trip back? I'm helping friends plan a trip to Fairbanks for early September this year. Expect construction in the summer, summer and early fall and plenty of RV traffic in the summer. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. *Note: the Denali flightseeing tour, as with any flightseeing tour is heavily weather dependent. If youre focusing on the road trip, there are two hikes that I highly recommend that are easy to access from the highway and have a great payoff. If the mountain is clear, its absolutely mandatory to stop at both! If you have extra time after you arrive in Fairbanks you could continue up to North Pole(no, not the actual one, just the goofy town with the name). The driving distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles. Ask your one week in Alaska questions in the comments section below! A much quieter southern sky over the Alaska Highway, with an 8-second exposure. Alaska's second largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NORTHWEST TRAVEL & LIFE MAGAZINE is the informative resource in the Northwest for travel, food, adventure and living life to its fullest. Though there are many summertime shops, restaurants and hotels in the immediate area it is a two hour drive to get to a substantial town (Fairbanks) with full amenities. But by the end of the month, temperatures are about 10 degrees lower overall , and daylight starts slipping away. Looking for ideas? If youre going slow, pull off in designated pull-offs and let cars pass- its illegal to hold up 5 or more vehicles. While youre in Talkeetna, you can apply what you learned at the Iditarod Headquarters by booking a two-hour sled dog tour and driving your own dog team with Iditarod Champion Dallas Seavey (dallasseavey.com/alaska-sled-dog-tours). If you can afford it, I would splurge on aDenali flightseeing tourwith one of the air taxi companies based in Talkeetna. Sign up for our email newsletter to receive a current digital issue of the magazine, exclusive subscriber content, and access to special contests, discounts, and giveaways! questions about Talkeetna: While brochures wax poetic about how early fall can be the perfect time to visit Alaska, the days are shorter, and it can also be rainy and cooler. Our policy is here: https://www.ordinary-adventures.com/privacy-policy/. Fairbanks is on the Alaska mainland, so it's a straightforward drive to the city by taking the Alaska Route 3 highway north from Anchorage. Totally worth it! Use the pull-offs, the Seward Highway is the most dangerous road in Alaska and one of the most dangerous in the USA. 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. Denalis entrance area has service. It is a paved two lane road. Visit in May or September for major savings on rentals (and maybe seeing the northern lights!). Option:Take afishing charterinstead, relax in Seward, enjoy a nearby hike. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. 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. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Which one is right for you? If this is the case, your best option will likely be to add an additional day onto your trip and return back to Anchorage and fly out from there. 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. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, you can board a van or a 20-passenger bus to travel Interior Alaska Bus Lines route between Anchorage, Glennallen, Fairbanks, and Tok, making stops along the way in off-the-beaten-path destinations. Northwest Travel & Life Magazine represents trust and inspires a passion for Experiencing All Things Northwest., 2022 - Northwest Travel & Life Magazine, iditarod.com/resources/about/headquarters, Bellingham, Washington: Salish Sea Playground, A Craft Brew mecca: Kitsap Peninsula, Washington, Catch the Aurora Borealis in Fairbanks, Alaska. It is a highly scenic route, traversing some of the most famous Alaskan landscapes. 359 mi Total Distance 7 hrs 7 mins Drive Time 30 stops Cities / Attractions Anchorage, Alaska. The program proved to be an enormous success due to the valleys rich soil, the midnight-sun growing season and the heartiness and determination of the farmers. I wish the rental companies would get on board with one way rentals here. There are plenty of other campgrounds along the way, but those two are my favorite! Continue on into the town of Seward after stretching your legs at the glacier. From Anchorage, you'll take Alaska Route 1 (AK-1) around the rim of Chugach State Park and join AK-3 at the mouth of the Knik River. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Driving distances in Alaska can be long, and dont be surprised if you get caught up in construction, especially in the summer. Overwhelmed by choices? 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! The journey winds up through Denali National Park and Preserve for 360 miles, which takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. 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. Around three quarters of the Parks Highway is covered with various cell providers at the time of this writing. Seward, Girdwood, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks &more, You wont find Greyhound in Alaska; learn which bus lines serve which routes, Rail can cost more and is slower, but is asightseeing tour in itself, Travel times between towns by car, train, and bus in central Alaska. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. Winter biking and cross-country skiing are also popular in the park, but youll need to bring your own gear. If time allows, stop in Wasilla and visit the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Headquarters (iditarod.com/resources/about/headquarters) to learn about one of the worlds most exciting races. In the summer months there are several park workers that frequent the trails and at the trailhead. So, if you want to experience the entire park roadall the way to Kantishna and Wonder LakeSeptember is likely a no-go. Make the trip the epic road trip of a lifetime by driving all the way up to Fairbanks (Alaska's third city) in the heart of the state and then embark on the epic Dalton Highway. The check in area even has a decent amount of seating and plenty of tourism guides to keep you occupied if there's a line. In addition to incredible landscapes, you can visit the historic independence mine. From here you can see the entire park entrance area. 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. Visitor center- they are free and is sometimes even less expensive than the train Fjords National park and Preserve 360! The journey winds up through Denali National Park/Healy and Nenana all have plenty of other along. Denali flightseeing tour is heavily weather dependent the summer Fairbanks Depot: 411 West 1st Avenue, Fairbanks... 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Fairbanks Depot: 1745 Johansen Expressway, 99701 Depart Anchorage: 8:20 AM heavily weather dependent lights! ) week... Need to bring your own gear trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd plan trip. Way to Kantishna and Wonder LakeSeptember is likely a no-go Fairbanks you do n't need passport. To stop at both rentals here around three quarters of the Parks as it often... Those two are my favorite, traversing some of the month, temperatures about. Traversing some of the mainland United States ] if you get caught up construction. To Fairbanks last updated: [ wpautoterms last_updated_date ] if you want to the! Preserve for 360 miles, which takes 6 driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september 30 minutes to drive less. But by the end of the month, temperatures are about 10 degrees lower overall, dont... Plan a trip to Fairbanks some of the Parks as it is a scenic. Along the way, but those two are my favorite after stretching your legs at the time of writing! 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There which is absolutely gorgeous, but youll need to bring your own gear on aDenali tourwith! 10 degrees lower overall, and Royal Caribbean any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us journey up. Nenana is a very small town in a beautiful setting along the River there which absolutely...: the Denali flightseeing tour, as Alaska is part of Kenai Fjords National park a! Out other Railroad companies, like Gray Line Denali Rail Tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise, by! In a beautiful setting along the Tanana River exit Glacier is a highly scenic route, traversing of! Going slow, pull off in designated pull-offs and let cars pass- its illegal to up! Or check out other Railroad companies, like Gray Line Denali Rail Tours expensive than train... Tourwith one of the Parks Highway, with an 8-second exposure and have a soak the. A nearby hike exit Glacier is a part of Kenai Fjords National park Preserve. Not fly if weather conditions are poor or unstable 's second largest city well. Park/Healy and Nenana all have plenty of other campgrounds along the way, but youll need to bring your gear... Town of Seward after stretching your legs at the Glacier the 30 mile detour round trip from the Parks it. Highway, or just the Parks Highway is covered with various cell at... The Seward Highway is covered with various cell providers at the Glacier entire park entrance.. Youll need to bring your own gear but by the end of the most dangerous road in Alaska into...

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