Anchorage-Valdez Loop
Camping is by far the cheapest and we think one of the best ways to experience Alaska. There are countless places and ways go camp in Alaska and beyond the scope of this little guide. Here, though, are a few of the trips we recommend to visiting friends, several of which have even come back.
Anchorage-Valdez Loop (1-2 Nights)
1 Night: Drive north from Anchorage, then take a right at Palmer and go down the Glenn Highway to Tok, then the Richardson Highway south and overnight in [x], wake up early and take the ferry the next day from Valdez to Whittier then drive back to Anchorage. This is a lot of driving for one night. Could extend to two nights and stay in McCarthy [link].
The Matanuska Glacier along the Glenn Highway is our favorite glacier you can drive to. Unlike most of Alaska’s glaciers, this one ends in a spruce forest – bizarre and thrilling contrast of this hulking blue/white glacier sliding into (or rather retreating from) this dark green forest. There are a few places to camp at the base of the glacier, look around for bear prints.
2 Nights: Drive north from Anchorage, overnight at the Roadhouse in Talkeetna, then continue north to the Parks Highway – take that road to gravel Denali Highway to the Richardson Highway and overnight in [x], and wake up early and take the ferry the next day from Valdez to Whittier then drive back to Anchorage. Could also extend and stay a night or two in McCarthy.
Logistical Note: Before taking the Denali Highway, be sure to ask around first – it isn’t plowed and can be covered with snow until early June or later.
A Note on Valdez: This could be a cool little town but isn’t. In fact, it’s mostly the industrial the blue-water terminus of the Alaska Pipeline. If you do find yourself in town for a few hours, go by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill museum (which Exxon was forced to fund after the spill.) If nothing else, will remind you that those guys are bastards and you should buy your gas elsewhere. We’ve stayed here overnight a few times but don’t have any places to recommend. If you’re going to be here for longer though, take a water taxi out to the glacier and go camping or stay in one of the various cabins outside of town.
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