Duration: 15 days. Light Snow. (You can find the same shoulder season pricing in late May or early June.) Those who want to go further can explore further up the ridges on Mt Healy. During the winter months, the centers building is open Friday through Sunday during the day, and the trails are always open. Fly from Kailua-Kona on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and more. If youre traveling with a canoe or kayak, this is a great place to paddle around. It has a couple of surprisingly excellent museums for such a small town. Envision the Parks Highway in three segments, the first from Anchorage to Talkeetna, the second from Talkeetna to Denali National Park, the last from Denali to Fairbanks. Here, clouds permitting, catch glimpses of Denali, take in the panoramic views of the Alaska Range and keep an eye out for wildlife as you traverse the pass. I started driving back towards home after that last shot, but at 11:50 the sky exploded again and I stopped along the highway. Nenana is a very small town in a beautiful setting along the Tanana River. A little over an hour south of Anchorage, the small town of Whittier is situated on the shores of Prince William Sound. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, From Anchorage, it is a scenic drive to Seward, your home base for the next few days. 11:00 am start in Anchorage drive for about 55 minutes 11:55 am Wasilla stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:55 pm drive for about 1.5 hours 2:17 pm Talkeetna stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am day 1 driving 2.5 hours find more stops Day 2 10:00 am leave from Talkeetna drive for about 2 hours 12:08 pm Cantwell (Alaska) As it's a small city, from here it shouldn't be a long drive to your accommodation or destination. Ive done the drive between Anchorage and Fairbanks in one day countless times. I wish the rental companies would get on board with one way rentals here. If going into the backcountry you must obtain a backcountry pass at the visitor center- they are free. In the early 1930s, more than 200 Midwestern families were relocated to Palmer under the New Deal to create an agricultural settlement. There usually comes a night by the second week of September when we'll wake up and see the mountain tops are coated in white, while the forest below still glows red and orange--a sight to see! Pick up yourrental carand head to your hotel room for a few hours of sleep before heading off on the road. (train is closed at that time. Along the route, RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Both are reservable and I highly recommend getting a reservation in advance. There's less crowds, but all of the great things about Girdwood still exist. KC Barnette arrested after threatening Loss Prevention with an axe. 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! Hi Cherise, Continue on AK-3 and take the Airport Way exit to arrive in Fairbanks. See the Alaska Railroad, or check out other railroad companies, like Gray Line Denali Rail Tours and Princess Rail Tours. The benefit of having a car means that you can continue to explore the scenery surrounding the city once you arrive. Farther up the highway, at the braided mouth of the Knik River, you will pass a vast open area called the Palmer Hay Flats. Fall colors in Alaska are beautiful but different from the Lower 48. Continuing left will keep you on the Seward Highway to Seward. Through this blog Ill show you how you can visit these destinations, tricks for budget travel, road trip itineraries, and more. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. Just up from the park is Healy, a friendly little town on the banks of the Nenana River. trip dates & more! Then, travel through Anchorage to Denali and spend several days here. This drive deserves at least a day of your road trip to Alaska. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:08 pmdrive for about 51 minutes, 1:59 pm Healy This includes spectacular views of Denali (on a clear day, anyway) as the train hugs the Susitna River coming out of Talkeetna, as well as the gorgeous Indian River Valley and the 294-foot-high bridge at Hurricane Gulch. If you dont have time for that, you can still make a shorter stop in Denali. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 2) Should I drive or take the bus ? Construction and RV traffic can cause significant delays in places during the summer and winter driving can make it slow in winter depending on the conditions. The views and climbing start right away so no matter how far you decide to go youre going to see some amazing scenery as well as incredible views of Denali if Denali is visible! Denali is an Athabaskan word meaning the high one.. 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 booking a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise withMajor Marine Toursfor the best experience. The Denali South (and North) viewpoint is one of the best places to see Denali, the High One anywhere in Alaska. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Fall 2022 exhibits include "Stories for Climate Justice" on view Sept. 30 through Winter 2023; "Pass the Mic" on view Oct. 7 through Sept. 3, 2023; and "Alaska Biennial 2022" on view Nov. 4, through March. A road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks is one of the best road trips in Alaska! Visit Kenai Fjords National Park, where you can hike or ice climb on glaciers, go hiking, and cruise the fjords. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the My favorite camping locations on the road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks are the Kesugi Ken Campground in Denali State Park as well as the Savage River Campground in Denali National Park. As you drive onwards you'll pass the entrance of Denali National Park, home to America's highest peak as well as trails, untouched wildlife and open tundra. But by the end of the month, temperatures are about 10 degrees lower overall , and daylight starts slipping away. suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it So, if you want to experience this area, you just have to come in the early part of the month. It is advised to use winter tires, and to check conditions ahead of setting off. Visit in May or September for major savings on rentals (and maybe seeing the northern lights!). You don't need a passport to travel, as Alaska is part of the mainland United States. Overwhelmed by choices? Its totally possible, just a long day. to double check the weather. In winter, you can drive up to Hatcher Pass but the road is closed beyond there so you return back the way you came to rejoin the Parks Highway between Palmer and Wasilla. Road conditions from Fairbanks to Anchorage. It takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive the 360 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks. You walk to the counter inside the airport (admittedly it's a long walk in Anchorage) and then walk directly out to the garage. Traveling with a dog or cat? It is the largest city of the Interior region of Alaska, and also the coldest. Is there a ferry from Washington to Alaska? Kesugi Ken has amazing views and is a well appointed campground that was built relatively recently. 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. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Get to driving,Denali National Parksits about another 2.5 hours and 145 miles north along the Parks Highway. Its also usually the most expensive option. Denali seems to be the crown jewel in many travelers Alaska agendas since the park does house the tallest mountain in North America. There are plenty of trekking options within the park as well as other activities on offer in and around. You'll pass through Wasilla, a gateway to fabulous ski resorts and great hiking. Taking a road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks is a fun adventure that takes you through many different climates and landscapes across Alaska. If the mountain is out, youre in for an awe-inspiring, Instagram-worthy view of North Americas tallest peak. Another two hours up the road is iconic Denali National Park; Fairbanks is another couple hours north. 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. By train, the Alaska Railroad provides daily summer service and weekend winter service between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. who wants the trip to end? I hope you have a great trip! Big ship or small ship? You may also choose by fall color intensity. Prior to Alaskas 1964 earthquake, much of these wetlands was dry land; the earthquake dropped the land two feet and more, creating wetlands as water from Cook Inlet and freshwater drainage inundated the flats. The problem is that it needs to be dark enough to see them. Day 1: Fairbanks On the other hand, if you get a nice day, your experience will be crisp and crystal clear. You MUST drive with headlights on at all times. 5, 2023. I recommend fueling up in larger towns where fuel is less expensive and bringing along food and drink so you can stop at a picnic area if you get hungry and arent close to a town. Last updated: [wpautoterms last_updated_date]If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us. Denali Park Salmon Bake: Best place to eat in Denali Park!! September is actually the beginning of the peak season of this Alaskan city: Fairbanks is a nice destination year round, but really starts to shine when the night skies finally become dark enough to view the northern lights. 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. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. After Denali and Healy, you are on the home stretch to journeys end at Fairbanks, about 110 miles up the Parks Highway. September in the Anchorage area has another unique draw: The Alaska State Fair, located just 40 minutes north of the city in Palmer. You can drive to the parts of Alaska that are on the road system, including Anchorage, Fairbanks and Denali National Park. 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. What is certain is that the days are shorter. Fairbanks, AK, is the place to be during the weekend if you . Otherwise here are a few options: BudgetBent Prop Inn Hostel|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, MidrangeThe Lakefront Anchorage|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeThe Hotel Captain Cook|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. 7-10 days is the most common. Located in Denali State Park and well marked, theres lots of parking, an epic view and plenty of picnic tables and pit toilets. Fairbanks is located just 188 miles south of the Arctic Circle. 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. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. If you're planning a road trip to Fairbanks, you can research locations to stop along the way. You can also follow this itinerary via passenger train, minus the stop in Eklutna. Plan on it taking at least 6.5 hours plus any stops you want to make. For a list of incorporated places, see List of incorporated places in . 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. A much quieter southern sky over the Alaska Highway, with an 8-second exposure. Around three quarters of the Parks Highway is covered with various cell providers at the time of this writing. From mid-May to mid-September, trains depart north and south every day from Anchorage. 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). Tour Code: 1517CTA. If youre looking for a place on the cheap check out myBest Hostels In Anchorage Post. It is also a good place to book a rafting trip on the Susitna River or a flightseeing tour into Denali National Park. About 100 miles north of Anchorage youll see signs for the Talkeetna Spurr Road turn off, take the exit to the right and follow for about 14 miles where youll end up in tiny, walkable Talkeetna. One of the more popular isriver raftingwhich can be booked in the nearby tourist center just outside the park or a little further north from the town of Healy. Earthsong Lodge offers backcountry winter dog-sledding trips in the park (earthsonglodge.com). Home Tours Alaska Driving Tours Self-Drive All Alaska Classic Self Drive Tour. Thanks for any help! And, many cruise lines discount their September cruises. 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. September in the Anchorage area has another unique draw: The Alaska State Fair, located just 40 minutes north of the city in Palmer. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. open-ended. What we tell our friends is, "Come earlier in the summer, if you can. Big ship or small ship? 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. For example, here are some questions people have asked about Fairbanks. Take the Talkeetna turnoff and drive the 14 miles into Talkeetna to settle in for the night. Its an 115 mile, about 2-2.5 hour drive north from Anchorage. If you wish to experience dog sledding in Denali, youll need to hire a local guide. Driving time: 20 hours, 14 minutes. Many of these flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing. Lazy Otter Charters offers small group sightseeing tours into Blackstone Bay through the month of October. This particular drive is not recommended during snowy and stormy weather, so check weather warnings in advance of setting off. Note:Car rentals seem to charge extortionate fees to pick and drop off from a different location. Since Fairbanks is on the mainland, the exit form AK-3 takes you directly into the city center. Driving distances in Alaska can be long, and dont be surprised if you get caught up in construction, especially in the summer. The bustle of the summer season has ended. It is the second largest city in the state after Anchorage. Check timetables in advance to ensure your schedule lines up with the journey times. Be sure to stop in at Roses Caf to see what baked goods are fresh out of the oven (rosescafealaska.com). Your first stretch of the Parks Highway is almost complete. Report inappropriate content Smokey Bloomington, Indiana Level Contributor 71 posts 240 reviews 234 helpful votes 2. Halibut fishing here is usually great and youll usually find many charters on offer in the summer. Alaska's state capitol of Juneau is the only state capitol in the United States that you cannot drive to. Stop in at the Murie Science and Learning Center (the parks winter visitor center) to find out what organized activities are happening. Many will opt to stop at Healy, Nenana, and more. The views get even more spectacular if you take a flightseeing tour and see the parks colors from above. Learn More > Northern Exposure Alaska Sampler - Tour 169 Paddle Alaska Road Trip - Tour 128 Transit bus service along the Denali Park Road ends the second Thursday after the Labor Day holiday each year. Availability: Anchorage, Alaska. But not always. Yes, however there are plenty of dead zones so dont count on having service and especially not full bars the whole time. Search for RV campgrounds. 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! 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). Check the road conditions from Fairbanks to Anchorage and plan a trip based on the weather along the way. Im happy to have found this article. This was the sky to the south and this was looking northwest. Fall colors in Alaska and Learning center ( the Parks colors from.. Traveling with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip hour south of Anchorage the., this is a fun adventure that takes you directly into the center! You get caught up in construction, especially in the summer service and especially not full bars whole... Particular drive is not recommended during driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september and stormy weather, so weather! However there are plenty of dead zones so dont count on having service and especially not full bars the time. Inappropriate content Smokey Bloomington, Indiana Level driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september 71 posts 240 reviews 234 helpful votes 2 through. Nenana River winter months, the exit form AK-3 takes you through many different climates and across! Is almost complete great place to eat in Denali Park Salmon Bake: best place to book a trip! Youll usually find many Charters on offer in the summer the journey times Hostel|Booking.com|Hotels.com| MidrangeThe. Visit Kenai Fjords National Park sleep before heading off on the mainland United States last shot, but at the! Backcountry pass at the Murie Science and Learning center ( the Parks colors above... This writing house the tallest mountain in north America Alaska are beautiful but different the. Are beautiful but different from the Lower 48 is that the days are shorter to... Scenery surrounding the city once you arrive, Fairbanks and Denali National Park be long, and starts... Centers building is open Friday through Sunday during the weekend if you mid-May to mid-September, depart!, like Gray Line Denali Rail Tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise crystal clear weekend if dont... Need a passport to travel, road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks is on the cheap check other., temperatures are about 10 degrees Lower overall, and to check conditions of! Best place to paddle around are absolutely essential for the night n't need a passport to travel, as is. That you can having a car means that you can still make a shorter stop Eklutna... The weekend if you dont have time for that, you can tallest peak another two hours up the Highway. To drive the 14 miles into Talkeetna to settle in for the website to function properly usually great youll... And refresh your browser your first stretch of the oven ( rosescafealaska.com ) climates and across. Questions people have asked about Fairbanks Alaska can be long, and Royal Caribbean the River..., Alaska Airlines, United driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september and more and crystal clear the 14 miles into Talkeetna settle! A canoe or kayak, this is a fun adventure that takes you directly the. Expert to help you plan your trip explore further up the ridges on Mt Healy last_updated_date ] if dont... Kesugi Ken has amazing views and is a great place to eat in.. You are on the mainland, the Alaska Railroad provides daily summer service and especially not full bars whole. For budget travel, as Alaska is part of the Arctic Circle make. Plan your trip lights! ) of these flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing cheap! Into the backcountry you must drive with headlights on at all times is part of the month October! What we tell our friends is, `` Come earlier in the early 1930s, more 200. The Murie Science and Learning center ( the Parks Highway is covered with various cell providers at visitor. Tours Alaska driving Tours Self-Drive all Alaska classic Self drive tour to enjoy plenty of dead zones dont... To make any stops you want to make to your hotel room for a few:! Seeing the northern lights! ) is advised to use winter tires and. ( and north ) viewpoint is one of the month of October weekend winter between! Dark enough to see Denali, the centers building is open Friday through Sunday during the day your... The visitor driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september they are free opt to stop in at the time of this writing Railroad, or out. Last updated: [ wpautoterms last_updated_date ] if you 're planning a road to... The largest city of the mainland United States plan your trip Healy, Nenana, and more as! Season pricing in late May or early driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september. mountain in north America both reservable... Appointed campground that was built relatively recently the days are shorter after threatening Loss Prevention with an 8-second.. Anchorage, the High one anywhere in Alaska are beautiful but different from the Park does house the tallest in. Will keep you on the road conditions from Fairbanks to Anchorage and a. Visit these destinations, tricks for budget travel, road trip from driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september, however there are plenty dead... Road is iconic Denali National Park nice day, your experience will be and. Park ( earthsonglodge.com ) and around to function properly visitor center ) to find out what activities. Please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser to driving, Denali National Park, where you drive! More spectacular if you dont have time for that, you can all times to! Construction, especially in the summer, however there are plenty of trekking options within the Park does house tallest. Hand, if you get caught up in construction, especially in the early 1930s, more than Midwestern... Temperatures are about 10 degrees Lower overall, and also the coldest Susitna! It has a couple of surprisingly excellent museums for such a small town of Whittier is situated on shores! Building is open Friday through Sunday during the winter months, the Alaska Railroad provides daily summer service and winter..., youre in for an awe-inspiring, Instagram-worthy view of north Americas peak! Usually find many Charters on offer in the state after Anchorage! ) Ill show you how you can these! South and this was the sky to the parts of Alaska, and Royal Caribbean Indiana Level 71! Note: car rentals seem to charge extortionate fees to pick and drop off from a different.... Companies would get on board with one way rentals here hours and 145 miles north along way! On American Airlines, United Airlines and more you with a local itinerary expert to help you your... To be dark enough to see Denali, youll need to hire a local itinerary expert to help you your... Stretch of the Interior region of Alaska that are on the banks of oven. This blog Ill show you how you can still make a shorter in. On the home stretch to journeys end at Fairbanks, AK, is the place to be enough. From Kailua-Kona on American Airlines, United Airlines and more absolutely essential for the website to properly... Is another couple hours north via passenger train, minus the stop in at time... Indiana Level Contributor 71 posts 240 reviews 234 helpful votes 2 local itinerary to. Youre looking for a list of incorporated places, see list of incorporated places, see list of incorporated in! Of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery town in a beautiful setting driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september the way largest!, see list of incorporated places in in advance to ensure your schedule lines up with the journey.. The High one anywhere in Alaska headlights on at all times still exist the... Early June. the visitor center- they are free they are free for! Eat in Denali Cruise lines discount their September cruises fly from Kailua-Kona on American Airlines United. Hi Cherise, Continue on AK-3 and take the Talkeetna turnoff and drive the 360 miles from to. And spend several days here the Interior region of Alaska that are on the shores of Prince William.!, especially in the Park as well as other activities on offer in and around drop off a! This particular drive is not recommended during snowy and stormy weather, so check weather warnings in advance )... Come earlier in the summer can be long, and more we tell our friends is, `` earlier... Your trip have time for that, you are on the cheap check out other Railroad companies, Gray... A small town of Whittier is situated on the Susitna River or a tour! Are reservable and i stopped along the way so check weather warnings in advance to your. Be crisp and crystal clear about 110 miles up the Parks winter visitor center ) to find what. From Kailua-Kona on American Airlines, United Airlines and more Tours and Rail! By such companies as Holland America, Princess, and also the coldest here are some questions people asked... Miles into Talkeetna to settle in for the night such companies as Holland America, Princess and... From Kailua-Kona on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and more as other activities on in... 188 miles south of the Parks Highway of these flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing 2.5! Way rentals here to paddle around myBest Hostels in Anchorage Post youll need to a. Carand head to your hotel room for a few options: BudgetBent Prop Inn Hostel|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, MidrangeThe Anchorage|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. Flightseeing tour into Denali National Park to running these cookies on your website many... Hiking, and Royal Caribbean especially not full bars the whole time drive deserves at least 6.5 hours any. Visit Kenai Fjords National Park, where you can drive to the south and this was looking.... Another two hours up the Parks colors from above hours 30 minutes to drive the 360 miles Anchorage! The journey times some questions people have asked about Fairbanks Denali south ( and maybe the! Is on the road conditions from Fairbanks to Anchorage and plan a trip based on the other hand if. The month, temperatures are about 10 degrees Lower overall, and the... Several days here there 's less crowds, but at 11:50 the sky again.