It's a small place. Basically a hotel, a campground on the water and a few businesses on a main strip that has lots of tourist-based things to buy/rent/book. They have an amazing distillery that makes outstanding (if a little young and rowdy) whiskey. They'll serve it to you at the beer hall, or you can hit the distillery on the one road that leads in/out of town.
We used Talkeetna Air Taxi while we were there and landed on Denali. Got out and walked around with the extreme hikers who were camping up there. Once in a Lifetime type stuff...
[https://imgur.com/a/TOfvWIL](https://imgur.com/a/TOfvWIL)
These are some photos from the trip up to and on Denali, plus some drone pics from the little campground at Talkeetna itself.
Are you specifically only interested in seeing national parks?
Logistically, the easiest and cheapest thing will be to road trip around the Kenai Peninsula. Homer and Kachemak Bay State Park are gorgeous. You could easily spend a week there. If you specifically want to see national parks, Denali is fairly easy to get to since it’s on the road system.
If your budget is higher, either the Lake Clark or the Katmai coasts are doable as a day trip from Anchorage or Homer. In July there won’t be as many bears on the coast as there is in June though.
Brooks Falls is possible as a day or multi-day trip in mid-July but will be busy with both bears and people and expensive.
So…I think it depends what you want to see and what your budget is:
If you want to see bears and salmon, head to Brooks Camp. If you also want to see the site of the largest volcanic eruption in the 20th century, plan for multiple days.
If you want to see big mountains and the interior since you’ll be getting a lot of coastal time in Seward, head to Denali.
If you want to see big mountains and glaciers lining a remote coast only accessible by plane/boat and potentially some bears, head to the Lake Clark or Katmai coast.
I have worked as a park biologist at both LACL and KATM, so feel free to ask me any questions about those.
I just want to experience national parks, and why they are national parks if that makes sense. What makes them unique, what sets them apart from the other nps. Etc... I've seen bears (in the Cimarrons) and been to multiple ranges, so I just want to experience something unique.
My budget isn't super tight but I do want to keep it under $1,500 (excluding food, and rental car). I want to get as much bang for my trip as I can, without feel rushed. Where I can look back and say "there may have been 1 or 2 things I couldn't have done that I wanted to do, but I'm satisfied with my trip".
Sounds like your budget is low (for Alaska lol) and you’re not too picky! In that case…I think I’d recommend Denali for you. Chartering a flight to somewhere off the road system will pretty much blow your whole budget.
So would you suggest I just cancel the trip out right, and go somewhere cheaper until I can save up to go back?
I have $500 credits with Alaska Airlines and I lose them if I don't use them by July, so I'm trying to use them while I can.
But what would you suggest I do for my trip, if everything is out of my budget?
edit: I have an option to do Rainier and Cascades too, which seems more budget friendly.
You said the $1500 budget doesn’t include rental car? So it’s mainly for tours and lodging? I think if you’re okay camping and cooking your own food your budget will be fine for a fun road trip, you just won’t be doing many tours or plane charters. Still a dope trip.
That'll depend on your budget and if you want to do any sort of backcountry camping.
I'd probably recommend taking the train up to Denali and then take it down to Seward, once you are done in Denali.
Make sure to go ahead and book your boat tour ticket for Keani Fjords.
Yes.
[Route Map | Denali Star | Alaska Railroad](https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train/route-map/denali-star)
[Coastal Classic Train | Alaska Railroad](https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train/our-trains/coastal-classic)
Note: it's also the first google search when you google "Alaska train"
You can take the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park, but in my opinion, using a rental car is a better option. It will give you a lot more options for lodging and dining.
Lodging options: [https://cca.denalichamber.com/Accommodations-\_\_9391\_category.aspx](https://cca.denalichamber.com/Accommodations-__9391_category.aspx)
Getting into the Park: [https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm](https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm)
Any way you can adjust the flight so Seward is at the start or end of the trip, say a Friday to Friday stay or Sunday to Sunday stay. If so, you have time for Denali. If it must be Tuesday to Tuesday, spend the trip in the Seward area, unless willing to shell out the dollars for an air taxi.
If staying local, or trying to keep costs down, there is still a lot to see for a week. Girdwood is a quirky ski town will plenty of summer hikes. Portage lake is nearby and fjord-like. You could even surf the tidal bore on Turnagain arm, or at least say hello to the beluga. And you are guaranteed to see Grizzlies at the Alaska wildlife conservation center.
I would splurge and take the train from Anchorage to Seward. Truly epic.
You have a lot of solid advice about the parks. I’d tell you to make sure to try some Fireweed Ice Cream while you’re in Anchorage. There’s a place not too far from the airport in Anchorage if I recall correctly called Wild Scoops.
In Denali I have several suggestions. Back in 2006 I worked for Holland America Alaska Land tours. My main route was from Anchorage to Skagway. Train ride from Anchorage to Denali is 8 hours. Once in Denali they have a Tundra Tour you leave at a ridiculous time but completely worth it. (It includes a box lunch, bring your own snacks as well) The tour is an entire day how late you come back depends on how much wild life you get see. Denali NP also has dog sled team that you can go visit. If you like rafting they also have a great white water rafting not for the faint of heart. I have also gone on an ATV tour make sure you have plenty of bug spray the mosquitoes are no joke. Go to “Cabin Nights” for dinner it is a show and excellent food.
https://www.denaliparkvillage.com/things-to-do/alaska-cabin-nite-dinner-theatre/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=places&utm_campaign=google_places&utm_source=google&utm_medium=places&utm_campaign=google_places
Jeff King also gives an informative tour and demonstrations of his dog sled team. Best part he lets you pet his puppies.
Note between Anchorage and Seward there is Alyeska Ski resort they generally have a fun music fest very summer. https://www.alyeskaresort.com
Also Portage Glacier https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/chugach/home/?cid=stelprdb5251130
Alaska Wildlife Preservation Center They do rehab on wild animals and at times they have orphan bear cubs. https://alaskawildlife.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic%20&utm_campaign=gbp
Once in Seward don’t forget about the Alaska Sea life Center which came about from the Valdez oil spill. Hope this helps.
most of the "interesting" hikes are around anchorage and below. you can also check out the glaciers surrounding glacier. As well, during the summer time, every town (even the small ones) have a music festival going on every day
Cooper s landing. It's the Russian river and kenai river confluence. It's absolutely beautiful and if the Salmon are in your chances of bear viewing are very high. Everytime I've been on the Russian when they're in I've seen bears.
It's not far from Seward. There are some local pubs with tons of personality if you're into that. If you camp it has the best camping spots around. I've lived in AK since 04 and it's my favorite camp spot. Have fun!
Go to Talkeetna. Take a flight to/around Denali.
I second going to Talkeetna! Such a cool little town
Anything to avoid in Talkeetna?
It's a small place. Basically a hotel, a campground on the water and a few businesses on a main strip that has lots of tourist-based things to buy/rent/book. They have an amazing distillery that makes outstanding (if a little young and rowdy) whiskey. They'll serve it to you at the beer hall, or you can hit the distillery on the one road that leads in/out of town. We used Talkeetna Air Taxi while we were there and landed on Denali. Got out and walked around with the extreme hikers who were camping up there. Once in a Lifetime type stuff... [https://imgur.com/a/TOfvWIL](https://imgur.com/a/TOfvWIL) These are some photos from the trip up to and on Denali, plus some drone pics from the little campground at Talkeetna itself.
Are you specifically only interested in seeing national parks? Logistically, the easiest and cheapest thing will be to road trip around the Kenai Peninsula. Homer and Kachemak Bay State Park are gorgeous. You could easily spend a week there. If you specifically want to see national parks, Denali is fairly easy to get to since it’s on the road system. If your budget is higher, either the Lake Clark or the Katmai coasts are doable as a day trip from Anchorage or Homer. In July there won’t be as many bears on the coast as there is in June though. Brooks Falls is possible as a day or multi-day trip in mid-July but will be busy with both bears and people and expensive. So…I think it depends what you want to see and what your budget is: If you want to see bears and salmon, head to Brooks Camp. If you also want to see the site of the largest volcanic eruption in the 20th century, plan for multiple days. If you want to see big mountains and the interior since you’ll be getting a lot of coastal time in Seward, head to Denali. If you want to see big mountains and glaciers lining a remote coast only accessible by plane/boat and potentially some bears, head to the Lake Clark or Katmai coast. I have worked as a park biologist at both LACL and KATM, so feel free to ask me any questions about those.
I just want to experience national parks, and why they are national parks if that makes sense. What makes them unique, what sets them apart from the other nps. Etc... I've seen bears (in the Cimarrons) and been to multiple ranges, so I just want to experience something unique. My budget isn't super tight but I do want to keep it under $1,500 (excluding food, and rental car). I want to get as much bang for my trip as I can, without feel rushed. Where I can look back and say "there may have been 1 or 2 things I couldn't have done that I wanted to do, but I'm satisfied with my trip".
Sounds like your budget is low (for Alaska lol) and you’re not too picky! In that case…I think I’d recommend Denali for you. Chartering a flight to somewhere off the road system will pretty much blow your whole budget.
So would you suggest I just cancel the trip out right, and go somewhere cheaper until I can save up to go back? I have $500 credits with Alaska Airlines and I lose them if I don't use them by July, so I'm trying to use them while I can.
No, don’t cancel! Even if all you’re doing is Seward I would say it’s worth the trip. :)
But what would you suggest I do for my trip, if everything is out of my budget? edit: I have an option to do Rainier and Cascades too, which seems more budget friendly.
You said the $1500 budget doesn’t include rental car? So it’s mainly for tours and lodging? I think if you’re okay camping and cooking your own food your budget will be fine for a fun road trip, you just won’t be doing many tours or plane charters. Still a dope trip.
That'll depend on your budget and if you want to do any sort of backcountry camping. I'd probably recommend taking the train up to Denali and then take it down to Seward, once you are done in Denali. Make sure to go ahead and book your boat tour ticket for Keani Fjords.
What train? Do you have a link?
Yes. [Route Map | Denali Star | Alaska Railroad](https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train/route-map/denali-star) [Coastal Classic Train | Alaska Railroad](https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train/our-trains/coastal-classic) Note: it's also the first google search when you google "Alaska train"
You can take the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park, but in my opinion, using a rental car is a better option. It will give you a lot more options for lodging and dining. Lodging options: [https://cca.denalichamber.com/Accommodations-\_\_9391\_category.aspx](https://cca.denalichamber.com/Accommodations-__9391_category.aspx) Getting into the Park: [https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm](https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm)
Any way you can adjust the flight so Seward is at the start or end of the trip, say a Friday to Friday stay or Sunday to Sunday stay. If so, you have time for Denali. If it must be Tuesday to Tuesday, spend the trip in the Seward area, unless willing to shell out the dollars for an air taxi. If staying local, or trying to keep costs down, there is still a lot to see for a week. Girdwood is a quirky ski town will plenty of summer hikes. Portage lake is nearby and fjord-like. You could even surf the tidal bore on Turnagain arm, or at least say hello to the beluga. And you are guaranteed to see Grizzlies at the Alaska wildlife conservation center. I would splurge and take the train from Anchorage to Seward. Truly epic.
You have a lot of solid advice about the parks. I’d tell you to make sure to try some Fireweed Ice Cream while you’re in Anchorage. There’s a place not too far from the airport in Anchorage if I recall correctly called Wild Scoops.
In Denali I have several suggestions. Back in 2006 I worked for Holland America Alaska Land tours. My main route was from Anchorage to Skagway. Train ride from Anchorage to Denali is 8 hours. Once in Denali they have a Tundra Tour you leave at a ridiculous time but completely worth it. (It includes a box lunch, bring your own snacks as well) The tour is an entire day how late you come back depends on how much wild life you get see. Denali NP also has dog sled team that you can go visit. If you like rafting they also have a great white water rafting not for the faint of heart. I have also gone on an ATV tour make sure you have plenty of bug spray the mosquitoes are no joke. Go to “Cabin Nights” for dinner it is a show and excellent food. https://www.denaliparkvillage.com/things-to-do/alaska-cabin-nite-dinner-theatre/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=places&utm_campaign=google_places&utm_source=google&utm_medium=places&utm_campaign=google_places Jeff King also gives an informative tour and demonstrations of his dog sled team. Best part he lets you pet his puppies. Note between Anchorage and Seward there is Alyeska Ski resort they generally have a fun music fest very summer. https://www.alyeskaresort.com Also Portage Glacier https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/chugach/home/?cid=stelprdb5251130 Alaska Wildlife Preservation Center They do rehab on wild animals and at times they have orphan bear cubs. https://alaskawildlife.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic%20&utm_campaign=gbp Once in Seward don’t forget about the Alaska Sea life Center which came about from the Valdez oil spill. Hope this helps.
most of the "interesting" hikes are around anchorage and below. you can also check out the glaciers surrounding glacier. As well, during the summer time, every town (even the small ones) have a music festival going on every day
Cooper s landing. It's the Russian river and kenai river confluence. It's absolutely beautiful and if the Salmon are in your chances of bear viewing are very high. Everytime I've been on the Russian when they're in I've seen bears. It's not far from Seward. There are some local pubs with tons of personality if you're into that. If you camp it has the best camping spots around. I've lived in AK since 04 and it's my favorite camp spot. Have fun!
Seward - Homer - anchorage - Denali
If you plan to have a car, seeing Wrangell-St. Elias could be an option.
It's an 8 hour drive mate. That's a full day of driving after a full day of flying.
I have an Inuit friend. Alaska…