RVing Guide To Alaska: Top 11 Things To Do & Places To See

*By Anne-Marie Marais*

As an urban girl I often dream of the open road, gorgeous views and fresh air. Luckily I was able to find just that RVing from Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alaska with my travel buddy. There were so many great highlights as we navigated through breathtaking landscapes that a Top 10 just wouldn’t suffice. So, let me share with you my top 11* things to do and places to see on an Alaskan RV adventure, in no particular order…

Top 11 Things To Do And Places To See In Alaska

1. Talkeetna Road House (corner of Main Street and C Street, Talkeetna)

The town of Talkeetna is a quaint first stopover point from Anchorage. The main street is filled with ice cream and gift shops, along with places to eat like the Talkeetna Road House, which is a great breakfast stop. Their communal table atmosphere will have you making fast friends. It was a fellow travel writer, Sherry Ott, that told me their sourdough hotcakes were a must-try and they didn’t disappoint. My eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach when I ordered the Standard Breakfast with a side of a hotcake (which was bigger than the plate) AND one of their famous cinnamon rolls for the road.

2. Denali Brewery (Mile 2 Talkeetna Spur Road) and Denali BrewPub (13605 E Main St., Talkeetna)

Pop into Denali Brewery just off of the Parks Highway to check out the locally owned microbrewery and hop on one of their guided tours. If Talkeetna is your home for the night, park and settle in the RV camp first and then head to main street to visit the Denali Brewpub. There you can enjoy a selection of Denali Brewing Company beers, Denali spirits, Alaska Meadery meads, Alaska Ciderworks ciders along with a full menu of food. With two, large patios it’s a popular place to enjoy all the action on Main St in the warmer months.

3. Denali Viewpoint South (Milepost 135.2 on the Parks Hwy)

Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) is a spectacular sight to behold, but you can’t really get a great view of it from inside of Denali National Park. One of the absolute best vantage points to soak in all of its beauty is from the South Viewpoint. Just inside the Denali State Park (not to be confused with Denali National Park), this spot gives you a full perspective of North America’s tallest peak. Make sure to walk up the short path for an even fuller view of the mountain range and the surrounding beauty. Keep an eye out for wildlife down along the riverbed!

4. Denali National Park (Milepost A 237.4 on the Parks Hwy)

With the view of Denali a gorgeous memory, I suggest making the drive to Denali National Park. This vast National Park offers a view of mountains, rivers, varying vegetation and wildlife. Once you’re in the park, drive to the Denali Visitor Centre to pay your fee and find out how far you can go into the park with your RV. As the warmer months progress, more of the 92-mile road into the park is opened up to drivers, but only the first 15 miles of that road is paved to Savage River. Consider letting someone else do the driving and join one of the tours (narrated or non-narrated) on the old school buses. Another option is to use the transit buses to get yourself further into the park to enjoy it in your own pace. The narrated bus tours range from 5 to 12 hours in length. If you’re RVing or are a camper you can choose to stay in the park for a night or a few, which offers up many opportunities to explore.

5. 49^th State Brewing Company (Milepost 248.4 on the Parks Hwy)

Just a few miles north, outside of Denali National Park, is the town of Healy where you’ll find the very unique 49^th State Brewery. It’s not just a brewery, but a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating and a large patio to enjoy your beer, play some outdoor games and give everyone a chance to stretch their legs a bit. The interior of the restaurant is unique and the menu will have you wanting to stop for a bite. I enjoyed the most delicious halibut tacos during my visit, along with a range of fantastic beers. Still dreaming of it all now…

6. Silver Gulch Brewery (10 miles north of Fairbanks in Fox)

As a craft beer lover, when I heard that I could visit America’s most northern craft brewery, I just had to do it. About 20 minutes outside of Fairbanks, you’ll find the large building of Silver Gulch Brewery. Around for over 20 years, they have really figured out how to entice both the local and visiting population. They have a large dining room where you can enjoy their selection of craft beers and a variety of food options. Along with their own Silver Gulch brand of beer, they have a very impressive list of bottled beers from Belgium, Germany, the US and other parts of the world. If you’re a beer lover, it’s certainly worth the stop.

7. University of Alaska Museum of the North (Fairbanks)

On the vast campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, looking over the city and towards the mountain ranges, you’ll find the Museum of the North. This building is an architectural beauty. With easy parking for your RV, it’s the place to visit for a bit of culture during your adventure. At just $14 admission, this is not an expensive museum by any means. It’s a good opportunity to reflect about the history of the area and how challenging life was for the people who originally called it home.

8. Chena Hot Springs (Mile 56.5 Chena Hot Springs Road)

Just northeast of Fairbanks is the Chena Hot Springs. The drive is a beautiful one with different views of forests and low-lying mountains compared to some of the other drives you’ll experience. At the hot springs you can enjoy the healing pool, hydrotherapy and even some massage therapy. Your RV driver will definitely benefit from a massage and relaxation at this stop.

You won’t miss the unique building of the Aurora Ice Museum when you arrive and should take some time to check it out. Once inside it’s a chilly -7C all year round (jackets are available). Inside the museum, you’ll find a gallery of ice sculptures and ever-changing lights to create the feel of the Aurora Borealis. Make sure to enjoy an “appletini” in an ice-carved martini glass at the Aurora Ice Bar.

9. Santa Claus House (North Pole)

Once you’ve made your way out of Fairbanks, you’ll head towards North Pole, Alaska. This Christmas town has the famed Santa Claus House, which has been around for over 65 years. This is a must-stop for all ages. It’s easy to find, as there is a large white and red building and the world’s largest Santa, standing nearly fifty feet tall just outside of it. Pull your RV into the parking area on the far side of the building and walk into Christmas in the Santa Claus House. Grab yourself some of their delicious fudge and hot chocolate and check out all there is to offer (music, decorations, clothing etc.) You can even sit on a Santa’s knee for a picture and tell him what you want for Christmas.  And don’t forget to stop by Santa’s Antler Academy (of Flying & Reindeer Games). Kids of all ages will love this stop on your RV adventure.

10. Buffalo Center Drive-In (Mile 265.5 Richardson Hwy, Delta Junction)

If you’re following a route similar to ours, when you leave the North Pole, you’ll head south towards Glennallen. On that leg of the journey, you’ll come to Delta Junction where the Alaska Hwy and Richardson Hwy meet. There you must eat at the Buffalo Center Drive-In. It’s an old school drive-in so you can order right from your car and have food brought out to you. As RVers, we decided to enjoy our meal at one of their many picnic tables. I happily devoured the most delicious burger, fries and chocolate milkshake. I can’t recommend this place enough. Note: they only accept cash.

11. Anchorage 

The City of Anchorage has quite a number of craft breweries and restaurants. On this visit, I decided to check out two places I hadn’t tried before: Midnight Sun Brewing Co. and Bread and Brew. The selection of craft beers at Midnight Sun was quite varied and tasty plus the team serving in the Loft is very knowledgeable about their product. Aside from the beer, I would highly recommend the soft pretzel sticks with the Creamy Beer-Cheese Sauce and Berry Fruit Sauce. I’ve never tasted a more delicious beer-cheese sauce. For lunch, head over to Bread and Brew and try their grilled cheese sandwiches along with more beer (or wine). The sandwiches are delicious and the place has a cool vibe.

Suggested RV Campgrounds

Here are some RV campgrounds to enjoy while on your Alaska RV adventure:

• Talkeetna Boat Launch And Campground (Talkeetna)
• Midnight Sun RV & Campground (Healy)
• River’s Edge RV Park (Fairbanks)
• Riverview RV Park (between Fairbanks and North Pole)
• Northern Nights Campground-Rv (Glennallen)

FINAL TIP: A must-have for every person RVing in the north is the Milepost Guide or ‘The Bible of North Country Travel.” I suggest getting the actual printed version for reference. It’s great for planning and for your passengers so they can have an idea of what is coming up (from road conditions and animal sighting locations to scenic viewpoints). Happy travels!