Planning a trip to Alaska this summer - seems most campground reviews thru Canada and Alaska are not very highly rated. Anyone made the trip that would be willing to share their itinary and favorite(least favorite) CG's and locations.
Thanks!
rjenkins said
02:12 PM Jan 17, 2010
We are going to Alaska this coming June as well. We are renting a 31' RV though. You are right, I am having a tough go in picking campsites.
So far in Seward, we are planning on staying at Millers Landing
http://millerslandingak.com/campground_NewA.htm
In Denali we are staying in Mckinley RV Campground
http://www.mckinleyrv.com/
Have no idea how nice they are but since we will spend minimal time in the campground and mostly hiking and sightseeing, it doesn't really matter. I just wanted to stay away from a place that is noisy and per Frommers, the city campground in Seward, while right on Resurrection Bay, is said to be pretty rowdy on the weekends, thats why we picked Milllers.
I am having a difficult time trying to find a campground at or near Talkeetna that has a decent review. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Also in Chugach State Park, any recommendations?
igotjam said
03:34 PM Jan 17, 2010
I know a little about Alberta RV parks (I'm from AB and spend a few months there every year). You are correct...not much real good. With a Teton and Frieghtliner my guess is that you want something large with few trees to hit? West of Calgary (not really on a direct route to Alaska) in Cochrane is Bow Rivers Edge....paved, pull thrus, and probably the cleanest park in Alberta (50amp which you won't find everywhere). Westerner in Red Deer is OK (near highway, paved etc.) In Edmonton nothing is great but the best choice would be Glowing Embers (west of Edmonton at Spruce Grove.)
That's about all I can tell you.
bjoyce said
05:40 PM Jan 17, 2010
If you are looking for highly rated campgrounds you are on the wrong trip. Most of the campgrounds are a place to stay and explore the area, they do not have that much appeal otherwise. Don't expect 50AMP, don't expect pools, don't really expect more than 20AMP power run on generators so it is not 24/7 power.
Places we did like in Alberta: Pine Creek RV Campground in DeWinton (Calgary suburb), Lake Louise Campground in Banff National Park, and Whistlers in Jasper National Park.
Places we liked in BC: Wild Rose RV Park in Hope, Southpark RV Park in Prince George, Bear River in Stewart, and Shady Rest RV Park in Houston.
You missed Yukon: Pelly Crossing in Pelly Crossing (free dry camping on the river), and Bonanza Gold in Dawson City.
Alaska: Tok RV Village in Tok, Eagles Rest RV Park in Valdez (get there in June for free salmon cookouts), Waterfront Campground in Seward (dry camping facing the bay), Rivers Edge in Fairbanks, Fielding Lakes SRS in Paxson (free dry camping on lakes).
Pine Creek in Dewinton (Calgary) has been out of business since Sept 2007. Bill was right...Pine Creek WAS wonderful.
Luvglass said
07:27 PM Jan 17, 2010
Bill's comments are right on the money, the campgrounds through Canada and mostly in Alaska are not on a par with what you can expect from the best in the US. They are much more basic and there are occasional problems with electric and water service.
If your desire is lux campgrounds, stay here. If however, you are looking for the most spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing you have ever imagined, you will have a ball.
It is the last frontier and it looks it and feels it, but that is part of the attraction and adventure.
Thanks!
Places we did like in Alberta: Pine Creek RV Campground in DeWinton (Calgary suburb), Lake Louise Campground in Banff National Park, and Whistlers in Jasper National Park.
Places we liked in BC: Wild Rose RV Park in Hope, Southpark RV Park in Prince George, Bear River in Stewart, and Shady Rest RV Park in Houston.
You missed Yukon: Pelly Crossing in Pelly Crossing (free dry camping on the river), and Bonanza Gold in Dawson City.
Alaska: Tok RV Village in Tok, Eagles Rest RV Park in Valdez (get there in June for free salmon cookouts), Waterfront Campground in Seward (dry camping facing the bay), Rivers Edge in Fairbanks, Fielding Lakes SRS in Paxson (free dry camping on lakes).
We actually enjoyed more places but these were the ones that stood out. If you want to see our 2005 trip from BC to Sault Ste. Marie start here - http://www.sacnoth.com/2005/BritishColumbia/BritishColumbia.htm. For our 2006 summer in Alaska start here - http://www.sacnoth.com/2006/WAtoAB/WAtoAB.htm. A summary of our 2006 trip is http://www.sacnoth.com/2006/AlaskaGuide1/AlaskaGuide1.htm. You will see photos of most of the campgrounds we stayed in.