The Alaska Highway; Alaska Scenic Drives
The
handwriting on the wall, your destiny has been determined. The Alaska Highway,
aka: Alcan Highway, is without any doubt the most well known of all highways
in the Last Frontier. Today, it's hard to find a person that hasn't either
driven the Alaska Highway or knows someone that has. For those that haven't
driven it yet, it seems to be the one drive that consistently ranks at
the top of everyone's bucket list of things to do before they get too old.
Read below to see why we rate the Alaska Highway as our #2 Scenic Alaska Drive.
Driving the Alaska Highway!
Ready - Set - Go; those are the words we first spoke some 30 years ago when we first fired up our vehicles in Snohomish Washington and headed north, bound for adventure and the new life that was lying ahead. It was to be only the first of many times that we would drive this scenic highway, each time was a thrill to experience. Driving the Alaska Highway is a great undertaking, but it is one that demands a large investment in time, money and planning. It's also one drive that everyone should move to the top of their things to do before I die list and one drive that will be remembered to the end.
Why Drive The Alaska Highway?
A
vanishing wilderness, yes, those winding, twisting, bumpy gravel roads
are all but a thing of the past. Today, the Alaska Highway is most like
the rural highways we drive in the states, or at worst, a country road
that's in very good repair. Those days of cracked windshields, blown tires
and busted shocks are all but behind us. In the early spring as these northern
roads thaw from the freezing cold of winter, they can be a little broken
up. The governments of British Columbia and the Yukon are very pro active
at keeping these roads in excellent repair and have road crews out as soon
as the roads are clear of snow and ice. Believe me, it's a fantastic drive
and by late June the roads are as good as they are any where else.
There is still so much history to experience along the Alaska Highway that will keep you in awe for years after your trip is finished. Don't make Alaska your destination, make the entire journey your goal. Alaska is just at the end of the road - a very picturesque road I must say. From Dawson Creek to Summit Lake in the Stony Mountains of Northern British Columbia, your journey will begin with amazement and build beyond astonishment as the miles pass on your way along the Alaska Highway.
Things To See Along The Alaska Highway.
- Dawson Creek, British Columbia: Mile “ZERO” of the greatest road adventure in North America; The Legendary “Alaska Highway”.
- Stone Mountain Provincial Park and Summit Lake: British Columbia: Located at Mile 373, at 4,250 feet, the highest point on the Alaska Highway on one of the B.C.'s scenic and pristine high mountain lake with crystal blue waters. You know your not in Kansas anymore when visiting at Summit Lake Provincial Campground in Stone Mountain Provincial Park on the Alaska Highway.
- Toad River, British Columbia: Located at mile 422 on the Alaska Highway, Toad River is one of those northern towns with a unique flair that needs to be experienced. Check out the dinner and gift store along the Alaska Highway that boasts a collection of 4,580 hats.
- Muncho Lake, British Columbia: A deep glacial lake about eight miles long and a mile wide. The water color is a beautiful emerald green from the runoff coming from the glaciers.
- Liard River Hot Springs, British Columbia: The second largest hot spring in Canada offers easy access, camping, changing rooms and more.
- Watson Lake, Yukon Territory: Be sure to stop and see the massive collections of signs along the highway in the center of town. If you thought to bring your own, tack up your own sign and leave a memory behind.
- Junction 37, Yukon Territory: Where the Cassiar Highway joins the Alaska Highway.
- Rancheria, Yukon Territory: The best darn restaurant, lodge and campground along this stretch of highway. Very affordable rooms and some of the best scenery in the area.
- Rancheria Falls, Yukon Territory: There is a great rest area located at Milepost 677 (km 1084) north of the Rancheria Lodge & Campground. It's just a short walk to the falls from the parking lot along a well maintained path and series of boardwalks.
- Teslin, Yukon Territory: This is an interesting stop with a good museum that covers the history of the Visit the Tlingit Natives, Teslin Tlingit Heritage Center, is located on the shore of Teslin Lake and the George Johnston Museum along the Alaska Highway is where you will see the largest collection of Tlingit native artifacts. Both museums are well worth a visit. Teslin is a popular destination for fishing and boating along the Alaska Highway.
- Johnson's Crossing, Yukon Territory: The best bakery along the Alaska Highway is located in the RV park at Johnson's Crossing on the northern side of the bridge over the Teslin River.
- Whitehorse, Yukon Territory: Plan on spending some time here as this is not just the Capitol of the Yukon Territory it is also one of the historic points of the Klondike Gold Rush era. Be sure to see Miles Canyon on the Yukon River and check out the historic sternwheeler in the riverside park. There are a number of RV parks and campgrounds in Whitehorse as well as motels, hotels and cabin rentals.
- Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory: Kluane National Park in the Yukon is one of our favorite portions of this scenic stretch along the Alaska Highway Scenic Drive.
- Burwash Landing, Yukon Territory: Check out the cool museum at the massive gold pan along the highway and then head on down to the lake shore where the Burwash Landing Resort and RV Park offers fresh Lake Trout on the menu. The view is awesome and the food is excellent.
- Alaska - Canada Border Crossing @ Beaver Creek: Your finally looking at entering Alaska when you reach this border town Along the Alaska Highway. But there is still a 20 mile stretch of rough road before you reach the Alaska Border Checkpoint.
- Tok, Alaska: A quaint little town with all the services you could need from that well needed car wash to groceries and a very informative visitors center.
- Delta Junction, Alaska: The actual terminus of the Alaska Highway and the point where the Alaska Highway meets the Richardson Highway. At this point you can travel north on the Richardson to North Pole and Fairbanks or south towards the Denali Highway.
- North Pole, Alaska:
- Fairbanks, Alaska:
Getting There From Seattle!
Driving to Alaska? Getting
to the Alaska Highway from Seattle is half the fun. Start by heading north
on I-5 to the Canadian border then east on the Trans-Canadian highway to
Hope B.C. Exit and head north along the Frazier River passing Hells Gate
and continue all the way up to the city of Dawson Creek in Northern British
Columbia. You are now at the lower end of the legendary Alaska Highway;
boy, will your friends be jealous now.
Additional Reading: Best
time to drive the Alaska Highway.
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Question: Should I bring an extra set of tires when driving to Alaska? – No but it is a good idea to start your trip on a fresh set of good tires just to lessen the chances of having tire problems while on the road. Even a good set of fairly new tires with no weather checking should be sufficient to make the drive to Alaska.
Alaska Scenic Drives - Driving the Alaska Canadian Highway in a Alaska RV Rental is a cost effective alternative to owning your own motorhome.