Alaska

[Guest]

I'm doing some homework on Alaska family vacations. This isn't a fishing trip vaction, although I would consider hiring a guide. 

Any ideas or stories about family vacations in alaska? I want my 5 year old son to see something that he will remember for a lifetime. We only get so much time on this earth.

He won't remember the toys we buy but he will remember the places we visit. 

[Gavin]

Have been there to fish several times. Gotta do some fly outs to fish or see bears, wolves, etc. A halibut trip is great for meat. Doty or Phil could provide some current info. Have not been in ten years, but plan to take my family soon. Sea Kayaking by the Glaciers is cool. Spent most of the time on the rivers up from Bristol Bay or on the Kenai near Cooper Landing and Soldatna. Do it yourself, fly to Anchorage, then drive to Cooper or Soldatna is the cheapest option. Get a plane full and fly across Cook inlet as much as you want. Plenty of rental cabins & pilots for hire.

[Al Agnew]

Look into Camp Denali in Denali National Park.  Haven't been there in a decade, but they used to be by far the best lodges in and around the park.  Unless something has changed, they are the only concessionerre to have the right to drive their own vehicles on the park road.  Anywhere else you stay, you have a bus ride in and out, but you're limited to the park buses while in the park.  They have guided nature hikes and tours every day, from strenuous hikes to easy walks from their vehicle.  You either stay at North Face Lodge, which is pretty much like a motel, or at Camp Denali itself, which is separate cabins with your own outhouse.  Rent a car in Anchorage and drive up to Denali.  Just don't let the gas gauge get too low...sometimes it's a long way between gas stations.

 

[Guest]

Camp Denali looks amazing after a quick google search. $600/night is expensive but it's all inclusive. I've never been on any trips that are all inclusive. Does this cover everything? Meals, guides, fishing gear, trails, etc? Basically just show up with proper clothing? 

I'm shooting for August next year. Mainly because I hate August in Arkansas & this would be a good time to travel north. I can afford it as long as I trim my fishing/hunting budget in 2017/18, so the jet boat will have to wait. 

I would rather experience a once in a lifetime trip versus buying fishing equipment. 

[Gavin]

Denali is packed with tour groups and very restrictive. Tour bus trip mostly. Better to go and free boot it. 

[Guest]

I just realized it's $600 per person every night. Sticker shock right there. But at least it gives me a starting point for activities & expenses. 

[Quillback]

I have been to Sitka several times on fishing trips.  Great scenery with the mountains being almost on the edge of the sea.  Neat old Russian church in town, but the town itself is a bit of a tourist trap, it's a popular destination for cruise ships. 

There are whale watching trips you can take and of course fishing, the coho ought to be in the sound in August.  You can also halibut fish, I would not recommend it as it is deep water fishing - bait on the bottom at 300 feet, and when you get one, especially if it is a biggun, it is nothing but hard work to get it to the boat.  There's also some hiking trails outside of town.

I don't think I would want to spend a week in Sitka, but for 3-4 days you could stay pretty busy. 

 

[duckydoty]

I am mainly familiar with western Alaska, Bristol Bay region.  Most of the lodges in that area are fishing oriented. For a family trip to see Alaska, Anchorage and the Kenai area can give you a great taste of what Alaska has to offer. I've always wanted to take the train ride from Seward to Denali.  There are glacier cruises available in the Kenai region. Gold panning opportunities, halibut trips and a day trip over to brooks for bear veiwing is readily available.  Pricing in the Bristol Bay region will run from as little at $2500 per week per person (not including airfare) for a rough fishing camp to places like Crystal Creek Lodge that cost $10,000 per week per person.  You can spend as much as you want in Alaska

[Phil Lilley]

http://naknekrivercamp.com is where I stay.

Also have a friend in Talkeenta who has remote cabins and guides those river- does float trips too.

https://alaskawildernessriverfishingguides.com/

[Al Agnew]

Camp Denali has gotten more expensive...but it was always kind of a high end type deal.  It's just the easiest and in my opinion best way to experience the park.

You can spend a lot of time on the Kenai Peninsula, doing all kinds of activities, but because you can drive there from Anchorage and drive all the way down the peninsula, it is far from an Alaskan wilderness experience.  Still, it's absolutely gorgeous.