Travel Alaska 2015 Vacation Planner

107 Pages·2015·13 MB·English

A L ASK A
O F F I C I A L S TAT E VA C AT I O N P L A N N E R
TravelAlaska.com
ALASK A
T h e ex p e r ie n c e
of a li fetim e
The State of Alaska invites you to experience our awe-inspiring scenic beauty, abundant wildlife and friendly hospitality.
Our vacation planner is designed to help you discover the special places and diverse vacation possibilities that make Alaska such
an extraordinary destination. In it you’ll find everything from small bed and breakfasts to magnificent lodges, river rafting trips to
glacier cruises and everything in between. We hope you’ll come visit the “Great Land” soon.
TravelAlaska.com
Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau
The people, the places, the beauty – it's
like nothing else on earth. And when
you visit, Alaska becomes a part of you
forever. In fact, every Alaskan you meet will
undoubtedly tell you the story of a friend
who came to Alaska to visit and never left.
Make it Alaska this year!
Table of Contents
Map ......................................................2-3
Trip Planning .......................................4-27
Itineraries ..........................................28-35
Regional Information ........................36-45
How to Use the Travel Directory ............ 46
Statewide Businesses ...................... 47-55
Interior Businesses ...........................56-63
Far North Businesses .......................64-65
Southwest Businesses .....................66-68
Inside Passage Businesses ..............69-77
Southcentral Businesses ..................78-96
Camping/RV Parks ................................ 97
Community Information .................100-101
Calendar of Events ........................102-104
Front Cover: Sea Kayaking in Harriman Fjord, Prince William Sound
Back Cover: Harbor Mountain, Sitka
TravelAlaska.com 1
Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau
Alaska
The state is so immense, it’s easier to think of it as five
distinct regions. To help you understand these regions,
we’ve color-coded them as shown below. You’ll also
find a statewide section to assist you as you explore the
different areas of Alaska. For more information on the
communities in each region, see pages 36-45.
Interior
• Alaska Highway
• Fairbanks
• Mount McKinley & Denali National Park & Preserve
Far North
• Arctic Coast
• Brooks Range
• Western Arctic
Southwest
• Alaska Peninsula
• Aleutian Islands
• Bristol Bay
• Kodiak Archipelago
• Pribilof Islands
• Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
Inside Passage
• Glacier Bay
• Northern Region
• Southern Region
Southcentral
• Anchorage Area
• Copper River Valley & Wrangell-St. Elias
National Park & Preserve
• The Kenai
• Mat-Su Valley
• Prince William Sound
2
TravelAlaska.com 3
ALASK A
Tu r n d r e a m s
i n to r e a l i t y
4
Prince William Sound
More mountains
than buildings,
more wildlife than people
and more glaciers
than stoplights.
Portage Pass near Whittier
Alaska –
it’s amazingly different, with the tallest mountains,
the largest area of national parklands, the highest concentration of
glaciers and the longest stretch of coastline in the United States.
Alaska is a place of magnificence, but it’s not beyond your reach.
This vacation planner has been designed to help you decide where you
want to go and what you want to do. You will find valuable information
about special points of interest and the many activities to choose from
as you prepare for your unforgettable experience.
Alaska is closer than you might think. With direct flights from many
major cities in the United States, you’ll find that getting to Alaska is
easier than ever. In fact, you could be here tomorrow.
TravelAlaska.com 55
ALASK A
W i l d l i fe
6
Brown Bear, Lake Clark National Park
“The moose crossed the road right in front of us.
I’ll never forget it … it was a mother and her calf.”
- Nicky W., Fernley, NV
Moose, Denali National Park
Watchable Wildlife Viewing Tips
A magnificent grizzly roaming an untamed landscape, great herds of • Dawn and dusk are the best times to view most wildlife
caribou migrating across the tundra, millions of salmon spawning up
• Visit wildlife refuges or parks for best chance to see wildlife
rivers and the haunting cries of sandhill cranes streaming overhead: these
and many other wildlife-viewing opportunities await you in Alaska.
• Use binoculars and a telephoto lens for great close-up views and photos
Join a guided tour through a national or state park to look for bear, • Watch from a distance so both you and the animal remain safe
caribou or moose, or take a day cruise to spot puffins, sea otters, and
• Be patient. Even when wildlife is abundant, it may take time to spot
humpback and killer whales. Even a leisurely stroll along one of Alaska’s
many trails can offer a chance to see wildlife, whether it’s Dall sheep kicking
• Make noise traveling in thick brush or near spawning salmon to
up their heels along a rock face or a bald eagle soaring high above.
avoid surprising moose and bears
Consider a flightseeing trip for a bird’s-eye view of wildlife beyond the road
system or visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage, the Alaska
SeaLife Center in Seward or the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage for a closer look.
Wildlife viewing takes on a whole new
dimension in winter, when animals are easier to
see against a backdrop of white snow. Early winter
draws more than 3,000 bald eagles to feed on salmon at
the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines. Moose, fox
and various species of birds can also be spotted more easily.
While viewing opportunities abound, one thing is for sure: no
matter which path you choose, you’ll remember it for a lifetime.
For more information on wildlife viewing, visit
wildlifeviewing.alaska.gov
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ALASK A
A d ve n t u r e
“The trip to Alaska was, by far,
the most memorable vacation of my life.”
- Cindy S., Loveland, CO
8
Ziplining, Icy Strait Point