The Alaska Vacations Guide

As no doubt you know, Alaska is a very large state. At 586,400 square miles and 1,479 miles in length, if Alaska were superimposed over the lower 48 it would span 3 time zones. It is over twice the size of Texas and has about 34,000 miles of shoreline which is twice the shoreline of all the states in the lower 48 combined. To get a handle on Alaska, see the below map.

Alaska state map

It's easiest to think of Alaska in regions, as Alaskans themselves do. The most frequent travel destination for the average vacationer is to Southcentral with it's urban hub of Anchorage sitting on the shores of Cook Inlet. Southeast, Southwest, and the Far North (Arctic) are accessible only by airplane or ship and are not connected to any road system, although they do of course have local roads for the use of residents. The Interior region, which has Denali National Park and Mt. McKinley within it's boundaries, is connected by highway with Anchorage and the Alcan highway from the lower 48. In addition, the Alaska Railroad runs from the port of Seward, through Anchorage, to Denali and then all the way to Fairbanks. Many vacationers take cruise - rail or cruise - land tours starting with a cruise ship out of Vancouver or Seattle. Such cruise tours enjoy the spectacular beauty of the inside passage along Southeast Alaska and then transfer to railcar or bus in Seward on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. From there they travel by rail, bus, rental car or rental motorhome up to Anchorage, Denali / Mt. McKinley and then on to Fairbanks if they are so inclined.

Kenai Peninsula

The Kenai Peninsula with it's beautiful lakes and world famous Kenai River is located in Southcentral Alaska, only a short scenic drive from Anchorage. The peninsula separates Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet. The end of the road system in North America occurs at Homer, Alaska at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula. When you Visit Alaska or if you are planning your Alaska Vacation, you may wish to stay in Kasilof, located centrally on the scenic Kenai Peninsula! Kasilof offers easy access to great day trips around the Kenai Peninsula, such as fly out grizzly bear viewing, Alaska glacier cruises out of Seward and world class halibut fishing in Homer, Alaska. For those wanting to try salmon fishing you will find some of the best Alaska fishing on the nearby Kasilof River or Kenai River. You will find some of the finest lodgings and hospitality Alaska has to offer right in Kasilof, Alaska! Discover Alaska is an online directory designed to provide resources and information for planning your vacations, travels, weekend getaways, or holiday adventures to Alaska!

Between Anchorage and Homer (about an 8 hour drive) there are too many opportunities for adventure to mention along with worldclass, outdoor oriented, lodges and resorts. The famous Kenai River salmon and rainbow trout fishing is something that everyone should experience whether you are a novice fisherman or a seasoned angler.
For a small sample of available lodging and activities on the Kenai Peninsula, learn more >>>

Opportunities for adventure abound in the interior of Alaska most notably at Denali National Park which surrounds Mt. McKinley, North America's tallest mountain. Photographic safaris are the order of the day. See grizzly bear, moose, dall sheep, wolves, and caribou via guided tour bus through the park. You can also watch preparations for the assault by the climbers in the small town of Talkeetna which is on the Parks Highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Denali Park is also readily accessible by train from Anchorage.

You can drive the first 14 miles into the Park. Beyond that you must be on a bus, bike, hiking, or by air. You can get information about bus tours into the park by calling 1-800-622-7275 or on the park web site www.nps.gov/dena . MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE; you cannot be guaranteed the trip you want just by walking up to the park visitors center desk.

We recommend the Wonder lake bus tour. It is the longest bus trip at 12 hours round trip, but with a shuttle pass you can get off and on the busses as you please. It is $6.00 more and 4 hours longer than the tour to Eielson. However if you are having a great day viewing the many types of wildlife and the manificent mountain scenery, you will be glad to have the option of going all the way into the park. You can always get off, take a break, or hike, or turn around and come back on another shuttle at any time. There are several rest stops along the way which can also serve to give your legs a stretch..
REMEMBER: You cannot get food or water with in the park, so be sure to take your own provisions in
with you and there are no pets allowed in the Park.

Explore Alaska with one of the Lodges in Bristol Bay area of Southwest Alaska, or in another wilderness area of Alaska !

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*Map photo credit - copyright30402007-AK Division of Community and Business Development