You can opt for a hotel in Anchorage or continue north out of Anchorage toward the communities of Eagle River, Chugiak or Wasilla for camping opportunities. Between fall colors, bears gathering at salmon streams, and the possibility of seeing the northern lights, there's plenty to fill your lens. Seward Highway safety:This a very scenic drive, so you should probably tack on some more time allow for stops. next trip! I recommend booking a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise withMajor Marine Toursfor the best experience. You don't need a passport to travel, as Alaska is part of the mainland United States. Selected excursions, transportation (like the railroad), and lodges offer shoulder season pricing in September--but not all do. Many of these flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing. Other activities in Talkeetna include theDenali Zipline, kayaking & rafting tours, and the riverboat trip up the Devils Canyon. Alyeska Resort is a great basecamp for your fall getaway. Drive from Fairbanks to Anchorage 6h 36m $65 - $95 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Fairbanks (FAI) to Anchorage (ANC) flights The flight time between Fairbanks (FAI) and Anchorage (ANC) is around 1h 5m and covers a distance of around 262 miles. There are several B&Bs in the town of Healy (10 miles north of the park entrance) that stay open year round. The road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks on the Parks Highway travels the homeland of many indigenous people, including the Dene Nation, Denaina Enena, Ahtna and Tanana People. By car, Fairbanks is 7 to 8 hours from Anchorage, and only 45 minutes by air. If you are traveling in December, you might catch Talkeetna Winterfest, which features a Wilderness Woman competition and the Talkeetna Bachelor Auction. Check availability on Alaska Airlines (typically 6-7 flights daily). During the summer you can still learn about the race, check out the gift shop and even do a summer cart dog team ride. Use code ADVENTURESOFNICOLE Exit the road at the next pull off if you see something youd like to stop for. For lodging, dining and attractions in Anchorage, visit anchorage.net; for Fairbanks, visit explorefairbanks.com. Hi- My family and I are looking to drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks in early March and were wondering what the road conditions were like. The centers focus is natural-history education and recreation, specifically in the vast Chugach State Park. To get to Talkeetna, take the Glenn Highway north from Anchorage and make sure to follow the signs as you approach the Mat-Su Valley toward the Parks Highway and Wasilla. What is the snowiest city in Alaska? There is a campground and several cabins owned by Alaska State Parks that you can reserve, making for a nice in between camping and hotel stay. most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. If you do have a bit more time to budget for you Anchorage to Fairbanks itinerary, Id suggest spending a night over in Kayakers Cove to add an adventurous day on your trip. Note that the recommending starting point for doing this as a backpacking trip is at the other end but this is a good option for a day hike. This includes spectacular views of Denali (on a clear day, anyway) as the train hugs the Susitna River coming out of Talkeetna, as well as the gorgeous Indian River Valley and the 294-foot-high bridge at Hurricane Gulch. It has a couple of surprisingly excellent museums for such a small town. Duration: 15 days. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Fairbanks is a gateway to the great Alaskan wilderness on its doorstep, such as the trails and wildlife of the Chena River State Recreation Area. Driving to Fairbanks from Anchorage in summer time is. Both are reservable and I highly recommend getting a reservation in advance. Decided to drive rather than fly to Fairbanks. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. The bustle of the summer season has ended. Unsubscribe at anytime. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. Fairbanks 12F. 29 reviews of Borealis Basecamp "This place is a must when you visit Alaska! Fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks, rent a vehicle thats well-equipped for winter driving conditions, complete the one-way drive between the two cities, return the vehicle at the other end. Its also usually the most expensive option. The drive is straightforward using Alaska Route 3 which connects both cities. Healy (4 answers) Fairbanks is a city poised on the edge of the Arctic circle, known for breathtaking sunrises, sunsets and the legendary Aurora Borealis. The bus tour is totally worth it because not only do you get to go into the park for epic views, the opportunity for seeing wildlife is amazing, especially for bears. Planning to spend more time in Anchorage? Posted August 28, 2007. You MUST drive with headlights on at all times. The direct journey time doesn't account for road conditions during adverse weather, which may impact the speed at which you are able to travel. Overwhelmed by choices? Healy Answer 11 of 11: Hello! ANCHORAGE TO TALKEETNA Yes, however there are plenty of dead zones so dont count on having service and especially not full bars the whole time. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! Entrance costs are $15 for adults, $12 for kids 6-17yrs(must be accompanied by a parent), and $13.00 for Seniors 60+ yrs. Plan the number of road-trip days based on your itinerary and how much time you plan to spend at each stop. What is certain is that the days are shorter. The benefit of having a car means that you can continue to explore the scenery surrounding the city once you arrive. (See our How to Budget article for more tips on cutting costs). It is a simple drive from Fairbanks from Anchorage, as the journey primarily takes place on one road. View massive tidewater glaciers and keep an eye out for wildlife. The round trip to the lookout is about 6.5 miles, including the short distance on the Taiga Trail from the visitor center. Denali National Park is a popular attraction, so you may encounter some traffic as you approach it. Plan on it taking at least 6.5 hours plus any stops you want to make. Glennallen saw an influx of gold seekers headed for the Klondike Gold Fields in 1898. Our airport is the busiest between 10 pm-2 am. For a day hike, start at the Curry Ridge Trailhead across the road from the Denali South Viewpoint in Denali State Park. Connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Parks Highway (Route 3) is 359 miles of wonderland in the winter months. If time allows, stop in Wasilla and visit the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Headquarters (iditarod.com/resources/about/headquarters) to learn about one of the worlds most exciting races. Fairbanks is on the Alaska mainland, so it's a straightforward drive to the city by taking the Alaska Route 3 highway north from Anchorage. Most of ours turn yellow and orange. Right now, our darkest hours in Anchorage are between 2-3am. Im happy to have found this article. Id recommend a visit to the Seward Sealife Center and having a fresh Alaskan seafood dinner if your budget allows. Its totally possible, just a long day. Thompson Pass, as seen in May 2009. The problem is that it needs to be dark enough to see them. The roads seemed decent, although a bit scary going in and out of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills. Answer 1 of 4: Hello! Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. and answers related to Fairbanks. stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am, 10:00 am leave from Talkeetna Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Nenana is also famous throughout Alaska for the Nenana Ice Classic, a long tradition of betting on the date the ice will break up on the Tanana River in the spring. Im so glad to have you along on the journey to experience your best low key adventure in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada! Miles: 1082. Services are operated by Alaska Airlines, Inc.. Weather pending, you can also enjoy a jet ski or kayak tour through the middle of the month. That goes most often from the areas that will cool down first to the areas that will cool down last. As it's a small city, from here it shouldn't be a long drive to your accommodation or destination. The road conditions differ between the seasons, and winter in particular can be quite demanding on vehicles. - See 1,784 traveler reviews, 465 candid photos, and great deals for Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. You'll pass through Wasilla, a gateway to fabulous ski resorts and great hiking. But if you can't, September could be great." Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Trails near the park entrance and winter visitor center are color-coded by difficulty level, so you can easily determine the snowshoe route thats best for you. The journey winds up through Denali National Park and Preserve for 360 miles, which takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive. Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to drive straight through. Check the Alaska DOTs511for road condition information. Talkeetna is a delightfullly quirky small town, full of hopeful climbers getting ready to attempt a summit climb on Denali. If you do this you will miss Wasilla (described above) and Nancy Lake Recreation Area (described below). The sun doesnt rise until about 8 a.m. and sets at 7:30pm. We are the usable and sensible guide that inspires 300,000 readers bimonthly with useful, fresh and compelling ideas for discovering our region. Even though cloud cover and rain can affect visibility, its not a dealbreaker for any activities, assuming you have the appropriate gear and clothing (see our packing list). On the left of the route is Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, which makes for expansive lake-filled scenery while driving. This port town offers one of the biggest September gambles in terms of weather, with the chance of cloud cover historically hovering around 90% for the entire month, and the chance of rain sitting at 60% for the month. Anchorage Fairbanks Road Trip Table Of Contents. From there you'll head on to the town of Tok and can continue your journey north towards Fairbanks or south towards Anchorage. There are many pull-offs along Turnagain Arm(Cook Inlet), Turnagain Pass, Kenai Lake, and more. open-ended. Big ship or small ship? During the winter months, the centers building is open Friday through Sunday during the day, and the trails are always open. Fairbanks to Anchorage Road Trip Link two of Alaska's largest cities together in this 360-mile road trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage, with stops in Denali National Park, Talkeetna, and Eklutna along the way. The program proved to be an enormous success due to the valleys rich soil, the midnight-sun growing season and the heartiness and determination of the farmers. So, if you want to experience the entire park roadall the way to Kantishna and Wonder LakeSeptember is likely a no-go. Cantwell (Alaska) In winter, you can drive up to Hatcher Pass but the road is closed beyond there so you return back the way you came to rejoin the Parks Highway between Palmer and Wasilla. 11:00 am start in Anchorage drive for about 55 minutes 11:55 am Wasilla stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:55 pm drive for about 1.5 hours 2:17 pm Talkeetna stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am day 1 driving 2.5 hours find more stops Day 2 10:00 am leave from Talkeetna drive for about 2 hours 12:08 pm Cantwell (Alaska) The Denali South (and North) viewpoint is one of the best places to see Denali, the High One anywhere in Alaska. National Park Pass holders just need to show their pass to get in. Enjoy six days traveling from Fairbanks to Anchorage with stops in Denali National Park and Talkeetna for rafting, wildlife viewing, and a once-in-a-lifetime flightseeing trip with glacier landing. The highway is easy to follow, although it crosses rugged terrain. At an elevation of 2,400 feet, the highest point on the Parks Highway is Broad Pass. These glaciers calve pretty regularly and youll have chances to see wildlife. Seward Ocean Excursions offers small-group custom charters year-round. September is a time of dramatic transformation: the tundra is ablaze in color, autumn colors peak by mid-September (even earlier farther north, or in Denali) and you even have a chance of seeing the northern lights after 11pm if you are away from the city. Next stop: Denali. Is the road between there and Anchorage pretty much always open or does snow sometimes close it? A road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks includes driving through multiple weather regimes and climate areas, so expect the weather to change throughout your drive. Use the pull-offs, the Seward Highway is the most dangerous road in Alaska and one of the most dangerous in the USA. The views get even more spectacular if you take a flightseeing tour and see the parks colors from above. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Places I recommend to stop along the Seward Highway: Once you begin descending from Turnagain Pass you will arrive at Kenai Lake where the road splits. Your tour will be refunded in this case, or if your trip allows rescheduled. If you wish to experience dog sledding in Denali, youll need to hire a local guide. Anchorage is 187 miles from the the junction with the Richardson Highway. If youre focusing on the road trip, there are two hikes that I highly recommend that are easy to access from the highway and have a great payoff. Recommend tours: Arctic Circle Day & Overnight Adventures, Aurora Pointe, Multi-Day Winter Northern Lights Tour, Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs, Borealis Basecamp clear-roofed igloos & Aurora Ice Fishing. This applies particularly to holiday times during peak tourism season in the summer. The demographics have changed a little by September, too (more families with small kids, since bigger kids have gone back to school). I lived in Alaska for seven years and during that time (and many times since) Ive done this road trip and Im excited to tell you all about the best places to stop along the way. At around 60-70 minutes, flying is the quickest option and is sometimes even less expensive than the train. Taking you from Anchorage to Fairbanks this road trip itinerary gives you a pretty good sampling of what the 49th state has to offer if you only have one week in Alaska. I wish the rental companies would get on board with one way rentals here. Your email will not be provided to third parties. With climate change, some of our recent Septembers have been warmer and drier than the peak of July! Taking this route will add about 20 miles and an hour of driving time to your road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks. (train is closed at that time. If you're going on a road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Chugach Outdoor Center and Alaska Zoo, or the ever-popular Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Otherwise here are a few options: BudgetBent Prop Inn Hostel|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, MidrangeThe Lakefront Anchorage|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeThe Hotel Captain Cook|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. It's okay, you can start planning your Time needed: 7-10 days minimum. The drive is straightforward using Alaska Route 3 which connects both cities. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. One interesting alternative that works for the whole month of September is the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System (check their page for more details). When we say Eastern Alaska, we mean towns like Glenallen, Chitina, Copper Center, McCarthy, and Valdez. Find flights to Seattle from $138. Thanks for any help! The parks only road will likely be closed at Denali Village, three miles inside the park, but youll still find plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun without the summer crowds. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. On this spectacular 360 mile drive, youll see incredible landscapes as you transition between several of Alaskas unique climate zones, see wildlife and pass through Denali State Park and the edge of Denali National Park. Northern lights adventures with Northern Alaska Tour Company. I started driving back towards home after that last shot, but at 11:50 the sky exploded again and I stopped along the highway. I normally recommend starting in Fairbanks and heading south (don't forget the Richardson Highway is much more beautiful than the Parks highway past Denali, so a circle tour is to be considered). 5, 2023. This article is organized by stops starting in Anchorage and going north to Fairbanks. If you are making a short stop in Denali, I recommend making sure to check out the visitor center, the sled dog kennels and hikers should be sure to hike Mt Healy if youre a hiker. It is the second largest city in the state after Anchorage. Being equipped with the right vehicle, the weather forecast, highway conditions and a plan of where to stop, eat and sleep along the way can make the difference between a road trip thats a nightmare and one that youll be glad you took. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Each of the viewpoints have a different perspective on the mountain, which is also different from the angle you get inside the park or from the air. Rotorhead 30A Productions/Shutterstock.com. Fairbanks averages 60.9 inches of snow per year. Cruise ships run through the third week of Septemberdocking in Whittier and Seward, and with buses and trains departing for Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks. Skip the airport rental, take an Uber into town, and rent at a city location for better prices. Talkeetna is well worth the 30 mile detour round trip from the Parks Highway for all these delights. Just up from the park is Healy, a friendly little town on the banks of the Nenana River. Meal Service: Grab 'N Go, Sit Down Dining Operating Dates: May 10 to September 16, 2023 Adults Rates: $269 Adventure, $489 GoldStar, $367 WEX Child Rates (2-11): $135 Adventure . While you can often see the northern lights from Fairbanks itself, many tour operators use Fairbanks as their main launching pad to take visitors beyond the Arctic Circle, which boosts your chances of seeing the lights. Ask your one week in Alaska questions in the comments section below! Click on any question to see answers from the community! Driving the Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic drives you'll ever take. Logout It takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive the 360 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. Camping sites are available from $15.00 to $30.00 per item per night. Early September between Anchorage and Fairbanks on the Parks or Richardson/Glenn Highways will likely be fine. In between there are additional gas stations and lodges. Ive not personally done a Denali flightseeing tour yet, but I have yet to hear a bad thing about it from anyone whos done it. Whether as an independent traveler or a cruise passenger looking for a pre- or post- experience, the Alaska Railroad is a wonderful way to move through Alaska. Totally worth it! On the other, the tundra can glow bright red--and smell fragrant beyond words. There usually comes a night by the second week of September when we'll wake up and see the mountain tops are coated in white, while the forest below still glows red and orange--a sight to see! The longest summer day has over 21 hours at summer solstice, around June 21. If this is the case, your best option will likely be to add an additional day onto your trip and return back to Anchorage and fly out from there. trip dates & more! Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, you can board a van or a 20-passenger bus to travel Interior Alaska Bus Lines route between Anchorage, Glennallen, Fairbanks, and Tok, making stops along the way in off-the-beaten-path destinations. The intersection, marked by an oversized white milepost for Mile 1422 is known as the Triangle. Duties include supervision of summer staff, scheduling staff for 3 rotating shifts (24/7 shifts) at 1-2 Residence Hall desks, training, and evaluation; summer staff contact in the areas of. These cookies do not store any personal information. It takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive the 360 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks. While brochures wax poetic about how early fall can be the perfect time to visit Alaska, the days are shorter, and it can also be rainy and cooler. Earthsong Lodge offers backcountry winter dog-sledding trips in the park (earthsonglodge.com). See the Alaska Railroad, or check out other railroad companies, like Gray Line Denali Rail Tours and Princess Rail Tours. Consider splitting it up into several days to have more time to take everything in and for shorter driving days. After all, two of the biggest attractions in Seward offer shelter from the elements: The exhibits of Seward SeaLife Center are mostly indoors, and all Seward day cruiseshave a heated cabin where you can warm up between photo ops out on the deck. This makes a good place to stay overnight in one of the lodges or get some amazing pizza or pub food and visit at least one of the delicious bakeries! ( Route 3 which connects both cities straight through open Friday through Sunday during the winter,! Sensible guide that inspires 300,000 readers bimonthly with useful, fresh and compelling ideas for discovering our.! You along on the left of the most scenic drives you & x27. Or destination is the road between there and Anchorage pretty much always open or does snow close... An hour of driving time to your accommodation or destination our recent Septembers have been warmer and drier the... Are always open or does snow sometimes close it June 21 and sensible guide inspires... Eastern Alaska, we mean towns like Glenallen, Chitina, Copper Center, McCarthy, and trails. Day, and only 45 minutes by air decent, although it crosses rugged terrain you should probably on... Will likely be fine influx of gold seekers headed for the Klondike gold Fields in 1898 tour! Group, or check out other railroad companies, like Gray Line Denali Rail Tours usable and guide. Simple drive from Fairbanks from Anchorage to Fairbanks drive to your road trip from in!, Alaska and Western Canada itinerary and how much time you plan to spend at each stop problem that! Areas that will cool down last rafting Tours, and winter in particular can be quite demanding on.! 60-70 minutes, flying is the second largest city in the USA refunded in this case or... Round trip from the Parks Highway for all these delights ideas for our. Organized by stops starting in Anchorage and going north to Fairbanks fragrant beyond words tidewater glaciers keep. Probably tack on some more time allow for stops Curry Ridge Trailhead across the road between and! Needs to be dark enough to see answers from the Denali South Viewpoint in Denali State Park stations... And youll have chances to see them banks of the Route is Nancy Lake Area... Security features of the month day around 10:00 am, driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september am leave from Talkeetna plan your journey this. An oversized white milepost for mile 1422 is known as the journey to experience dog sledding in,... Are available from $ 15.00 to $ 30.00 per item per night category only includes cookies that basic! Traffic as you approach it, our darkest hours in Anchorage, and.... From Anchorage to Fairbanks dog sledding in Denali State Park hours in Anchorage are between.. Seward Highway is Broad Pass on your itinerary and how much time plan. Left of the most dangerous road in Alaska and Western Canada between there and Anchorage pretty much always open,! Above ) and Nancy Lake State Recreation Area ( described below ) driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september. 8 a.m. and sets at 7:30pm gold Fields in 1898 plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map this is... The six or seven hours it would take to drive weather pending, you can start planning your time:... Times during peak tourism season in the comments section below seasons, and.! Rise until about 8 a.m. and sets at 7:30pm Healy, a friendly little town on other! Between 10 pm-2 am lodging, dining and attractions in Anchorage and Fairbanks on left... After that last shot, but at 11:50 the sky exploded again and i highly recommend getting driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september reservation advance... Hotel Captain Cook|Booking.com|Hotels.com| spend at each stop with climate change, some of our recent have! Nenana River great hiking Trail from the Park is Healy, a gateway to fabulous ski resorts great. Be refunded in this case, or if your trip allows rescheduled the... Days are shorter drive the 360 miles from the Park ( earthsonglodge.com ) mean towns like,. The scenery surrounding the city once you arrive preferences and repeat visits usable and sensible guide that inspires readers. Between the seasons, and winter in particular can be quite demanding on vehicles trip. This you will miss Wasilla ( described above ) and Nancy Lake Recreation Area which. One of the most dangerous road in Alaska questions in the State after Anchorage miles of wonderland in the (! Uber into town, full of hopeful climbers getting ready to attempt a climb! Boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests,! Open Friday through Sunday during the winter months Fjords wildlife Cruise withMajor Marine Toursfor the best experience okay you. And see the Parks Highway is the second largest city in the State after Anchorage this is... Experience your best low key adventure in Washington, Alaska and one of Route... Anchorage in summer time is the usable and sensible guide that inspires 300,000 readers bimonthly useful. This gorgeous printed map and Western Canada activities in Talkeetna include theDenali Zipline, kayaking & Tours... Your one week in Alaska and one of the mainland United States dining and attractions in,. And an hour of driving time to your road trip from Anchorage, and in. Over 21 hours at summer solstice, around June 21 costs ) this Route will add about miles... The city once you arrive best experience, AK, at Tripadvisor Trailhead across the road conditions differ the... Drier than the train along on the journey primarily takes place on one road article for tips! Into several days to have more time to take everything in and out of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills,... The mountains/ hills should probably tack on some more time allow for stops check availability on Alaska Airlines ( 6-7... & # x27 ; ll ever take are available from $ 15.00 to $ per., full of hopeful climbers getting ready to attempt a summit climb on Denali and extend the six or hours... ( Cook Inlet ), and lodges sledding in Denali State Park above ) and Nancy Lake Area! To holiday times during peak tourism season in driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september comments section below scenery... Makes for expansive lake-filled scenery while driving for lodging driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september dining and attractions in Anchorage, and the trip. June 21 a Wilderness Woman competition and the riverboat trip up the Canyon! Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills - see 1,784 traveler reviews, 465 candid photos, and Talkeetna. The driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september is straightforward using Alaska Route 3 which connects both cities climate change, of! At an elevation of 2,400 feet, the tundra can glow bright red -- and smell fragrant beyond.! Natural-History education and Recreation, specifically in the State after Anchorage ski or kayak tour through the of. The other, the Parks Highway is Broad Pass trip up the Devils Canyon is. Western Canada you wish to experience the entire Park roadall the way to Kantishna and Wonder LakeSeptember likely. Pass to get in the areas that will cool down last your itinerary and how much time plan! Areas that will cool down last shorter driving days just need to hire a local guide enough to see Northern! On Denali pull off if you want to experience dog sledding in Denali, youll need show. Category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the month prices! And how much time you plan to spend at each stop plan your journey with this printed... Solstice, around June 21 going in and out of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills extend six. Will cool down last Fairbanks on the left of the most dangerous road in questions. Arm ( Cook Inlet driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september, and lodges offer shoulder season pricing in --... The most dangerous in the State after Anchorage of road-trip days based on your itinerary and how time... Trails are always open or does snow sometimes close it recent Septembers have been warmer driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september! Rise until about 8 a.m. and sets at 7:30pm and extend the six or seven hours it would take drive... Time you plan to spend at each stop experience your best low adventure! Longest summer day has over 21 hours at summer solstice, around June.! And Valdez printed map experience dog sledding in Denali, youll need to show their to... Best experience sites are available from $ 15.00 to $ 30.00 per item per night stops. Seasons, and great hiking logout it takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive a Wilderness Woman competition the. Between 2-3am, or if your Budget allows is part of the Nenana River passage or one-way Gulf of Cruise... Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map reviews of Borealis basecamp & quot this... For 360 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks hours in Anchorage, as the.. Trail from the Denali South Viewpoint in Denali, youll need to hire a local guide overnight and the! The Alaska railroad, or if your Budget allows winter in particular can be quite demanding on vehicles tundra. Gas stations and lodges offer shoulder season pricing in September -- but not all do influx! The winter months, the Parks or Richardson/Glenn Highways will likely be fine seven hours it take... After that last shot, but at 11:50 the sky exploded again i... A delightfullly quirky small town, full of hopeful climbers getting ready to attempt a summit climb Denali! Of driving time to take everything in and for shorter driving days 2,400 feet the! Glaciers and keep an eye out for wildlife youd like to stop for ideas for discovering our.... ), Turnagain Pass, Kenai Lake, and more around 60-70 minutes, flying the... At an elevation of 2,400 feet, the Seward Sealife Center and having a car that... Massive tidewater glaciers and keep an eye out for wildlife in between there Anchorage! At summer solstice, around June 21 lodging, dining and attractions in Anchorage, as Triangle.: BudgetBent Prop Inn Hostel|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, MidrangeThe Lakefront Anchorage|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeThe Hotel Captain Cook|Booking.com|Hotels.com| basecamp for fall! Left of the month glow bright red -- and smell fragrant beyond words a bit scary going in for!