RVing Through Alaska with Kids: Our Wild and Wonderful Adventure
- danashik
- Jul 14
- 8 min read
Updated: Dec 5
This summer we went on an unforgettable RV trip through Alaska, and honestly, it’s going to be hard for any future trip to top this one. From massive glaciers to bear sightings, and boat tours to bumpy backroads, this adventure had a little bit of everything—and a whole lot of “wow” moments.
If you’re thinking about exploring Alaska by RV (especially with kids), here’s how our trip went, what we loved, what surprised us, and a few tips we’d definitely pass along.
Day 1–4: Seward – Glaciers, Fjords & Sea Life
We flew into Anchorage, picked up our 33-foot RV (our cozy rolling home for the next couple of weeks), and headed south to Seward. The drive alone was a good introduction to Alaska—forests, rivers, mountain views… and we hadn’t even done anything yet.
We stayed 4 nights at the Seward KOA, which had full hookups, clean bathrooms, great kids area (where our kids played happily with other camper kids!) and a good location close to town. From there, we:
Hiked to Exit Glacier, a very accessible trail with glacier views that got everyone excited (plus, helpful signs that show how far the glacier has retreated over the years).
Strolled through Lowell Point beach.
Visited the summer solstice festival at Moose Pass.
Visited the SeaLife Center.
Took a 6-hour boat tour of Kenai Fjords National Park—one of the absolute highlights of the trip. We saw orcas, sea lions, puffins, glaciers calving into the sea, and felt tiny in the best possible way. The kids were completely engaged, which says a lot!
We packed a lot into those four days, but it didn’t feel rushed. There’s so much to do in Seward, and it was the perfect way to ease into the rhythm of RV life.
Day 5–7: Palmer and Matanuska Glacier Trekking
From Seward, we headed north to Palmer, where we stayed at the KOA there too for 2 nights, and then another night at the Grandview Cafe & RV Park. Both were less busy than other spots, but a great base for our major destination (the Matanuska Glacier). While Palmer is a nice casual spot in the middle between places, I wonder still if we could have experienced it more profoundly, if we would have gotten there early in September, when the state fair is happening there. While camping in the area, we only took a glimpse at the Wrangell St. Elias NP, since the roads leading in [McCarthy and Nabesna] are mostly inappropriate for RVs and large/heavy vehicles as such. You can drive through the visitor center up to Chitina, and then probably better to head back (solid advise we got from a local ranger), or otherwise, if you drive a pickup + trailer, make sure to drive those 60 miles from Chitina through McCarthy road and visit the old copper mining city of McCarthy, Kennecott. You can visit the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark, take a guided tour of the mill, hike on the Root Glacier, or explore the ghost town feel of McCarthy (mining operations ended in 1938, and both towns were nearly abandoned).
A beautiful area we've explored while still in the area of Hatcher Pass, near Palmer, was the gold cord lake trail, which seemed very chilly, snowy and in general not highly accessible, but nonetheless mesmerizing. There used to be a mining settlement in this area, and there's a small history center to explore while visiting. The trail was rough and required snow equipment, but if the weather is more pleasant, it makes it more feasible for kids to walk through (the trail is defined as easy/moderate).
Over at the Matanuska glacier, the trek was in our top adventurous and unique things we did -literally and figuratively. Helmets, crampons, and a great guide took us out onto the ice where we walked past blue crevasses and explored otherworldly ice formations. We sipped glacier water and emersed in glacier serenity. We all absolutely LOVED it!
Day 8–10: Valdez – Waterfalls, Wildlife & Bear Encounters
Originally, we had planned to head to Talkeetna after Palmer, but at the last minute, we decided to switch things up and drive to Valdez instead—and we’re so glad we did. The change meant a longer drive, but it ended up being one of the best decisions of the trip.
From Glacier View on road 1, we took the Richardson Highway down to Valdez, crossing Thompson Pass along the way. That drive is absolutely incredible. Waterfalls practically pour down the mountainsides, and the scenery changes constantly. It’s one of those stretches where you’re constantly pulling over for photos.
We spent 3 days in Valdez, and they were packed with wow moments. Our campground was surrounded by dramatic peaks—and a few eagles and bears, too. We had one bear wander through the campground (from a safe distance) and another cross a trail we were on. Not something you forget.
Valdez itself is a very small town with a sweet charm. It’s quieter than other stops, but the scenery is wild and the wildlife is everywhere. Simply must-do trails include Homestead trail (short, flat and easy, with a magnificent serene lake with a beach at the end), Solomon Gulch Hatchery and/or lake (depending on the season of year - go to the hatchery if you're there in July-August) and John Hunter Memorial Trail. You should definitely consider a water activity, such as kayaking, especially if you're traveling with older kids and you know you don't have motion sickness, which you could potentially get even while managing a kayak. Ultimately, it's open ocean, so the ride can get bumpy, and from my personal experience even on a sturdy large vessel, be mindful about these factors.
Day 10-11: Breaking Up the Drive – Overnight near Paxson
The drive from Valdez to Denali is about 7 hours, so we split it up with an overnight stay at a BLM campground shortly after Paxson, through Ahtna tribe Tazlina village, just off the Denali Highway.
The campground was basic but packed with travelers and it was peaceful and made the drive way more manageable. We got there so late, but since it is nearly never dark in the summer, it felt comfortable to seek for a spot, and cook dinner that was so comforting for all of us, after that long drive.
Driving on the Denali highway was challenging... it says you can drive as fast as 50mph, but really, it isn't safe to drive on more than 25-30mph, especially with an RV, as the majority of the road is either gravel with potholes or poorly-paved road with huge potholes.
Day 11–14: Denali National Park – Peaks, Bears & Shuttle Rides
Next came Denali, and it did not disappoint. We spent 3 days hiking, exploring, and soaking in the views of the Denali Range. The park has a shuttle system (you can’t drive in past a certain point), and we took it all the way to mile 43—the furthest you can go right now due to an ongoing closure.
We hopped off the shuttle around mile 35 for a quiet stretch and ended up hiking and enjoying a rare piece of serene and secluded mighty nature, in the middle of nowhere—just us and the mountains. Later in the evening, we caught the next shuttle and just 2 miles from where we finished our hike, we were very lucky to see a mama bear with two older cubs strolling right next to the bus! (watch the short video I shared!).
Back near the entrance, the visitor center and small shopping area was a great late-afternoon stop—souvenirs, snacks, and a nice place for dinner. You can also start there, and pick out some useful info of adventurous opportunities some guides offer, such as Heli skiing, air tours etc.
Day 14: Quick Stop in Talkeetna
We passed through Talkeetna on the way back south and stopped for a couple of hours. It’s a quirky little town with a mix of souvenir shops, food stands, and restaurants.
The vibe is fun, but a heads-up: not at all vegan-friendly. If you’ve got dietary restrictions, eat beforehand. We walked from menu to menu and found almost nothing for us—lesson learned.
Alongside all the exploring, one of the biggest parts of RV life—especially on a longer trip like this—was figuring out meals and making our own food work wherever we were. We kept things simple and practical, but still really satisfying. Breakfasts were often pancakes, cereal or toast with hummus and veggies. A couple of times we made scramble tofu with everything bagel and veggies. We always had tahini around because it somehow ended up on everything—from sandwiches to salad dressing. For lunch and dinner, we rotated through pasta, rice and beans, lentil stews, salads, soups and wraps with whatever we had left in the fridge. The kids loved it when we made soy hotdogs or burgers and homemade fries. Most campgrounds had picnic tables, but we couldn't always use those because of the massive mosquito situation all over Alaska(!). It wasn’t fancy, but it totally worked—and it felt good to know we could eat well without depending on restaurant menus (especially in places where vegan options were hit-or-miss).
Day 14–15: Wrapping Up in Anchorage
Our last night in Anchorage was the only “meh” part of the trip. We pulled into an RV park late, and it turned out to be… not great. First sketchy place we’ve stayed in years of RV travel. We stayed the night only because we needed full hookups before our flight, and kept this night open until the last minute... first hiccup ever!
We got out of there early the next morning and made the most of our last day:
Had breakfast outdoors while the kids played at a sweet local playground
Found a nice pizza place and a great ice cream shop (Wild scoops)
Watched a movie at the local theater before heading to the airport
It was a laid-back and fun way to end the trip after so much exploring.
🚐 Final Takeaways
Alaska is everything you imagine—wild, huge, and absolutely unforgettable. Traveling by RV gave us flexibility, freedom, and the chance to wake up in new scenery almost every day. It wasn’t always easy (hello, long drives, tight turns, and campground laundry), but it was absolutely worth it.
If you’re considering a similar route:
Download AllTrails
Be bear aware (but don’t be scared off)
And don’t over-plan—leave room for spontaneous stops
We made memories that will last a lifetime, and now we’re all officially obsessed with Alaska. Would we go back? In a heartbeat.
So much more to explore and experience... maybe next summer?
Trip Info: Planning an Alaska RV Adventure
Best Time to Go:⛅ June–September — mild weather in the southcentral region 🌈 Late August–March — Aurora Borealis viewing (best near Fairbanks)
🚎Where to rent an RV: Great Alaskan Holidays
🏞️Places We Visited: Seward • Kenai Fjords NP • Palmer • Anchorage • Valdez • Matanuska Glacier • Thompson Pass • Wrangell–St. Elias NP • Denali NP
🏞️Places to Add Next Time: Katmai NP • Lake Clark NP • Juneau • Homer • Fairbanks (for Northern Lights) • More of Wrangell–St. Elias NP
🏕️Camping Tips: We loved KOAs near Palmer, Valdez, and Seward.
Want to learn how and where to rent an RV, how to find, book, and prep for campgrounds?→ Check out my 101 RV travel guide eBook here for tips and hacks on RV life with kids.
What You’ll See:🏔️ Glaciers • 🐻 Wildlife • endless mountain ranges • unique, unforgettable hikes
Packing Tip: Bring layers in summer or warm insulated gear in winter — Alaska weather swings fast. Don't forget to check out our comprehensive packing list to start your next adventure in the most planned and relaxed way.
🥗Recipes we cooked on our trip that fit a tiny kitchen🥗
What courage and how inspiring! Love it
trip looks absolutely amazing!
Dana! Your Alaska trip looks absolutely amazing! I really appreciate all the detailed information you shared ihere. It’s so helpful for those of us considering a similar adventure.
The photos are stunning, and your family even more!
Shiran
Dana, your trip looked absolutely amazing! The way you captured every detail was truly inspiring. I could feel the adventure, beauty, and joy through your words and photos. I’m definitely saving this as a guide – it gave me so many ideas, and I’m already thinking about planning a similar trip for my family.
Thank you so much for sharing – this was a real gift! 🌟