Camping Along the Alaska Highway

While there are a number of RV Parks along the Alaska Highway the possibility always exists that you will be spending one or more night's boondocking along some serene lakesides or snuggled into a roadside pullout overlooking the most awe-inspiring scenery imaginable or dry camping in one of the well maintained government campgrounds found along the Alaska Highway.

What we're trying to get across here is the fact that you will be traveling through a much different area than most of you have ever driven through before. The North Country as we call it is still lagging behind the more urbanized countryside of the contiguous United States and populated sections of Canada too.

Camping along the Alaska Highway on the shores of Kluane Lake Yukon.

So, one might begin to wonder about how to go about preparing for a trip into the unknown. Well, it's really pretty simple. Just make sure to have the necessary dry camping gear along for camping without hookups; see the list below.

Another form of camping, but somewhat less popular, is tent camping. Believe it or not there are a pretty fair number of bicycles traveling the Alaska Highway every summer and most of them are pitching tents along the roads. While perfectly acceptable the need for caution is of utter importance. We'll look at some of the special precautions and also what and why tent camping in Alaska is becoming so popular.

 

Packing Your RV for the Alaska Highway

Aside from the normal items typically kept in the RV there are a few items we can't stress strongly enough that need to include on any trip in the remote areas along the Alaska Highway.

  • Deet Insect Repellant - There are mosquitoes in the air and they really like tourists.
  • After Bite Stick - For when that bug dope is just not enough deterrent.
  • Well Stocked First Aid Kits and a little knowledge on how to use the items included.
  • Tie Wraps - those plastic ties can come in pretty handy at times.
  • Duct Tape - heck, no self respecting Alaskan would leave home without it.

Items we feel are essentials when packing for a drive to Alaska over the Alaska Highway.

Items we have found handy to have along include the following:

  • 1000 watt generator - Both the Honda and Yamaha generators are ultra quiet and will run most items in the coach - less the air conditioning which is seldom needed when in the northern climate. The 1000 watt weighs in at just 27.6 pounds... the larger 2000 watt unit is slightly larger and weighs in at 44 pounds. We opted for the Yamaha EF1000iS 1,000 Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter Generator and have not been disappointed.
  • Trout Fishing Gear - You will have lots of opportunities for some great trout and grayling fishing along the Alaska Highway.
  • GreenWorks 20312 DigiPro G-MAX 40V Li-Ion 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw, (1) 4AH Battery and a Charger Inc.Electric Chain Saw - GreenWorks G-MAX 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw Makes cutting up the firewood a real snap. This saw has been with us for three years and I would not want to make this drive without it. Runs great off the smaller, lighter and quieter Yamaha EF1000iS generator too.
  • Short Handle Spade - Just comes in handy way too much not to have one with me.
  • Eureka Mighty Mite Pet Lover Vacuum - The reason we suggest the Pet Lover version is for the unique power head attachment that greatly aids in the removal of any dirt and grass that makes its way inside the RV. Sold at Amazon for just $79.00, this compact and light weight vacuum is wort its weight in gold. Eureka Mighty Mite Pet Lover,3684F
  • Camping Along the Alaska Highway is not all that different than camping in the more remote areas back home or even in the National Parks as long as you have the proper items with you and plan those fuel and restocking stops accordingly.