Question for you "North of the 48" guys

[actionshooter]

Hey guys, I have a non-hunting (kinda) question, My wife and I are going to be driving from Washington to Fairbanks in Sept and are looking for recommendations for "must see" areas along the way.
We are going to be traveling the Caribou Hwy, then the Alaska Hwy most of the way. We have 8 days but I would like to spend 2 of those in Denali.

Thanks! Steve

 

[yama49]

laird hotsprings, is worth a stop and dip.

 

[Daniel_M]

Head south outta Tok on the Richardson Highway and check out McCarthy and Kennicott mining area.

Denali Hwy is cool, but just a scenic drive and not much in the way of landmarks. September will be flooded with hunters.

Chena Hot Springs is a fun area tho I've never been.

East of FBX is the Santa Claus House in North Pole.

Denali is really a 1 day trip. Take the full day bus tour. Lodging will still be in tourist rate, spendy.

 

[Ray]

Denali is past Fairbanks on that route - WA to FBX.

If its clear sky's the Cassiar highway has stunning views. Nothing there along the way, but scenery so make sure you have gas.

Liard is great for a break from the road. Watch out for the concrete bench sunk out in the middle.

All my drives through CAN were as fast as possible, but the scenery was always wonderful. Take your time.

 

[luke moffat]

I woud say the colors in Denali in early September to the mid of September are more gorgeous and any other place I have visited in this state. The Denali hwy will be a zoo on the weekends but there is a LOT less traffic Tues-Thurs and thats when I'd drive it. The park is cool as well, however I can't remember when they shutdown the bus tours, I wanna say Mid-Sept so depending on when you get there it might not be an option.

 

[actionshooter]

Thanks guys!
I thought it would take a little longer to see Denali, so maybe I should just plan on a day?

I saw Laird Hotsprings on a cable show, it looked interesting.

Really looking forward to this one it should be fun.

 

[darcytribe]

We havent done the through canada drive but Denali is worth spending a few days at in my opinion. My wife and I took the bus tour into it and got out and hiked the tundra in a few places. Then hopped back on the next bus we saw returning when we got back to the road. I did question the wisdom in that though when on the trip back we saw a mama griz and cubs from the bus. Don't know if that was wise or not with no bear spray or anything. But we had a herd of caribou run right up on us checking out what we were. Lots of good wildlife viewing in the park. Sheep, moos, gris, caribou, there are wolves in there too but we didn't see any.

 

[tstowater]

Your wife may really like you if you make arrangement to overnight at Stone Mountain Safaris's lodge at Toad River, BC. Beautiful place, location and food. If you do it, say hi to Leif and Kelly for me. Yeah, I've been there a couple times. I would go back every year if I had the time and money. Here's a link: http://www.stonemountainsafaris.com/

If this doesn't work into your travel plans, there are a lot of neat places to visit on the Alaska Highway. Sounds like a fun trip.

 

[Moe.JKU]

Ill second up in toad river, i've never had a guide up there, always by myself, but beautiful country, and lots of game.

 

[actionshooter]

Thanks guys, sent that link to the wife...

 

[REDMTN]

Barkerville is a neat place to see, just outside of Quesnel.

 

[actionshooter]

Barkerville is a neat place to see, just outside of Quesnel.

Thanks REDMTN, that looks like a stop...

 

[bcimport]

Definitely come west out of Prince George, BC and then head up the Stewart Cassiar Hwy. Much more interesting than the PG-Ft Nelson drive. Good advice if you go...gas up in Kitwanga as its a long way till you see anything that looks like a reasonable gas station after that. Amazing stretch of road and you'll be seeing lots of antlers on trucks headed out of there.