One Tank Trip for Alaska Camping

Alaska is one of the few places left on the planet where the veil between man and nature is decidedly thin, and where Mother Nature shows the power of her might with awe inspiring mountain ranges, pristine lakes and waters, and massive, majestic glaciers. This is where men come to test their will and endurance from iditarods to hunting, proving that the Land of the Midnight Sun can provide you with all you're looking for and more. Purchased from Russia in 1867 for roughly two cents an acre, Americans back then thought such a purchase was a complete waste of money. Ask any die-hard outdoor enthusiast today, and they'd tell you it was the best purchase we ever made. There are few places with as much grace, grandeur and beauty as Alaska, and whether you're looking for the challenge of a life time, or the opportunity to get lost in the sights and adventures that seem to be at every turn, Alaska will leave you breathless, and wanting more. Just four miles into the breathtaking Kachemak Bay lies the city of Homer, where our one tank trip begins. With dramatic snowcapped mountains and glaciers as a backdrop, this city was once a prospecting camp in the 1800s, and was later used as a coal mining headquarters. Today, the town of Homer is an eclectic community of commercial fishing facilities and a thriving group of local artists. In Homer you'll find big fish and bigger bears, and some of the best scenery to be found anywhere. Homer is a hot spot for a long list of outdoor activities, including kayaking, golf, whitewater rafting, and horseback riding. When you're ready to rest your paddles, stop by the only natural history museum in the Kenai Peninsula - the Pratt Museum - which focuses on native cultures, homesteading, fishing and marine ecology, and welcomes roughly 40,000 visitors each year for its unique and amazing collection. A scenic 80 miles along the coast of the Cook Inlet on AK- 1 north brings us to our next Alaska RV camping stop known affectionately as “Alaska's Playground.” A city of rugged beauty, Kenai provides stunning views of mountain ranges, and active volcanoes from its point on the inlet. Hailed as the King Salmon capital of the world, anglers come from the four corners of the earth to fish these waters. They say you're not really an angler until you've wrestled a King Salmon, most of which can reach an average of 50 pounds. The largest King Salmon ever caught here was a whopping 97 pounds, so there's nowhere better to try your skills than here in Kenai. This is one fish story you'll never have to embellish! Kenai is also home to the beautifully preserved Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church. Built in 1894 in a common rural Russian design, the church has been virtually unchanged since 1905, and shouldn't be missed. Heading out of Kenai on Highway 9 east for roughly 76 miles brings us to our next Alaska RV camping destination, Moose Pass. Nestled on the shores of Trail Lake, and beginning as a small log cabin and roadhouse in the 1900s, the original iditarod trail was built through this area in 1910. With only 200 year-round residents, Moose Pass is quiet and breathtaking, and surrounded by towering mountains; a perfect place for the amateur or professional photographer to catch more than a few amazing shots of the alpine vistas, or pristine lakes in the area. Here, there is no end to the combinations of outdoor activities, like hiking, fishing, hunting, birdwatching and camping. Most popular is a "flight-seeing" tour. Not for the faint of heart, this tour will take your breath away as you fly over mountain ranges and see more incredible jaw dropping sites from the air. Once you've gotten your land legs back, jump back on Highway 9 and head south to our final one tank trip destination of Seward. Make sure you have your camera ready, the drive from Moose Pass to Seward has some incredible views of mountain ranges on both sides as you drive. You'll want to make frequent stops along this route for some amazing shots. Sandwiched between the Kenai Mountains on Resurrection Bay is where you'll find Seward. This is one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities. Behind this quiet seaside village, Mt. Marathon rises steeply, and is the stage for America's second oldest foot race held every July. Not to be outdone by Kenai for fishing, casting your line here just might land you a mammoth Halibut weighing several hundred pounds. The fish here are so numerous, it's been said they jump into your boat! Seward is also home to the Alaska SeaLife Center, where you can go nose-to-glass with many creatures you'd otherwise only see from a distance, including puffins, sea lions, harbor seals, and much more. The SeaLife Center is a one-of-a-kind research, rehab and education facility where you can actually observe research as it's being conducted. From Lowell Point, you can slice through glassy waters on kayak, gliding past sea otters and harbor seals; a perfect way to marvel at the grace and beauty of Alaska. Back to One Tank Trips for 2011 Woodall's Recommended Alaska RV Campgrounds