How to Rent An RV When You Visit Alaska
In terms of grandeur and scenery, it is hard to beat Alaska. The Last Frontier is a land of hyperbole, with the tallest mountain in North America (Denali), abundant wildlife, roadside glaciers and millions of acres of wild lands. One method of touring the state is with an RV. Because of the distance between Alaska and the lower 48 ("down south" to Alaskans) it isn't always practical to drive the RV up to the state, making an RV rental upon flying into Alaska a better option.
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Instructions
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Plan ahead -- well ahead. Summer tourist season in Alaska sees RV rentals, campground areas and sites, hotels and bed and breakfasts fill up fast. If at all possible, plan your RV Alaska vacation at least three to four months in advance. July and the first three weeks of August are peak season, and reservations for any RV rental should be made for these dates at least three months prior to arrival.
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Determine where you are flying into Alaska. The three main gateway cities are Juneau, in southeast Alaska and the state capital; Anchorage, the state's largest city and centrally located in Southcentral; Fairbanks, the northernmost of the three and set squarely in the Tanana Valley of the Alaskan Interior. Once you have your destination in mind, contact an RV rental agency in the city. Lists of RV rentals are available through the Travel Alaska website, a state-sponsored website that supports travel and tourism. RV rentals in Alaska are no different than in the lower 48. Have a valid credit card and driver's license to rent. If you plan to take the RV into Canada's Yukon Territory, ask the rental agency whether this is allowed. Do not take it for granted that it is.
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Begin making reservations at campgrounds, state campsites or National Park camping areas once you have your dates and RV rental secured. Again, these sites are at a premium during the peak summer tourism season. Denali National Park, two hours south of Fairbanks and four hours north of Anchorage, has limited campground space. Contact the park should your trip take you into the park. Do the same for Kenai Fjords National Park's campground near the Exit Glacier in Seward, Alaska.
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Plan on having stretches along the road where there is no cell-phone coverage. Be prepared with adequate fuel and food. Breakdowns do occur, and if they happen outside a cell zone, pull over and wait for a state trooper or good Samaritan to pull over and offer help.
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Tips & Warnings
If you rent an RV in Juneau, you need to make reservations to get it on the Alaska Marine Highway System, better known as the Alaska Ferry System. Like all else in the summer, berths and RV spaces fill up fast. Be sure to reserve your spot on the ferry right after you secure your RV rental out of Juneau.
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