Trip report - Alaska by land and sea - June 30th - July 14th

Question

I want to start off with saying a big THANK YOU for all the regular commentators who gave me advice in planning their trips. We had a wonderful time in your big & beautiful state and hope to be back.

Day 0 June 29th - Landed in Anchorage at 11 pm. Came out of the airport in our rental car (rented from Dollar, right at the airport) to see sunlight as bright as 5 pm back home! Yes, of course I had read and heard about the land of the midnight sun but it was stil surprising to experience. We kept remarking about it! Our airbnb was ready for us and it was beutiful - located just 4 mins from the airport so very convenient. We picked up some milk for next morning's tea/coffee and hit the hay!

Day 1 - Woke up earlyis (for a vacation) because we had reservations at the Reindeer farm in Plamer for a tour. My family (16 & 12 year old daughters, husband, 75 year old mom and me) all enjoyed the farm immensely. My daughters are animal lovers and so really enjoyed the elk, reindeer and moose feeding. My mom was given a complimentary electric scooter to ride which was a huge plus. After the tour, I hurried the family to Denali because I wanted to get there in time to see the sled dog demo by the rangers. We enjoyed the drive especially the gorgeous scenery - the mountain ranges, the beautiful rivers & streams.We did get there with an hour to spare but alas .. the fire in Denali had broken out just an hour before we reached. That first day we were allowed to go a little way into Denali NP before the rangers were blocking it off and so we did. After that we decided to go to Healy for a meal - went to 49th State brewing house and had an ok meal (4 of us are vegetarians and everything we ate was just ok). But we did enjoy the games - the cornhole, horseshoe throwing etc. Then we decided to head back to see if our condos had regained power .... yes when the Denali fire started, it brought a power pole and power was out to all the hotels in the "Glitter Gulch" area and to the condos where we were staying. No power and no water .... nothing was on yet so we tried our luck at nearby hotels south of Denali and spent the night in Denali cabins

Day 2 - After the disappointment of day 1, we were mentally girded up for the park not reopening yet but it was still a blow to see the road to the park blocked off at the entrance itself. The rangers we spoke to were quite sure that the park would not reopen for the next 2-3 days, unfortunately we were not going to be able to stay in Denali beyond that. Luckily we had booked a river rafting trip for the 2nd day so the 4 of us went on that while my mom stayed at the condos - they were very kind in offering that. I had booked her on the bus tour of the park which of course was not running and there was no other activity she could do. River rafting was pretty fun and I can highly recommend Denali Rafting company. We chose the paddle option - it's really easy to do and we had a fun time. I will say that I have been rafting in much big rapids in California and Pennsylvania, these were barely level 3/4. But the scenery more than made up for it, it was superlative. We even got a glimpse of a mama and baby moose before she herded baby back into the vegetation. We had to find another place to stay this night too because the power was still not restored. The owners told us they had never experienced anything like this ever ... nice that it had to happen during my once in a lifetime visit to Denali! Oh well - que sera sera. We stayed the night in Grizzly bear resort (Alpine cabin) which was interesting with a loft bedroom accessed by a scary ladder but my girls were ok going up on it. What was sad was the Riverside condos I had booked after so much research was actually a great find but we could not stay there!

Day 3 - This was the day we gave up the ghost and left the Denali area. We did a short hike - the Oxbow trail but due to many slip ups did not leave Denali village till 2 pm. We stopped at Denali North and Denali South and got lucky! We managed to the see Mount Denali for a brief 5 min window before the clouds covered it up again. We (or at least I) will be back to experience the national park hopefully after the road is repaired. We got to Anchorage by 6 pm and went out to eat. We wandered around the downtown area and then went back to the airbnb that was not as nice as the place we stayed at on day 0 but it was the best I could do at short notice. Next we head to Seward ....

Answer

Thank you for sharing your detailed trip report! It sounds like you and your family had an eventful and memorable first few days in Alaska, despite some unexpected challenges.

Day 0 was a smooth start, and it’s great that your Airbnb near Anchorage airport made the late arrival comfortable. Experiencing the midnight sun for the first time is always striking, especially after a long flight.

Day 1 shows both the excitement and unpredictability of traveling in Alaska. Visiting the Reindeer Farm in Palmer sounds perfect for a family with animal lovers, and it’s wonderful that your mother was able to enjoy it with the electric scooter. The drive to Denali with its scenic rivers and mountain views must have been spectacular. Unfortunately, the Denali fire and resulting power outages clearly disrupted your plans, but you made the best of it by exploring the area and staying in nearby accommodations. Trying 49th State Brewing House was a practical choice, and it sounds like the games helped lift spirits despite the meal not being exceptional for vegetarians.

Day 2 demonstrates good flexibility. Even with Denali NP still closed, booking a river rafting trip was a great alternative, allowing the family to enjoy outdoor adventure and wildlife sightings. The experience with the paddle rafting was suitable for your family’s skill level, and seeing moose in the wild must have been a highlight. Adapting to accommodation changes again showed resilience, and staying at Grizzly Bear Resort offered a unique experience, even if unconventional.

Day 3 reflects a mix of disappointment and reward. Leaving Denali after the closures was unavoidable, but your short hike on the Oxbow Trail and stopping at Denali North and South allowed for a brief glimpse of Mount Denali—a perfect reminder of why a return visit is worthwhile. Arriving back in Anchorage in the evening and exploring downtown before heading to Seward continued the adventure on schedule.

Tip: For future trips, it’s always good to have backup accommodations pre-identified near Denali and Anchorage in case of unexpected closures or power outages.
Tip: Keep flexibility in sightseeing plans, as weather, fires, and wildlife activity can all affect access to parks and trails.
Tip: Consider including short, scenic hikes along the way even if the main parks are inaccessible; Alaska’s roadside scenery often provides equally stunning experiences.

Overall, despite setbacks, it seems your family maximized the Alaskan experience with wildlife, rivers, and spectacular landscapes while keeping a positive attitude. Your approach to embracing changes and finding alternatives like rafting and local cabins is commendable. It will make a return visit to Denali even more rewarding.

Your trip demonstrates a balance of planning and adaptability—exactly what’s needed to enjoy Alaska’s unpredictable but breathtaking environment. The combination of Anchorage, Denali area, and eventually Seward ensures a varied experience with both inland and coastal highlights.

Trip report - Alaska by land and sea - June 30th - July 14th

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