First trip to Alaska. First time driving an RV. Advice?

Question

We are trying to finalize the broad itinerary for our first time trip to Alaska. We are a family of 7, with kids from todder through college, and this is a dream trip we have been wanting to do for a while. Will be going for 2.5-3 weeks (have a little flexibility with our return), starting with a 3 night stay in Juneau (this was done to break up the long flight for your youngins, more than anything else), then flying to Anchorage. From there we will have about 2 weeks, before flying back out. We were originally considering doing a camping based road trip (have done many before) but the unpredictability of the weather and my concerns about camping in bear country with a toddler ( I know the risks are low, and we have camped in Yellowstone and Montana so are familiar with bear safety rules, but Alaska feels to me a bit more risky, albeit low but stilll) have made us hesitant about tent camping for this trip. Hotel and vacation rental options for a family our size are not abundant, and better quality ones are pretty pricy. So this has brought me to considering an RV rental. I've grabbed a (free cancellation) 31' Class C from Cruise America as a back option. I plan on taking a lesson or two locally before the trip but still have some questions, concerns. The main one being, how do you handle driving and parking when visiting cities and towns in Alaska? Is it maneageable, or do you need to leave it a campground on the outskirts and get a taxi/rideshare into town or whatever attraction (i.e. glacier hike) you want to do ? We will not be towing a car.

Answer

Planning an RV trip for a first visit to Alaska is exciting—especially with a big family—and it’s absolutely doable with the right expectations. A 31’ Class C is a very common size on Alaska roads, and many visitors choose this option for flexibility, cost savings, and the unique experience of traveling at your own pace. Below is a detailed breakdown of what to expect and how to manage driving, parking, and visiting both towns and attractions without a tow car.

Your instincts are correct that tent camping can be trickier with a toddler in Alaska, and the RV solves many logistical challenges: bear safety, weather unpredictability, meal prep, kids napping, and flexible sleeping arrangements.

Below is advice on RV driving, logistics, parking, and itinerary considerations to make the trip smoother.

RV DRIVING & PARKING IN ALASKA — WHAT TO EXPECT

Driving a 31’ RV in Alaska is very manageable. Alaska’s major highways (Seward Highway, Glenn Highway, Parks Highway, Sterling Highway) are built to handle large cruise buses, delivery trucks, and RVs. Town roads are generally wide, and parking lots are often large enough for RVs. You will not feel out of place—summer is absolutely full of RVs.

Parking in cities/towns: Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau (before the RV portion) have plenty of large lots. Grocery stores, big-box retailers, museums, and attractions usually allow RV parking without trouble.
You usually do NOT need to leave the RV outside the city: Most towns are RV-friendly, and attractions typically have designated RV or oversized parking areas.
Avoid tight downtown cores: Anchorage downtown is manageable in an RV, but street parking is limited. You can park at the large lots along 3rd/4th Avenue or near the Anchorage Museum and walk.
Do NOT drive the RV everywhere inside Denali: Like all visitors, you’ll park at the visitor center and use the shuttle system—you’re not missing anything there.
Fuel stops are plentiful on major routes: Just don’t wait until you're nearly empty, especially between Anchorage and Glennallen or Tok.

ATTRACTIONS VISITED BY RV — HOW EASY IS IT?

Most of Alaska’s classic attractions are built to accommodate RVs and tour buses. Here’s how major places typically work:

Mendenhall Glacier (Juneau): Large RV-specific parking lot. No issues at all.
Seward: Very easy RV parking. Tons of RV campgrounds right on the water. The Sealife Center area has oversized parking.
Homer Spit: One of the most RV-friendly places in Alaska. You’ll see hundreds of them parked along the Spit.
Exit Glacier: RV-friendly lot at the trailhead.
Girdwood / Alyeska: Large parking lots for all attractions.
Talkeetna: Downtown parking is tighter but still manageable—park in the large gravel lot at the entrance to town.
Denali National Park: Park at the Visitor Center and use the shuttle system, exactly like all other visitors.

SHOULD YOU UBER/SHUTTLE/TAXI INSTEAD OF DRIVING THE RV?

Only occasionally. Here’s when it makes sense:

Anchorage downtown sightseeing — easier to park in one big lot and walk or Uber around.
Busy days in Seward during cruise arrivals — but still usually fine, just park in RV-designated spaces.
Trailheads with small lots: For example, some hikes in Anchorage like Flattop peak’s Glen Alps lot can get tight, but not impossible.

Most people simply drive the RV and are fine.

GENERAL RV TIPS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Reserve campgrounds early — especially at Denali, Seward, Homer Spit, and Palmer/Wasilla weekends.
Expect slower travel — leave extra time between destinations for photo stops and wildlife delays (moose on the road, etc.).
Keep essentials accessible — snacks, kid items, jackets, binoculars — don’t bury everything in storage.
Practice backing up before the trip — campgrounds often involve maneuvering.
Know your height clearance — Alaska is pretty safe for RVs, but be mindful in older gas station overhangs.

ADDITIONAL HELPFUL TIPS FOR A FAMILY WITH SMALL KIDS

Use Harvest Hosts or RV-friendly boondocking for flexibility if you can manage without hookups occasionally.
Pick campgrounds with playgrounds — Homer, Seward, and some KOAs have great kid-friendly setups.
Keep food locked up and clean outside at campgrounds in bear country.
Bathroom breaks anywhere — a huge RV perk with kids.

OVERALL: IS AN RV THE RIGHT CHOICE?

For a family of 7 with limited hotel availability, wanting to avoid tent camping, and traveling for 2–3 weeks—YES, an RV is realistically your best option. You’ll save money on lodging, have flexibility with meals, simplify naps and toddler routines, and experience the type of trip Alaska is known for.

Driving and parking an RV in Alaska is absolutely manageable. You will not need a tow car, and you won’t be excluded from any major attractions by choosing to travel in an RV.

First trip to Alaska. First time driving an RV. Advice?

More Alaska (AK) Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions