News article: How to see Alaska on a budget
By: Robert Howk
For: Alaska Humanity News - June 2005
Many potential travelers to Alaska may regard it as a remote, extremely expensive destination. There is no doubt that getting here from just abut anywhere can be costly. But once visitors arrive, there are many options for alternative, relatively low-cost adventures, local travel guru and columnist Scott McMurren told us in a recent interview.
Alaska Humanity News: You are known for ferreting out bargains for visitors. What do you recommend as ways to see the state without breaking the bank?
McMurren: Well, the real way to save money is to camp. When I first came to Alaska 26 years ago, we camped in Denali National Park. You know the (National Park Service) shuttle bus is the way to go. It’s really expensive to stay in a hotel up there, but the shuttle to camping areas is free, or at least it used to be. There might be a small fee these days. And when we go to Homer, we camp. That’s the budget way to do it.
AHN: After all this time up here, do you still consider yourself to be a tourist?
McMurren: Oh, yeah! We’re going to McCarthy this weekend. It’s just a great spot. I mean, we’ll be in the middle of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
AHN: That’s the biggest national park in the United States. Isn’t it?
McMurren: That’s right. It’s huge, and we’re just going to drive down there and take the whole darn family. It’s going to be a blast.
AHN: So how much does that cost? Gas for the drive, campground fees and that’s it?
McMurren: It depends on what you want to do. You can opt to get a nice place in the Kennecott Glacier Lodge, or just camp at the end of the road, and that truly is the ‘end of the road.’ We’re going to stay with my friend who owns McCarthy Lodge.
AHN: Now, how about elsewhere on the road system? Any favorites?
McMurren: Oh wow, go to Seldovia. Drive down to Homer, then get across the bay there over to Seldovia, then camp out on the beach. It’s just gorgeous. You can get over there with Alaska Coastal Marine service, or just catch the state ferry. And there also are plenty of campgrounds out there. One of my favorites is Moose River, just the other side of Moose Pass. It’s on Kenai Lake on the way to Seward, and it even has a sandy beach. Another of my favorites is Captain Cook Recreation Area north of Kenai past Nikiski. It’s a great spot.
AHN: There are a lot of ads for renting motor homes, what do you think about that?
McMurren: No. That’s a rip…well, I won’t say that. But it is not a bargain. I mean, they’ll sleep four people, but it’s going to cost you at least $200 a day.
AHN: What about off the roads, getting out to some really out of the way places?
McMurren: Well, you’re going to need a whole lot of money to get out there. If you can afford it, go out to Cold Bay on the Alaska Peninsula. Izembek National Wildlife Refuge is out there and there are probably less than 100 visitors per year. Now, you can take the ferry out there. The (Alaska Marine Highway System) ferry is the best kept secret up here. You can take the ferry from Bellingham Washington up north, and depending on the day of the week and whatnot, it can be a real good deal. You can check the fares at http://www.ferryalaska.com.
AHN: We’ve heard you can actually pitch a tent on board the ferries, if the weather isn’t too bad. Is that true?
McMurren: It sure is. It’s kind of a cultural thing, but I’ve seen people do it. And for seeing Southeast Alaska the ferry is the only way to go, especially if you are a foot-traveler and backpacking. The cool thing is you can get on and off in different towns along the way as often as you want. It’s a fabulous deal.
AHN: Nice. If people want to get more information from you, how do they get in touch?
McMurren: Check out the website at http://www.alaskatravelgram.com. But be careful. My picture is on there, for heaven’s sake.