I drove the Alaska Highway last summer, in a 26-foot box truck towing a small car for an Air Force pilot who was moving to Anchorage. What a trip! The views were unbelievable. Took me ten days to drive from St. Louis where I picked up the truck/car to Anchorage. Started in Dawson Creek. Truck was awesome. No issues. And I made about $2700, doing the move for a moving company that didn't have any drivers that had a passport.. Almost ran out of gas once. Would love to drive it again when I had more time to enjoy the views.
It’s been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember to make the drive to Alaska. I’ve roadtripped all over the lower 48. I really appreciate your practical insights. Thank You
Wish I had some topics to ask about, but you are always making us aware of things many of us don’t even think about. Keep up the great content. Also, your video and production is looking great.
One thing I love about British Columbia is the number of provincial recreation sites where you can camp for free but still have an outhouse and a fire pit.
So I just ordered my first 4x4 truck and am doing research about all the new activities this truck will expose me to if I choose. You channel is EPIC. I appreciate how well thought out and organized each video is. Thank you for all of the work that you are putting into this, so many people are getting great info here. I wish for you happiness and safety on your path.
You definitely didn’t understate how great those government camps are! Most are in great locations, are well treed, and offer a spot to fill up water. If anyone reading this wants to plan out their stays at these campgrounds, take a look at the Yukon government website. A copy of the brochures and maps are available on there. Also, if you like fishing, many of these are located on streams and lakes where you can shore fish. A Yukon fishing license is very affordable (annual Yukon non resident license was cheaper than my Sask annual one).
Firewood included in the Yukon and so cheap. Plus ice cold drinking water, huge picnic table and fire pit. Almost every Yukon campground is on a lake or creek/ river
So do these camping areas all have a water sources. Most of us have solar, gas generators, and propane. Water is the one item you need to enjoy longer stays.
@@scotschmidt6683 Yeah every campground I stayed at had a tap to fill my water containers. I stayed at approximately 5 different campgrounds and all of them had a tap for drinking water. Note it’s just one central tap per campground, not water spouts at each site. I think on the government website their camping guide lists all the amenities for each campground.
I've been a viewer and subscriber for a long while now, really enjoy your presenting style and informative content. I've just bought The Road Chose Me Vol. 1 and can't wait to read it.
Great infos thanks ! What would be nice is a complete footage of you in real time from just before you make the turn to leave the highway to arriving to the camp spot, just to have one example of what it looks like.
@@ronv6637 The water supply at these government campsites are usually manual pumps or holding tanks that are set out in the open. I always filter or boil the water, but the water seems clean to me as is. I'd always ask the groundskeeper if they are around, otherwise you could just go in and no one will be there to stop you. I only have a 5 gallon container in my Subaru, so it was never an issue, a larger RV might bring more attention though. I believe the Laird Hot Springs campground is the most well equipped government-run campsite on the Canadian stretch of the Alaskan highway, that's where I stayed after being turned back from NWT due to covid.
I spent a lot of time at the Wolf Creek Campground near Whitehorse when I was a kid. My father worked in the mines at Whitehorse Copper, which was located a fair ways out of town. During the summer, we would park our RV at the campground for a week or so at a time (I believe it was free back then) and he would commute from the campground instead. Question about wild camping: What is the etiquette if someone is already at a site? Do you push on down the road and find somewhere else, or is it cool to just join them? BTW, thank you again for taking the time to meet up with me in Nelson. It was great to see the jeep, and I am still even more inspired to get out and have more adventures of my own!
iOverlander is fine and all, but most people would do really well to learn how to set up Gaia GPS to identify public lands and forest service roads into them.
I reread my comment and I realize it sounds really flippant. I genuinely like the video, and wanted to offer positive feedback to help. There's no sarcasm intended if it came off that way. I saw someone commented then deleted their comment that the audio is fine. The issue is from 1:04 to 6:04, then it gets better again. I think it's possible to do an audio swap to fix this, but that is admittedly quite a bit of work for a video that's already up. It's such a minor issue on most devices, but in the rare situation where someone is only listening to the right channel (my situation the first time), it means they can't hear anything.
@@TheRoadChoseMe so, hardly anyone can carry pistols, and big grizz and moose are all over, and can easily kill you. As well as black bears..... And the camp sites have camper buffet open-window buildings where campers line up to be eaten? You must be from New Zealand. You guys are hilarious. They think the rest of the world is a quaint little island. Seattle has a million people and even fifteen miles east it's crawling with bears. 😂
@@sasquatchrosefarts I live next to a protected bear area where there are like 15 black bears running around my backyard, every summer it’s inevitable you’ll see at least one if you go out on a walk. Never once have I needed a firearm, or have even needed to use a bear banger. Wildlife doesn’t mess with you if you’re respectful and leave it alone 😂
I really like the fast forward driving and you commentating in the corner box. Great film work. I also cook outside my Jeep. What Critters might I be concerned with other than ground squirrels. Have you had any issues?
The only bad experience I had in a provincial campsite was on a week-end night near a village. Someone eventually called the police and the party moved on.
I love these videos. I've been antsy for overlanding for years, and just moved back to the states. Now I have to wait till the kiddo is old enough to take a road trip! haha
Alaska hwy or Klondike hwy? 12:14 is Stewart Crossing. My wife and I travelled around the YT in spring last year and loved it! The remoteness reminded me so much of the Aussie outback (except driving in snow from Stewart Crossing to Dawson City!)
Definitely want to try and wild camp as much as possible. We will be in our Jeep Wrangler that is fairly modified with more in the plans before this summer. Good to know that the campgrounds have laundry and shower capabilities so we wont have to rent a motel room. Thank you!
I primarily used freecampsights.net plus Gaia GPS maps. Just grabbed the coordinates from the sight, and plugged them into Gaia. Used drive to, to get me closed. Never went a day without a campsite when I toured the US. This was essentially useful in the places where lots of free camping isn’t exactly easy to find, like Residental areas/ cities.
Love your first 3 videos . Hi have a question regarding the types of RV’s that would be best suited for this trip? (Trailer, truck & fifth wheel, truck camper, class C motor home, etc. & up to what lengths will work. Thank you, Earl
Literally everything will work and you will see many hundreds of all the kinds you mentioned on the Alaska Highway each and every summer. If you want to take either road up to the Arctic Circle (Dempster in Canada, Dalton in Alaska), you'll want to think about what you want to drive on a narrow, rough and remote gravel road. Personally, I would not take a 5th wheel or anything long.
Interesting video. I'm retired and thinking seriously about driving the Alcan Highway next spring. I plan to camp out of my truck and probably stay in motels a couple of times for a break.
The easy thing about the Nordic countries is the so-called Everyman's Rights, which allows you to camp, pick berries and walk pretty much anywhere as long as you're not in or near someone's yard. I assume the de facto practice is quite similar up north in Canada and Alaska as well - nobody is going to bother you if you camp for a night on someone else's land as long as you're not making a mess or being a nuisance?
Im not 100% sure the laws in all of the US / Canada. But I'm fairly certain that in Michigan at least, as long as you aren't trespassing on purpose or with ill intent (ignoring a sign, doing damage etc) you can go where ever so long as it's not someone's direct household etc. And I know there is a ton of state and federal land that is free use so long as you respect it!
I Realize that I'm asking this long after the video has been posted, but I do have a couple of questions lol. Really Enjoy the videos and information presented! Ok, so I will be making my way up for a 3 or 4 month trip pulling a tab320 teardrop, dump station availability, (2x 5gl cassette) and water availability for the tanks? I do have a good electric water purifier (and lots of solar) so I can use that if needed, but prefer not too. Going to take take my time stopping for a few days here and there, if I find a good place stay a week lol. I like primitive camping, utilities aren't necessary for up to a week. Just curious about the availability so I can adjust travel. By the way, it's just me and my dog. I have done quite a bit of primitive camping so it's not a first time out, just first time up to Alaska. Pointers on pets in Canada? Thanks in advance and hope you or someone else sees this! Take care and good journeys! Oops just watched to the end! Last question though, what was the app that he mentioned? I couldn't quite make it out when he said it. I think he said overlander.com but not sure. Thanks again!
What sort of safety precautions do you take? I'll see if you've done a video on this. I've heard a lot of people have gone missing on that highway which would make me very wary of the few people I see...
Andrew Groat answered some of my question about water. The Gov. camps have water during the summer months, but where else during the summer trip? I'm talking about 10 to 20 gallons at a fill up. The vids are very good! Very informative! Thanks!!
Finding "wild camping" "really is possible" kind of surprised me to hear as I'd thought the entire state was nothing but a big "wild camping" area...my ignorance showing, no doubt. Really appreciated the info, especially the info on the government campgrounds, thanks.
If you could expand on things to do and see as you progress north. Hikes, canoe rentals, historic sites, museums, and a great destination at the end. I’m imagining myself driving 12 hours a day, exhausted, with giant oil containers to view at Prudhoe Bay. I’ve been reluctant to drive from Seattle as most friends do it, just to say they did it.
PERTAINING TO FREE CAMPING ON THE WAY TO ALASKA...If I want to Boondock on the way up, where would I replenish water, and also where to dump black tank??
Hi Timothy - Most gas stations on the way up have both drinking water and a dump station. It's just agreed if you buy a tank of gas you can use those services!
I know you said you shipped your Jeep to Africa from Halifax. Have you done any touring on the east coast or Hudson Bay area. I took my TJ years ago to tour Nova Scotia back when I lived in Massachusetts. We took the ferry from Portland Maine to Yarmouth and sort of did a figure 8 around Nova Scotia and back. We went to the very top of Cape Breton island. It was sort of a tent camping / inns / B&B's type tour depending where we ended up and what time it was. Very beautiful up there. Hit as many byways and dirt tracks as we could. I have thought about doing Newfoundland and points north and maybe get out to Hudson Bay.
Love your videos! Quick tech questions: What interval do you use for your driving time lapse? Seems to be just the right balance - not too fast or slow. What drone do you use? Might be fun to do a “behind the scenes” how the sausage is made video. Show off your production kit, camera mounts, etc. What works, and what doesn’t. That sort of stuff.
Greetings form argentina. I've been following your journey for years and years. I like the effort you've been puting on your channel now. Saludos, Patricio.
How about recommendations on places to stop? Old mining towns and the such that are good for sightseeing. Thanks for the incredible videos and inspiration.
leaving in July for Fairbanks ( son is being transferred to a new base. I gave him my 2018 JLU., I was concerned about fuel. I see you have a jeep and stated no additional fuel needed. Thanks for the heads up, I was getting concerned. I been watching videos and its seem everyone is saying buy more shit than you can carry. I will be watching your Videos
I sure hope Canada opens the border by spring! My Four Wheel Camper gets delivered in March, and I plan to go full time in early April. 6 months in North America, before heading south
Hope all works well for you and things are open next spring. I took delivery of my FWC camper last March just before everything shut down and its been stuck mostly in the driveway so far. Since things in the US opened up some I have had health issues that kept me home as well.
I wish you would list which part of the highway you're on for each video. Love the videos, but it would be very helpful to know know what portion of the road you're on.
For one who grew up with $15 a night motels and now pays about $70-$100 a night they seem very high in Canada. Yes, sleeping in the vehicle is a fine option at campsites. What are the rules about simply pulling off the road in a remote area or parking near a fuel station or other place in a small town? Are there police moonitoring speed limits on this highway? Surely it must be tempting to go over the limit due to the long distances. Do the gas stations and most other facilities, supermarkets, etc. accept credit cards easily or should I have a reasonable amount of Canadian cash?
Yes, hotels are a bit expensive, as are most things in the North. I much prefer to camp. You can "wild" camp basically anywhere without problem. You won't want to go over the speed limit, the road, wildlife and other trucks make that a very bad idea. Credit cards work absolutely everywhere
Great info mate. Thanks. Hoping to ship our Motorhome from the U.K. next April and across to Alaska, The Yukon before heading south to Ushuaia What do you do for midge control ? 😂
To my knowledge bear box/lockers are available at most government run campgrounds. bears that have grown accustomed to human feeding are usually identified and put down by the rangers.
Bears are more aggressive about breaking into cars in areas with public campgrounds. Still you need to use common sense. We use unscented products including the trash bags, to a bear it all smells like food. We have a fridge freezer so smelly foods are kept frozen. Use sausage over bacon because it can be broken off and cooked frozen. Bears can smell the ketchup in a sealed ketchup packet.
I was wondering how he handled it, too. I drove it 3 years ago and stayed in the hotels he mentioned because I was inexperienced in camping and afraid to risk it.
Bit of a stale comment for this video. However, does iOverlander tell you if it’s a dead end, or can turn around? We pull a trailer & can’t afford to risk not being able to turn around.
It doesn't specifically list turning around, but it does have a checkbox for "big rig friendly", and people may have added info about turning around in the comments.
I really want to like iOverlander, but in my area, it lists Walmart and Home Depot as wild camping and removed a really nice meadow campsite that was free on public land.
@@markcarpenter3600 I get that. It's also the best source of spots and is used by more than overlanders. I guess good advice would be just don't use it as a destination setter, but to find somewhere close to your location to camp.
Hi was just shown your channel. Last year i set off to explore the us . I took the moth of September off. We drove 9000. Miles with our dog (small) and a roof top tent. Best trip i have ever done. I just set a goal for alaska. Wanted to hit northern states and drive up into Alaska Question .... if only given a month , and driving from Massachusetts, what spot in alaska would make a great end destination. I wont have a long time to hang there . And google earth makes it hard to choose . I never drive with a real destination. I just go and figure it out. Crazy for some , amazing for me :) Any advice would be great.
The Dempster Highway is really special (but a LONG way)... and the Kenai Pennisula (everything south of Anchorage) is my favourite part - stunning, stunning coastal Alaska.
@@TheRoadChoseMe thank you ...im on instagram ,siobhangreen1969, if you want to see my rig , also have you done a full inside description of your overlander? And what changes have you made to make travel easier?
Besides the camping options you mention in the video, I understand that there are many turn-offs along the Alcan where an RV can pull into and spend the night. Is that right?
Always thankful for your helpful videos. I have a two-door 2012 Jeep Wrangler and my dream/plan is to drive from Florida to Alaska in the very near future. While everyone’s situation will be different, as far as cost, what would be a safe amount to start setting aside for a trip like this? Would it be more or less similar to your Africa adventure? Also, if you had any suggestions as far as clothing and footwear. With limited space in a 2-door JK, my gear would have to try and serve multiple purposes.
It will depend on how far you drive every day. If you wild camp and cook your own food, gas will be your biggest expense. Other than gas, there's no reason you'll spend more than a couple of thousand dollars
Hi Dan. How do u find the rooftop tent handles the cold. I tend to avoid winter in my Australian travels. But realise this probably won't be possible when I hit the northern hemisphere. Great vid btw 👍
They can't be reserved, and it would be extremely rare for them to be full - maybe the ones closer to Whitehorse on a particular long weekend (May 2-4)
Good stuff Dan. I had been following you since your initial trip down the Pan American on Expo in the early days of it. Hey, I know you did tent camping on your trip, any issues or worries with bears? Having three little children I am a bit more risk averse than I used to be. I have been up to Alaska a couple of times but not driven there. Wanting to do a family trip up with our cheapo, fixer upper Sportsmobile. It’s got the canvas pop too, where the kids sleep. I figure the bottom edge of that canvas top is probably a little over 7 foot off the ground. I figure by the time a bear would try to paw up the side of the van I would hear it before it could really reach the top if it could at all. I feel like with ground tents, yeah you don’t keep food in them, do all the normal precautions in bear country but in a pop top camper like this, all of your food and good smells are in there with you. Have you had any encounters?
Hey Krisitan, absolutely, I've had some "good" bear encounters (i.e. WAAAAY too close for comfort).. you'll be 100% fine in the pop top with the kids. Like you said, keep food and smelly stuff out of there, and be smart. I have an episode just on bear safety - ua-cam.com/video/JhUd_7hBFv8/v-deo.html
On the AK highway you'll be fine unless there is specifically a sign that says no camping, which is very rare. Especially when you are away from a town you can camp anywhere you want.
I'm from the USA and have motorcycle toured southern Canada. When first entering Canada, I was surprised how are the Border Check Officer pushed about did we (6 motorcycles) have "Weapons" which I quickly learned were FireArms. I often travel with a locked and safe handgun (I am a former Marine), but did not bring it on that trip. So my question is: If you are from the USA and traveling the Highway to Alaska and want to bring a handgun or hunting rifle to use in Alaska, how do you cross into and through Canada legally with your firearm??? Thanks!
Here in Washington State, we need a Discover Pass for state lands and a Northwest Forest Pass for federal land. Are there similar passes or permits you’ll need in Canada or Alaska to drive or camp on public land?
What is your thoughts about predators in the yukon and what is the best advice for if a bear or mountain lion wanders into your camp or even the likelihood of that happening
Hi Dan, nice video. Wondering if you know if one could get WiFi in towns or cell reception reliably enough to work remotely on this route? Do you know of people who might be traveling this route and working remotely? Thanks
![HOW TO DRIVE the Alaska Highway [Part 4 - Bear Safety] presented by Yokohama Tire](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JhUd_7hBFv8/mqdefault.jpg)
![HOW TO DRIVE the Alaska Highway [Part 4 - Bear Safety] presented by Yokohama Tire](/img/tr.png)
![HOW TO DRIVE the Alaska Highway [Part 1 - Basics] presented by Yokohama Tire](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TnxwKAyPhlU/mqdefault.jpg)
![HOW TO DRIVE the Alaska Highway [Part 8 - Wrap Up] presented by Yokohama Tire](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ayc13kcv-WQ/mqdefault.jpg)
We're taking my 95 year old mother to Alaska in a RV for a trip of a lifetime. WISH ME LUCK AND PRAYERS.
Hi from Ireland....trust all went well.
Blessings to your family
I drove the Alaska Highway last summer, in a 26-foot box truck towing a small car for an Air Force pilot who was moving to Anchorage. What a trip! The views were unbelievable. Took me ten days to drive from St. Louis where I picked up the truck/car to Anchorage. Started in Dawson Creek. Truck was awesome. No issues. And I made about $2700, doing the move for a moving company that didn't have any drivers that had a passport..
Almost ran out of gas once. Would love to drive it again when I had more time to enjoy the views.
It’s been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember to make the drive to Alaska. I’ve roadtripped all over the lower 48. I really appreciate your practical insights. Thank You
You can do it!
Wish I had some topics to ask about, but you are always making us aware of things many of us don’t even think about. Keep up the great content. Also, your video and production is looking great.
Thank you, I will
One thing I love about British Columbia is the number of provincial recreation sites where you can camp for free but still have an outhouse and a fire pit.
So I just ordered my first 4x4 truck and am doing research about all the new activities this truck will expose me to if I choose. You channel is EPIC. I appreciate how well thought out and organized each video is. Thank you for all of the work that you are putting into this, so many people are getting great info here. I wish for you happiness and safety on your path.
Congrats on 5 yrs and FullCircle brother. !
Amazing accomplishments !! 🌲🇨🇦🙏
You definitely didn’t understate how great those government camps are! Most are in great locations, are well treed, and offer a spot to fill up water. If anyone reading this wants to plan out their stays at these campgrounds, take a look at the Yukon government website. A copy of the brochures and maps are available on there. Also, if you like fishing, many of these are located on streams and lakes where you can shore fish. A Yukon fishing license is very affordable (annual Yukon non resident license was cheaper than my Sask annual one).
Firewood included in the Yukon and so cheap. Plus ice cold drinking water, huge picnic table and fire pit. Almost every Yukon campground is on a lake or creek/ river
So do these camping areas all have a water sources. Most of us have solar, gas generators, and propane. Water is the one item you need to enjoy longer stays.
@@scotschmidt6683 Yeah every campground I stayed at had a tap to fill my water containers. I stayed at approximately 5 different campgrounds and all of them had a tap for drinking water. Note it’s just one central tap per campground, not water spouts at each site. I think on the government website their camping guide lists all the amenities for each campground.
I've been a viewer and subscriber for a long while now, really enjoy your presenting style and informative content. I've just bought The Road Chose Me Vol. 1 and can't wait to read it.
Awesome, thank you!
Great infos thanks !
What would be nice is a complete footage of you in real time from just before you make the turn to leave the highway to arriving to the camp spot, just to have one example of what it looks like.
Coming soon!
@@TheRoadChoseMe Nice, thanks !
Government-run campsites are also great places to fill up your onboard water supply for free.
Is there free potable (drinking/cooking)water?
@@ronv6637 The water supply at these government campsites are usually manual pumps or holding tanks that are set out in the open. I always filter or boil the water, but the water seems clean to me as is. I'd always ask the groundskeeper if they are around, otherwise you could just go in and no one will be there to stop you. I only have a 5 gallon container in my Subaru, so it was never an issue, a larger RV might bring more attention though. I believe the Laird Hot Springs campground is the most well equipped government-run campsite on the Canadian stretch of the Alaskan highway, that's where I stayed after being turned back from NWT due to covid.
Really enjoying your presentation, information packed, good advice and inspiring. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
I’m driving to Alaska in September and your videos have been very helpful, thanks a lot. 👍
Glad to help, hve fun!
I spent a lot of time at the Wolf Creek Campground near Whitehorse when I was a kid. My father worked in the mines at Whitehorse Copper, which was located a fair ways out of town. During the summer, we would park our RV at the campground for a week or so at a time (I believe it was free back then) and he would commute from the campground instead.
Question about wild camping: What is the etiquette if someone is already at a site? Do you push on down the road and find somewhere else, or is it cool to just join them?
BTW, thank you again for taking the time to meet up with me in Nelson. It was great to see the jeep, and I am still even more inspired to get out and have more adventures of my own!
Yes wild camping is my goal. I gonna set my Unimog up for it 😎
With a Unimog you don't need any stinkin' road
iOverlander is fine and all, but most people would do really well to learn how to set up Gaia GPS to identify public lands and forest service roads into them.
Hey nice video, but you've only got left channel audio after the intro. I love your videos, and I really like your camping/overlanding style.
I reread my comment and I realize it sounds really flippant. I genuinely like the video, and wanted to offer positive feedback to help. There's no sarcasm intended if it came off that way. I saw someone commented then deleted their comment that the audio is fine. The issue is from 1:04 to 6:04, then it gets better again. I think it's possible to do an audio swap to fix this, but that is admittedly quite a bit of work for a video that's already up. It's such a minor issue on most devices, but in the rare situation where someone is only listening to the right channel (my situation the first time), it means they can't hear anything.
Sorry about that, I'm working on it!
@@TheRoadChoseMe so, hardly anyone can carry pistols, and big grizz and moose are all over, and can easily kill you. As well as black bears..... And the camp sites have camper buffet open-window buildings where campers line up to be eaten? You must be from New Zealand. You guys are hilarious. They think the rest of the world is a quaint little island. Seattle has a million people and even fifteen miles east it's crawling with bears. 😂
@@sasquatchrosefarts I live next to a protected bear area where there are like 15 black bears running around my backyard, every summer it’s inevitable you’ll see at least one if you go out on a walk. Never once have I needed a firearm, or have even needed to use a bear banger. Wildlife doesn’t mess with you if you’re respectful and leave it alone 😂
4:08 I thought to myself, "Brake! Brake!"
Didn't even have to click the timestamp to know exactly what you were referring to. I thought the same thing!
nice videos, thanks for all the information. I'm planning going to Juneau from Edmonton .
I really like the fast forward driving and you commentating in the corner box. Great film work. I also cook outside my Jeep. What Critters might I be concerned with other than ground squirrels. Have you had any issues?
I'll cover that in an upcoming video!
The only bad experience I had in a provincial campsite was on a week-end night near a village. Someone eventually called the police and the party moved on.
Its hard to ask questions you are such a great story teller, this is better than a movie.
I love these videos. I've been antsy for overlanding for years, and just moved back to the states. Now I have to wait till the kiddo is old enough to take a road trip! haha
Good way to break up my work day! Love the videos
Glad to hear it!
I'd say keep them coming. The north is just as interesting as the south. Winter and ice roads would interest people.
Alaska hwy or Klondike hwy? 12:14 is Stewart Crossing. My wife and I travelled around the YT in spring last year and loved it! The remoteness reminded me so much of the Aussie outback (except driving in snow from Stewart Crossing to Dawson City!)
Definitely want to try and wild camp as much as possible. We will be in our Jeep Wrangler that is fairly modified with more in the plans before this summer. Good to know that the campgrounds have laundry and shower capabilities so we wont have to rent a motel room. Thank you!
Yes, love this series of videos. Are you going all the way to Prudhoe bay? I plan on doing that trip from Kentucky when I retire.
The border is still closed, so I can't get into Alaska unfortunately.
I primarily used freecampsights.net plus Gaia GPS maps. Just grabbed the coordinates from the sight, and plugged them into Gaia. Used drive to, to get me closed. Never went a day without a campsite when I toured the US. This was essentially useful in the places where lots of free camping isn’t exactly easy to find, like Residental areas/ cities.
Love your first 3 videos . Hi have a question regarding the types of RV’s that would be best suited for this trip? (Trailer, truck & fifth wheel, truck camper, class C motor home, etc. & up to what lengths will work.
Thank you,
Earl
Literally everything will work and you will see many hundreds of all the kinds you mentioned on the Alaska Highway each and every summer.
If you want to take either road up to the Arctic Circle (Dempster in Canada, Dalton in Alaska), you'll want to think about what you want to drive on a narrow, rough and remote gravel road. Personally, I would not take a 5th wheel or anything long.
Interesting video. I'm retired and thinking seriously about driving the Alcan Highway next spring. I plan to camp out of my truck and probably stay in motels a couple of times for a break.
You will remember it for the rest of your life, I guarantee it - it's utterly breathtaking
@@TheRoadChoseMeThanks for the reply. I've always wanted to go to Alaska but just haven't made it yet. But I plan to!
Great job thanks 👍
The easy thing about the Nordic countries is the so-called Everyman's Rights, which allows you to camp, pick berries and walk pretty much anywhere as long as you're not in or near someone's yard. I assume the de facto practice is quite similar up north in Canada and Alaska as well - nobody is going to bother you if you camp for a night on someone else's land as long as you're not making a mess or being a nuisance?
Im not 100% sure the laws in all of the US / Canada. But I'm fairly certain that in Michigan at least, as long as you aren't trespassing on purpose or with ill intent (ignoring a sign, doing damage etc) you can go where ever so long as it's not someone's direct household etc. And I know there is a ton of state and federal land that is free use so long as you respect it!
There is just so much wild land up here that isn't owned by anyone it's not really a problem.
great info! thanks
how about a series about driving the dempster also?
I Realize that I'm asking this long after the video has been posted, but I do have a couple of questions lol. Really Enjoy the videos and information presented! Ok, so I will be making my way up for a 3 or 4 month trip pulling a tab320 teardrop, dump station availability, (2x 5gl cassette) and water availability for the tanks? I do have a good electric water purifier (and lots of solar) so I can use that if needed, but prefer not too. Going to take take my time stopping for a few days here and there, if I find a good place stay a week lol. I like primitive camping, utilities aren't necessary for up to a week. Just curious about the availability so I can adjust travel. By the way, it's just me and my dog. I have done quite a bit of primitive camping so it's not a first time out, just first time up to Alaska. Pointers on pets in Canada? Thanks in advance and hope you or someone else sees this! Take care and good journeys! Oops just watched to the end! Last question though, what was the app that he mentioned? I couldn't quite make it out when he said it. I think he said overlander.com but not sure. Thanks again!
Great video series, thank you. How about Grizzlies while camping? any issues? I know about eating away from one's sleeping area.
They are around, but if you don't bring food into your tent, they are not a problem.
What sort of safety precautions do you take? I'll see if you've done a video on this. I've heard a lot of people have gone missing on that highway which would make me very wary of the few people I see...
Ever stopped at the shepards Inn before? I believe it's north of onowan?
Andrew Groat answered some of my question about water. The Gov. camps have water during the summer months, but where else during the summer trip? I'm talking about 10 to 20 gallons at a fill up. The vids are very good! Very informative! Thanks!!
Gas stations always have water for free.
Finding "wild camping" "really is possible" kind of surprised me to hear as I'd thought the entire state was nothing but a big "wild camping" area...my ignorance showing, no doubt. Really appreciated the info, especially the info on the government campgrounds, thanks.
The further north you get the more possible it is for sure. When you're still on the main AK Highway in BC it can be a bit of work.
If you could expand on things to do and see as you progress north. Hikes, canoe rentals, historic sites, museums, and a great destination at the end. I’m imagining myself driving 12 hours a day, exhausted, with giant oil containers to view at Prudhoe Bay. I’ve been reluctant to drive from Seattle as most friends do it, just to say they did it.
Great bit of info as usual.
Awesome video, as always Dan, very good honest information.
Thanks 👍
PERTAINING TO FREE CAMPING ON THE WAY TO ALASKA...If I want to Boondock on the way up, where would I replenish water, and also where to dump black tank??
Hi Timothy - Most gas stations on the way up have both drinking water and a dump station. It's just agreed if you buy a tank of gas you can use those services!
I know you said you shipped your Jeep to Africa from Halifax. Have you done any touring on the east coast or Hudson Bay area. I took my TJ years ago to tour Nova Scotia back when I lived in Massachusetts. We took the ferry from Portland Maine to Yarmouth and sort of did a figure 8 around Nova Scotia and back. We went to the very top of Cape Breton island. It was sort of a tent camping / inns / B&B's type tour depending where we ended up and what time it was. Very beautiful up there. Hit as many byways and dirt tracks as we could. I have thought about doing Newfoundland and points north and maybe get out to Hudson Bay.
I've done a little, but I certainly need to explore more at some point!
Really good info mate. Thank you
Love your videos! Quick tech questions:
What interval do you use for your driving time lapse? Seems to be just the right balance - not too fast or slow.
What drone do you use?
Might be fun to do a “behind the scenes” how the sausage is made video. Show off your production kit, camera mounts, etc. What works, and what doesn’t. That sort of stuff.
The driving timelpase is just the gopro "timelapse" feature.
I got a Mavic Mini for the drone, loving it so far.
Your channel is so awesome. It’s like taking a class from bear grylls or something
Wow, thanks!
Wonderful series!
Greetings form argentina. I've been following your journey for years and years. I like the effort you've been puting on your channel now. Saludos, Patricio.
Awesome, thank you!
How about recommendations on places to stop? Old mining towns and the such that are good for sightseeing. Thanks for the incredible videos and inspiration.
Great suggestion!
@@TheRoadChoseMe Happy to help.
just a heads up, when you cut to the in car audio, the sound only comes through the left channel. Good video though
Thanks again Dan. More useful info.
My pleasure!
I'm planning an Alaska trip in the same Jeep and camper that you use. Do you have any tips on keeping the mosquitoes out? Thanks
leaving in July for Fairbanks ( son is being transferred to a new base. I gave him my 2018 JLU., I was concerned about fuel. I see you have a jeep and stated no additional fuel needed. Thanks for the heads up, I was getting concerned. I been watching videos and its seem everyone is saying buy more shit than you can carry. I will be watching your Videos
Can you comment on electricity for EV charging options? I want to drive my Tesla model S to Haines AK to play around of golf there.
Thank you for sharing. Well done. Buen Camino.
Thanks for watching!
where is the iOverlander link to your video?
Great data.
i stayed in off brand hotels and they were great
Greetings from Colorado, love the videos. You're an inspiration to a lot of us, looking forward some overlanding soon as I get my rig ready, cheers!
Awesome! Thank you!
Greatly appreciate the video! Thanks ✌😎👍👌
I sure hope Canada opens the border by spring! My Four Wheel Camper gets delivered in March, and I plan to go full time in early April. 6 months in North America, before heading south
Hope all works well for you and things are open next spring. I took delivery of my FWC camper last March just before everything shut down and its been stuck mostly in the driveway so far. Since things in the US opened up some I have had health issues that kept me home as well.
@@williamrobinson1284 You OK now?
@@kiplambel4052 Hopefully soon. Should get an injection to relieve nerve pain in my leg. Wife and I are anxious to get the camper rolling.
@@williamrobinson1284 I understand chronic pain. A motorcycle accident led to my early retirement in Jan
@@kiplambel4052 Thanks! Sounds like you have ambitious plans, hope you are able to enjoy them without being hampered by pain.
I wish you would list which part of the highway you're on for each video. Love the videos, but it would be very helpful to know know what portion of the road you're on.
Are there rest stops along the way? Or trucking centers where you can park overnight?
For one who grew up with $15 a night motels and now pays about $70-$100 a night they seem very high in Canada. Yes, sleeping in the vehicle is a fine option at campsites. What are the rules about simply pulling off the road in a remote area or parking near a fuel station or other place in a small town? Are there police moonitoring speed limits on this highway? Surely it must be tempting to go over the limit due to the long distances. Do the gas stations and most other facilities, supermarkets, etc. accept credit cards easily or should I have a reasonable amount of Canadian cash?
Yes, hotels are a bit expensive, as are most things in the North.
I much prefer to camp.
You can "wild" camp basically anywhere without problem.
You won't want to go over the speed limit, the road, wildlife and other trucks make that a very bad idea.
Credit cards work absolutely everywhere
Might go to Canada just for the Government Campgrounds
I like your videos
Start planning 2022 :)
Great info mate. Thanks.
Hoping to ship our Motorhome from the U.K. next April and across to Alaska, The Yukon before heading south to Ushuaia
What do you do for midge control ? 😂
Long pants and sleeves, bug nets, bug spray and try not to lose your mind!!
what about animals, like bears? Have they linked people to food? Are bear boxes available in government campgrounds?
To my knowledge bear box/lockers are available at most government run campgrounds. bears that have grown accustomed to human feeding are usually identified and put down by the rangers.
Bears are more aggressive about breaking into cars in areas with public campgrounds. Still you need to use common sense. We use unscented products including the trash bags, to a bear it all smells like food. We have a fridge freezer so smelly foods are kept frozen. Use sausage over bacon because it can be broken off and cooked frozen. Bears can smell the ketchup in a sealed ketchup packet.
Coming soon!
Good job very interesting love it how much gaz given take ?
Love this video! Great tips! Still hoping you will touch on sleeping in cold weather in your vehicle...😉
I’ll also say I appreciated the tip on merino wool in your prior video, just hoping for more recommendations.
Hey Dan what kind of cameras u using for your videos?
Second question: since all your food is in your car, are you worried about bear attacks at all? Are you putting your food in bear boxes every night
I was wondering how he handled it, too. I drove it 3 years ago and stayed in the hotels he mentioned because I was inexperienced in camping and afraid to risk it.
I'll do a video on that this week!
Are hotels cheaper in October - November.
Is the speed limit enforced in Canada? Will you let us know when we can drive from lower 48 to Alaska through Canada?
Do you have internet or cell service all along the highway to access iOverlander?
Great info thanks
Bit of a stale comment for this video. However, does iOverlander tell you if it’s a dead end, or can turn around? We pull a trailer & can’t afford to risk not being able to turn around.
It doesn't specifically list turning around, but it does have a checkbox for "big rig friendly", and people may have added info about turning around in the comments.
Any tips for wild camping with a ground tent? Things like tent choice, site selection, safety, etc.
Same story. I did it every day for 2 years from Alaska to Argentina. All good.
I really want to like iOverlander, but in my area, it lists Walmart and Home Depot as wild camping and removed a really nice meadow campsite that was free on public land.
It's crowd source data, so you need evaluate the data and use it with commonsense.
@@markcarpenter3600 I get that. It's also the best source of spots and is used by more than overlanders. I guess good advice would be just don't use it as a destination setter, but to find somewhere close to your location to camp.
Hi was just shown your channel. Last year i set off to explore the us . I took the moth of September off. We drove 9000. Miles with our dog (small) and a roof top tent. Best trip i have ever done. I just set a goal for alaska. Wanted to hit northern states and drive up into Alaska
Question .... if only given a month , and driving from Massachusetts, what spot in alaska would make a great end destination. I wont have a long time to hang there . And google earth makes it hard to choose . I never drive with a real destination. I just go and figure it out. Crazy for some , amazing for me :)
Any advice would be great.
The Dempster Highway is really special (but a LONG way)... and the Kenai Pennisula (everything south of Anchorage) is my favourite part - stunning, stunning coastal Alaska.
@@TheRoadChoseMe thank you ...im on instagram ,siobhangreen1969, if you want to see my rig , also have you done a full inside description of your overlander? And what changes have you made to make travel easier?
Besides the camping options you mention in the video, I understand that there are many turn-offs along the Alcan where an RV can pull into and spend the night. Is that right?
Yes, plenty of paid campsites / lodges
Always thankful for your helpful videos.
I have a two-door 2012 Jeep Wrangler and my dream/plan is to drive from Florida to Alaska in the very near future.
While everyone’s situation will be different, as far as cost, what would be a safe amount to start setting aside for a trip like this? Would it be more or less similar to your Africa adventure?
Also, if you had any suggestions as far as clothing and footwear. With limited space in a 2-door JK, my gear would have to try and serve multiple purposes.
It will depend on how far you drive every day. If you wild camp and cook your own food, gas will be your biggest expense. Other than gas, there's no reason you'll spend more than a couple of thousand dollars
Hey Great video! How easily can i access wild campsites in a 2wd van? Will most of them require 4x4?
Very easily, you won't need 4x4
@@TheRoadChoseMe awesome! thanks for the reply
Hi Dan. How do u find the rooftop tent handles the cold. I tend to avoid winter in my Australian travels. But realise this probably won't be possible when I hit the northern hemisphere. Great vid btw 👍
It has been really good - the canvas is thick enough it gets warm upstairs, especially with two people up there.
Are those government camp grounds first come or do you need to reserve them? Do you know if they are normally full?
They can't be reserved, and it would be extremely rare for them to be full - maybe the ones closer to Whitehorse on a particular long weekend (May 2-4)
Good stuff Dan. I had been following you since your initial trip down the Pan American on Expo in the early days of it. Hey, I know you did tent camping on your trip, any issues or worries with bears? Having three little children I am a bit more risk averse than I used to be. I have been up to Alaska a couple of times but not driven there. Wanting to do a family trip up with our cheapo, fixer upper Sportsmobile. It’s got the canvas pop too, where the kids sleep. I figure the bottom edge of that canvas top is probably a little over 7 foot off the ground. I figure by the time a bear would try to paw up the side of the van I would hear it before it could really reach the top if it could at all. I feel like with ground tents, yeah you don’t keep food in them, do all the normal precautions in bear country but in a pop top camper like this, all of your food and good smells are in there with you. Have you had any encounters?
Hey Krisitan, absolutely, I've had some "good" bear encounters (i.e. WAAAAY too close for comfort).. you'll be 100% fine in the pop top with the kids. Like you said, keep food and smelly stuff out of there, and be smart.
I have an episode just on bear safety - ua-cam.com/video/JhUd_7hBFv8/v-deo.html
Is it possible to drive Fairbanks-circle artic - Fairbanks in one day? Thanks
Yep, absolutely. Especially in the summer when the sun is up for 22 hours a day.
Does ALaska HY has any rest stop along the way? Thanks for all helpful videos
Yes, there are many, many rest stops all along
@@TheRoadChoseMe can we sleep in our Van in any Canada highway rest stop?
On the AK highway you'll be fine unless there is specifically a sign that says no camping, which is very rare. Especially when you are away from a town you can camp anywhere you want.
I can’t understand the wild camping app you mention and I can’t find your link to it
It is iOverlander - ioverlander.com/
I'm from the USA and have motorcycle toured southern Canada. When first entering Canada, I was surprised how are the Border Check Officer pushed about did we (6 motorcycles) have "Weapons" which I quickly learned were FireArms. I often travel with a locked and safe handgun (I am a former Marine), but did not bring it on that trip. So my question is: If you are from the USA and traveling the Highway to Alaska and want to bring a handgun or hunting rifle to use in Alaska, how do you cross into and through Canada legally with your firearm??? Thanks!
You can get a permit to transport a firearm through Canada. It must be securely locked away at all times, but you can do it. Many, many people do.
@@TheRoadChoseMe Fantastic. Thanks once again.
When you stock up on food. What does it all look like and what is your list?
I've shown that in a few different videos! ua-cam.com/video/gYi17mZfNek/v-deo.html
Here in Washington State, we need a Discover Pass for state lands and a Northwest Forest Pass for federal land. Are there similar passes or permits you’ll need in Canada or Alaska to drive or camp on public land?
No only in banff alberta
No, nothing like that.
What is your thoughts about predators in the yukon and what is the best advice for if a bear or mountain lion wanders into your camp or even the likelihood of that happening
I'll cover that in an upcoming video!
@@TheRoadChoseMe thanks looking forward to all the videos for your Alaskan highway series
Hi Dan, nice video. Wondering if you know if one could get WiFi in towns or cell reception reliably enough to work remotely on this route? Do you know of people who might be traveling this route and working remotely? Thanks
On the AK highway, absolutely. Good internet and cell service in every town.
On roads like the Dempster or Dalton, absolutely zero.
Good stuff.
Thanks!
Are there rest areas along the way ?
Yep, but they're almost always directly on the side of the road, so staying overnight would be LOUD with all the truck traffic.
What kind of roof tent do you have on your jeep?
It's a pop-up roof called the Ursa Minor J30 - ursaminorvehicles.com/
@@TheRoadChoseMe Fantastic! Thank you so much. It looks like a great option!
It is absolutely brilliant. Here's my massive review of all the pros and cons and features - ua-cam.com/video/r0qsFGlycMk/v-deo.html