RICHARDSON
HIGHWAY and VALDEZ
ALASKA RV
PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS
The Richardson Highway connects Fairbanks, capital of the Interior, with the seaport of Valdez. Valdez has long been an important entry to the north, starting with the rough route laid out to the gold fields at the turn of the century. The Richardson was the first and, for a long time, only vehicle road in Alaska. The Alaska Highway as built in 1942 ends at the Richardson Highway junction. The Richardson Highway is paved and in good condition, but frost heaves are a problem in the central part, generally 50 miles in all directions from Glennallen. This is caused by a thick layer of gravel laid down by glaciers when most of the basin was a huge glacial lake, blocked to the south, north, and northeast by mountains and able to drain only into the Susitna system via the Maclaren.
CORDOVA is accessible from the port of Valdez via the Alaska State Ferry MV Bartlett. From Cordova the Copper River Highway can be driven for 48 miles to the Million Dollar Bridge and Childs Glacier. There is a city campground at mile 1.4, and camping at the Alaganic Slough (mile 16.9). Also see the Marine Highway page.
DISCOVERY VOYAGES (907) 424 7602
Prince William Sound adventure cruises on the 65' MV Discovery. Day and multi-day trips include shore hikes, local cuisine, fishing, kayaking. Use link above for more information or click here.
RICHARDSON HIGHWAY
from Valdez to Delta Junction: Miles from Valdez/Fairbanks. Please
stay with our advertisers, indicated by BOLD CAPITALS. Where
ever you stay, tell the hosts that you heard about their business
through the KARO Enterprises web site.
VALDEZ RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS:
SEA OTTER RV PARK LLC 835-2787 Park or camp by the sea with a great view and NO MOSQUITOS! Located at the end of the small boat harbor breakwater. Best RV rates, and no extra charge for more than two people. Full and partial hookups, dry parking, pull-throughs, tent sites, private showers, large laundromat, sanidump. All of our sites are extra wide to accommodate your towed vehicle or boat. Fish for salmon and watch sea otters from your site. Tours, charters. Free Internet access. Box 947, Valdez, AK 99686 E-mail
BEAR PAW RV PARK (907) 835-2530
A
private camper park with full service RV facilities and great tent
sites, overlooking the small boat harbor and close to shopping,
dining, attractions.
www.karo-ent.com/bearvz.htm
E-mail
Lu-Lu Belle Glacier Tours (907) 835-5141 Full hookups. In town; glacier and wildlife cruises 1-800-411-0900 Bear Creek Cabins & RV 835-2723 details unknown
EAGLE'S REST RV PARK and CABINS (907) 835-2373
Look for
Eagle's Rest on the right as you approach Valdez. The park offers
full hookups, showers, laundry, dump-station, dry and tent camping,
cabins, and fishing charter bookings.
www.karo-ent.com/eaglevz.htm
E-mail: rvpark@alaska.net
BAYSIDE RV PARK (907) 835-4425
Park by the
bay with
full service
hookups, pull-throughs, crushed washed stone pads, extra large sites,
showers, restroom, laundromat, much more. Link to:
www.karo-ent.com/bayside.htm
E-mail
us
Valdez Glacier Campground. When we stopped in fall, 2007 we were told the campground was being operated by the military but open to the public.
Mile 0/364: Start of Richardson Highway at Old Valdez townsite, abandoned after the 1964 earthquake. New Valdez is 4 miles west.
Mile 2.9/361.1: Road to Allison Point, Kimberlin's Campground, and Alaska Pipeline Terminal. Tours suspended. Mile 24.1/339.9: Blueberry Lake State Rec. Site, Thompson Pass
Worthington Glacier (right) has a new visitors center and improved hiking trails.
Mile 47.8/314.2: Large paved rest area, Mt. Billy Mitchell view.
Mile
56/308: Tiekel River Lodge 822-3259 Riverside camping,
electric, tents, rooms, restaurant, showers, gas, gifts
Mile 65.1/298.9: Little Tolsona River State Recreation Site Mile 79.6/284.4: Squirrel Creek State Campground
Mile 79.1/282.9 Tonsina River Lodge 822-3000 RV sites
Mile 82.6/281.4: Junction with EDGERTON HIGHWAY. The Edgerton Highway and McCarthy provide access to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The Edgerton Highway is a good, paved road that ends at Chitina. From there, the narrow, winding, gravel McCarthy road follows an old railroad bed to McCarthy. Larger RVs and trailers should ask in Chitina or Kenny Lake about van tours. The National Park Service now owns the mine site, but, according to rangers at Copper Center, no road improvements are presently planned. Road was temporarily closed in 2001 due to a washout.
"NEW" RICHARDSON HIGHWAY CONTINUES
Mile 92.7/271.3: Grizzly Pizza and Gift Shop 822-3828 Partial hookups, dry sites, tents, meals, showers, gas. Liquor store, live buffalo.
Mile 100.7/263.3: King for a Day 822-3092 Full and partial hookups, dry sites, pull-throughs tent sites, showers, laundry, sanidump, cabins. Improvements for 2002 include a better access road, off the Copper Center Loop. Bank fishing and charters.
COPPER CENTER BYPASS:
GROVE'S KLUTINA RIVER SALMON CHARTERS 822-5822
An old style fish camp on the south bank of the Klutina River, with day and night overnight facilities for RVs, tent campers, and charter fishermen. For more info visit www.karo-ent.com/groves
KLUTINA SALMON CHARTERS 822-3991
Guided
charters and campground for fishing fools and first timers. Scenic
riverside camping at it's finest for RVs, trailers, campers and
tents. Partial hookups, dry sites, pull-throughs, sanidump. Fishing
charters for king salmon. Also bank fishing for reds. We can provide
you with airline approved shipping containers and freeze your catch
for you. Our charters include rods, reels, hip boots, and bait.
Licenses and king tags available. Alaskan "pot luck" Friday
afternoon. Located on the north bank, Klutina River, Copper Center
bypass. Hiking, trailer rental. Phone or FAX Eric or Dianne at number
above May-August. Winter, phone (505) 772-2930
P.O. Box 78,
Copper Center, AK 99573
www.klutinacharters.com
E-mail
RICHARDSON HIGHWAY CONTINUES:
Mile 110.5/253.5: Tazlina River RV Park 822-3546 Partial hookups, tents, showers, laundry, sanidump. Near town, self-registration. Mt. Drum viewpoint at top of hill (photo below).
Mile 115/249: Junction with GLENN HIGHWAY Jump to the Glenn Highway to proceed towards Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley.
Mile 118/246: Dry Creek State Recreation Site
Mile 126.9/237.1: Gulkana River (camp along bank)
Mile
128.6/235.4: Junction with the TOK
CUTOFF
If you are
heading south towards Valdez, scroll up. To head
north towards Delta and Fairbanks, scroll down. To jump to the
beginning of the Richardson Highway at Valdez, click here.
Mile 128.5/235.5 GAKONA JUNCTION VILLAGE INC. (907) 822-3664
Copper river Salmon Charters - Gakona Stop 'n Shop - Gakona Cabins and RV Hook-ups - Gakona ECO Gas Station
Gakona
Junction Village, located in the beautiful Copper Valley in East
Alaska at the junction of the Richardson Highway and Tok Cut-off,
offers world class Copper River chinook (king) and sockeye (red)
salmon charters from early June to mid September. Established in the
early 1980's, we have been offering some of the premier
accommodations (cabins), RV hook-ups, gas station, and grocery store
to thousands of Alaska visitors. Our extensive list of returning
clients and referrals speaks to the quality of our services. For
detailed information click on our link,
above. If you have additional questions call us a 888-462-3221 or
Email us at gakona@gakonaak.net.
We are happy to respond to any inquiries.
Alan and
Shirley LeMaster, Outfitters and Owners. FAX (907) 822-3664
Mile 147.6/216.4: Sourdough Creek BLM Campground Sourdough Roadhouse 822-3636 RV plug-ins
Mile
170/194: MEIER'S
LAKE ROADHOUSE 822-3151 and Atwater's Chateau Motel. Located
in the scenic Alaska Range foothills. Great fishing for grayling on
Meier's Lake and Gulkana River. BLM hiking trail nearby. See mounted
26 lb 10 oz lake trout caught at nearby Paxson Lake! Dry RV sites,
pull throughs, tents, rooms, & cabins, showers, laundry, dump
station, restaurant, gas. Groceries, gifts, boat rental. Pet friendly
and open year-round. Contract Post Office for Meier's Lake. Click
name above for more info.
Write to: HC
72-7190 Delta Junction, AK 99737 E-mail
Mile 175/189: Paxson Lake BLM Campground
Mile 185.5/178.5: Junction with DENALI HIGHWAY
The Denali Highway is a 135 mile link to Cantwell, just south of Denali National Park. The first 20 miles on the east side are paved. After that expect washboard, potholes, and dust or mud. Facilities are few and scattered. Drive 35 mph; keep lights on.
Mile 185.5/178.5: PAXSON INN AND LODGE 822-3330
Take the most scenic route to Denali and visit us in the foothills of the majestic Alaska Range. Lodge offers rooms with private bath, cafe & bar, scenic view from our deck, gas, airstrip. RV park with full hookups, dry sites, pull-throughs, showers, laundry, rooms, tents, restaurant, sanidump. Hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, canoeing, rockhounding and much more. For more info click on our name above. New owners 2007
Mile 191.4/172.6: WATER'S EDGE COTTAGES 822-4443
Located at mile post 191.4, Richardson Highway, 65 miles from the Alaska Highway junction at Delta Junction. Camp on the shore of Summit Lake in the heart of the Alaska Range. Water's Edge offers a wide variety of summer and winter activities. Besides B&B accommodations, they offer tent and RV campsites. Enjoy continental breakfast, cozy cabins with cooking facilities, microwaves, TV, and VCR. Activities include guided fishing trips, boat rides, hiking, and access to nearby glaciers. A perfect stop for bike riders. Winter sled dog races are being planned. Let Lee and Jeanie Harper help you catch the big ones in nearby lakes, using their proven, handmade flies. Open all year with a variety of exciting winter activities. Winter phone 388-8299
Mile 200.4/163.6: Fielding Lake BLM Campground
Mile 237.9/126.1: Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site
Delta Junction is 28 miles further north. See the Alaska Highway/AK section for continuation of listings.