Two days in Anchorage is your chance to visit a city renowned for its local culture while also being a gateway to the surrounding mountain ranges and wilderness areas. Enjoy urban conveniences, enchanting outdoor spaces, and arts and culture that speak to your soul against the backdrop of wildlife, hiking trails, and sparking glaciers. Your trip here captures the essence of Alaska in one convenient location. A few days might not seem like a long time, but you’ll make memories that last the rest of your life.
Renting an RV gives you a home away from home. Most RVs spare you from shuffling luggage, checking into hotels, or worrying about where your next meal will come from because you have everything in one convenient place. Being able to park at an RV campsite gives you more space to unwind, relax, and spend time with those you are traveling with. It’s a great base camp for the rest of your activities during your Anchorage adventure.
Search RV rentals in the Anchorage area.
Preparing for Your Anchorage, Alaska RV Trip
Start your vacation planning with a suitable RV rental. With the right truck or SUV, you can tow a fifth-wheel or travel trailer RV that gives you living space and access to a smaller car for driving around during your days here. You can also rent a Class A or C motorhome for the best simplicity in camping because you can shift your RV into parking mode and call it a day.
Utilize the following resources for your trip planning, whether you’re putting together your first RV adventure or want to refresh your mind with the latest information:
• Avoid These RV Rental Mistakes
• Pick the Best RV Size for Your Trip
• Get RV Packing Done Right
• Arrange for RV Rental Delivery
Finding the perfect campground balances your downtime with your daily adventures so you can rest and cook in comfort. Anchorage Ship Creek RV Park has a breathtaking view of the city and is within walking distance of shopping and dining. Rent a bike to ride 120 miles of paved bike trails throughout the city. Another great choice is Golden Nugget RV Park for its convenient location and live entertainment at night, including comedy, music, dancing, magic shows, and karaoke.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in Anchorage.
Day 1: Experience Local Culture
Morning: Immerse Yourself in the Indigenous Culture
The Alaska Heritage Native Center hosts dances, displays traditional crafts, and features replica dwellings of the local Indigenous peoples. Explore the heritage of 11 primary cultural groups native to Alaska.
Lunch: Taste the Best in Local Fresh Seafood
Jens’ Restaurant has been serving some of the state’s freshest and best seafood for more than three decades, but you can also get fresh pasta, lamb, steak, salads, and appetizers. Round out your dining experience with more than 40 wines by the glass or a satisfying variety of homemade desserts.
Afternoon: Mine for Gold
Alaska was once known for its Gold Rush, and you can still go gold panning for fun. See the oldest buildings in the city, take guided tours, or try to find some nuggets yourself.
Setting Up Camp
Choosing a campground in advance is a savvy move to ensure you have a spot waiting for you. Drive your RV there in time to check in if offices aren’t open 24/7, then set your RV to parking mode and deploy your canopy and outdoor furniture. If you want to make things as easy as possible, filter the RV rental options for campsite delivery so you can have it waiting for you instead of picking it up and parking it yourself.
Dinner: Cook Over a Campfire or Hit a Local Hot Spot
Campfires are some of the best memories and meals of great vacations, but your RV might have a fully equipped kitchen on board you can use. If you’d rather see where locals end their day, some of them are at Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria sitting among the psychedelic art or enjoying outdoor seating. Friendly staff bring you flavorful food full of fresh ingredients in a colorful environment known for its great cocktails.
Day 2: Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Morning: See the Countryside and Wildlife
Anchorage has around 1,500 moose inside the city, but an Alaska Railroad trip is your chance to see far more wildlife with day trips into the countryside. Depending on your trip, you might see fjords and glaciers or go ice climbing and zip-lining.
Lunch: Picnic With Whales and Jets
Point Woronzof Park is a rare picnic spot where you can see whales in the inlet waters or jets taking off and landing from the international airport. Nearly 200 acres of coastal tidelands and wildlife habitat have the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail running through it.
Afternoon: Go for a Glacier Van Tour
Anchorage has 60 glaciers less than 50 miles outside the city, and you can see some of them on a van tour. No state has a higher concentration of these ice formations, and it’s a view you won’t soon forget.
Evening: Check Out a Variety of Entertainment and Drinks
Koot’s has live music every night of the week, eight different themed bars, and a grill serving sandwiches, pizza, and burgers. National acts visit regularly, and there are monthly comedy shows.
Day 3 and Beyond in Anchorage
Our blog is full of pointers on how to make the most of your RV vacation, but a bonus day in Anchorage needs suggestions specific to this place.
Locals and previous visitors rate these two activities as under-the-radar gems worthy of your consideration:
• Go Bore Tide Viewing at Bird Point Park: Tidal bores are an unusual combination of geography and hydrology that run as fast as 24 mph, and Cook Inlet is the only location in the United States where you can witness this unforgettable event. In some conditions, a bore might rise 6 feet into the air, and you can come a few hours before high tide for a chance to see Beluga whales feeding on salmon.
• Take a Ride on the Alyeska Tramway: Ride 2,300 feet over sea level for expansive views of the surrounding mountains, glaciers, and waters. At the top, you’ll find hiking, sightseeing, a museum, and a restaurant serving reindeer sausage.
Winter Activities
Winter in Anchorage runs longer than most other cities, given how far north it is, and August is a fall month. One of the local events you should catch is seeing the Northern Lights. You can try catching them on your own, or you can schedule a photography tour for the best spots and times to see the Aurora Borealis, local wildlife, and abundant scenery. Another quintessential Alaska adventure is dog sledding, where a pack of huskies powers your musher-led sled down snowy trails.
Indoor Activities
Alaska has stunning national parks worth seeing, but the weather doesn’t always cooperate. Having some indoor activities available keeps the fun going regardless. If your travel party is in the mood for indoor miniature golf, shuffleboard, or billiards, then a gaming lounge is worth a visit. Tropical water fun might be the last thing you expect in Anchorage, but you can visit an indoor water park featuring 84-degree Fahrenheit water and balmy indoor air for a change of climate pace.
Given the remote location, not many road trips get to Anchorage, but the biggest city of the biggest state is an adventurous place featuring urban amenities surrounded by mountains and glaciers. Fill your two days here with visits to these attractions before spending your night in the comfort of your RV rental.
