Capital..................Juneau
Population............400,000
State Parks............5 (with 59 waysides, covering 3,300,000 acres)
State Forests.........0

Major Points of Interest:

• Denali National Park and Mendenhall Glacier in Tongass National Forest
• Totem pole collection at Sitka National Historic Park
• Volcanos at the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes at Katmai National Park

"The Official Vacation Planner" is an interesting, 100-plus page book that covers most-everything you’ll need to know if you plan to visit Alaska. The book devotes a chapter to each area of the State, and it includes chapters about accommodations and resorts, wilderness facilities and camping, and statewide attractions. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of hundreds of information sources are listed as well. This book, an official State road map, and a variety of brochures and literature are available free from the Alaska State Division of Tourism, Box 101, Juneau, AK 99811; 907-465-2010. Additional information about travel in Alaska is available from the Alaska Visitors Association, Box 10220, Anchorage, AK 99510; (907) 279-4116. Another interesting free guide is "Invitation to Alaska", 22 pages of color photos and maps. \

The Alaska’s Marine Highway System ferries transport passengers, vehicles, and supplies to several Alaskan cities. Once they arrive, visitors can enjoy virtually unlimited adventures, such as hiking in Chugach State Park and other places in the area. The immense Chugach wilderness borders on Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, and is accessible from many points.

Federal, state, and provincial campgrounds are available throughout the State and en route throughout Canada’s Yukon. Many are located in forested areas, and some include electrical hookup. Reservations are not accepted. The U.S. Forest Service provides campsites at under $10 a night - no fees are charged at State areas. A free brochure called the "Alaska State Park System Guide" lists State parks, campgrounds, and recreational opportunities throughout the state. The brochure also includes maps, descriptions of major parks, and general sightseeing information. It’s available from the State Park Information Office, Pouch 7001, Anchorage, AK 99510.

Motorists can drive to Alaska from any point in the United States or Canada. The Alaska Highway begins at Dawson Creek in British Columbia and stretches through the Yukon to Fairbanks—approximately 1,520 miles. The two-lane highway is hard-surfaced for nearly all of its length and is open year-round. Highway services are available approximately every 50 miles. Alaskan highways can run the gamut from two-lane gravel roads to four-lane freeways. The main route along the West Coast takes motorists through British Columbia and the Yukon.

Motorists should note that at least $200,000 in third-party liability insurance is required in the Yukon. Need more information? Contact the State of Alaska Marine Highway System, Box R, Juneau, AK 99811; 907-465-3941.

If you’re short on vacation time and looking for something different to do, you can fly to Alaska and join a tour organized by Alaska-Yukon RV Caravans (500 Wall St., Suite 218, Seattle, WA 98121). This outfit conducts a variety of motorhome caravan tours, including an 11-day program in which six days are spent on land in a 27-foot Class A rental motorhome and five days are spent on an Alaska Inside Passage cruise. Call (800) 426-9865 for additional information.

Scattered along the highways are visitor information centers that can provide information, booklets, guides, maps, and brochures on areas you plan to visit. For example, the State of Alaska Tok Information Center is located at Milepost 1314 on the Alaska Highway and provides trip-planning assistance. All of the information centers are clearly marked on the official State road map.

Information concerning sport-fishing, hunting, license requirements, tag fees, hunting and fishing seasons, areas, etc. is contained in a free booklet that is available from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Box 3-2000, Juneau AK 99802; 907-465-4112. Information regarding guide services for hunting, fishing, hiking, river rafting, and other outdoor activities is available from The Alaska Professional Hunting Association, Box 91932, Anchorage, AK 99509; 907-733-2688.

The discovery of gold in the north spanned many decades and the quest has never really ended. Even today, gold seekers don rubber boots and wade into Alaska’s icy streams in search of the elusive treasure. "Alaska Gold Rush Trials and Ghost Towns" is an interesting free fold-out guide with map that shows the history and routes to the gold fields.

Information on the history of the State and the gold rush is available from the Alaska Office of History and Archaeology, Box 107001, Anchorage AK 99510; 907-762-2622.

If you’re in the area, plan to attend...

January:
The Rainier Downhill Challenge Cup in Eaglecrest;
Sled Dog racing on weekends in Anchorage

February:
The Fur Rendezvous, Anchorage;
The Northern Lights Invitational in Anchorage

March:
The Winter Carnival in Valdez:
The Winter’s End Bazaar and Totem Trot at Sitka:
The Beaver Roundup in Dillingham

April:
The Copper Day Celebration in Cordova

May:
The Aavoonga Walrus Festival on St. Lawrence Island;
The Kodiak Crab Festival in Kodiak

June:
The Flying Lions Air Show in Fairbanks

July:
The Yukon Gold Fanning Championship;
The Big Lake Regatta Water Festival

August:
The Alaska State Fair and Rodeo in Kodiak

September:
The Oktoberfest in Anchorage

October:
The October Arts Festival in Petersburg

November:
The EMT Winter Carnival in Delta Junction

December:
The Delta Winter Carnival in Delta Junction;
The Country Faire in Cordova;
The Russian Christmas at Sitka.

Free booklets, brochures, maps, and guides, along with information concerning vacationing in specific areas, tours and trips, sight-seeing, and upcoming events of interest to visitors is available from the sources listed below:

Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau 201 East Third Ave Anchorage AK 99501 907-276-4118 Arctic Circle Chamber of Commerce Box 284, Kotzebue AK 99752 907-442-3401 Barrow Convention and Visitors Association Box 1060, Barrow AK 99723 907-852-5211 Big Lake Chamber of Commerce Box 520067 Big Lake AK 99652 907-892-6109 Cordova Chamber of Commerce Box 99, Cordova AK 99574 907-424-7260 Delta Junction Chamber of Commerce Box 987 Delta Junction AK 99737 907-895-5068 Dillingham Chamber of Commerce Box 348, Dillingham AK 99576 Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau 550 First Ave. Fairbanks AK 99701 907-456-5774 Haines Chamber of Commerce Box 518, Haines AK 99827 907-766-2202 Homer Chamber of Commerce Box 541, Homer 99603

Juneau Chamber of Commerce Box 1227, Juneau AK 99802 907-586-6420 Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau 76 Degan Drive Juneau AK 99801 907-586-1737 Kenai Chamber of Commerce Box 497, Kenai AK 99611 907-283-7989 Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce Ketchikan AK 99901 907-225-3184 Kodiak Chamber of Commerce Box 1485, Kodiak AK 99615 907-486-5557 Kodiak Island Convention and Visitors Bureau 100 Marine Way Kodiak AK 99615 907-486-4781 Mantanuska-Susitna Convention and Visitors Bureau 191 East Swanson Ave. Wasilla AK 99687 907-745-4840 Nome Chamber of Commerce Box 251, Nome AK 99762 907-443-5535 Palmer Chamber of Commerce Box 45, Palmer AK 99645 907-745-2880 Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Box 649, Petersburg AK 99833 907-772-3646 Seldovia Chamber of Commerce Box F, Seldovia AK 99663 907-234-7816

Seward Chamber of Commerce Box 756, Seward AK 99664 Sitka Chamber of Commerce Box 638, Sitka AK 99835 907-747-8604 Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau 330 Harbord Drive Sitka AK 99835 907-747-5940 Skagway Chamber of Commerce Box 194 Skagway AK 99840 907-983-2297 Skagway Convention and Visitors Bureau Box 415, Skagway AK 99840 907-983-2854 Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Box 236, Soldotna AK 99669 907-262-9814 Tok Chamber of Commerce Box 389 Tok AK 99780 Valdez Chamber of Commerce Box 512, Valdez AK 99686 907-835-2330 Valdez Convention and Visitors Bureau Box 1603, Valdez AK 99686 907-835-2984 Wasilla Chamber of Commerce Box 871826, Wasilla AK 99687 907-376-1299 Whittler Chamber of Commerce Box 608 Whittler AK 99693 907-472-2337 Wrangell Chamber of Commerce Box 49 Wrangell AK 99929 907-874-3901

Alaska Campgrounds

Anchorage John’s RV Park & Motel 3543 Mt View Dr Anchorage AK 99508 (907-277-4332) Bettles Crevice Creek Ranch Campground Box 26011, Bettles AK 99726 (907-692-5242) Cooper Landing Sunrise Inn & RV Park MP 45 Sterling Hwy Cooper Landing AK 99572 (907-595-1222) Delta Junction Smith’s Green Acres RV Park Mile 268 Richardson Highway Delta Junction AK 99737 (907-895-4110) Healy Otto Lake RV Park Box 195, Healy AK 99743 (907-683-2603 (winter) 907-683-2100 (summer) Fairbanks Chena Marina RV Park 1145 Shypoke Dr, Fairbanks AK 99709 (907-479-4653) River’s Edge RV Park 4140 Boat St., Fairbanks AK 99708 (800-770-3343) Riverview RV Park Box 72618, Fairbanks AK 99707 (907-488-6281)

Kenai Beluga Lookout RV Park 929 Mission Ave, Kenai AK 99611 (907-283-5999) Nenna Nenna Valley RV Park Box 00038, Nenna AK 99760 (907-832-5431) North Pole North Pole RV & Campground 1477 Levee Way, North Pole AK 99705 (907-488-2486) Palmer Mountain View RV Park Box 2521, Palmer AK 99645 (907-745-5747) The Homestead RV Park Box 354, Palmer AK 99645 (907-745-6005) Seward Bear Creek RV Park HCR 64, Box 386, Seward AK 99664 (907-224-5725)

Soldotna Alaska River View Lodge and Campground 44750 Funny River Rd Box 605 Soldotna AK 99669 (907-262-9038) King Salmon Motel & RV Park Box 430, Soldotna AK 99699 (907-262-9441) Riverside House Hotel and Campground RV Park 44611 Sterling Hwy., Soldotna AK 99669 (907-262-0500) Tok Sourdough Campground Box 47, Tok AK 99780 (907-883-5543) Golden Bear RV Park Box 500, Tok AK 99780 (907-883-2561) Valdez Eagles Rest RV Park Box 610, Valdez AK 99686 (907-835-2373) Sea Otter RV Park Box 947, Valdez AK 99686 (907-835-2787) Bear Paw Camper Park Box 93, Valdez AK 99686 (907-835-2530) Willow Susitna Landing & Campground Box 670, Willow AK 99688 (907-495-7700)