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What do you think of when you hear “Alaska?” Hunting, fishing, homesteading, panning for gold? How about riding adventure motorcycles?
Alaska is the best place for adventure riding. Its vast and diverse geography provides rocky mountains, glacier-fed rivers, and breathtaking shorelines to be explored by motorcycle. Alaska offers roads that feel endless and off-road trails perfect for adventure riding.
Sure, winters are brutal. I don’t recommend motorcycle travel after September. But summers are great for camping, with cool nights, warm days in the 60s, low humidity, and the midnight sun that allows for long days of riding. I have kept riding until 1 a.m. without need for headlights.
An adventure bike is perfect for handling Alaska’s roads. The majority are paved, or at least packed gravel with a tar layer below, but the harsh winters leave severe frost heaves and fractures. The speed limit remains at 50 mph, and sometimes even that seems fast. Luckily, Alaskan roads have improved in recent years and there’s still plenty of gravel and two-track to be had if you know where to look.
Best of all, you won’t find crowds on those roads. You’ll probably encounter construction delays, because the construction season is only five months long, but other than that, the only traffic situation you’re likely to come across is a “moose jam.”
Moose jams occur when a significant number of tourists stop in the middle of the road to take pictures of a moose grazing near the road. Keep your distance, take pictures, and then move on to avoid stressing the moose, especially if it’s a cow and calf.
If I now have your attention, you’re probably asking, “Where should I ride in Alaska?” Here are a few of my favorites from the time I’ve lived here. If you try these routes, or any other travel in Alaska, be sure to plan ahead and know where the gas stations, hotels, food, and places to camp are located. Once you have a solid plan, hit the road and see Alaska on one of these routes.
McCarthy Road
McCarthy, Alaska, is an outpost in the vast, untouched wilderness of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. It provides an unending playground for adventure riders seeking to explore. Going there, you have to take the famous McCarthy Road, a 59-mile stretch from Chitina to McCarthy.
Although the route is completely dirt, it is a pretty straightforward ride with a speed limit of 35 mph. Despite the fact that the state maintains the road semi-regularly, there are a few risks to be aware of. Heavy rain may make the road muddy and slippery, jagged rocks can cause flat tires, and small, one-lane bridges make meeting traffic head-on interesting.
Crossing the Kuskulana River Bridge is one of the most beautiful parts of the journey. It is the greatest thrill on the route to McCarthy, standing 238 feet above the canyon. This historic bridge is a 775-foot-long steel deck truss that served as a railroad bridge in 1910.
There’s no cell phone service here and no nearby gas stations until you get back to Kenny Lake, so be sure to fuel up before passing through. I was able to make it from Kenny Lake to McCarthy and back on my Kawasaki KLR650 with its six-gallon tank, but carrying extra fuel is recommended. I was cutting it close.
Once you make it to the end of McCarthy Road, you have to cross a footbridge and then travel another mile to get into town. Grab a beer at The New Golden Saloon or a burger at The Potato, and then head up to explore the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark to learn about early 20th century copper mining.
Denali Highway
Up next is the famous Denali Highway, a 134-mile dirt road journey that will take you into the heart of interior Alaska between Paxson and Cantwell. Only the ends are paved; after three miles or so of paved road, it's all gravel and dirt onward.
The Denali Highway takes you through continuously changing scenery and breathtaking views along the south side of the Alaska Range. The majority of the route is above the tree line, so the sweeping vistas seem to stretch on forever, particularly on a bright and sunny day.
One of the highlights of this trip is the Maclaren Summit, which is the second-highest pass accessible via highway in Alaska. You can see wonderful views of the Alaska Range, Maclaren River, and glaciers. At the Maclaren River Lodge, you can rent a comfortable cabin for a good night's rest and have a full-service breakfast in the morning.
Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay
Have you ever dreamed of riding to the end of the Pan American Highway? Well, if you want to reach “the end of the road,” as it’s called, at Prudhoe Bay, you’ll get there from Fairbanks via the Dalton Highway. The route is primarily gravel and riders must keep an eye out for ruts, loose pebbles, dust in dry weather, potholes in rainy weather, trucks, and road repair equipment at all times.
Wildlife is also teeming here. Caribou, grizzly bears, arctic foxes, more than 200 species of birds, and musk oxen are just some of the wildlife that may be seen. This is truly a satisfying destination for all adventure-seekers out there.
Take the Alaska Marine Highway
One cool way to see coastal southeastern Alaska is the Alaska Marine Highway. Put your motorcycle on one of the ferries and visit coastal villages. Each site, from quirky Ketchikan to historic Sitka, has its own distinct charm and character.
Onboard the boat, you’ll have spectacular views of the surrounding waterways and coastal scenery and you may see whales, seals, and other marine life along the route. The boats offer comfortable facilities and the crew members are happy to share their knowledge of Alaska. It makes for a relaxing way to see the coastal side of Alaska.
Getting there: The Alaska Highway
Even getting to Alaska is an adventure ride to remember. The 1,387-mile Alaska Highway across Canada offers everything, from quaint villages to hot springs to magnificent wildlife. Riders may also enjoy the breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains, and wide expanses of wilderness.
It is essential to plan your journey well, taking into consideration road conditions, weather, and the optimum time to ride. The route is generally paved, but certain portions may be rough and cracked. Along the route, don’t miss renowned locations such as Watson Lake's Signpost Forest and the beautiful Destruction Bay. Other attractions include relaxing in the Liard River Hot Springs and learning about the First Nations people's distinct history and culture.
How can I do an Alaska trip?
Those short on time can fly in and rent a motorcycle, or consider the Marine Highway. If you are riding to Alaska, it’s essential to consider the distances involved, the road conditions, the possibility of delays, and the need for rest days. If you have the time, I recommend devoting three weeks to a month to really see what Alaska has to offer to adventure riders.
It’s also critical to keep your motorcycle in good working order and to pack proper gear to handle the widely varying Alaska weather situations you can face.
It’s worth the effort, though. Your ride in Alaska will be unforgettable and you will never say “Man, I wish I had never gone to Alaska.”
