The Highs (and Lows) of Boondocking on The Alaska Highway

In our previous life when we carried our belongings on our shoulders and hiked, we always headed away from the beaten path. So when we finally hit the road to Alaska as RVers, it was a given that our preferred places to stay would be far away from people and hookups. 

boondocking in Alaska
Free camping on the Alaska Highway

As Escapees members and participants in the coveted Days End Directory of low-cost and free camping in North America, we were set. 

We found this great, free camping spot along Kluane Lake thanks to the directory. It’s not listed on the internet, and it won’t be as long as I can help it. Although hundreds of RVers to Alaska pass it every day during the high season, hardly anyone camps overnight here.

You can’t see it from the highway. And once you get there, it’s a little creepy.

boondocking in Alaska
Creepy graffiti near Destruction Bay.

But the scenery! If you can get past the eerie signs left from a bygone era, it’s pretty spectacular.

boondocking in Alaska
Old fishing boats were our only company that night.

Our only company for the night were abandoned fishing boats. Maybe a few ghosts, but they left us alone. In the morning we awoke to the songs of wolves far off in the distance. Their chorus was so beautiful, even Wyatt didn’t bark.

boondocking in Alaska
No cell service, but the RV Datasat 840 kept us connected.

With no cellular service for a hundred miles and only our RV Datasat 840 connecting us with the world, it was the highest high of our northerly journey. The next day, we woke up feeling like we had finally started to accomplish our longtime goal of exploring the north country. It felt real.

If only we knew that a few hours later, the worst day of our life as full-time RVers lay ahead on the open road.

boondocking in Alaska
Did the bear try to warn us? Maybe.

In this lifestyle, all you can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best. On this fateful morning when the bear crossed our paths, we put all ten years of our accumulated wisdom into practice just one hour later.

 

10 thoughts on “The Highs (and Lows) of Boondocking on The Alaska Highway”

  1. This is Dennis & Carol Hill in Livingston TX. We use to own the RV Driving School if that helps with your memory.
    We put full timing on hold after doing it 18 years because of family medical needs. We live in our mobile home on our lot at Escapees headquarters. We’ve gone up and down the RV rigs to live in. All had pros and cons. We’re in a 26 Winnie Class A now. We now have to pack up to go out “camping”. It’s new to us after all these years of living in a rig. When things aren’t going right, we say things like “We’re camping” and stop worrying about it as much. In 2021 were thinking about Alaska for the seventh time. This time we will be doing more boone docking and “camping” rather than full timing. If your in the neighbor hood, stop by. Even if your not around, contact us sometime.
    See ya sometime, Dennis & Carol

    Reply
  2. Thanks for the nice post. Your boondocking site looks great! Then I saw your broken spring post!
    Glad no one was hurt. A spring broke on our 16 year-old 5th wheel trailer too, but it happened while we were parked and in the process of leveling up at an RV park. Fortunately it caused no other damage and I was able to replace it myself. I later replaced the other 3 springs and upgraded all 4 with heavier shackles and greasable bolts.

    Reply
  3. Ha! Reading an article on RV winterizing on another site and noticed the author name was somehow familiar! And now I know the story that you hinted about. Jeez, what a trip. Love the music on the video – so appropriate! and I was happy to Wyatt Ray in there. I was wondering how he coped. How is he has no posts here?
    Glad you all survived!
    hugs
    Teri

    Reply
    • Michelle, it’s funny because I remember chatting with you the night we were there! And oh, wolves sound soooo pretty, much different than coyotes. Beautiful!

      Reply
  4. Great Video
    I hope that the broken axle turns out to be the worse thing that ever happens as you travel. Better to risk bad days and worse days than to never to have risked at all. I suspect you will look back on this whole adventure with fond memories and lessons learned. Enjoy the rest of your summer, there is still lots left. Did you manage to see the Persids Meteor shower?
    Travel Safe
    Larry

    Reply
    • We do too Larry! Yeah, we are telling ourselves that this trip has made us stronger, better and wiser people (if a bit poorer in the bank account!). But definitely worth the ups and downs, we wouldn’t take it back for anything. And YES, we did see the meteors last night! So spectacular and gratifying, as we missed it last year thanks to bad weather in Colorado.

      Reply

Leave a Comment