How to Pull Off an Epic Trip to Alaska on a Budget: Fishing, Hiking, Wildlife

Alaska is a well-known travel destination for those who love to immerse themselves in the outdoors. With its vast expanses of wilderness, Alaska is the perfect travel destination for adventurous travelers. Famed for its fishing, scenery, and wildlife, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Traveling to Alaska can seem out of reach to some, or maybe a “once in a lifetime” trip requiring years of saving. Airfare, rental cars, lodging, and excursions can seem overwhelming and downright expensive. It doesn’t need to break the bank. There are ways to make an epic trip to Alaska affordable. At the end of this blog, I will lay out an itinerary for a ten-day, scenic road trip. This sample itinerary will allow travelers to see much of Alaska. It will also allow for freshly caught salmon to be taken home.

Getting Here

Airfare to Alaska is not cheap. Airfare in the summer months flying from Boston to Fairbanks runs roughly $800-$1000 roundtrip. However, there are ways to make this bill less expensive. My wife and I have utilized airline credit cards to mitigate the cost of airfare. By earning flight miles and gaining access to other perks, we save about $1000 a year on flights.

Alaska Airlines is a great airline to fly here with for a number of reasons. They are well accustomed to shipping meat. I will explain later how to bring fresh-caught salmon home. Their airline credit card is a must-have. Right now, when you sign up you will receive 70,000 bonus miles. For reference, a roundtrip from Boston will run about 80-100k miles. The Alaska Air card also unlocks an amazing perk called companion fare. Basically, on one flight a year, the cardholder can have another passenger fly for $122 roundtrip. This is a great option that has saved us thousands. However, miles cannot be combined when using companion fare.

For new card holders, the bonus miles and companion fare are unlocked once/if $3,000 are spent on the card in the first 90 days after the account is activated. To earn companion fare after the first year $6000 per year will need to be spent using the card. There is also a $95 annual fee.

For a solo traveler, it is possible to fly roundtrip from the East Coast on miles with the 70k offer and 3-6 months of accruing additional miles. This would save roughly $800-$1000. For a couple or friends traveling together, using the companion fare is a great option, which would effectively be half the cost of the airfare +$122. Of course, both travelers could have their own cards and fly using miles.

Family members and friends from northern Maine have used Concord Coach Lines out of Bangor to travel to Logan Airport in Boston. The roundtrip ticket is roughly $100. The gas roundtrip will run no more than $100 to get to and from Bangor. Traveling this way will remove the cost of paying for parking, and allow an option for those who do not wish to drive into the city.

Airfare Cost: 0-$550 per person

You’ll Need Wheels

Once you touch down in Alaska, you will need a rental car. Most rental car companies have a blanket policy restricting travel on multiple dirt roads around the state. You can have a great trip by never leaving the pavement, but hitting the dirt is highly recommended. Alaska 4×4 rentals is the top option for those who wish to be more adventurous and get off the beaten path. A pickup truck will cost roughly $200 a day in the summer months. These are available in Anchorage and Fairbanks. They can be returned at either location. An option that may save money would be to rent a vehicle through this company for a few days when traveling on restricted roads and then get another rental for the portion of the trip spent on the pavement. A midsize SUV is roughly $140-175 a day.

In my mind, a great trip to Alaska in the summertime will entail a roundtrip around the state. One thing about Alaska is that everything seems to require a lot of driving. It is not outlandish to think of driving roughly 1000-2000 miles on a 10-14 day trip if you plan on seeing the sights and exploring the state. Hopefully, gas won’t be more than $4 a gallon. Assuming 20mpg, that will be a $200-$400 cost.

Rental car cost: $140-$200 per day

Gas: $200-$400

Lodging

Out of everything, lodging will be the most variable cost. If camping with a beautiful mountain view sounds great, you’ll save a lot of money. If you require a shower and indoor plumbing, expect to pay at least $150 per night. I would suggest a little of both. It would also be possible to rent public-use cabins. The cabins provide a more solid shelter than a tent, yet remain quite rustic. These have no running water and will require a sleeping pad and bag. The cost is roughly $50 a night. I have stayed at the Feilding Lake public-use cabin for a night during October these past few years. Both times the nighttime temps dipped into the 30s with rain, we were some glad we had a good roof and wood stove those nights.

If you are headed to the coast for salmon (hint hint, you should be), I would suggest renting an Airbnb for at least one night before your return flight home. This will allow for the freezing of your freshly caught fish. We have transported large amounts of meat multiple times from Alaska simply by freezing and storing it in a “fish box”. This box is used as checked baggage. In mid-summer, Fairbanks-Maine (20 hrs of travel), the meat has stayed frozen.

While I would be content to sleep in a tent every night of a vacation, I know that isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. Sprinkling in an Airbnb or similar lodging throughout the trip won’t break the bank and will allow for showers and other comforts. Lodging should be secured well in advance. Affordable lodging will become non-existent on short notice in mid-summer.

Lodging cost: 0-$300 per day

My Thoughts on Food

I tend not to factor in food costs unless choosing to eat out. Eating the same as you would at home effectively does not increase your costs. Eating out at restaurants can add up quickly. However, there are some great places to grab a great meal. Some of my favorites…

Fast Eddy’s (Tok)-A gem set in the out-of-the-way town of Tok. I’ve eaten here a few times, and it’s the place to stop for a good meal if you find yourself in this corner of Alaska. The burger I had here after sheep hunting in 2023 remains one of the best meals I’ve ever had.

49th State Brewery (Healy and Anchorage)-I love their location in Healy. It is a beautiful location with outdoor seating available. They have some of my favorite beer offerings among the various breweries here. The food is top-notch. There is also a location in the Anchorage airport. I would recommend it for anyone needing a beer and meal awaiting a flight.

Pumphouse Restaurant (Fairbanks)-My top pick for a nice meal in the Golden Heart city. They have a good selection of cuisine along with great beverage options. There is also great outdoor seating overlooking the Chena River.

Food costs: 0-$100 per day

Experiences and Excursions

Wow, you could spend a life savings on epic experiences here in Alaska, or you could do and see amazing things for absolutely no added costs. There are all sorts of amazing experiences, you can choose from flightseeing, guided wildlife viewing, glacier tours, whitewater rafting, fishing charters, etc. The options are endless.

If you love fishing, I highly recommend booking a guided fishing trip. If the trip is primarily a fishing trip, taking a guided trip early in the trip can aid in your success when fishing on your own. Learning new techniques and tips from your guide can be the difference between catching a few and catching more than your arms can handle. If you are traveling through Fairbanks, contact AK River Tours for a great day of fishing. I may be biased, but I believe we get to guide the best grayling fisheries that can be reached without an airplane.

Ultimately, this portion of the trip budget will likely depend on how much the travelers are willing to spend and what they would like to see and do while here. I’d like to reiterate that the adventurous, independent traveler can have an epic trip while never paying for a guide or tour.

Experiences Cost:0-infinity

Gear/packing strategy

The items packed will be dictated by how you’d like to spend your vacation. I will give my recommendations based on a fishing/outdoor-centered vacation. Assuming the adventurous budget-minded route, opting for camping over lodging will add to the packing list. While packing camping and fishing gear along with 10 days of clothing may seem overwhelming, I believe it can easily be done. Clothes and fishing gear (including waders) can fit in one large suitcase. 

Camping Items Needed

2-3 man tent

Sleep system (Pillow, sleeping pad, sleeping bag)

Coleman cook stove or burner

Compact camping pot, small-medium size frying pan, Knives and utensils

Water treatment drops or filter (buy 5 gallon water jug once in AK)

Rubbermaid Action Packer 24 Gallon tote

All these items can be stored within the Action Packer tote and be flown as checked baggage. The action packer is very sturdy and durable. It will hold up well to being dropped and doesn’t become brittle in the cold. The trick is to have small, easily packable gear. These small, blow-up pillows are great. I would recommend a 20-degree down bag such as this Kelty. A Therma rest or similar 1-2″ thick sleeping pad will work great and not take up much space. A small, 2-3 man tent packs nicely. I have loved the MSR hubba hubba for its packability and extreme durability. A 2-burner Coleman cookstove can fit length-wise in the action packer and allows the ability to cook gourmet meals while camping. A traveler could also get a single burner stove, or if a minimalist, a jet boil or similar camping stove. I use Aquamira drops when backpacking. The weight and packability of this approach can’t be beaten. It is also less work than dealing with filters. I don’t notice an off-taste to the water when using these drops. However, a hand filter is handy to have and can be used to filter water that isn’t perfectly clear. Some items should be purchased once on the ground in Alaska: A large water container, propane for cookstove, a cooler, bear spray, and food. The water jug can be filled before heading out car camping and would likely last for multiple days.

The cooler will be used on the back end of the trip to store fish fillets. A cooler that meets the 63 linear inch limit for checked bags (Alaska Air) will hold enough cold food for a few days. It will also allow for up to roughly 45 lbs of fish (50lb total limit for non-oversized check baggage).

Camping areas abound in Alaska. I never have a problem finding a great campsite when on the more remote roads around the state. On state or federal public lands, people can camp wherever they want (does not include national parks). There are many state-run and privately-owned campgrounds in the more popular locations. These should be booked well in advance as short-term availability is often non-existent.

A word on bears

I have been camping both next to my car and many miles away from the nearest town or road for dozens of nights here in Alaska. I have never had bear troubles. A lot of worry goes into the bear situation up here, but I feel it is largely overblown. That being said, I never go in the woods or camp without a gun. When I am out with friends or family they either have a gun or bear spray. While I never expect to have a nasty run-in with a bear, the entirety of the state is bear country. One night, when my brother Cole was visiting, we were out looking for moose just outside of Fairbanks. It was an area I would not expect to see a bear, but low and behold out walked a full-size boar griz. This bear instantly saw us standing across the meadow and began closing the distance between us. It did not care that we were people, the wind blowing to us with us talking and then screaming at it. Finally, I popped off a warning shot, and we scared it off. I was some glad we had brought the gun and spray.

If time is spent salmon fishing it is very likely grizzly and black bears will be fishing with you. Most of the time, these bears are preoccupied with the salmon. However, in some areas where there is a lot of bear and human overlap, the bears have figured out it is easier to steal fish than catch them themselves. Keep your fish close. I tie them to a stringer attached to my waist. The bears are more opportunistic than aggressive. I’d probably throw the stringer though if a griz got too bold…

At the minimum, get a can of bear spray for each person. Bear spray can’t be flown, so buy this once in Alaska.

Fishing Gear

This could get extensive, but I’ll try to keep it short.

Rods, Reels, Line

I would suggest bringing two rods, whether fly-fishing or spin-fishing. In my opinion, if the angler is experienced, grayling, trout, and salmon fishing (flossing) is easier done with a fly rod than spin.

I would recommend bringing a 5wt fly rod with a floating line. 5x leaders and tippet are perfect for grayling. For my second rod, a 7 or 8wt rod would handle larger trout and sockeye salmon. Bring some larger tippet size 1-3x for trout. A stout salmon leader, or straight 20lb maxima, can be used for flipping (flossing) sockeye.

A 6-7ft medium action spinning rod, with a 2000 series spinning reel spooled with 6lb mono, would be my pick for grayling. The longer pole and light line pair well with the light tackle used for these fish. For salmon or larger trout, I opt for a 7-7’6″ medium heavy spinning rod, 3000-4000 spinning reel, spooled with 15-20lb braid with leader or straight mono. These can be used for flipping but are less efficient than a fly rod. A stout medium-heavy rod works well for snagging salmon (legal in some saltwater fisheries). When snagging, I would upsize the line weight to 20-40lb breaking strength.

Net

A small, packable landing net can be used for grayling and salmon up to 10 lbs (less than ideal). If fishing near other fishermen, it is common for someone to offer a landing net if they notice someone fighting a salmon without a net handy. There are also a few places to rent a landing net or salmon fishing gear (The Bait Shack on Ship Creek, AK Boat Rental, Soldotna, etc). These are options for those who do not have this heavy gear and/or do not wish to travel with it.

Tackle

Grayling-If fly fishing, an assortment of simple dry flies and nymphs is all that’s needed. Specialty flies are not needed. Common caddis and mayfly imitations are very effective. Think elk hair caddis, Adams, black gnat, prince nymph, hare’s ear, copper johns. Keep it simple, most grayling are very willing to take a fly. For added gear, I would get a small bottle of floatant, small assorted split shot, and an assortment of thingamabobbers.

For spin fishing, small split shot, mister twisters and jig heads, and small spinners such as 0-2 size Mepps and blue fox’s.

Salmon-With fly-fishing sockeye in mind, Russian river flies and other flashy streamers are the go-to when flipping. These can be flipped with a spin rod as well. Gouty, bright flies will work well for chum, pinks, and coho. The split shot will be needed to fine-tune your depth. When spin fishing for other salmon (coho, chum, pinks) an in-line spinner, especially blue fox vibrax’s, works great to incite hard bites. Spoons, like the Blue Fox Pixee, work as well.

Other Gear

A pair of waders will be needed for fishing in most areas. I go through more chest waders than anyone else I know (6 pairs two summers ago). I have used $100-$900 waders, and I cannot get a full season (100-120) days of hard use out of them. However, I use them a lot harder than the average person. A normal day of use consists of running up and down streams, pushing through brush, and hopping in and out of rafts and boats. So while I can’t recommend a particular set of waders I’ve been fully impressed by, I think a base model pair from Orvis, Simms, L.L. Bean, and Frog Toggs would suffice for most anglers. These are $80-$200. For wading boots, budget options will run $40-$80, nicer pairs that fit great and are more durable will likely cost over $100. I use the Simms Freestone and Orvis Clearwater boots and find them to be very comfortable and well-built. *In Alaska it is illegal to use felt bottom wading boots.*

If interested in viewing wildlife, it will be very important to bring a good pair of binoculars. Most animals will be a ways away from the roads. Many animals can be spotted if you take the time to glass mountain sides and areas of tundra or brushy terrain. A set of 10×42 binos work well. I like both the Vortex Diamondback and Viper models. These are nice quality, have a lifetime no questions asked warranty, and won’t break the bank.

The costs of gear will be dictated by what the individual already owns. Some items, such as the water jug and bear spray, will likely not be able to be brought home. Fishing gear will be lost or used exclusively for this trip. While some added costs may occur when shopping for this equipment, the traveler will save money by not having to pay for lodging and rental equipment in the long run.

Packing all this Gear

Alaska Air allows for one “personal item” you can bring on the plane. A small backpack meets their criteria. Bringing a day hiking backpack to use as this personal item is a great idea. It will also double as your tackle bag and hiking pack when on the ground. Free up some space in your suitcase for fishing gear by packing bulky clothes and other items in your carry-on suitcase and hiking day pack.

Alaska Air credit card holders get their first checked bag free. This perk also applies to up to 6 passengers flying with the cardholder on the same booking. The second bag will incur a $40 fee, while the third bag will be $150. If not traveling solo, avoiding a third checked bag should be easy to avoid, unless a serious amount of fish is caught. Additional fish that will not fit in your cooler can be put in “fish boxes” that are available at many grocery stores (I get mine at Fred Meyer’s). We have used these many times to transport meat and have not had any major thawing of meat after 20 hours of travel.

Possible 10-day Itinerary for the Adventurous traveler

Day 1

Arrive in Fairbanks and pick up the rental vehicle from 4×4 Offroad rentals. Head to Fred Meyer’s or Walmart and pick up a cooler, propane, bear spray, bug spray, food, and other items. Head out on the Hotsprings Rd or Steese Highway to start exploring and fish for grayling. A one-hour drive from Fairbanks on either road will put you alongside the Chatanika or Chena rivers. Both are great grayling fisheries, and the areas are very scenic. You can pitch your tent at one of the many campgrounds, pull-offs, or gravel bars. There are a few public-use cabins on the hot springs road as well. You could enjoy your first night in Alaska roasting marshmallows over a fire after dry fly fishing for willing grayling. If your flight is arriving late in the day, or you’d rather not pitch a tent after traveling, there are many Airbnb or hotel options around the Fairbanks area.

Day 2

Spend the day fishing for grayling in the rivers around Fairbanks. A good option would be to drive south and camp at the Delta Clearwater Campground. The Delta Clearwater River is absolutely beautiful. Crystal clear spring water full of large grayling. This would be a great day to treat yourself to a guided fishing trip with Ak River Tours. Call the company number and request me as your guide. You will have a great day of fishing and will learn how to target Arctic grayling. You can also diversify the species targeted by booking a pike fishing trip. 

The day could also be spent hiking the high country off the Steese highway or a scenic trail, such as the Angel Rocks trail along the Chena River.

Day 3

Head south to the Denali Highway. This gravel road stretches 135 mi between the very small towns of Paxson and Cantwell. Make sure to gas up in Delta Junction, gas is available at Maclaren River Lodge at a high price, subject to availability. This drive will be incredibly scenic. From Delta, first you will travel across tundra, then through the Alaska range. Expect good chances at viewing caribou, moose, Dall sheep, and bison. The bison are often along the Delta River and can be viewed from a scenic overlook alongside the Richardson highway. Glass the mountains above Black Rapids Lodge and Rainbow Ridge for Dall sheep. Great grayling fishing can be had at Fielding Lake, Summit Lake, and Tangle Lakes. Lake trout would also be a possibility at these lakes.

The Denali highway offers perhaps the best car camping opportunities in the state. Scenic pull-offs abound or hike your camping gear away from the road out onto the tundra or to a high spot. If you’d like nicer accommodations, Maclaren River Lodge is located at mile 42 and offers a multitude of cabin and room options. They also serve great food and beer in the main lodge.

Day 4

Continue exploring the Denali highway. Options for this day are endless. I would opt to fish some of the amazing clearwater streams along the middle portion of the highway. These streams are full of hungry grayling. This area is known for some of the best grayling fishing in the state. 50-100 fish days are common.

Day 5

Explore the west end of the highway and make your way either south down the Parks highway or spend the night in Cantwell or closer north if planning to visit Denali.

Day 6

Spend the day exploring Denali National Park. This is a beautiful park with ample opportunities to view wildlife (grizzlies, moose, caribou, sheep). You can opt for the natl. park service bus that will take you in as far as road conditions allow. Currently, the park road is closed at mile 43 due to a landslide that will likely not be passible for many years. You can also drive your vehicle to savage river bridge 15 mi in the park. There are great hiking options along the river and surrounding mountains. End the day by driving south to one of the campgrounds along one of the many streams that cross the park’s highway. If the salmon are in, the next morning you can fish for these before continuing to anchorage.

Alternatively, skipping Denali Park would allow for more fishing and less driving. This day could be spent fishing one of the many streams that cross the Parks Hwy on the way to Anchorage.

Day 7-9

Explore the Kenai Peninsula, where there are great fishing and sightseeing opportunities. For nights 8 and 9, an Airbnb should be booked to secure access to a freezer. The Kenai Peninsula is a great place to head out onto the ocean for halibut and rockfish fishing, or stay inland and fish the strong salmon runs. There are numerous accessible sockeye runs that are easily fished when the timing is right. Sockeye are amazingly tasty fish that are delicious smoked, grilled, or pan-fried. We head down to the Kenai each summer to enjoy the amazing fishing.

There are excellent opportunities to see glaciers and do some hiking. A favorite of mine is the quick hike to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords Natl. park. This is located just outside the town of Seward. Another scenic area is Portage and Whittier. There are several glaciers viewable from the road.

Day 10

Head back to Anchorage and depart for home.

Total Cost

Airfare-$95(annual card fee)-$550

Baggage fees-$45

Rental Car-$1400-$2000

Gas and transportation to/from airport-$200-$500

Lodging-$400-$3000

Fishing License-$75

Experiences-0-$1000

Food-$200

Gear-$100

Total-$2515-6,000+

A savvy duo splitting the costs could pull this epic trip off for as little as roughly $1600 each. The rental car through Alaska 4×4 is your highest expense. A trip that bypasses the restricted dirt roads would allow for the option of a cheaper rental car. This would likely lower the cost to around $1200-$1300 per person. Find a third friend to travel with to lower the price per person even more.

This trip is planned for mid-summer, the height of the tourism season. Therefore, rental car rates, lodging, airfare, and guided experiences will be higher priced than during a shoulder season. Mid-late September into the middle of October is an intriguing time to visit. The fall colors are breathtaking, Moose and caribou are rutting and easily spotted, the mosquitos are dead and gone, and the crowds of tourists have thinned. Prices will be slightly lower, allowing for even cheaper travel.

I hope this has piqued your interest in traveling here to Alaska. A trip here has a reputation of being “once-in-a-lifetime” or simply out of reach due to high costs and complex logistics. If willing to “rough” it a bit and be independent, I believe an amazing trip is well within reach of almost anyone dying to get up here to the Last Frontier. Taking a trip like the one outlined will be one most visitors to Alaska fail to experience. It is a trip a local such as myself would be jealous of, and one you will never forget.