So I got married in May and we are now planning our honeymoon to Alaska and I need help. We are headed there next August 30th for about 11-12 days.

We originally planned to fly into Anchorage spend a day or two there, rent a car and head up to Denali for a few days then back to Anchorage to pick up an RV and take a 5 day trip around the Kenai Penninsula then back to Anchorage and home. The RV company we are using has some suggestions for trips and the Kenai one seemed pretty cool.

Well I thought since we're about 10 months out I'd be good on hotels around denali but most are now booked.  So it looks like we are just going to head to Anchorage and get the RV for the whole trip.

What I'm really looking for is any advice you all could give.  If we park the RV in one of the campgrounds around Denali will we be able to get around enough? I know most of the travel there is by bus but I'm having trouble finding out the logistics of where we would eat or get to other attractions.  Any suggestions for campgrounds there would be great.

Also, does my plan seem feasible for about a 11 day trip?  We really want to see as much as possible. Is the Kenai Peninsula (Portage, Hope, Seward Homer) a good place to go or should we just concentrate on Denali and maybe head up to Fairbanks.  My reasoning is this, we know we want to see Denali but from what I gather that is just a lot of hiking and bus tours so the Kenai area would give us more options and a different type of Alaska to add to it.

Like I said any input would greatly help me. Thanks in advance.

Was there last year for father's 70th.  We did 8-day cruise, so not much help I can provide because a cruise is so different than riding, but still, here goes:

Shame about Denali hotels because I'd say it's a definite stop.  Beautiful.  Anchorage was not that exciting and all the best places in my trip were the smaller towns and their surrounding areas.  That said, Juneau was nice, but from what I understand you actually can't drive there because it's land-locked; need to fly or boat in.   I also liked a town called Haines and its surrounding areas.  Ketchikan was an little island in the southern part that had a gorgeous hike.  I actually rented a bike (harley) and road around the island and stumbled on the greenest, more lush and deserted forest I may have ever seen in either real life or in the movies!  Of course, most of these towns I mentioned have a tourist-y feel in certain areas because of the cruise ships, but the areas around were stunning and there were tons of activities (kayaking, hiking, etc.).

You might also reach out to DMF member eric.  He rode from LA to the top of Alaska and back on his S2R.  He has a blog and wrote about his trip here:

http://thesunhaswings.blogspot.com/

I live in Soldotna, 12 miles down Funny River Rd., my avatar is along the Sterling hwy. ~10 miles from Cooper landing.
Buy a milepost. http://www.amazon.com/Milepost-2013-Kris-Valencia/dp/1892154307/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384375885&sr=1-1&keywords=milepost
Time wise, Anchorage to Fairbanks is 9 hours, Anchorage to Soldotna is 3 hours, Soldotna to Homer is 1:45. (I padded the times since you'll be in a RV)
In Anchorage stop at Moose's Tooth, get a pizza and a couple of growlers for that nights repast.
http://moosestooth.net/first-taps-specialty-beers/
In Seward take the Kenai fjords tour. (Seward on a sunny day is one of the most beautiful spots on the planet)
I don't think you'll have a problem in Denali, you be in a RV park, better than half the RVs tow up a small car, so getting a ride to the park to take the bus ride should not be an issue.
If you can find the time head down to Valdez, the last 50 miles from the top of Thomson Pass is unreal, waterfalls ever 1/2 mile or so.

Pm me if you have any questions.

sno_duc is dead on with suggestions.  I will also add that you might look into "dry camping" meaning no hook-ups but there are plenty of sites, maybe check with your local camping world store for a listing of sites.  My parents have done Alaska the last 4 summers and I've visited both on business and to see them......LOVE Alaska, it's majestic and awe-inspiring.  If you can squeeze a trip to Kodiak for some fishing I'd try.  http://www.kodiakadventuresunlimited.com/  I will warn you about the Moose - they are everywhere and although cute they are mean, at least to me, so pay attention to signs when you're camping or visiting stores.  I got trapped under a pick up truck, yeah laugh, because I though "it's just a cow."  NOT

Thanks so much for the suggestions guys.  You've actually helped confirmed what I've been planning.

Looks like we are just going to RV it the whole time.  So two days in Anchorage and then up to Denali for a few where we'll park in a dry spot at Riley Creek right inside the park entrance. Then down around the Kenai for 5-6 days. 

Definetly going to see the Fjord's and take a boat day trip. 

Just picked up 2012 Mile Post from the library and pre-ordered 2013.

I think for a visitor the top three areas that you can visit by land (not in any specific order) are Denali, the Kenai Peninsula, and Valdez. The park buses in Denali should be able to get you around, although Denali would likely be crowded. Seward on the Kenai Peninsula is a beautiful place, you could get on a boat tour out of there. There are nice B&B's there too if you happen to crave a stay in a real bed. Valdez is similarly spectacular.

Fairbanks is a bit out of your way and I wouldn't head there unless you had a lot of extra time and/or really want a chance at seeing the aurora.

I think 11-12 days should be good. I wouldn't stay too long in Anchorage because it's not all that different (as far as I could tell) from cities elsewhere, unless you're a die-hard city person. Small Alaska towns have their charm. And definitely try the seafood everywhere you go.

I actually think the RV is a wonderful idea. If I had a chance to go to Alaska again, I would say that the thing I most want to change is to be able to go around at an arbitrary pace, to be able to make time, and not have to think to myself, "I really want to stay here [at this beautiful somwhere] for another half-day or full day, but since I have a hotel reservation at another place a half-day's drive away tonight, I'll just have to leave and follow the schedule."

Yeah, I would imagine that a trip by RV is vastly different than a trip by motorcycle, but there's no doubt in my mind that you will have a spectacular time.

So we are finishing up the plans for our trip and I still have some questions.

Here is the itinerary so far.

Arrive in Anchorage at noon on August 30th.  Spend two nights in Anchorage.  Going to try and disc golf twice and see the downtown area and maybe the zoo.

Monday Sept 1st. We pick up the RV and head straight to Seward.  On the 2nd we are taking a half day sea kayak/half day boat tour from Seward.  Planning on staying around seward at least 2 nights and doing some hiking. Also going to see the touristy stuff around the area.

Wednesday pack up and head out to Homer stopping at whatever attracts us and staying where we can.

By Saturday the 6th head back through Anchorage hopefully stopping to watch the Buckeyes play VT at a decent sports bar.  My hope is to stay in Talkeetna Saturday night and take a train trip around there Sunday before heading up to Denali.

Sunday (7) evening through Thursday (11) afternoon we have a campsite inside the park at Riley Creek.

My plan is to see the visitors center and hike around there and Savage River area through Monday and then take shuttle buses out to hike on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Here is where I am having trouble. Does anyone have experience using the shuttle bus system at Denali, suggestions for hikes while we are there or just suggestions in general? We would love to see as much wildlife as possible.  At this point i'm thinking about just ordering tickets for the Toklat River for one day and Eielson the other day.  That way we at least have spots on a bus and can stop and hike wherever we would like.

Any help is appreciated.

The last time I rode the bus in Denali was '90. You will see wildlife, take a long (300mm) lens.
Well worth it. 

Your time on the Peninsula falls on my week off, PM me when you get to Anchorage.

How was your visit?
Hope you got to enjoy a few nice days. (it's been a little rainy)

Our trip was insanely awesome.  Had weather in the 60's and Sunny every day but 2 out of 13.  Stayed a couple days in Anchorage biked the Tony Knowles and disc golfed in Kincaid, 4 days in Seward did a sea kayaking and boat tour and hiked the Harding Ice Trail (maybe the most amazing day of my life), A weekend in Talkeetna which is one of the coolest little towns I've ever been too, and then 4 days in Denali. Saw just about every animal you can between Denali and Seward boat tours.  Took a plane and landed on a glacier by Mt. McKinley which was breathtaking.

Can't say enough good things about Alaska.  My favorite part was the people. Everyone we interacted with was super nice and fun. Just majestic beauty everywhere you look.  Food was awesome, beer was even better.

RV was definitely the way to go for us. We loved it!

Damn, I miss Alaska.  Sounds like an awesome trip but there are still about a million things you didn't get to do like catch a salmon, ride a dual sport on the Denali Hwy, ski on a glacier, see the Wrangles, and on and on.  You'll have to go back someday. 

Quotebeer was even better.

We may be a small state population wise, but we've got more than our fair share of really good micro-brews.