By KassDays | Posted September 20, 2025
Hey, adventure seekers! If you've been following my Alaska Travel Road Trip series, you know we're deep into the wild heart of the Last Frontier. As your Calgary-based guide (shoutout to my Alberta roots!), I'm thrilled to share *Day 8 and 9: Denali to Seward, Alaska*—a leg of the journey that's equal parts breathtaking scenery, wildlife spotting, and that raw, untamed Alaskan spirit. This vlog captures the essence of why road trips in Alaska are bucket-list material: endless horizons, surprise encounters with nature, and the thrill of the unknown. Buckle up (or strap into your RV) as we relive the drive, the detours, and the magic.
Watch the full episode here: [Denali to Seward Alaska | Day 8 and 9](https://youtu.be/1Rp2NywXtH8)
Kicking Off in Delta Junction: The Unofficial End of the Alaska Highway
Our adventure picks up in Delta Junction, the self-proclaimed "end" of the iconic Alaska Highway—a fitting launchpad for what's ahead. From there, it's a quick hop to Fairbanks, Alaska's Golden Heart City, buzzing with history and that midnight sun energy (even if we're chasing it in shoulder season). But the real fun ramps up as we veer toward North Pole, Alaska—not the geographic one, but the quirky town that's home to Santa's House. Yeah, you read that right: amid the boreal forests and rugged peaks, there's a slice of holiday cheer year-round. I couldn't resist a quick stop to snap pics with the big guy in red—proof that Alaska's got layers beyond the ice and wilderness.
This stretch sets the tone for the travel vibe: a mix of cultural whimsy and natural awe. Fairbanks isn't just a pit stop; it's a gateway to the Interior's gold rush legacy and vibrant Alaska Native heritage. If you're plotting your own Alaska itinerary, linger here for the Museum of the North or a float down the Chena River—trust me, it fuels the soul before the big drives.
Day 8: The 222-Mile Haul to Denali – Mountains, Moose, and Misty Peaks
Day 8 dawns with a 4.5-hour, 222-mile (355 km) push from Delta Junction to Denali Campground, and oh boy, does the landscape deliver. We're talking vast swaths of taiga forest giving way to the Alaska Range's dramatic silhouettes. Denali National Park and Preserve looms large—home to North America's tallest peak, the mighty Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) at 20,310 feet. Clouds played coy during my visit, veiling the summit in mystery, but that's Alaska for you: unpredictable and utterly captivating.
Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife—moose grazing in the underbrush, black bears rummaging roadside, and bald eagles soaring overhead like feathered sentinels. I pulled over more times than I can count, just to soak in the crystal-clear rivers and glassy lakes reflecting the sky. Camping at Denali that night? Pure bliss under the stars, with the distant howl of wolves as your lullaby. Pro tip for fellow travelers: Pack layers—the Alaskan evenings chill fast, even in May.
Day 9: The Epic 356-Mile Descent to Seward – Wildlife Wonders and Coastal Charms
If Day 8 was a warmup, Day 9 cranks it to 11: a grueling yet gorgeous 6-hour, 356-mile (570 km) trek from Denali Campground to Seward on the Kenai Peninsula. The route snakes south through untamed terrain, crossing the Matanuska-Susitna Valley before hugging the shores of Turnagain Arm—a tidal inlet off Cook Inlet famous for its beluga whales. These milky-white cetaceans are genetically unique to the area, known for their chatty "canary-like" calls, though they eluded my camera this time. Still, the arm's turquoise waters and sheer granite cliffs left me speechless, prime spotting territory for seals and seabirds too.
A highlight reel-stopper? The Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Center near Seward. This 200-acre haven rehabilitates orphaned and injured animals, and I opted for the drive-through loop to get up close with black and grizzly bears, caribou herds, moose with racks like chandeliers, timber wolves prowling their enclosure, and a flurry of raptors. It's not a zoo, it's a lifeline for Alaska's wild souls, emphasizing conservation amid human encroachment. Walking paths let you immerse deeper, but safety first: These are wild animals, not selfies.
As we rolled into Seward, the air turned salty with ocean promise. This harbor town, gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, wrapped our days with a cozy campground stay. though fair warning, nights dipped cold, and the site's seasonal closure loomed. Ghost stories added flavour too: Nearby relics like Portlock (a vanished 1930s fishing village) and Sunrise (a faded gold rush boomtown) whisper of Alaska's haunted past, blending eerie intrigue with the drive's adrenaline.
Why This Alaska Road Trip Leg is a Must for Travel Junkies
What makes *Denali to Seward* stand out in my KassDays Alaska series? It's the perfect cocktail of adventure travel: rugged drives that test your grit, wildlife encounters that humble you, and landscapes that redefine "epic." From Fairbanks' urban pulse to Seward's coastal edge, this route showcases Alaska's diversity, think boreal forests crashing into glaciers, all under skies that stretch forever. Whether you're an RV nomad, a tent camper, or just vicariously exploring from your couch in Calgary (or wherever), it's a reminder that the road less traveled is often the one that changes you.
Planning your own Alaska escapade? Hit it in summer for midnight sun hikes or winter for aurora hunts. Budget for gas (those miles add up!), bear spray, and flexible weather apps. And if history buffs, detour to those ghost towns, they're gold (pun intended).
Fuel Your Wanderlust with KassDays
Craving more? Dive into the full vlog for raw footage of the drives, critter close-ups, and my unfiltered reactions—because nothing beats seeing Alaska unfold in real time. Subscribe to [KassDays on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@KassDays?sub_confirmation=1) for weekly drops on everything from local Alberta events to global treks. Support the channel via [Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/KassDays) or [Ko-fi](https://ko-fi.com/KassDays), and connect on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/KassDays2023), [X (Twitter)](https://twitter.com/KassDays), or my site [KassDays.com](https://www.kassdays.com).
What's your dream Alaska stop—Denali's shadow or Seward's seas? Drop a comment below, like, and share to spread the travel bug. Until next time, keep exploring!
KassDays: Calgary's own, chasing horizons one vlog at a time. #AlaskaTravel #KassDays #FairbanksAdventures #DenaliToSeward #RoadTripVibes #WildAlaska*
