Beautiful Valdez, AK

We had read/heard from many other RVers that the town of Valdez is a favorite. We can’t say that yet since it was only our second stop, but I do think it will be hard to beat. It’s one of the prettiest places we’ve been.

First, the drive into Valdez is spectacular! You go over Thompson Pass, one of the snowiest places in Alaska, which averages 700 inches per year. Valdez is the snowiest city and gets 300 inches per year.

After the pass, you drive through Keystone Canyon along a river and roadside waterfalls.

The town is on the Prince William Sound and there are 360-degree views of the Chugach Mountains.

We arrived a day earlier than planned and dry camped in a waterfront site at Allison Point Campground before moving over to Valdez RV Park for a week. Most of the town, and particularly the Valdez Brewery, was within walking distance of the RV Park. We had our first halibut from the food truck outside the brewery and it was delicious.

The couple we met in WA was also in Valdez, and through them met 4 other couples who are also working while RVing in Alaska this summer.

We took a unique glacier and wildlife cruise in the Prince William Sound on the Lu-Lu Belle. Captain Fred drives the small boat he built and lives on while narrating nonstop for 8+ hours. He’s been giving his tours for 45 years! It was one of the best days we’ve had RVing.

We saw 2 breaching humpback whales, otters, sea lions, and puffins.

The destination of the tour is the Columbia Glacier which is one of the most active tidewater glaciers in Alaska. Captain Fred waited until a big chunk of the glacier calved.

We also paddled with icebergs in Valdez Glacier Lake twice. The first attempt was on our first weekend but the lake was still frozen and we couldn’t get anywhere. We stopped by on a whim the following Friday and it had thawed out!

We were a little sad to leave Valdez, but excited to head towards “Alaska’s Playground”, the Kenai Peninsula.