Whittier is Alaska’s gateway to the pristine Prince William Sound, and is nestled between glaciers and lush mountains. This port town is home to just a few hundred people, but is visited by thousands every year through the summer months, particularly on visiting cruise ships from Canada. With an Alaskan motorhome rental, you can add Whittier to your wish-list of scenic destinations.
Find the deal on Whittier motorhomes
At Motorhome Republic we work with all the brands, from global companies to local operators. We have access to the widest range of campers and can ensure you get exactly the right van for your holiday, especially to specialised destinations such as an Alaska road trip. Jump onto our comprehensive website and put a few details into the search engine. Once we know your city of pick up, dates of travel and driver’s age, we can show you all available campers. Do you need to sleep the whole family, or is it just a getaway for two? Use filters to narrow down your search until you find your perfect solution. Once your have made a decision, go ahead and book securely online, but if you still have a query, give our multi-lingual customer service staff a call. They are standing by, on-call 24/7. We are proud of our record, with over 100,000 adventures booked with us already – just read the genuine feedback on independent review site, Trustpilot.
Beyond Whittier, where else in Alaska?
Whittier is just over an hour’s driving time from Anchorage, the closest major airport, although Whittier does have its own local air-field. Whittier is also a port on the Alaska Marine Highway, which is the ferry service to many Alaskan communities, and can transport your car, camper or recreational vehicle. Whittier is part of the South Central/South West system, which operates to far-flung destinations such as the Aleutian Islands, accessible only be the ferry or air.
Where to stay: Camping in Whittier
In the heart of town is Whittier Parking and Camping, open throughout the summer tourist season from mid-April to late October. An hour from Anchorage, and before the tunnel, is Portage Valley Cabins and RV Park, which could be a good option depending on the tunnel timetable.
Whittier eating and drinking
Seafood is the obvious choice for dining in Alaska. You can’t get fresher halibut or rockfish than at the Swiftwater Seafood Cafe, as their catch is direct from the Sound, which you can see from your seat on their deck. Lazy Otter Charters also has an espresso-serving land based café.
What to see and do in Whittier
Just getting to Whittier is an adventure, especially if you are travelling in by road. You must pass through the three-mile long Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, North America’s longest mixed-use tunnel, which passes under Maynard Mountain. The tunnel is a single lane highway, and a railway, so a timetable runs as to which service and direction is available at any given time. A bit of preparatory study will cut down your waiting time, but it’s all part of the motorhome rental experience in Whittier.
Most visitors are in Whittier to experience the Prince William Sound, and there are a number of tour operators who can get you on the water. Choose from kayaks,water-taxis or larger cruising vessels that offer salmon and rib buffets. If you are staying longer in Whittier, overnight and customised tours are available.
From the Whittier Harbour, you will commonly sea seal and sea otters. You can also witness the salmon jumping, as king salmon run from May to early July, and silver salmon bring anglers to town from late July to September.
Another Alaskan major destination is Kenai Fjords National Park, about an hour and a half South of Whittier by road.
After Whittier, you may also begin in another destination, like taking a motorhome rental from Fairbanks, from Miami, or Chicago. Alternatively, you may look at motorhome rentals from Baltimore (MD), Newark (NJ), or Fort Lauderdale (FL), and explore more. Motorhome Republic can help you all around the US and the world.
When to travel to Whittier
Like many parts of Alaska, Whittier is a seasonal destination, operating only in the summer and shoulder months from mid-April to late October. It is called the land of the midnight sun for a reason, as at the height of summer it will be daylight for up to 19 hours. Sights such as the glaciers, and water-based tours are only possible in the warmer temperatures of summer.