home
Menu
Create
Random
0
0
0
<< Message Board

Canada & Alaska Hitchhike

Submitted by stephenn on November 19, 2025
In about a month I'll be taking off on my most ambitious hitchhike challenge yet - Alaska in the winter. I'm planning on moving to AK after I graduate university and wanted to visit the state to get an idea of where I'd like to live.

I'll leave my car in northern Idaho and hope to get all over BC, Yukon, NWT (the accessible parts), Alberta, and Alaska. I'll definitely stop in Revelstoke, Banff, tombstone park, Juneau, Valdez, Fairbanks, Calgary, Denali, etc. I'm going to try to convince a trucker to take me up the haul road to the arctic ocean, but that's tentative. The main challenge will be surviving sleeping in the cold haha.

Curious if anybody here either lives up there or has hitchhiked in these areas and has any suggestions of places to visit I might not have thought of. I will probably avoid Anchorage due to some hitchhiker violence I've heard of. I have 2-3 weeks, so any parks or towns I can add to the schedule would be awesome!

20 Comments
LuckyCat
+10
Level 72
Nov 19, 2025
Bear code :3

Black - fight back

Brown - lie down

White - goodnight

Kodiak - just don't go to that island

stephenn
+4
Level 99
Nov 19, 2025
Haha thanks! I've run into bears several times in WY, ID, and MT so I feel prepared. Will have bear spray with me.
Quizmaster
+8
Level ∞
Nov 19, 2025
Wow, that sounds difficult. Be safe! And definitely watch "Into the Wild" and "Grizzly Man" first for some tips on what not to do.
stephenn
+8
Level 99
Nov 19, 2025
Haha definitely no intention of following in either of their footsteps. As the Yellowstone rangers say: there is a considerable overlap between the most intelligent wildlife and the dumbest tourists.
Dimby
+2
Level 83
Nov 19, 2025
Hitchhiking is illegal in Canada… be very careful. One of the highways in BC is nicknamed the “Highway of Tears” because so many hitchhikers have gone missing on it.
stephenn
+9
Level 99
Nov 19, 2025
Hitchhiking is actually legal (or at least not illegal) in BC, Yukon, and NWT. As long as you're not on the roadways - shoulder is allowed. I am aware of the highway of tears. Scary stuff, although most of those incidents are several decades old. I will not be travelling that highway.

I think my friend who's coming with me and I are young and fit enough to deter most people from trying to threaten us. Appreciate the warnings and concerns!

Dimby
+3
Level 83
Nov 19, 2025
Oh, going with another person is much safer, so that's good to hear.
FreeStater
+2
Level 81
Nov 19, 2025
Sounds fun but quite dangerous. The cold up there is no joke. Where are you planning to sleep?
stephenn
+3
Level 99
Nov 19, 2025
Primarily outdoors. I've been practicing my cold weather camping in the mountains in MT and ID for the last few months to ensure I'll be adequately prepared. If the weather is too unbearable we'll book a motel. Certainly won't sleep outdoors north of Fairbanks.
Maxibon
+3
Level 73
Nov 19, 2025
Best of luck on your journey!
Wizzandy
+5
Level 51
Nov 19, 2025
can i come with you
Pontiac
+1
Level 61
Nov 19, 2025
You should go to Valdez, Alaska
stephenn
+3
Level 99
Nov 19, 2025
I absolutely will, I think I included it in the original post. That's the destination I'm most excited for actually! I have a good feeling I'll want to move there after visiting haha.
Pontiac
+1
Level 61
Nov 19, 2025
I read about Valdez in a book about the Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964. The book had stated that the place was beautiful and I absolutely agree. When I am older, I want to visit Alaska (and most of the US) too but I will continue to live in West Virginia.
stephenn
+2
Level 99
Nov 19, 2025
Very cool! Forgot about the earthquake. I've always been torn between wanting to live in Wyoming, Alaska, or West Virginia. All three are incredible states. I'll be in WV in a few days actually - looking forward to it!
Pontiac
+1
Level 61
Nov 19, 2025
Just whatever you decide, don't come to Berkeley County, WV. The state may be losing population but Berkeley County needs to start shoving people out lol.
stephenn
+2
Level 99
Nov 20, 2025
Haha I won't! Beautiful county, but my top 3 are Preston, Wyoming, and MacDowell.
Pontiac
+2
Level 61
Nov 20, 2025
I mean it is surprising seeing the growth in Berkeley County. We have at least 15 schools either in the system approved or under construction... and it is still not enough! Preston, Wyoming, and McDowell counties are beautiful counties. My top three favorite counties in WV are Greenbrier, Clay, and Tucker (Tucker for the town of Davis which is where I would love to move to later)
In2restingFacts
+2
Level 27
Nov 19, 2025
keep in mind the complete darkness up there this time of the year, have a lot of batteries, backup flashlights, reflective gear, etc
Ptcairn
+3
Level 68
Nov 19, 2025
Good luck man, that certainly seems like a crazy journey.
Copyright H Brothers Inc, 2008–2026
Contact Us | Go To Top | View Mobile Site | Site Map